Rabika

Rabika are a species of mammals most often found on the planet Hocopoco.

Descended from the rabbits of planet Earth, the rabika species’ ancestors were sent into outer space by human scientists long ago. Many died once subjected to the unfamiliar conditions of their harsh new planets, but some – specifically, the ones shipped off to a faraway and peculiar planet named Pareidolia – survived, and were forever changed by that remote planet’s mysterious, paranormal nature. The Pareidolia experiment came to an early conclusion when Earth was abandoned, and the human scientists never got the opportunity to check in on their rabbit test subjects again…

Today, most rabika reside on the planet Hocopoco – an entire planet of their own, magical construction. It is one of the Milky Way Galaxy’s most impressive feats of engineering, demonstrating the unique ingenuity of this fascinating species.

Biology and appearance

Rabika are descended from the rabbits of planet Earth, but they have little in common with their four-legged ancestors today. They are a humanoid species, standing on two legs, and, like the human scientists who shipped them off into outer space in the first place, they are fully sapient. They do, however, have long, prominent ears, big bushy tails, and fur that covers their entire bodies.

Like their rabbit forebears, rabika still produce large litters of between five and eight kits and sometimes even more. Due to the monumental task that is raising a rabika family, however, a majority of rabika women will produce only a single litter in their lifetimes. According to old rabika tradition, passed down through old tales, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter will be born particularly gifted in the arcane arts, though there is little concrete evidence to suggest that this is true.

All rabika are vegetarians by nature, as their digestive systems cannot process meat, but – though not a biological necessity – it is common for them to go fully vegan.

Sexual differences

In rabika, the most notable difference between the sexes comes down to the manifestation of the MGC-1 gene, also referred to as the ‘sorcery gene’. In female-born rabika, this gene is active. This enables female rabika to tap into their magical reserves in order to cast spells. In male-born rabika, however, this gene lies dormant, and it is impossible for them to cast spells as a result. This doesn’t mean that male rabika are completely unmagical – they are certainly still capable of feats that other, non-magical species are not. It simply means that they cannot cast spells on command as female rabika can.

Male rabika are noticeably larger and ‘bulkier’ than their female counterparts, relying on their physical strength to perform tasks for which females would simply cast spells. Females on the other hand are lithe, and light on their feet.

Birthmarks

All rabika – regardless of the state of their MGC-1 gene – possess similar birthmarks on their ears, identical on both. These birthmarks are assigned at the point of conception, and correspond to which of Hocopoco’s four moons they were conceived under. They can come in many colours, but their shape is always the same. The four possible birthmarks are:

♣️ Club birthmark

The Club birthmark is assigned to rabika conceived under Desuetude, the moon of earth and flesh. These rabika, regardless of their sex, are very often hardier and less prone to physical ailments and disease than their peers. They feel a greater sense of connection between their bodies and the ground beneath them, and often reveal a keener sense for direction than most.

♦️ Diamond birthmark

The Diamond birthmark is assigned to rabika conceived under Certitude, the moon of thought and reason. Such rabika tend to be more perceptive than most, possessing an eye for detail that others lack. Their memories are strong, and they are of soundest clarity and mind. Many rabika farseers have been conceived under the knowing influence of Certitude’s moonlight.

♠️ Spade birthmark

The Spade birthmark is assigned to rabika conceived under Solitude, the moon of shadow and change. Amongst all of their kind, those rabika conceived beneath the shadow of Solitude are the most cunning. They find their success in trickery, subterfuge and risk, for they have a keener sense for danger than others, and wear the shadows like a second skin.

♥️ Heart birthmark

The Heart birthmark is assigned to rabika conceived under Fortitude, the moon of emotion and spirit. These rabika are blessed with a deeper emotional resonance, empathy, and often charisma. They are driven by their ideals and by truth, and their influence on others is a calming one. They are less easily fooled by illusions and trickery, though it is often their hearts that govern them as opposed to their minds.

Society and culture

Being highly arcane in nature, Hocopoco society and culture is governed by magic in all ways. Because of this, female rabika – being the only sex capable of tapping into their MGC-1 gene, and casting magic spells – are dominant and revered. Whilst the MGC-1 gene lies dormant in males, however, they have nonetheless carved out a place for themselves in Hocopoco’s society, albeit a different and often more humble one than that enjoyed by their female counterparts.

Whilst physically smaller and less robust than their male counterparts, female rabika – or does – can tap directly into their sorcery gene to cast powerful spells for both combat and utility. Using their magic, they can fly, curse, enchant objects, and perform everyday tasks with ease. Does are known for their sharp wit and their pride, and they tend to hold loftier roles in Hocopoco’s society, such as in government and academia.

Some would argue that male rabika – or bucks – might seem unnecessary, but nothing could be further from the truth. Whilst they lack the does’ magical abilities, magic is still not without its limitations, and so bucks form the backbone of Hocopoco’s infrastructure. Being the physically larger and stronger sex, they are Hocopoco’s builders, craftsmen and labourers, and though they might lack the societal power enjoyed by does, they are content with their more industrious role. They are respected as being creative, loyal, and hardworking.

As male births are more common than female births, bucks outnumber does by a significant margin.

Rabika are a non-religious, atheistic species, who put their faith in themselves and in the universe’s arcane secrets, over some unseen higher power such as Galaxy. They do, however, recognise Galaxy as the universe’s creator, even if they don’t view her as all-seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful. They are, likewise, very much aware of Blackhole, and deem him an enemy to all mortal life.