Shagrem
General overview:
In quadrupedal position, Shagrem resemble stocky dogs with gargoyle like-features and long, decorative hair. They also possess the ability to walk upright, making use of their dexterous hands. They are slower when walking this way, but usually reserve 4-limbed travel for long distances and hard labor, as standing on all fours while around others is seen as disrespectful.
Shagrem are a peaceful and collaborative species. They are intelligent with language, writing, farming and crafting skills, actively trade, and have rich traditions and beliefs. They have close-knit families and usually live in small settlements. Some larger, densely populated cities exist but are rare.
They have an omnivorous diet and live comfortable lifestyles, preferring trade as their form of commerce within their own communities. Some Shagrem are more active and industrious than others, and seek new jobs and opportunities found in the larger cities, though most families inhabit and inherit the same homestead for generations.
In quadrupedal position, Shagrem resemble stocky dogs with gargoyle like-features and long, decorative hair. They also possess the ability to walk upright, making use of their dexterous hands. They are slower when walking this way, but usually reserve 4-limbed travel for long distances and hard labor, as standing on all fours while around others is seen as disrespectful.
Shagrem are a peaceful and collaborative species. They are intelligent with language, writing, farming and crafting skills, actively trade, and have rich traditions and beliefs. They have close-knit families and usually live in small settlements. Some larger, densely populated cities exist but are rare.
They have an omnivorous diet and live comfortable lifestyles, preferring trade as their form of commerce within their own communities. Some Shagrem are more active and industrious than others, and seek new jobs and opportunities found in the larger cities, though most families inhabit and inherit the same homestead for generations.
One of the Shagrem's most defining traits is their long, silky forearm hair. This hair is grown out over the course of their entire lives and is meticulously cared for, serving as a symbol of the Shagrem's age and status. The longer the hair, the more wise and respected they will be.
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A Shagrem is considered to have reached maturity when their hair has grown to cover their back feet in (quadrupedal) standing position.
There are a number of styles that a Shagrem can carry their hair in. Some choose braids, lacing it behind their backs or around other parts of their bodies, or simply curling it around their wrists. Others prefer to just let it drape naturally. |
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It is common for Shagrem to weave decorations in with their hair - many special events and celebrations even call for it. Everyday items can include beads, bracelets, and charms, or more natural objects like flowers, plants, bone, teeth, claws, scales, or other hides and trinkets. Though Shagrem frequently use dyes on other parts of their body, dying the forearm hair is frowned upon and seen as deceptive.
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When a Shagrem reaches an elderly age, its forearm hair begins to change to a golden color and loses all other pigment. Those with golden hairs are the most revered of all Shagrem, said to have earned the God's favor with their good deeds and a life well-lived.
Only Shagrem who have attained golden hair are eligible to be elected as leaders or rulers. For Kings and Queens especially, their hair is considered sacred. Whenever they shed a golden hair, it is collected and added to a public display, honoring their time as ruler. |
An elderly or renown Shagrem may bestow one of their golden hairs unto another as a gift, tribute, or charm of good luck or well-wishes. The receiver will display this gift proudly, often winding it into jewelry or weaving it in with their own hairs.
Tying, tangling, or knotting gifted golden hair is considered incredibly disrespectful, believed to bestow bad luck upon the original hair owner and their family.
A hair that is purposefully plucked (not shed) from a Royal's forearm and bestowed upon another is said to be the highest gift of honor a Shagrem could possibly receive.
Tying, tangling, or knotting gifted golden hair is considered incredibly disrespectful, believed to bestow bad luck upon the original hair owner and their family.
A hair that is purposefully plucked (not shed) from a Royal's forearm and bestowed upon another is said to be the highest gift of honor a Shagrem could possibly receive.
Not all Shagrem are honorable, however. Those that have committed shameful acts and terrible crimes may suffer the worst punishment of all - having their forearms shaved. A Shagrem with hair cut short loses all respect, status, and is effectively banned from society. A disgraced Shagrem must spend years in isolation, only allowed to return and ask for forgiveness once their hair again grows to cover their back feet.
A banished Shagrem's hair will always be markedly (and noticeably) shorter than average for one of their age, but those that successfully re-integrate with society are usually treated kindly, despite a stigma of shame surrounding them.
Some Shagrem are so disgraced that they may choose never to return to society.
A banished Shagrem's hair will always be markedly (and noticeably) shorter than average for one of their age, but those that successfully re-integrate with society are usually treated kindly, despite a stigma of shame surrounding them.
Some Shagrem are so disgraced that they may choose never to return to society.
