This Journal is dedicated to explaining the Dire Syn, a species of my own creation, how they look, how their society works, and a bit about their history and dwellings.

Backstory:

Dire Syn are an ancient species of war beasts that were originally captured, then bred by the Mongolians, and many generations later, the "lesser" Dire Syn were bred to help farm. As wars became less frequent, and humans and other species rallied for rights for the Dire Syn, the species slowly became free to form their own society. Initially, the Alpha Dire Syn, also known as "The Beasts of War" during violent times, were to be whipped out due to their violent nature, however due to the small number of the Alphas to start with, and the fact that they finally revealed they could speak and were capable of intelligent thought, they eventually formed a set of laws and treaties and were released.

The Dire Syn got their name because in ancient times, long before the captive breeding of the species, they were seen as good fortune. The appearance of a Dire Syn in or near a village or hunting group meant that there was plenty to hunt, and fertile land. If a Dire Syn arrived in an area where the land was unable to grow, within a year, if it stayed in the territory, the land became fertile. It is said that these creatures take the sins of man into their bodies, and purify the land, hence how they got the name Dire Syn.

In modern times the Alphas are seen as aggressive, and typically creatures to avoid, but when they choose to venture into a town or city, they have a lot of money and love to flaunt it. Like most alpha animals, Alpha Dire Syn enjoy sex, fighting, and really any way to show their superiority. They have large territories that they patrol, and prefer cold climates. Most Alpha's are found in Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and the northernmost points of Europe.

The lesser branch of the species, which has become known as just "Dire Syn" are typically found in forests or near small towns through out North America, Europe, and northern Asia, and enjoy farm work and hunting small game.

Appearance:

All Dire Syn have cloved hooves, short muzzles, large eyes with slitted pupils, and hand paws that have five digits and act as fingers and have retractable claws. All Dire Syn come in a variety of colors with a variety of markings, from red to purple, black to white, spots to stripes. Most Dire Syn are slender, but muscular, and are not only strong, but fast, their cloved hooves help them keep a strong grip when running.

Lesser Dire Syn have short fur, some have "hair" or "manes" and some do not. They have small, round ears that are always downward, and short, deer like tails. Most are about 6ft tall, the tallest recorded was 7ft, the shortest was 5'9ft.

Alpha Dire Syn have horns of various shapes, colors, and sizes, hard plate like scales along their spine, and a long, bushy tail. All Alphas have "hair" or a "mane" and shed their summer coat for a winter during the colder months. Alphas that do not have a summer coat are seen as "Albino." Most Alphas are about 8ft tall, the tallest ever recorded was 8'6ft, the smallest, aside from the current king, was 6'9ft.

Diet/Hunting:

All Dire Syn are Omnivores, though Alphas prefer meat over anything else. The Lesser Dire Syn hunt small game or set traps, make jerky, gather truffles from the forest, and some tribes even farm. Lesser Dire Syn only eat about a third of their body weight in a day, seeing as they are not typically roamers and live in large, comfortable groups. This branch of Dire Syn have a large sweet tooth, and often trade with humans or other species for sweet cakes, candies, and other treats.

Alpha Dire Syn are highly carnivorous and will hunt, kill, and eat almost anything. Any Alpha will simply over power their prey, and if they have a dispute with another Alpha and kill them, if they are hungry they will simply eat the other Alpha, they have no problem in resorting to cannibalism. Alpha Dire Syn eat about 4x their weight in a sitting, seeing as they typically roam large territories and are highly active. However aggressive and hungry for meat they are, no Alpha can resist apples, they often horde and gorge themselves on them. Once an Alpha has slipped into an "Apple Coma" there is no waking it for at least a day.

Lifespan:

Lesser Dire Syn have been known to live for up to 100 to 120 years.

Alpha Dire Syn typically lead short lives due to their violent behavior, and it is rare to see one over the age of 50. However "The Keeper" is rumored to be well over 2,000 years old and is said to be immortal.

Culture/Society:

Lesser Dire Syn typically live in groups or packs of 10 to 30. They are mostly a hunter/gather society, but some of the tribes closer to human lands farm. Males and females share the burdens of hunting and gathering, and sometimes farming, together. Lesser Dire Syn all mate in the late fall, and don't mate for life. Once the cubs are born, females raise them in a group together until adulthood at the age of 16.

Lesser Dire Syn prefer the day to night, they are sight hunters, and have poor night vision in comparison to their more aggressive cousins.

Each tribe has a group of 3 to 5 members that routinely take goods to villages, towns, and cities of other species where they trade for sweets, tools, and comfort items.

Many Lesser Dire Syn have been seen living in cities, and go to visit their tribes and families for special occasions, but due to their friendly and fun personalities, they get on well in big cities and have no trouble making friends and planting roots.

If Lesser Dire Syn have problems with other species, or other tribes, one of their tribe will seek out the Alpha in charge of their territory, and the Alpha will deal with the skirmish or disturbance.

Alpha Dire Syn are typically loners, or if they have a life mate, will live, hunt, and travel with their mate. They are mostly hunters, and defend their territories with a fierce blood lust. Most Alphas live in caves that they either found or dug out themselves that are decorated with fur pelts from other animals, or sometimes the fur and bones of rivals. Alphas are very adept at tanning and sell unwanted pelts to traveling merchants. Males and females are seen as complete equals, and are measured based on how well they fight more than their stature or age. Alpha Dire Syn mate to procreate in the late fall, and females will raise the cubs on their own, unless they have a life mate, then they will live as a small family unit until the cub is matured at the age of 14.

Most Alpha make it a point to be active during whatever time of day they chose, they have excellent night vision, a great sense of smell, and they can hear a pin drop from up to five miles away.

Most Alphas will not venture out of their territory at all but for the Solstice meetings with the King, where they all make reports of the past six months, and life mates are sanctioned. Alphas must get permission from another Alpha to enter the other's territory outside of the Solstice, and both Alphas must agree to the terms and rules of the other. If an agreement cannot be met, the outside Alpha will either leave, or fight for their right to enter the territory and do as they please.

Alphas will venture into large towns or cities to display their power through either fighting, gambling, or sexual conquests. While in large cities they will buy any supplies they need or want.

Non Physical attributes:

Lesser Dire Syn have very low magic, usually along the lines of being able to pull moisture from the air or the things around them, creating little sparks, or being able to give the illusion that they are not there for short bursts of time while hunting. Lesser Dire Syn have very small abilities of every element and they use them to help them in their daily lives.

Alpha Dire Syn have abilities that pertain strongly to ONE element, and advanced psychic abilities that they use to cloak their presence, cause temporary hallucinations, and some of the oldest, such as the Keeper, are rumored to be able to communicate telepathically.

There is a rumor that The King gains divine powers and advanced abilities when they ascend to the throne, but there is no solid evidence of this.

Challenges:

When an Alpha is challenged, it is up to the winner to let the other live or to kill them. Challenges can be issued by any alpha, to almost any alpha, at any point, over any matter. The only time a challenge may not be issued is during the Solstices.

The Solstices:

During the Winter and Summer Solstices, Alphas gather together in "The Kingdom" A remote, rocky area, hidden somewhere in Siberia where The King makes his nest. The Kingdom is where The Throne is kept and guarded by "The Keeper", a centuries old Alpha who keeps outsiders away from The Kingdom, and prevents any theft of the King's items. The Throne is a large, stone and onyx structure. It has been chiseled to resemble a large armed chair, and is adorned with whatever the current King deems appropriate.

While in The Kingdom any challenges, unless sanctioned by The King, are strictly forbidden. Alphas report any disputes they have settled, challenges won or lost, and any choosing of a life mate to The King at this time. This is also the only times of the year when The King may be challenged for his throne, and unlike a normal challenge, the looser MUST be killed to prevent sides being taken, and for the King to display their dominance.

Lesser Dire Syn celebrate during the Solstices, they hold lavish feasts and greatly encourage the mingling of other species during this time.

The King:

The King is determined by whoever challenged and killed the former King. If an issue cannot be resolved by an Alpha, or if territory skirmishes arise between species, The King steps in, and puts them to rest. The King is the only one who can declare war, and is the only one who can sanction life mates.

The King can choose to stay in The Kingdom, or roam through out any territory he chooses, and does not require permission from the Alpha of that area. The King is seen as the most powerful of the species, and is expected to regularly display his power.

The current King, Krov, came into The Throne when he killed the former king at the age of 12, while he was still considered a child. He is now 21, and still holds The Throne firmly. He has been challenged every Solstice gathering since he first became King, and has never been beaten.

Krov is an Albino, he has no summer coat, and he is the smallest of either branch of his species, standing at just 5'6ft. Krov decorated the throne with the Skull and tanned tail of the former king. He wears the former King's pelt as a cape with his horns attached to the hood as a symbol of his power. No one is sure what element Krov has command of, he's never used it in front of anyone, some speculate that he doesn't have one, others say that he's so powerful that he won't use it in fear of devastation. Krov refuses to stay in The Kingdom and prefers roaming from town to town and city to city. He rarely interacts with those of his own species, and enjoys gaining attention from those of other species who marvel in his presence.

Despite his young age and small size, Krov is seen as a terrifying figure. When he became the new King, the battle was brutal and fairly short. After blows were dealt on both sides, Krov tore out the scaled plates of the Former King's spine with his teeth, and slashed into the open wound, severing the spine with his claws. Any challenger Krov has faced since has had an even shorter battle.

Krov, to everyone's knowledge, has never indulged in sexual acts with anyone. You hear rumors started and spread by those seeking fame that they have been to bed with The King from many different species, but none have ever been proven.

THIS IS JUST THE LORE FOR THE SPECIES, YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY MAKE YOUR OWN DIRE SYN AS UNIQUE AND HIP AS YOU WISH.

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