Demi-Human

Demi-Human (亜人) is a broad category of non-human races that possess human-like characteristics. The differences between demi-humans and humans may be obvious such as a tail and animal ears or inconspicuous such as pointed ears or a jewel protruding somewhere on the body. Their growth can be sped up through gained experience. If two different species of Demi-Human have kids, it will be a mixed breed. Monsters using transformation magic to turn into a human form are not considered demi-human.

Maturity
Demi-humans mature depending on multiple factors such time, level and origin. Levelling primarily acts to mature the demi-human from childhood while the origin or the demi-human's race affects the age 'limit' where leveling no longer has effect. For example, at level 1, Raphtalia was equivalent to a 10 year old human. However, by level 40, she had matured completely to the equivalent of an 18 year old human. When she traveled to Glass' World and had her level reset, Raphtalia had been reverted back to a 10 year old until she had regained her levels.

On the other hand, at 23 years old Sadeena had her levels reset and her appearance remained 23. Both Raphtalia and Sadeena hail from demi-human races from Q'ten Lo and thus have an easier time breaking the age 'limit' of 15 years, compared to demi-humans from the main continent.

Therianthrope Form
Therianthropes are similar to demi-humans but have more animalistic characteristics such as fur and claws. However, some demi-humans in Raphtalia's World have the ability to transform into a 'therianthrope form'. In this form the demi-human gains more power and transforms to be more like their namesake animal. The potential for this transformation is rare and often requires training. There is no hard distinction between demi-human and therianthrope. Occasionally the terms are used interchangeably.

Beast Form
In addition to therianthrope transformation, very few demi-humans have access to a second transformation called Beast Transformation. A beast transformation has a more monstrous or animalistic appearance and with significantly improved abilities. This transformation was thought to have been lost by the people of Siltvelt until Naofumi copies the Shield of the Beast King and gains the ability to assist in this transformation. It is estimated that only a very few demi-humans have access to this ability naturally across all of the world. Sadeena is an example of a demi-human that is able to transform without genetic tinkering or other external influences.

Elite Races
In demi-human society in Raphtalia's World, there are considered four elite races - the Genmu, the Shusaku, the Hakuko, and the Aotatsu. While these races correspond to the four Guardian Beasts - the Spirit Tortoise, the Phoenix, Kirin, and the Dragon King respectively - they have no direct connection. The four elite races lead the demi-human race of Siltvelt although the Hakuko race has lost influence since they were greatly ravaged by the war with Melromarc.

It is later revealed that these four races were not natural, but were instead created by modifying existing demi-humans. For example, a cat-like demi-human named Cian became the progenitor of the Hakuko. These experiments were lead by Shield Hero Mamoru Shirono with help from Holn Anthreya in order to get stronger. Several other races with a therianthrope transformation are also likely the result of this genetic tinkering.

Aotatsu
Aotatsu (青龍) is a race of Dragonnewts or Dragon Demi-Human. They can use water and wind magic together. The kanji for Aotatsu can be read as Blue Dragon (青龍). The race can be loosely associated with the Seiryuu, the Azure Dragon of the East (different from Ouryuu). And Seiryuu is the usual pronunciation of the two kanji.

Many of those from the Aotatsu race believe in the Dragon Faith, as opposed to Siltvelt's major religion of the Shield Faith. The Aotatsu currently holds one of the most authoritative positions in Siltvelt along with the Genmu and Shusaku. Before the war with Melromarc, the Aotatsu, Genmu, and Shusaku were in competition with the Hakuko for control over Siltvelt. The three gained influence after the Hakuko was greatly ravaged by the war. Siltvelt’s political leaders have begun to notice them secretly taking action against the worship of the summoned Heroes.

Many of the Aotatsu tribe have migrated to Shieldfreeden, and recently, their leader has been working within Faubrey. Throughout their long history, the ones who could take on the form of a large far eastern dragon were named chief. Nelshen of Takt's harem was considered one of the strongest leaders of the Aotatsu before she was killed.

Dog
Dog-like demi-humans are fairly common in Raphtalia's World. Examples of them include Keel and Wyndia.

Dragonnewt
Dragonnewts are all demi-humans with any portion of a dragon in them. The Aotatsu are Dragonnewts but not all Dragonnewts are Aotatsu. Leludia of Takt's harem was an example of a dragonnewt.

Elephant
Elmelo, who fought in Zeltoble's coliseum, was a elephant therianthrope.

Genmu
Genmu (玄武) is a race of turtle-like Demi-Human that tend to generally side with the moderate faction within Siltvelt. The race can be loosely associated with Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the North. The Genmu currently holds one of the most authoritative positions in Siltvelt along with the Shusaku and Aotatsu. Before the war with Melromarc, the Genmu, Shusaku, and Aotatsu were in competition with the Hakuko for control over Siltvelt but the three gained influence after the Hakuko was greatly ravaged by the war.

Hakuko
Hakuko (白虎) is a race of Demi-Humans with white tiger features. The Hakuko race was said to be named by the Four Heroes of ancient times in a provincial accent. The race can be loosely associated with Byakko, the White Tiger of the West. They held one of the most authoritative positions in Siltvelt and are famous for acting against the plans of the Sage King of Melromarc during the war. After the war, however, Hakuko's forces were greatly ravaged and they, as a race, fell from power, but they still hold some influence. The Hakuko can class up at level 50 or can grow to level 60 without it. After the class up they can grow to level 120 when the usual limit for other races is 100. Examples of Hakuko are Fohl and Atla Fayon.

Harpy
Harpy-like demi-humans exist in Raphtalia's World. Naofumi hasn't seen one but guesses that they have wings.

Kiki
Kiki are demi-humans with ogre-like horns on the head and dark skin. They are known to be one of the more combat-proficient demi-humans. One was seen in Zeltoble's slave market.

Kitsune
Kitsune (狐) are fox-like Demi-Human. According to the slave merchant, they are typically aesthetically superior to Tanuki and can be sold at a high price despite any problems they may have. Members of this race may have multiple tails. This race is also noted to use their sense of smell to overcome most illusions however they cannot smell through illusions from Tanuki.

The Raccoons used their magic to seal a great Youkai of the Fox Race through deception. One example of the Kitsune is Tulina of Takt's harem.

Lion
The Lion therianthrope can be seen in Siltvelt. They have a mane and fur with claws on their fingers. One example of the Lion therianthrope is Jaralis of Siltvelt.

Lizard Men
There is an extinct race of lizard-like Demi-humans. In human form, they have a lizard tail. In Therianthrope form, they are larger and stronger than traditional lizard men. This race has a history of supporting the Shield Hero similar to the Uhnte Jimna but seemed to be wiped out in recent history. According to Eclair, the last of this race died alongside her father in the first wave.

Lumo
The Lumo are a relatively docile race of mole therianthropes that are generally skilled in craftsmanship. They have the innate ability to know the appropriateness of soil and their eyes are weak to light. Their appearance is a werewolf-like fusion between a human and a mole. An example of a Lumo is Imiya of Naofumi's Village.

Mice
When going back in time, Naofumi noticed many mice-type demi-humans in Siltran.

Orcinus
The Orcinus, Orca Whale, or Killer Whales, are Demi-Humans with Killer Whale-like features. They are good with water magic and are even stronger than the Hakuko when in the water. Rarely, Orca Whales like Sadeena may be born with lightning magic. There are a few different species within this race. They are closely related to the Orca race who do not have a demi-human form.

Panda
Larsazusa, who fought in Zeltoble's coliseum, was a panda demi-human.

Rabbit
These, as the name implies, are demi-humans with rabbit features like big ears. A Rabbit demi-human with a genetic disorder in his hand was in the possession of the slave trader in Melromarc.

Racoon
Racoon-type demi-humans are often physically well-built and a large majority of seem like "country bumpkins". Generally, they aren't particularly handsome and they smell like the earth. Most of them are particularly lazy or unmotivated. Raphtalia is part of a special variant of Racoon from Q'ten Lo.

Sharkmen
They are shark-like demi-humans. They are good with water magic. They do not like Orcas demi-humans much at all. Two species within the shark-like demi-human family are the Noids and Kushas. Shate of Takt's harem was a Noid and Kusha mix

Shoon
The Shoon are a bird-type demi-human resembling a falcon with tail feathers. Examples of Shoon are Raluva and his son.

Shusaku
Shusaku is a Demi-Human race that is supposed to be neutral, but some seemed to be a part of a radical pro-Shield Hero faction within Siltvelt. The race can be loosely associated with the Suzaku, the Vermillion Bird of the South. The Shusaku currently holds one of the most authoritative positions in Siltvelt, along with the Genmu and Aotatsu. Before the war with Melromarc, the Shusaku, Genmu, and Aotatsu were in competition with the Hakuko for control over Siltvelt but the three gained influence after the Hakuko was greatly ravaged by the war.

The Shusaku are an incredibly fast species. They are also sensitive to movements in the air and can thus sense wind and fire.

Tanuki
Tanuki (狸) are a raccoon-like race of demi-humans that specialize in illusion magic. The Heavenly Emperors of Q'ten Lo are a line of Tanuki's. They are noted to have especially powerful illusions which can confuse creatures which are usually resistant (such as the Kitsune who usually can smell through illusions).

Uhnte Jimna (Weasel)
The Uhnte Jimna are a set of weasel-like demi-humans. They are an old race with powerful souls that can do therianthrope transformation and ancestral recal. They have spiritual powers which allow them to observe souls and even temporarily stay in the world as a spirit even after their death. They have apparently been allied with the Shield Hero since the ancient past.

Both Rifana and Raph-chan seem to share some relation with this species. One in the ancient past helped Mamoru revive his beloved Filolia.

Vampires
Nothing has been revealed about vampires except how they often use magical capes that work along with their transformation.

Werewolf
Werewolves (also known as werefurs) are a large, wolf-like group of demi-humans. In their therianthrope form they can different different colors of furs from blue to grey.. Tulina pretended to be the deceased Vassal Claw hero named Rhubaldt who was a werewolf.

Spirit People
Spirit People (or Spirits) are a race of semi-transparent people in Glass' world. Spirits are unique in that their life force, magic power, and soul power (if they have a vassal weapon) are combined into a single power called 'energy'. Therefore, if they use magic power, they are also using some of their life force. The higher their energy, the more powerful their magic they can use. Spirits do not have levels like other races, but to them, energy is everything. They also have incredibly high defense compared to other races and use weapons with names like Soul Splitter.

One drawback with Spirit People is that they cannot typically recover energy unless another Spirit gives it to them. However, soul-healing water from Raphtalia's world is able to recover energy which makes it extremely valuable to Spirits. One notable spirit is Glass.

Grass People
Grass people have long ears, delicate white skin and long hair. They have been described to be very similar to elves in fantasy media.

Jewels
Jewels are a race of people that only exist in Glass' world. They are born with a gemstone that serves as a magic core that can vary in location. They are skilled with magic, have great dexterity, and have invented numerous useful technologies such as the drop item replicator. They are also known for being sensitive. Also, many of them seem to be able to hear the voices of the gems they use to perform magic and have a fascination with high grade gem craftsman. Notable Jewels include Theresa and Romina.

Dwarves
Information to be added later on.

Skywing
Skywings (also called angels by humans) are very human-like race of demi-humans except that they have the ability to use "optical wings". These wings of light allow the skywing to fly in the air however it requires a lot of stamina, magic and life-force to use. They are made by taking magic and circling it through the body until it becomes pure power. Some individuals need to add an magical attribute to the wings to keep them stable. This race was apparently troublesome for the organization behind the waves so they slowly altered the world so the skywing's ability to use the wings were suppressed and eventually their world was destroyed. Known skywings are S'yne, S'yne's Sister and R'yne.

Weapon People
In one of the worlds R'yne had visited, there existed a race of weapons which could take human form.