Manak (Män-ôk)
Anatomy -
Manaks have a humanoid form (for the most part) except for the fact they have a tail. Based off of Dolphin tails, the tail starts at the Longissimus Dorsi muscle (This muscle is used for providing stability to the spine). The tail has all the necessary components to work such as the Epaxial muscles and the Hypaxial muscles. Considering that the tail will not just stick out of the back like a monkeys tail. The tail will need muscles that are found at the torso so this will cause part of the tail to pass between the legs with the fins ending up behind the legs. Look at how a tadpole is built for better understanding. As for muscle density, most Manaks will be built relatively muscular. They need muscle to be able to support their body weight out of water. They are built with wider hips and feet placed farther apart due to the tail. Their height on average may be from 5”6 to 6”. This may vary later on.Muscular Structure -
The tail begins at the Longissimus Dorsi muscle located on the back. The tail contains the necessary Epaxial muscles and Hypaxial muscles which are used to produce movements that propel the body when swimming.Downstroke -
The downstroke of the fluke is mainly powered by ventral side of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and inserting, through a tendon sheath, to the ventral side of the caudal vertebrae and chevron bones. Ventral Side - The front of the body. Also referred to as 'Anterior' Dorsal Side - The back of the body. Also referred to as 'Posterior" Lumbar Vertebrae - The lumbar spine consists of the five bones (vertebra) in the lower back. The lumbar vertebrae, known as L1 to L5, are the biggest vertebrae in the entire spine. The lumbar spine is located below the 12 chest (thoracic) vertebra and above five fused bones that make up the triangular-shaped sacrum bone. Chevron Bone - A 'haemal arc' also known as a chevron, is this bony arch on the ventral side (front) of a tail vertebra or a vertebrate.Upstroke -
The upstroke in cetaceans is powered mainly by the longissimus and extensor caudae lateralis. Extensor Caudae Lateralis - The muscle inserts directly on the dorsal surface of the vertebrae of the fluke. Longissimus - The longissimus exerts its power by attaching to a subdermal sheath of tendons (Fig. 2) which attaches on spinous and transverse processes along most of the back of the cetacean. It is through the connections of this sheath to the terminal tail vertebrae that the fluke is moved, allowing muscular force to be distributed evenly along the caudal peduncle. Tendon Sheath - Tendon sheath is a membrane-like structure surrounding the tendon, which separates the tendon from surrounding tissue and allows the tendon to glide smoothly inside the sheath. Subdermal - Located or placed beneath the skin. Spinous Process - The spinous process is a piece of bone that comes off the back of the lamina at every level. It provides an attachment for muscles. When you feel down someone's back, the spinous processes are the bony bits that you can feel in the middle of their spine. Understand more here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgAyAJGwVBU Lamina - The lamina is the part of the vertebra that connects the spinous process and the transverse process. Transverse Process - Transverse process is a small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae. The two transverse processes of each vertebrae function as the site of attachment for muscles and ligaments of the spine as well as the point of articulation of the ribs (in the thoracic spine). In Normal People Talk - The Longissimus does what it does by attaching to a tendon sheath located beneath the skin. This sheath attaches to little protruding bony things protruding from the back of the spine (Spinous) and little protruding bits of bone from each vertebrae of the spine (Transverse).Basic Information
Anatomy
Standard Height - 5'6 - 6''
Number Of Appendages - 5
Skeletal Structure - Backbone extends past normal human backbone to support the tail.
Dietary Needs and Habits
As for diets, a Mana's diet would primarily be made up of protein, specifically meats and fish. To do this, they will often partake in fishing, which entails getting into groups and hauling large nets around a bay or lagoon. One could also attempt to drive fish towards the shore where they would then be caught in nets.
Although, fish is not the only sea food that is so often eaten around the islands. Mollusks and crustaceans also play a large role in the diet. Clams, cowries, or conches to name a few would be caught along shorelines and shallow waters. On the other hand, food such as shrimp would get caught in nets like fish, and lobsters would often be hunted underwater and pried out of the rocks and crannies that were their hiding places. Even the octopus could make an appearance in the Manak's diet, being coaxed away by lures made of cowrie shells. Even seaweed and algae could be collected as a salty garnish, though despite this most sea food is eaten raw regardless.
On the chances Manak's would substitute their diet with something other than sea food, they have a vast collection of fruits and vegetables grown around the islands. These staples are listed as following:
Taro - Taro is a root vegetable that's brown on the outside and white inside, it looks somewhat like a rather deformed radish. This vegetable is grown in gated terraced mud patches that are on the quote-on-quote 'outskirts' of their villages. This doesn't mean much, however, as the villages tend to be rather small in size, not for a lack of people but more for a lack of necessity for extravagant or large living conditions. The mud patches are then watered by spring water -if there is any nearby- or steam irrigation (which basically is the process of water being sprayed throughout the mud patches in the form of a mist). Taro is usually eaten either steamed or pounded into pa'iai or poi.
Sweet Potato - Sweet potato is a much more hassle-free vegetable to grow in comparison to taro. They require significantly less water for starters (No need for a fancy steam set-up), and can be farmed in normal dirt. As for being eaten, they're prepared quite similarly to Taro, either being steamed, boiled, or cooked in a dish with other foods.
There were also other foods such as coconut, breadfruit, or hāpu'u 'i'i (although, the latter is a famine food, and if eaten, is said to be 'the food of death').
As for prominent dishes, this includes:
Laulau - A dish made from pork, beef, chicken, or even salted butterfish that are then wrapped in taro leaves and cooked.
Lū'au - A dish made from coconut milk and is cooked with taro leaves in a pot or bowl. It's usually pretty creamy, and often has squid or chicken cooked in as well.
Inamona - A common relish eaten along most meals that consisted of roasted and mashed kukui nuts, sea salt, and maybe even edible seaweed.
Ko'ele Palau - A dessert made from mashed sweet potato mixed together with coconut milk.
Kulolo - Another dessert made from grated taro and coconut milk that's baked over an fire pit until it reaches a fudge-like consistency.
Similar meals such as Poi or Poke are also common to eat, with Poi being especially easy to prepare for meals with short notice.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
They live in what would be the real world equivalent of Polynesia, with fauna based off of those in New Zealand and Hawaii.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Through the process of certain recessive genes, manaks can acquire the use of mystical abilities ranging in power. These abilities can be conjured through the physical body or a selected weapon. There is almost no limit to the types of powers one can hold, ranging from elemental abilities, psychic abilities, energy harnessing abilities, the list is practically endless. However, despite the fact that only 1% of the world holds these powers, the vast majority are weak and harmless. Any time they do appear they could simply be brushed off as a coincidence or freak accident, leaving most magic users unaware of their abilities.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The naming of a child is very important. The parent/s come up with a name based on unique events around the time of their birth. They can be simple or created from multiple words. These can be:
A name heard by the parents in a dream,
A name deriving from a vision or mystical sign,
A name heard from a mystical voice,
A name given to remember a stunning or unusual event occurring around the child's brith,
A name from a special ancestor,
Or a name based on the newborns perceived traits.
Later in life, the person may be given a new name relating to a remarkable event of some sort.
Gender Ideals
There is little to no gender separation. Men, women, and Māhua (A non-conforming gender), are all treated the same and suffer from little to no exclusion. However, the society is slightly matriarchal, with the only times gender coming into play is when an important decision is yet to be reached (in which case the chief/chieftess or the elder women will make the final call), or when it comes to the chief/chieftess, the first born female is usually assigned heir. Unless, of course, the first female heir is too young or if it is obvious one of the previous male children would do a better job/show more interest in the role.
Origin/Ancestry
Polynesian
Lifespan
60 years
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average Height
Male - 5'10 - 5'11
Female - 5'5 - 5'7
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Tattoos are common as a coming of age ceremony. They mostly consist of facial tattoos which are placed along the facial muscles to distort and accentuate expressions. They often use the soot of trees such as the Kauri to be used in tattooing. Blue dye can be made from the soot of the Kahikatea trees, also to be used in tattooing.
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