General Anatomy
Overview:
Mawmaws are large, quadrupedal creatures, with stocky bodies, large paws, and a uniquely shaped mouth that gives the species its name.
Modern day mawmaws share very little with their ancient ancestors, in terms of appearance. To adapt to life on the ground, the mawmaws became stocky and compact, with muscular arms and legs with large paws, and lost many of their dragon-like features; save for the singular scute on the face, and the few remaining spines on the species’ back.
Modern day mawmaws share very little with their ancient ancestors, in terms of appearance. To adapt to life on the ground, the mawmaws became stocky and compact, with muscular arms and legs with large paws, and lost many of their dragon-like features; save for the singular scute on the face, and the few remaining spines on the species’ back.
Size:
Typically, mawmaws stand around 5 feet tall at the shoulder; making them comparable to horses in terms of size. Some may be slightly larger or smaller than this, depending on their individual body type, but not by much.
With that being said, mawmaws are quite a bit heavier than horses of similar sizes due to their heavily muscular bodies. On average, mawmaws can weigh anywhere between 1,800 and 2,600 pounds!
With that being said, mawmaws are quite a bit heavier than horses of similar sizes due to their heavily muscular bodies. On average, mawmaws can weigh anywhere between 1,800 and 2,600 pounds!
Body Types:
While mawmaws are, as a species, quite heavily built; there are some slight variations in the body type of individuals that may affect their appearance.
The above image shows just a few examples; with a ‘standard’ body, a more lean body, a more muscular body, and a fattier body. Mawmaws can appear with other body types as well (not just these four) - but generally, the variation isn't that extreme.
The above image shows just a few examples; with a ‘standard’ body, a more lean body, a more muscular body, and a fattier body. Mawmaws can appear with other body types as well (not just these four) - but generally, the variation isn't that extreme.
Facial Variation:
Similarly to the variation seen in body types; mawmaws appear to have some slight variation in the shape of the face!
Once again, the above example shows just a few of the possible variations in the structure of a mawmaw’s face; and some may appear a bit different from these - but it’s usually not that extreme.
Once again, the above example shows just a few of the possible variations in the structure of a mawmaw’s face; and some may appear a bit different from these - but it’s usually not that extreme.
Mouth:
As mentioned, mawmaws have a unique mouth; which the species is named after!
It appears in a sort-of zig-zag pattern; with a rigid edge that is quite similar to a beak. Because of this, mawmaws only have crushing teeth in the back of the mouth; and nothing else!
The tongue of a mawmaw is flat, and forked at the tip; resembling that of their dragon-like ancestors. It’s one of few physical features that have remained with the species after they’ve adapted to life on land.
It appears in a sort-of zig-zag pattern; with a rigid edge that is quite similar to a beak. Because of this, mawmaws only have crushing teeth in the back of the mouth; and nothing else!
The tongue of a mawmaw is flat, and forked at the tip; resembling that of their dragon-like ancestors. It’s one of few physical features that have remained with the species after they’ve adapted to life on land.
Eyes:
Mawmaws have eyes similar to that of humans. They are made up of three parts; a sclera, an iris, and a round pupil. They see in full color and are able to see clearly for a good bit of distance.
Unlike humans, mawmaws have eyes that vary wildly in coloration. Each part of the eye may be any color; and they do not have to match!
Unlike humans, mawmaws have eyes that vary wildly in coloration. Each part of the eye may be any color; and they do not have to match!
Scute:
The small, square patch that rests over the nose of a mawmaw is called a scute.
It’s a hard, plate-like scale that serves only as a remnant to the species’ ancestors; the dragon-like mawmaws that once ruled the skies of Mesaya.
Mawmaws will only ever have one scute on their nose, and the shape and placement is consistent through all individuals of the species. It does not vary much; but some individuals may have a slightly wider or narrower scute than others.
It’s a hard, plate-like scale that serves only as a remnant to the species’ ancestors; the dragon-like mawmaws that once ruled the skies of Mesaya.
Mawmaws will only ever have one scute on their nose, and the shape and placement is consistent through all individuals of the species. It does not vary much; but some individuals may have a slightly wider or narrower scute than others.
Back Spines:
Another remnant of the mawmaws’ ancestors, the back spines that most mawmaws have serve little to no purpose other than decoration.
Typically, mawmaws have 3 to 5 spines along the back. They’re arranged in a single-file line which typically starts just behind the shoulders; if not on the lower back. The spines, themselves, may vary in length and thickness, but are conical in shape, and stand almost straight up from where they protrude.
A mawmaw’s spines are made of the same material their horns and claws are made of and as such, they are always the same color!
Typically, mawmaws have 3 to 5 spines along the back. They’re arranged in a single-file line which typically starts just behind the shoulders; if not on the lower back. The spines, themselves, may vary in length and thickness, but are conical in shape, and stand almost straight up from where they protrude.
A mawmaw’s spines are made of the same material their horns and claws are made of and as such, they are always the same color!
Legs and Paws:
Adapted to life on land, the mawmaws have developed thick, muscular limbs that are designed to carry them vast distances through most terrain.
Large paws with heavy padding allow mawmaws to traverse rough or unstable ground without issue; though that has rendered them mostly useless for manipulating objects.
The front paws have 5 digits; four toes and a small dew claw, while the hind paws have just 4.
Large paws with heavy padding allow mawmaws to traverse rough or unstable ground without issue; though that has rendered them mostly useless for manipulating objects.
The front paws have 5 digits; four toes and a small dew claw, while the hind paws have just 4.
Fur Coverage:
Minus their thick manes; mawmaws are generally covered with a short fur coat, similar to that of a cat or dog.
The fur itself is quite dense and good at protecting the skin beneath from the sun, debris, and extreme temperature.
A mawmaw’s coat is always unique in terms of coloration and pattern, and no two are exactly alike.
Mawmaws occasionally get small tufts of fur that grow in various places; like the elbows, knees, or cheeks, for example. These fur tufts are quite common but may end up affecting more of the body if they are not properly groomed!
The fur itself is quite dense and good at protecting the skin beneath from the sun, debris, and extreme temperature.
A mawmaw’s coat is always unique in terms of coloration and pattern, and no two are exactly alike.
Mawmaws occasionally get small tufts of fur that grow in various places; like the elbows, knees, or cheeks, for example. These fur tufts are quite common but may end up affecting more of the body if they are not properly groomed!
Traits:
Perhaps one of the most unique features of the mawmaw species is the diversity caused by the wide variety of traits individuals can be born with.
Traits are physical features; like the horns, ears, mane, and tails that vary between individuals. Some traits are more common than others, while others can be quite rare; there are even traits that are associated with blessings from the reverent themselves!
In total, there are six categories for traits:
Horn styles - Ear styles - Mane styles - Tail styles - Natural traits - Ascended traits
Each trait is further divided into rarity; which is based on how commonly it appears within the population. Common traits are more common while uncommon and rare traits are, well… more rare. Ascended traits aren’t exactly rare- but they are exclusive to royal and ascended type mawmaws and don’t appear anywhere in the population of natural mawmaws.
Traits are physical features; like the horns, ears, mane, and tails that vary between individuals. Some traits are more common than others, while others can be quite rare; there are even traits that are associated with blessings from the reverent themselves!
In total, there are six categories for traits:
Horn styles - Ear styles - Mane styles - Tail styles - Natural traits - Ascended traits
Each trait is further divided into rarity; which is based on how commonly it appears within the population. Common traits are more common while uncommon and rare traits are, well… more rare. Ascended traits aren’t exactly rare- but they are exclusive to royal and ascended type mawmaws and don’t appear anywhere in the population of natural mawmaws.