a/b/o info

SECONDARY GENDER DYNAMICS
ALPHA (α): Before, alphas were typically the preferred presentation due to their innate strength, leadership qualities, and generally being well respected in society. Stereotypically, they often had more high paying corporate or physically demanding jobs. They are known to be dominant in terms of personality, but not all are. Due to their hormones, they are prone to being more hot headed and brutish when their rut occurs. Both anatomically male and female alphas are able to impregnate omegas and their rut can be triggered by coming into contact with an omega in heat OR a competing alpha in rut. They also have an incredibly small chance to carry children if they produce enough estrogen, but usually that is not the case and they cannot go to term. See below for more in-depth breeding information.

BETA (β): Betas are infertile. They do not have the harsh fluctuations in demeanor that is common with the other secondary genders and are often praised for their calm, collected and mellow manner. Even their pheromones are naturally soothing to others. They do their best in intellectually stimulating fields like medicine and science and are highly sought after as service staff in master's and mistress's homes. They commonly fill roles such as butlers, maids, midwifes, doctors, and other jobs that form the backbone of society.

OMEGA (Ω): In prior generations, omegas were the least preferred presentation due to the trait of them being physically weak. However, we live in an age where our meat is fed vitamins and steroids and the need to hunt is obsolete, so this judgmental belief has largely disappeared. Omegas are considered to have more docile or submissive personalities, but not all are. They tend to work in more nurturing fields such as education and healthcare. They are self-lubricating and have the ability to become pregnant, sometimes referred to as being bred or mated. They are most fertile during their heat cycle. Their heats can be triggered by an alpha in rut OR another omega in heat. See below for more in-depth breeding information.

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BREEDING CYCLES
Rut: Every few months, alphas go through a period called ‘rut’ which lasts 3-5 days. However, an alpha’s rut can be triggered unexpectedly because of a heat afflicted omega in their area or another alpha in rut that they see as a competitor. They experience intense arousal and are consumed by the drive to mate, which often makes them hot headed and easy to provoke.

Anatomically Male Alphas - During this time, male alphas produce the most and are able to ‘knot’ an omega to impregnate them. Knotting occurs only during an alpha’s rut cycle or when they are mating with an omega in heat. During mating, their partner’s pheromones interact with the alpha’s, causing the base of his to swell and prevents them from pulling out after . This ensures that the receptive partner stays filled with the copious amount of seed and increases the likelihood of pregnancy. At most, this lasts for thirty minutes, but usually only lasts a few minutes.

Anatomically Female Alphas - During rut, the female alpha’s oris becomes swollen and particularly sensitive. They have internal testes and when they , they release a small amount of potent . A female alpha does have a womb and can attempt to carry a child if they produce enough estrogen, but usually this always ends in miscarriage.

Heat: Every individual’s cycle is different, but generally the most receptive omegas go into heat bi-monthly and it lasts for 3-5 days. This is a very exhausting occurrence for everyone around the omega. The person in heat gives off a very alluring scent during this time in order to attract a mate. Fighting over an omega in heat is common. Not only does it drive the potential mates crazy, but the person in heat deliriously craves to be mated and the physical desire is nearly unbearable. This is especially frustrating for a non-bonded omega in heat and they often take “sick days” for the duration of their cycle and self-quarantine.

Anatomically Male Omegas - These omegas can carry children and have an extremely low chance of impregnating others via penetration. Their is not as potent and they usually have a higher success rate with invitro fertilization.

Anatomically Female Omegas - These omegas can only carry children.

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SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL INFORMATION
Pregnancy:  Unlike humans, a hybrid gestates for six months. Pregnancy duration may not be less than two months in real OOC time! Roleplayers may extend the length of the pregnancy to fit their plot. Both natural and c-section births are allowed. Keep in mind that having a kid changes the couple’s lives entirely. You can’t simply have a baby and go about your business after like it doesn’t exist.

Fertility Treatment: Fertility treatments can increase the likelihood of conception in those with lower fertility rates. However, alpha pregnancies are usually associated with high miscarriage rate or very unstable pregnancies.

Suppressants: This world’s birth control! These are pills which suppress a heat and rut cycle. It is not an uncommon occurrence for alphas and omegas to choose to suppress their base urges in order to do their job more effectively and keep a clear head until they are ready to breed. This also prevents their breeding cycle from being accidentally triggered in the presence of someone else (though there is a 0.1% chance of this being ineffective). However, prolonged suppressant use is linked to lower fertility rates and unstable hormone levels. It is not recommended that hybrids under the age of eighteen engage in regular suppressant use.

Scent Blockers: While pheromones are an important aspect of non-verbal communication in hybrid form, it is considered rude to simply waft them all over the place without any consideration for those around you when it human form. Blocker patches can be worn over the user’s scent gland, located just at the base of the neck. It can actively neutralize their scent for 24 hours, provided the patch remains dry and intact.

Secondary Gender Transitioning: Sometimes a hybrid's secondary gender may not align with how they identify. The medical field has come a long way in assisting these hybrids. As presenting happens later in a hybrid's teenage years, most have dormant ual organs of both genders until that time. When a hybrid presents as an alpha or an omega, they simply have an influx of the respective hormones that stimulate the growth and production of either a knot or a womb. However, they retain vestigial organs of the opposing gender which can be stimulated via hormone replacement therapy and allow a hybrid to transition to the gender they identify with.

There is also an old practice, crudely called "ing," which was used back in ancient times among packs that had a low presentation of betas or omegas. Pack alphas would take turns breeding a chosen alpha until a transition to omega would be invoked by the influx of hormones brought about by submission. This practice still exists (primarily sought out by alpha/alpha couples), but is usually done under the careful instruction and guidance of a ual therapist for the safety of both.

Ferocity Endemic: No matter how far removed they may be from their primal ancestors, a hybrid is still wild. Outburts of mindless violence are not unheard of within the community when tensions run high. Some have better control over the beastial urges than others. When a hybrid is at risk of going feral, the first symptoms are usually a mental fog and a short temper. If caught early enough, the crisis can be averted. If not, the symptoms can worsen to the point of the hybrid being extremely reactive and eventually snapping, losing complete control over themselves. These episodes of ferocity are accompanied by black outs, so a hybrid will not even recall what they did regardless of how destructive. Sometimes there isn't any coming back from this. If the hybrid poses a risk to others, they may have to be captured and phamacologically subdued.

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OTHER
Bonded Mates: When hybrids find a partner, they may decide to become bonded mates. Their bond is consummated when the two leave their marks on each other (with a bite to the neck or nape, but it may also be in other erogenous zones). After this, a hybrid can sense their partner’s feelings and thoughts through a telepathic link. Bonding is not taken lightly, as the hybrid cannot be claimed by anyone else unless their previous mate dies or the mark fades over a lengthy time because they have fallen out of love. However, there have been known to be exceptions in the event of polyamorous relationships, where the mates bond by marking in different erogenous zones. After bonding, a hybrid’s scent becomes extremely alluring to their mate, but becomes muted to others outside of breeding cycles.

Nesting/Denning: When a hybrid's breeding cycle gets near, many have the compulsion to create a safe space for themselves and potential mates. This can look very different from hybrid to hybrid, but often consists of bringing objects of comfort and familiarity into a single space where they plan to hunker down for the duration of their heat/rut. Hybrids can become extremely territorial of this space, so it is always important to get their permission before attempting to enter it.

Scenting: Hybrids all possess scent glands which give off a distinct aroma. The act of ‘scenting’ is a method of laying claim to a partner that is not as permanent as a bond mark. Basically, nuzzling against the scent gland will cause their partner’s scent to linger on them for a couple of days, warding off any other potential suitors. This also can lessen the severity of a heat/rut.

Master's Marks: The origin of this mark comes from the days where hybrids still ran in packs and the leader would mark the members. This was worn as a sign of pride of being accepted into the ranks when they came of age, but also served as a means to bond them to the leader. This connection can be used to communicate empathically, but also to subdue a rowdy pack member if need be. Some Masters and Mistresses have taken to marking their pets. This mark is not permanent and will require refreshing.

Fights for Dominance: When a hybrid is challenged or disrespected, they are expected to prove themselves by putting the offending hybrid in their proper place. If they can’t, it could possibly mean losing the respect of packmates or even their rank. The winner is obviously considered the undisputed victor. Fights for Dominance also can occur over a mate.

Shows of Submission: Back in the day, it was expected of an omega to be subordinate and submissive to alphas. However, as more omegas came to hold prominent positions within a pack and household, this expectation became more unrealistic. While there are omegas who are naturally docile in the presence of an alpha, there are also ones who will not easily be made to submit. Betas and subordinate alphas are also known to show their submission in the presence of someone of higher authority. Some “Shows of Submission” include: offering your hand with your wrist upturned, baring of the throat, a 90 degree bow or sebae bow, and aversion of gaze. During a Fight for Dominance, a hybrid can be forced to submit when they are bit or grabbed at the nape of their neck (an action known as "scruffing"), as the act releases a rush oxytocin.

Age Two
The youngling will have their first, instinctual shift into hybrid form, but they cannot control it. Parents must adapt to their child’s unpredictable form since they might spend an unknowable amount of their toddler years in one form or another.

Age Four
At this point, a youngling experiences “shift pains” and will get the urge to shift, rather than it coming on without any control. This is when they can start to control their shifts. Though whether their parents can convince them to do it on cue is a different story~

Age Six
Generally by the time they enter primary school, a youngling is able to fully control their shifting.

Age Twelve
Hybrids begin to display the physical traits of their secondary gender. These are usually found during a routine medical exam (i.e. omegas are found to be developing a womb, alphas have a noted knot gland). This is known as ’presenting’. The latest presentations usually are age fifteen and are often due to the teen having too much stress in their life.

Age Seventeen
All omegas and alphas go through their first full breeding cycle (heat/rut). Those who do not are betas, but betas may also go through a less severe cycle called an ‘itch.’

Age Eighteen
The point at which hybrids are considered adults. In families that uphold traditions from generations past, this is the point in which formal courtship occurs and they attempt to find a suitable mate for their child. However, this process has largely fallen out of favor.

Age Twenty One
Hybrids usually get the drive to start mating and having children.

Age Twenty Nine
Unmated omega’s and alpha’s breeding cycles become unbearable and even painful, as their metaphorical biological clock begins ticking and reminds them to bear children while in their prime.

Age Thirty
Fertility rate drops in omegas and betas.

Age Forty Two
Unmated hybrids experience their last breeding cycle before becoming infertile.