Traits

BODY MODIFICATION: Arkaines have the option to crop their ears, a procedure that typically alters the natural ear shape.
For proper form and healing, it's generally recommended that this be done by a professional.

Ear Cropping in Arkaine Culture

• Warrior Mark: Usually seen in Sunkeep Warrior soldiers & priests.
  A traditional mark of a warrior or a rite of passage into adulthood, signifying resilience, readiness for battle, or a dedication to a martial path. The cropped ear is seen as less vulnerable in combat.
  
  
• Aesthetic Preference: Certain cultures, such as the desert-faring Pointe breed, practice ear cropping as a cultural aesthetic; seen as making an Arkaine look more refined, powerful, or distinctive within their society.
  Certain Arkaine clans or regions do have varying "ideal" ear shapes. 
  
  
• Symbol of Dedication/Allegiance: Cropped ears might signify allegiance to a specific house, a religious order, or a particular magical discipline. Extremely devout followers of Valontras have been known to crop their ears with a crescent-moon, half-circle shape. Extremely devout followers of Kamales have been known to crop their ears with a tight, tall shape, leaving a large round space at the bottom (usually where an earring or a gauge will be worn). 
  
  
• Practicality: For those who live or work in dense forests or engage in activities where long ears might get snagged or torn, ear cropping could be seen as practical.
  
  
• Historical Echo: It is thought that the practice of ear cropping goes back for as long, if not longer, than written Arkaine history. Many cultures practice it to this day, and the practice is not culture or breed-specific (but some shapes may be).

BODY MODIFICATION: Arkaines have the option to crop their tails, a procedure that typically alters the natural tail shape down to a shorter length. For proper form and healing, it's generally recommended that this be done by a professional.

Tail Cropping in Arkaine Culture

• Warrior Mark: Usually seen in Sunkeep Warrior soldiers & priests.
  A traditional mark of a warrior or a rite of passage into adulthood, signifying resilience, readiness for battle, or a dedication to a martial path. The cropped tail is seen as less vulnerable in combat.
  
  
• Aesthetic Preference: Certain cultures practice tail cropping as a cultural aesthetic.
  
  
• Practicality: For those who live or work in dense forests or engage in activities where long tails might get snagged or broken, tail cropping could be seen as practical.
  
  
• Historical Echo: It is thought that the practice of tail cropping goes back for as long, if not longer, than written Arkaine history. Many cultures practice it to this day, and the practice is not culture or breed-specific.

Horn shaping is the intentional modification of an Arkaine's natural horn shape.

This process can involve various methods like filing, polishing, carving, or even using heat and magic to slightly guide their growth. This is done to achieve specific aesthetic looks, signify cultural roles, or for practical reasons.

An Arkaine's natural horn shape - whether having both horns or just one - will always grow in one of the 7 crystal systems; cubic, tetragonal, hexagonal, trigonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic.

Horn jewelry and caps are decorative adornments designed specifically for an Arkaine's natural horns.
These embellishments vary widely from simple bands, rings, or cuffs crafted from materials like metal, bone, or wood, to intricate piercings, hanging charms, or embedded gemstones.
Primarily, horn jewelry serves as a form of personal expression, a display of wealth or status, or as a powerful symbol of cultural identity and magical affiliation.

Teeth modification involves intentionally altering the shape, size, or appearance of an Arkaine's teeth.
This usually includes adding a subtle inlay or capping larger canine teeth, using precious metals and gemstones.
These modifications are often done for aesthetic reasons, to signify social status or tribal affiliation, or even for practical purposes like enhancing a bite for specific tasks.

Scarification involves creating permanent patterns or designs on an Arkaine's skin through controlled marking, cutting, or branding. These raised, textured scars can be purely aesthetic, tell stories of personal achievement, or signify deep cultural and spiritual connections. Fur generally does not grow here.

Tattoos in the Prism Realm are often more than just ink under the skin. They can be infused with magic, allowing for intricate, vibrant, or even subtly shifting designs. These magical tattoos might glow under certain conditions, offer minor enchantments like protection or enhanced senses, or visibly display an Arkaine's magical affinity or bloodline.

Unfortunately, because most Arkaines have such plush fur, tattoos aren't usually very visible under the fur, and as such, most prefer permanent fur paints. Tattoos are most visible on Pointes.