GENERAL
Manehoods are magical mammals that inhabit Exteria. They can be found both on the Light and Dark Hemisphere, though they're much rarer on the latter. Their anatomy is similar to that of a feline, typically they have a 4 legged stance, similar to a feral animal, though some are born with a different bone structure, allowing them to stand up like an anthropomorphic creature. Their bones are lightweight and generally their bodies are very flexible, allowing them to be very agile. Manehoods have soft elastic pawpads, allowing them to walk silently and to cushion falls. They reproduce sexually and have small litters, usually around 1 to 3. They reach maturity at 18 years old and can live up to 500 years.
CW: ORGANS AND BONES (click the image to reveal)
SPECIAL ORGANS
Unlike cats however, Manehoods have a few differing organs, not seen in any other creature: the "Fluffs" and the "Magic Core"
FLUFFS
Similar to feelers, the Fluffs are sensory organs, used to percieve vibrations (sound), change in heat, touch, and some may also sense smell or taste. They are usually in pairs and are very sensitive, causing any harm to them will lead to the Manehood feeling extreme pain. A Manehood is still able to percieve their surroundings even with only one Fluff, but may have difficulties with percieving the direction of sounds. A Manehood without any Fluffs is completely deaf and requires special assistance.
MAGIC CORE
The Magic Core is an organ located at the tip of a Manehood's tail. It is a purpleish spiral shaped organ that is connected to the neural system through the spinal chord, and is where the magic of the Manehood is stored, and what gives the tail tip its iconic curl shape. If the Magic Core is missing, has the connection to the neural system severed or is damaged, the Manehood may not be able to use its magic abilities or may have limited function.
LIFE CYCLE
Baby Manehoods are called "Manekittens" or simply kittens. They are very small, and when they are born they have their eyes closed. They have very short hair, kinda like peach fuzz, and their hood is a simple white cloth. Their markings aren't fully developed. Their magic mark isn't developed yet, so the mark area is left blank. They are unable to walk due to their bones being too frail and must be moved around by their caretaker.
At 2 weeks old they open their eyes, and are able to slowly pull themselves where they want to go. They aren't quite able to stand up yet, or can stand up for small amounts of time.
At about 1 month old, they're able to stand up and walk. Their magic mark and hood slowly start to develop, gaining traits related to their theme.
At 1 year old, they begin learning how to speak, and their magic mark and hood fully develop. If the special traits of the Manehood are genetic, then they start to appear after this point.
At 13 years old they start being able to harness their magic abilities and manifestations, and can be considered a "teenager".
At 18 years old they reach maturity and are considered adults.
After 18 years old their development slows down drastically. It's unlikely to see signs of old age until 300-400 years old. Beyond that point Manehoods begin to become fragile, their magic powers slowly weaken and their fur becomes spotted with white hairs, that's when they can be considered elderly and require more care and attention.
SPECIAL TRAITS
Special traits can be considered mutations in a Manehood's structure, and can affect various parts of them. Rarely, special traits can happen genetically, developing from a mutation at birth, manifesting early on in life. Most often though, special traits occour due to variations in the environment the Manehood lives in. This includes magical variations, radiation, etc... Sometimes these variations can happen volountarily, usually generated by items infused with magical properties, sold by few merchants.
Special traits can sometimes give benefits to the Manehood, such as new magical powers, wings, etc, and be beneficial to them. Most often they're neutral, not really affecting much the wellbeing of the Manehood, though sometimes they're actively harmful, creating life-long mutations that leave the Manehood in pain.
Over the years they've become increasingly common, becoming normalised, but years ago they were very uncommon, leading to stigma tied to these mutations, causing Manehoods with special traits to be judged and isolated.