THE BREEDS
Discover the genetic diversity of our world. Each breed is a unique fusion of ancient biology and advanced technology, crafted for survival in the floating islands of Albia.
The Origins of ALBIA’s Eight Norn Breeds
Long before the Mother Tree existed, ALBIA was one enormous disk-world. Forests, plains, crystal fields, volcanic regions and vast Shee cities were all connected across its surface.
After creating the original Norn genome, the Shee began adapting it for the different environments of the Albian Disk. This became known as the Eightfold Genome Project. Some breeds were designed deliberately, while others were created through unexpected accidents.
BREED LORE
GENESIS 1 - ALBIAN-PRIME
The Albian-Prime Norn, known in the oldest records as the Ron Norn, is regarded as the first true Norn breed and the foundation of many later bloodlines. Created during Albia’s earliest age, these Norns possess a truly stable genome, allowing their defining traits to survive across countless generations while still adapting through breeding and mutation.
BREED CODE SYSTEM
Understanding ALBIA’s Norn Breed Codes
ALBIA’s Breed Code system provides a technical classification for every Norn genome. These codes allow the Shee, and modern researchers, to track the origin, modification history, and specific variant number of any individual Norn bloodline. A standard breed code consists of a modification class followed by numeric identifiers.
Modification Classes
The prefix of a code identifies how the breed was formed. GENESIS (or GEN) refers to breeds created through intentional genetic adaptation and splicing within the Shee research labs. CRYST refers to bloodlines born from crystalline phenomena or magical accidents, lacking a purely lab-based origin. FERAL denotes breeds that evolved naturally in the wild without Shee intervention for centuries.
Creation-Era Numbers
The first number in a code represents the ‘Genesis Era’ or the specific development cycle the breed belongs to. Era 1.0 represents the original Albian Disk-World era, including the primary foundation breeds. Era 2.0 and beyond represent later cycles of development occurring after major Albian planetary shifts or Shee departures.
Breed-Variant Numbers
The number following the decimal identifies the specific mutation or splice variant within that era. For example, Genesis 1.0 is the baseline Ron Norn, while Genesis 1.2 denotes the second major variant created within the first era – the Tiger Norn. These numbers help differentiate breeds sharing a common foundation but possessing distinct morphological traits.
Current Breed Registry
The registry is a living document maintained by the Albia Biological Survey. It includes the Eightfold Genome Project breeds, various Feral bloodlines, and unique Crystal-Born anomalies. By understanding these codes, researchers can better predict genetic health, trait inheritance, and the suitability of different Norns for specific Albian habitats.
This technical system ensures that the history of Norn biology is preserved, allowing us to respect the ancient designs of the Shee while documenting the ever-evolving diversity of modern Albia.