I'm working out some ideas for Upsilon's species should they be made an official species. Just trying to get thoughts sorted out and toy with ideas for history and the likes. Feel free to ignore.

~ Physical Features ~

--Musts--
-Long thick tail that tapers down and ends with a large tuft of fur in the shape of a spade.
-Feet are digitigrade and taloned; too large for normal shoes to fit.
-Large pointed ears, each about 1/2 - 2/3 the size of the head.
-Short muzzle, much like a domestic shorthair feline.
-Covered in very fine, very short, silky fur.
-The 'spade' is made of the same hair that grows on the top of their head.

--Possibles--
-Hair and 'spade' are the same color.
-Base color tends toward either to be natural, white, black, or shades of grey.
-Markings and hair can be natural colors or something a bit more wild.
-Markings tend to be minimal.
-Hair designs tend to match (if hair on head is tipped a color, so would the hair that makes up the spade be; if hair on head is streaked, so would the hair that makes up the spade be tipped; etc).

--Rares--
-Outrageous colors for the base fur.
-Fanciful markings (fleur de lis, curlicues, other things not found naturally).
-Wings of any sort (though leathery/batlike covered in the same fine short would be far more likely than feathered. Still thus far unheard of though).
-Horns of any sort (though not nearly as unheard of as wings; small ones are more likely than large, curled 'ram horns' more likely than large straight horns; large straight horns more likely than antlers; antlers thus far unheard of).

I think that's everything for the physical. I'll try to add to this more either later or tomorrow.

~Characteristics~

Most are very inquisitive about the world and people around them, leading to studies in sociology, psychology, history, archeology, physics, engineering, biology, medicine, and other forms of science. There are those who become enamored with artwork of different forms. Thanks to the songs passed down from generation to generation, they tend to have a fondness and appreciation for music, though that doesn't necessarily make them all great singers or musicians. Despite their inquisitive nature, most either need to be taught and reminded of personal space or conquer a shy social awkwardness. Anything in between tends to be rare.

~History~

--The Stumble--
Most Vandelin don't give much thought to what they are, believing themselves a mish-mash of various things. Those that do some digging though learn they are a species of their own right. Normally those in biology, history, or archeology will pursue those fields just to learn more about their kind, or stumble across something about it during their studies. Rare but not unheard of are the occasional family stories. They are all orally passed down through song though, and involve such whimsy as magic and pixies and the likes, so they're usually taken about as seriously as any other fable or fairy tail.

--The Songs--
A number of the songs contradict each other, discrediting them that much more. There exist a few consistencies though, further strengthened when Vandelin from different families compare notes.
-The Vandelin come from a lush valley isolated from the rest of the world.
-The valley was surrounded by mountains tall enough to be capped by snow year round.
-A network of streams ran through the valley, and pooled into a large lake near the center.
-The streams are said to carry thick threads of magic within its currents that they were able to make full use of (consistency does not necessarily establish truth).
-Travel outside of the valley was rare because the further a Vandelin traveled or the longer they were away, the less they could use their magic, and their magic was the only way to return to the valley (once more: consistency /= truth).
-There seems to be no agreement to why they are no longer in the valley, or if any were left behind. They seem to run the gambit from a heartbreaking battle that couldn't be won to simple wanderlust and those who wait for their return to the valley despite the tragedy that the travelers no longer have the magic needed.
-Thus far, there is no archeological or biological evidence to support or refute the existence of the valley or the history of the Vandelin.

~Etc~

-They are omnivores.
-Though never named in song, the valley has come to be known as Vandeli, at times Vandeli Valley, or the Valley of Vandeli.
-In a fantasy setting it might be noticed that Vandeli have magic channels but a very restricted and minimal pool. With the help of items to act as a battery or storage of sorts, a Vandelin could prove to be a decent magicker, but will never live up to their full potential unless the valley is found.
-In modern, or more true to life settings, the valley might be deserted and dried up, most likely the victim of drought that it never recovered from.
-They have exceptional might vision, though it's not unheard of for them to be nearsided. Their hearing is decent, and their sense of smell is above average.


And this is what I've got for now. Just something developing in my own mind- mostly for those who have trouble coming up with stuff of their own.