#ALSO another tell of some hybrids -- poor health -- also fails to identify theo as one because the Norths are sickly people in general

[kwillow]

Hello there! I discovered your blog not too long ago and just want to say I am enamored with your character designs and world building! Call me basic, but I'm quite fond of Theo; which begs the question: since Theo's mom is an ermine and his dad is a rat, is he technically a hybrid? Or is he genetically speaking a "pure" rat? If not, are there any physical traits that might separate from a typical rat? Pardon the numerous questions; love your work!

Interesting question! Putting Theo and his his father side-by-side can help elucidate this. Leonard is what you'd call a "normal" rat, but Theo isn't a normal anything.

Comparing the two, Theo has some ermine-like traits: his ears are slightly fuzzy instead of bald, and he has sharp, carnivorous teeth in addition to his more ratlike incisors. Of course, he a variety of other odd attributes, which make it harder to discern if these anomalous features are due to hybridization precisely or myriad other genetic quirks.

Theo has many peculiarities that aren't hybrid traits, but a mix of congenital health conditions (his supernumerary teeth and dwarfism, for example) and what I'd call "basal traits," sort of animalistic throwback features that people usually lack (his more backwards-shifted foramen magnum, which gives him a slightly hunched posture when upright, or his lack of hair). He's also just kind of ugly. These things separate him not just from your "typical" rat-people, but most people in general.

To circle back and answer your question: Theo wasn't identified as a hybrid when he was born, even though you could make the argument that he qualifies. Though hybrids don't face the same degree of stigma in the modern era as they did in the time of the Old Kingdoms, they do still face some scrutiny. Leonard and Jo could get away with identifying Theo as "just" a rat since his other more blatant issues obfuscate any hybridization, which frees him of at least one potentially embarrassing label when he already has plenty stacked on him.

That said, even if he goes along with the non-hybrid label, Theo secretly prefers thinking of himself as having hybridized ermine traits. Probably more of them than he actually has. It's a mommy issue/daddy issue thing.