Opal

Opal riardi are unrelated to ore riardi in their history. They are distinctly different from other riardi in that they have broad, protective scales on their forearms and lower legs, banded, leathery, horizontal scales across their groin, belly, and diaphragms, and eighty percent of opal riardi have vestigial spikes which grow from their vertebrae, unlike most other riardi. Heterochromia is more frequent, at a rate of thirty percent. They have long tails and a satin sheen to their fur, along with wide, extra-long ears with pointed tips. These assist them to shed heat in hotter weather.

Opal riardi often tattoo their ears with stylized designs to improve long-distance recognition. Opal riardi have warm blue, teal, fuchsia, and warm purple color ranges, and recognize none of them as a ‘parent color’ to any others except for purples arising when color blending occurs among self (single/solidly-colored) riardi.

This body type has a venom which magically sickens- rather than physically renders ill- biological creatures by casting unpleasant magical effects, being spiritually fatigued (ie: MP loss if using any dice system and spells backfiring should the victim attempt casting magic, etc). It works best against magical targets. However, this venom is useless against the magic-less crystal beasts.

Dangerous Land- Crystal Deserts

As they age, opal riardi experience a curious phenomenon- crystal growths may develop along their bodies. Because they live next to an ever-slowly encroaching, magical null zone, these growths of crystal begin to form along the opal riardi’s tails, spines, shoulders, necks, and heads. This restricts movement very gradually and has been observed to occur more frequently among elderly opal riardi. These crystals can be shorn and chiseled off, but will slowly regrow. Opal riardi are stumped as to why this is occurring aside from simple proximity, and cryovians- an Intirrian humanoid who evolved from crystals in these regions- also are attempting to figure this out.

Partially due to this phenomenon, opal riardi are currently divided on whether or not to worship the crystal deserts or to treat it as an existential horror of some sort. The more astute have noticed other strange and damaging effects; those more inclined to beliefs and speculation consider it a divinely-issued shift in the landscape and that they are thus blessed somehow. Despite the slew of indecisive and varied opinions, their families are currently holding together as tight communities.

Magic is Difficult

It’s important to note that magic takes double the effort and twice the time it takes other Intirrians with opal riardi. As magic fails inside the crystal deserts, a few opal riardi learn very mindfully and a lot more hard work than magic-users elsewhere, but most simply choose a more physical way of life instead of learning magic. If using the Onsaelyt Dice System, players who want to play an opal riardi who can learn magic through role-playing sessions will have to learn it at a two-times-slower EXP penalty. However, they will be more resilient- their RES stat will increase over time at a rate decided by the player and Game Host.

Riardi who spend too much time in the crystal deserts’ periphery may spontaneously become an opal riardi, though what percentage of riardi travelers experience this phenomenon remains unknown at present. Game Hosts who have riardi characters in such an environment can allow one character-appearance change, after which it is permanent, so players should be mindful of how they design their riardi’s new appearance.