Hiii!!! Someone wanted to know how this beastworld worked so here is a simple guide!! Don't hesitate to let me know what you think of it and if you wanna know something more ( ＾ω＾ )
So, in this beastworld, there are three genders along with secondary genders. Kinda like an ABO set up.
We have Males, Females and Hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites are intersex beastfolks.
Males & Cheshire Males
Males here are usually more submissive, especially towards females. Some can also get pregnant. These males are often called Cheshires. Cheshire males don't look any different than non Cheshire males and more importantly, it all depends on mana and pheromones.
For example, if the spouse of a non cheshire male has more mana and stronger pheromones than him, then he can turn into a cheshire male.
And some males decide on mating a cheshire male in order to have offsprings if they cannot find a female mate in time. Some mate with cheshire males just for the offspring then leave them, thus the "Mate & Make" Ritual, while others mate with cheshire males for life.
The difference between a cheshire male and a female, cheshire males cannot have multiple spouses/mates. Because their body wouldn't be able to withstand it. Especially if their partner is another male.
And in a Male/Male relationship, the cheshire male is often more aggressive than the non cheshire male.
In a Cheshire Male/Cheshire Male relationship, the one who gets pregnant is decided by a duel between the two. The winner gets to get impregnated.
"Ok but then why do they still treat females so preciously if they have cheshire males?"
Because females can get pregnant more easily than cheshire males, and it's less painful and tiring on their bodies as well. Also, cheshire males aren't that common either, though they aren't as rare as females. Which is a 7% females to 60% males and 33% hermaphrodites ratio. 10% of those 60% are cheshire males (affirmed).
Hermaphrodites
"And then why can't hermaphrodites just take on the female role?" Because they don't want to.
And also, because most hermaphrodites suffer from fertility issues. And in this beastworld, if they have enough mana, they can "choose" their gender but even if they choose to be a female, there's no guarantee and they'll be able to have offsprings. Same with being a male.
In order to up their fertility, they'll need to get a partner that's stronger than them when it comes to mana and that's difficult, because hermaphrodites are the ones that hold the most mana and the strongest pheromones.
"Then can't they just mate with cheshire males?" No, because their fertility issues persist regardless of whether they choose to have a male genitalia or a female one.
Females & Dominant Females
Female beastfolks are usually arrogant, because they've been told since birth that they're above males and hermaphrodites. Due to their ability to give birth, hold mana and keep their beastform as well.
They cannot be considered ugly, but some do stand on both extremes, with most getting the short end of the stick. Outstanding beauties are pretty rare.
This world has three types of females, first are the lower females, who struggle with fertility and beauty. Most lower females are ex hermaphrodites who have chosen to become females and due to basically pushing their mana cores too far, they lost their beauty as well.
Lower females, though not treated with the same worship and care as a "normal" female, still have it pretty good. They're still arrogant.
Middle Females, often referred to as Females, are the females that have no fertility issues and have standard beauty.
Here the standard beauty is a healthy body, clear skin (aka no acne but scars and stains are common and even seen as a sign of beauty and rank here btw) and of course, the ability to give birth. Strength and care are often the males' beauty standards along with their face and body but some females here like to be strong as well.
Especially females of the predatory clans, they like being strong.
Now onto the Dominant Females, representing 0.5% of the 7%. The rarest females. They can get pregnant and impregnate anyone else. From Males, Cheshire Males, Hermaphrodites, Lower Females to Middle Females. Regardless of their fertility as well. Dominant Female mana and pheromones are special and the strongest there is.
They are the true matriarch of their dens. And Dominant Females can have as many mates and spouses as they want.
Number of mates
Males can only have one mate. Regardless of whether the mate is a male, female or hermaphrodite. Because they can only mark one person.
Cheshire Males can also have one mate. Because they can only be marked and mark once.
Hermaphrodites are...special, if they can give birth, they can have two mates. But usually they can only have one, and most of the times they die alone because no beastfolk wants them. They often mate with Elves or other folks.
Lower Females can have three to four mates.
(Middle) Females can have up to fifteen mates.
Both of these females can be marked multiple times.
Dominant Females don't have a mate limit, they can have as many mates as they want but they need a minimum of ten mates. They can mark and be marked multiple times. Their genitals also change at will when mating.
Continents
Beast continent which has all types and sorts of beastfolks.
Oceans which are a bit of a more complex territory, they contain all marine folk. From mermaids, sirens, shark folks to crabfolks. Of course, their sizes aren't negligeable.
(And of course, every part of their waters is named but that's too long to write and it's also not important anyway)
Then comes the Elf continent, self explanatory. But they do have the "Flying Land" which is basically a large part of land suspended many meters into the air. It belongs to the dragons but it is situated above the Elf continent.
The land below the Elf continent is called the "Dwarven lands", which is also self explanatory.
The dynamic of these three races practically living on the same land is one of business. The dragons exchange their fire or strength to the dwarves in exchange of treasures or income. The Elves buy their weapons from the dwarves and exchange knowledge and skills with the dragons.
The dwarves here survive on crafting and since many of them travel a lot, they still gain a lot of income.
On the elven continent there's an academy that gathers students from all three races to keep the peace and business going.
Then there's also the human continent which is divided into five lands/territories. They aren't important to the story so I won't talk more about them. Also, because their continent is very far away, only a few dragons, Elves and dwarves know about them. Beastfolks don't know about humans.
Then comes the Light Continent which contains mainly mages that look human but aren't. Their lifespan competes the elven lifespan, their mana is on par with the dragonian race and their knowledge of weapons along with every form of life, magic and whatnot rivals both the dwarves and the Elves.
They're pacifists though, and they like their land so they barely step out of it. It's also a very rich land so their income is incessant.
The Dark continent contains mostly dark mages and the witches and wizards. The difference between the Dark Mages and Light Mages is mostly their mana cores.
The Dark Mages' mana core gets stronger when working under moonlight and when dabbling with magic that touches death, the afterlife and corpses. They deal mostly in necromancy, poisons & drugs, deceit items, etc...
While White Mages' mana core gets stronger under sunlight and when dabbling with purifications, life & sicknesses, etc...
They deal mostly is pharmaceutics, herbalism, farming, etc...
And no, The Dark and Light continent aren't enemies. They're actually quite good business partners. Since the Dark continent works with drugs and poisons well, the Light continent buy their knowledge and herbs to make useful medicine.
And citizens of both continents are renowned doctors and healers.
The "Above" & "Below"
The "Above" when referred to by Orion & Ariel means the Heavens. (Not the Christian ones, but fictional ones)
While the "Below" again, when referred to by Orion & Ariel means the Infernos.
However, when the beastfolks refer to the "Above" or the "Skies" it means an airland continent which contains a race which is a mix between sirens, dragons and ghosts. They feed on "essence", greed, power and souls. They're extremely ugly but they can take on a beautiful appearance for a few days in order to get their fill. Usually their targets are beastmen.
And when beastfolks refer to the "Below" or "Underground", it means a place where beings with scales, wings and sharp fangs and claws live. Their habitat is a mass of caves stacked over each other. It's completely dark except for a few bioluminescent mushrooms, rocks and flowers.
They're also pretty ugly but their particularity is that they're all males. Their females have flown to the Skies as a punishment to them hundred of centuries ago.
Now their females have mutated and no longer remember them. Since they're nocturnal, they only come out at night but they barley do.
They only come out every 10 full moons to kidnap female beastwomen, mated or not, to bring back to their caves and mate.
Not much is known about them to the other races. But I'll let you in on a secret, they're matriarchal. They also obey the females. And they treat them with care, most of them anyway.
Also there a female also has multiple mates. Except that they're chosen by strength and by the first mate.
Regardless, these two "continents" have only one thing in common. Except them, nobody knows how to get in or out of their territory.
But the beastfolks hate them, of course.
And that's about it for now. Let me know if you guys have any more questions, I'll try my best to answer them!