Deep within the heart of Not-Earth lies a species of magical crystallized felines known as the elusive, mysterious Crystacats.
Crystacats
Credits:
Crystal Skeleton idea credited to Frozenova from her Nullwing species
Part of the lore is also influenced by Frozenova (she helped write bits)

Anatomy:
Crystacats are a species very similar to notcats in many ways. They are mostly feline builds adorned in every kind of crystal imaginable. Each Crystacat has at least one type of jewel, rarely two. Crystacats are usually bigger cats, the biggest being King Castleton, an emerald tiger. Crystacats’ bones are made of the same gemstone as on their outside. Their blood is also interesting shades, usually matching their gem. Crystacats do not have Winds like notcats, but do have a similar magical essence that allows for a shard to be created. The term shard is used to describe an offspring that has just been magicked into existence. Once the offspring develops in the egg-like shard, then it becomes a kit.
Crystacat guards have been selectively chosen for hedgehog-like quills of gem on their backs and bodies. They lace the quills with a medicinal sedative and have thus grown an immunity to it. Their quills can be shot out at blinding speeds. The traits for quills and sedative-immunity are genetically dominant, so there is usually a wide pool of guards to be selected from.

Hierarchy:
Crystacats are led by monarchy, following the line of King Castleton. His only child Falcon is in line for the throne.
There is no patriarchy or matriarchy in the society. The ruler is whoever the eldest kit of the past ruler is.
If a child of the current leader refuses the role, the leader can chose a suitable replacement. The child is not held accountable for the responsibility if they do not wish.

Culture:
Crystacats typically live in large families, all as one. Cats can be introduced to a family and leave their own when being courted and gaining a mate, or the families can combine. Usually the latter. They will go as far as death to protect their family, either biological or introduced. Crystacats have a dire importance to their crystals and can experience enough stress to cause a heart attack that will more than likely kill them if they are removed. Many cats have hurt greatly from the crystals being ripped out of their bodies. The crystals are crucial to their defense. There is a tedious, laborious, and expensive ritual that can restore a cat’s crystals but it more than often fails and harms all involved in the process. Crystacats are very open to new ideas within their own group but are untrusting of others (such as being welcoming to a non-quilled guard but not trusting notcats). Their greatest tolerance is King Castleton’s collection of Baby Leaf Dragon pets since he is king.
Crystacats long ago had an alliance with shapeshifters, known as the Everchanging Ones to them, in which the Everchanging would help them get resources from notcat society and the Crystacats would share their magic and strength.
The Crystacats are said to have coexisted with notcats and the Everchanging Ones since the dawn of Not-Earth, learning to mimic the day jobs of notcats. They have lost contact with the other inhabitants of Not-Earth over time and have grown hostile and protective of their own, staying reclusive to their paradise territory. Though, while mining deeper and deeper underground, they have had run-ins with notcats that have led to rumors being sprouted in notcat communities.

Habitat:
Crystacats are supposedly told to live deep in burrows underground but it is the opposite. The idea they live underground comes from the few sightings of them being miners and mothers being stumbled upon. Crystacats indeed spend some but not at all most time underground. Their time underground is either mining crystals to eat or when a mother is burrowing to make a nest for her kits. Crystacats live out in the open where their gems can shine in the light. Their strength has allowed them to protect their borders and prevent notcats and other creatures from disturbing their paradise.
They sleep in dens dug out from small hills but usually are outside said dens to bathe in sunshine.

FAQ:
Can I make a Crystacat oc? Yes, you can! Just please follow the rules after this section <3
Can I have a scene with Crystacat territory as well? Yes, but please credit me if you do that.
Are you saying my cat with crystals is automatically a Crystacat?! Not at all! Your cat with crystals can be just that! It’s only a Crystacat if you wish for it to be!
Can my Crystacat be related to (insert canonical Crystacat here)? If it is the royal family, I’m sorry but no. They are mine alone, please respect that. Otherwise, yes!

Creating a Crystacat
The rules are very simple!
1. Must have at least 1 gemstone/crystal accessory
2. Cannot be related to royal family
That’s all!! Go wild with your Crystacats! I’d love to hear about them!