Description
EDIT: Docts are no longer apart of floraverse. They are my personal species. This is not to say you can't make dog insect creatures. You are welcome to use the name if you want to relate it to the story and world its attached to.
Finally got the examples done and a good chunk of information and ideas down.
The Pugapiller, female beatle dog, and red centipede are up for adoption. I like their concepts, I just won't use them. (if anyone feels like buying or trading for them, that'd be swell).
Quick Summary
Very loyal species, willing to let go, but also love companionship. Usually skiddish and make good lie detectors. They love to travel and discover new things. Their culture consist of a so of sociological view on everything. They are very open minded and accepting of others, saving their harsher views for their own kind. Basically more accepting to a different species for being different in counter with someone who is a Docts they have higher standards for. Ex. If a Docts morns for too long after something tragic, they may be scorned for being too attached.
Heavy details below.
Affinities
Due to their habits of constant travel, they may not have an affinity, but there is also a chance of having any kind since locations all differ widely. Commonly they have Earth, poison, air, acid, sound.
Sound Docts tend to be the most social as they tend to love being noisy or sing, also most likely to end up in trouble.
Locations
Their exact origin is unknown. As of nowadays, they seem to stretch far across the lands in their caravans. Natural pack animals, they prefer to stick together. Though on occasion there may be a lone wolf, but usually they prefer to keep at least one person in their company. Usually kin or lover.
Nomadic Saints
The common belief of Docts. It is based around the idea of finding enlightenment through travel and experience of the world around you. Usually from experiencing other cultures. Thus the caravans are used to spread the ideas and teachings they’ve learned throughout their travels. Once one feels enlightened or just time to settle down and start a family, they leave the caravan for a suitable home, usually with their companion. The children are raised to believe these ideals, and once old enough, go through a sort of pilgrimage to find a suitable caravan to join. Children born on the caravan tend not to have to go through trials. Some Docts never end up in caravans or give up and settle down before they can find one. But they still retain the understanding and ideal of travel to find some sort of meaning or build character.
There is a trial in becoming part of a caravan for a Docts. Each caravan has an one or more Elders who are descendants of the original Saints. They keep the traditions going and tend to take on pupils who will one day take their place. Usually grandchildren.
The trials differ caravan to caravan. Mostly consisting of survival, good deeds, or facing off against a beast or member of the caravan, usual based on what is important to that particular caravan. Sometimes it can be a simple test of morals or brute strength. If proven themselves to the group, and especially the Saint Decedent, they will be welcomed and discussions of experiences are shared.
Docts are open to other races joining them. In that they believe themselves to be protectors of the weak. Usually only accepting smaller races, but that is also dependent on the groups belief.
Livelihood
Docts have high moral standings. Though some morals for them are questionable to some. As in, if there is a weak or stunted Docts that are born within the caravan, there is a good chance they will sell them. There is an odd understanding of detachment that most Docts understand, but it confuses most anyone else from outside their beliefs. “If you love something, let it go.” In these instances, they take care to make sure that the weak ones go to safe places.
Also with Docts, in times of hardship, as in lack of food, some may sacrifice themselves for the caravan. Causing this sort of cannibalism self sacrifice. Usually males.
So core morals are protecting the weak, being willing to let go easily, believing it is for the better, self sacrifice, and being a beneficial part of society with one’s skills or knowledge.
Since they travel, they’ve become known for having treasures from all over, making their use highly in trade.
Diets
Docts are omnivores. Their diets consist of things that can be hunted, fished, or gathered. They have a preferred taste to sweet sugary things. Sometimes, if possible to acquire, they will savor bits of raw sugar.
Language
Most speak common, some are bilingual based on locations. Their native language, Doshlek, is fading with time. Mostly only the older generations know it, and some learn it for the sake of keeping it around. Many parents try to teach their pups Doshlek first before common. (This gives most an accent similar to german and french, basically a rough but romantic accent.).
Family
Docts lay eggs, both parents care for them, but once the pups get a bit older, they are distanced to start the learning process. The ability to pass down affinities is very lucid. They can be born with one affinity, and end up losing it and gaining another during travel or none at all.
Trivia
Docts have a rare trait that may cause one to go into feral states of pure rage, making them very dangerous(like rabies, but more mental). If this happens, they tend to be sent into exile and are marked so that they cannot join another caravan. Seeing as they are a social species, this can be very hard on the Docts in question, as they can’t control this, but it rarely happens. Being exiled tends to only make it worse, unless someone wants to accompany them, which tends to be friends or family. In that case, the exile is more likely to stay sane.
Docts have an innate sense of emotions and sort of a 6th sense, some being able to sense like aura of others. Making them well aware of others feelings and able to pick up on acute social and behavioral cues. This makes them naturally good at detecting lies, usually making the Docts themselves great liars, though they prefer to be honest.
Many Docts have a high resilience to sicknesses and poisons. Its that or they just don’t feel that much pain.