Nuri are a unique species of venomous felines native to the lost lands of Ilyrath. The Nuri are an ancient and diverse feline species, distinguished by their tail feathers, venom glands, and large batty ears. Though all Nuri share certain defining traits, the species is divided into eight distinct subspecies, each with its own physical characteristics, environments, cultures, and traditions. Their history stretches back centuries, intertwined with the legends of Ilyrath, the Nuri gods, and the ancient magic that once protected their homeland. From lush temperate forests and formidable mountaintops, to frozen tundras and crystal-filled caverns, Nuri have evolved to thrive in a variety of environments.But the Nuri are more than just a fictional species to me. They are a world I have been building, expanding, and refining for 13 years. My name is Destry, and I am the creator of the Nuri species. What began as a simple idea has grown alongside me over the years into an entire species with its own biology, history, mythology, cultures, subspecies, characters, and world. Many of the details you will find throughout this guide have changed and developed over time, and will continue to develop as I continue to learn, create, and return to the species with new ideas.This page is a collection of everything I have established about them so far. Here, you can learn about their anatomy and abilities, discover their different subspecies, explore their cultures and origins, and delve into the mythology and history that shaped them. Whether you are here because you have encountered a Nuri character, are interested in their lore, or simply want to explore a species that has been a part of my creative journey for over a decade, I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I have enjoyed creating them.Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about my species and I hope that you enjoy looking around!- Destry

Species T.O.S.

Purchasing a Nuri

The Nuri is a closed species, people may not make one of their own, however, they may be able to purchase one.To Purchase a custom Nuri from Destry for yourself, or someone else, please fill out this form and contact Destry through notes to let her know it's been sent, OR note her on FA with this information filled out:Gender:
Body Type:
Hair Style:
Hair Color:
Eye Color:
Color Palette:
Subspecies Tail Type:
Subspecies Ear Type:
Tail Feather Color(s):
Added fluff(?):
Piercings/Accessories if any:Custom Nuri - Current CostsBasic Reference: Includes Fullbody front, text and color swatch $205Full Reference: Includes Full body front, Full body back view, text and color swatch: $255Basic Chibi Reference: Includes Full body front chibi, text and color swatch $125Reference sheets are buildable! Please visit my pricing page here to see reference sheet add-on costs: HeathenDove's Commissions

By purchasing a Nuri you are agreeing to these terms of ownership, so please be sure that you read and understand these guidelines fully.You must have a toyhouse, and be a part of The Official Nuri World so that you may get updates on T.O.S. changes.Nuri are a closed species, they may not be created without explicit permission of Destry who may be found at the following user pages:Twitter | Bluesky | Furaffinity | Toyhou.seIf anyone other than Destry or approved MYO artists are selling Nuri customs or adopts, please inform the species owner at the above pages.Currently, Nuri may only be purchased through adoption and customs by Destry or one of our MYO artists.Nuri CAN NOT be co-owned. Ownership is one person per Nuri, things get far too mixed up with co-ownership, so I will not allow co-owns.The character design may not closely resemble an already existing Nuri, you may not have a character created to copy someone else’s design.If you would like to edit your Nuri you are more than welcomed to, please be sure to get these changes approved, however, by the species owner. More information on what can be changed can be found on the FAQ page.If you change your Nuri design, you may not sell the old design, all versions of a Nuri character must be kept together. This means that if one version of a Nuri is sold, all versions of that Nuri must come with it.You must credit Destry for the species upon initial gallery upload on furaffinity and other sites, as well as the artist who created your Nuri for you.When your Nuri is created for you, you will receive the character via toyhouse transfer from Destry. If you do not have a toyhouse account, a referral code can be provided to you in order to complete the transfer.Your Nuri must be viewable by HeathenDove on toyhouse at all times, and be submitted to the Nuri World on toyhou.se this is so that we may keep track of the species and where it’s going, as well as certify that the Nuri is obtained via the correct avenues and hasn’t just been uploaded by someone who is trying to claim they own a character that they do not.If you currently have a Nuri uploaded to toyhouse, please be sure that it is visible to HeathenDove, if it is not visible, please change the visibility so that we may keep track of everything. If you have a Nuri that is not uploaded to toyhou.se, please be sure to upload it and link it to HeathenDove so that she can submit it to the Nuri world.PLEASE COME TO DESTRY BEFORE YOU SELL YOUR NURI to get information about people who are not permitted to purchase them, there are very few, but they're out there and blacklisted for a reason. You can also see the public blacklist on this site by clicking the "Blacklist" tab above.There are two strikes to being blacklisted. If you are found to be knowingly selling to someone who is blacklisted, you will be blacklisted immediately. If you were unaware that that person was blacklisted, you will receive a strike, and unless you refund that person their money and take your Nuri back, you will be blacklisted.You may not sell your Nuri for more than it was purchased for, unless art has been added to it, in which case you may add the value of the art to the value of your initial purchase.If you no longer want your Nuri and decide to sell it, you must inform the buyer of these terms of ownership via a link to these terms, and you must inform Destry of who the Nuri was sold to, and a link to their page.If you will a Nuri in a raffle or do a trade for one from Destry and have not added art to it, you may not sell it! If you no longer use it, please give it back to Destry in exchange for a full body sketch, color, and shade commission.You may not by any means breed your Nuri to make a new character with Nuri characteristics.Name, Personality, ect. of your Nuri is all up to the owner of the character.These guidelines may be altered at any time, if they are, a journal will be posted to inform you of any updates.

MYO Info

MYO Rules:

We are now selling Nuri MYOs!A MYO slot allows you to pay Destry the species fee of $55, but commission your reference sheet from one of the approved artists listed below.Upon purchasing a MYO slot, a MYO ticket will be transferred to you by HeathenDove via toyhouse. If you do not have a toyhouse account, a referral code can be provided to you in order to complete the transfer.You must have your Nuri designed by an Artist on the approved artist list. (MYO does not mean you or anyone can design your Nuri).The reference sheet must include at minimum a full body front view, text which should include the character's name and species, a color swatch, and a colored background.The reference sheet may not be done on a base.Once the MYO Nuri is complete, please send Destry the Ref sheet for approval. Once the design has been approved, you will be asked to transfer your MYO ticket from toyhou.se back to her so that she can create your Nuri's profile for you and transfer it to you.The character design may not closely resemble an already existing Nuri (Don't try to create a copy of someone else's design).If for some reason you end up coming to Destry for your Nuri MYO, the price of the MYO fee will be subtracted from the
200 USD payment that it costs to purchase a custom Nuri from her. The original full-body front reference will not be able to be purchased through the PWYW stream method via Destry.

Approved Artists for MYO orders:Aimi | MaidenDearestIf you would like to become a MYO artist, please DM Destry on any of her socials with the following information:
Examples of Reference sheets you have created off-base.
Examples of designs that you have created.
Any active socials you may have.
Your current queue.Please understand that as a MYO artist there are rules that you must follow:All Nuri designs must be approved by Destry before they are posted on any socials.The species must be labeled in the post description as follows: Nuri Species (c) [Insert relevant social link here]The person commissioning you for a Nuri must have a MYO ticket on toyhou.se. The ticket will be transferred back to HeathenDove on toyhou.se in exchange for a character transfer with the reference sheet to the person who made the purchase.If you would like to make a Nuri adopt, you are allowed to as a MYO artist, but you must purchase a MYO ticket before you make the adopt and send the design to Destry for approval before posting the adopt.If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

The Eight Nuri Subspecies

Though all Nuri share the same fundamental biology, the species has diversified into eight distinct subspecies across the varied environments of Ilyrath. Centuries of isolation, adaptation, and cultural development have given each subspecies its own distinctive appearance, temperament, and way of life.

Explore information about the different subspecies of Nuri using the links above!

General Species Traits

The Nuri are a species of highly intelligent, venomous felines native to the lands of Ilyrath. Although the species is divided into eight distinct subspecies, all Nuri share several defining characteristics, including their venom glands, feline anatomy, feathered tails, and remarkable adaptability. Nuri are capable hunters and are naturally social creatures, forming strong bonds with family, companions, and even members of other species.

Venom

One of the Nuri's most distinctive traits is their venom. Nuri possess specialized venom glands on either side of their muzzles and across the four forward-facing knuckles of their hands. Though the shade varries, each gland is protected by a hard green outer shell that forms a visible marking for what lies beneath the flesh. Beneath these protective shells lie soft venom sacs capable of storing and producing venom.The venom glands along the muzzle connect to a second set of enlarged canines, while the glands on the knuckles connect to the claws. Both sets of glands can secrete venom at will, allowing a Nuri to deliver venom through either a bite or a scratch.To most other species, Nuri venom can be extremely dangerous. Its effects depend largely upon the amount of venom delivered, ranging from relatively mild sickness and dizziness to hallucinations, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.Nuri venom has a significantly weaker effect on other Nuri. The most severe reaction one Nuri can normally cause in another is temporary paralysis. This natural resistance serves an important purpose in the species' development.When Nuri cubs are between approximately six and eight months old, their venom glands begin producing venom for the first time. During this period, cubs have little to no control over when their venom is released. Because young Nuri are naturally energetic and prone to biting and scratching during play, their temporary resistance to one another's venom prevents accidents from becoming fatal.This makes venom resistance an important natural defense within Nuri families and communities, allowing cubs to learn control without posing an extreme danger to those around them.

Sexual Dimorphism

Nuri display considerable physical differences between males and females.MalesMale Nuri are typically considerably larger than females and possess significantly greater muscle mass. They are built for strength and physical confrontation, and their appearance tends to be more imposing.A male Nuri has an enlarged second set of canines are generally visible outside the mouth, giving them an appearance somewhat reminiscent of a saber-toothed feline.Male venom glands are approximately twice the size of those found in females. The soft venom sacs beneath the protective outer shells can therefore store a greater quantity of venom. This allows males to deliver larger amounts of venom and subdue multiple opponents when defending their families or communities.Male Nuri tend to have shorter tails that contain less fur than those of females, although males still possess the species' characteristic feathered tails. Their tail feathers are generally considerably longer and larger than those of females.Most male Nuri develop a half-mane down the head, neck, and spine. In longer-furred subspecies, as well as among the Amalas, males may instead develop a full mane.In most subspecies, male Nuri have ears that naturally face forward. Their eyes are also distinguished by dark sclera, contributing further to their intimidating appearance.FemalesFemale Nuri are generally much smaller than males, usually standing approximately at shoulder height when compared to an adult male though there are exceptions. While females are still exceptionally strong and capable hunters, they possess considerably less muscle mass than their male counterparts.Females generally have a softer and less intimidating appearance than males. This can be deceptive, however. Their smaller size does not make them less dangerous, and female Nuri can be exceptionally formidable when threatened.Female Nuri possess longer, fuller, fluffier tails than males. Their ears typically rest naturally in a downward or backward position, but can be rotated forward when a female is concentrating on a particular sound or attempting to focus her hearing.

Hunting Companions

Nuri are naturally capable solitary hunters, but individuals (particularly Nuri who have chosen to live independently or "gone rogue") often form close partnerships with other species.Birds of prey are among the most common companions, although a Nuri may form a hunting partnership with almost any intelligent animal capable of working alongside them.These relationships are highly cooperative. A bird companion can use its superior vantage point to scout the surrounding area, searching for prey, water, or other resources. Once it has located something useful, the bird returns to the Nuri and uses calls, gestures, or flight patterns to communicate what it has found before leading the Nuri toward the location.At first glance, such a relationship may appear one-sided, but the Nuri provides protection in return. A Nuri will defend its companion from predators and other threats, and when hunting alongside a bird of prey, will generally share the resulting meal.These partnerships can become exceptionally close. A Nuri and its companion may remain together for their entire lives, developing an understanding of one another that allows them to hunt almost as a single unit.

Reproduction & Development

Nuri are an exceptionally genetically compatible species and are capable of successfully reproducing with nearly any other species. Their offspring inherit traits from both parents, resulting in considerable variation in appearance and physical characteristics.Nuri cubs are born with fully developed venom glands, including the protective outer shells, but the glands do not initially contain venom.Venom production begins at approximately six to eight months of age. The onset of venom production is an important developmental milestone, but it can also be one of the most dangerous periods of a Nuri cub's life.When their venom first develops, cubs have very little control over its release. A bite or scratch that would previously have been harmless can suddenly become dangerous. Young Nuri therefore require supervision and patience while they learn to consciously control their venom.Over time, cubs develop increasingly precise control over when and how much venom they release. By adulthood, a trained Nuri can deliberately regulate its venom, choosing whether to deliver little more than a trace or enough to incapacitate a much larger opponent.This combination of natural weaponry, intelligence, adaptability, and strong social bonds makes the Nuri a species that is far more dangerous than its appearance might initially suggest.

Yanin Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!Yanin Nuri typically have very natural coat colors consisting of reds and browns. Their ears are moderately long and wide. Their patterns typically consist of spots that help them to blend in with the shadows of the treetops coming down to the forest floor. Their coats are typically medium in length and very fine with the exception being their tail which is a bit more fluffy. Their tails are typically a bit longer than most other subspecies, they are long enough that around two feet of their tail can touch the ground while standing. The fur on their tails is so fine that it appears to float when they move. This is the most common subspecies of Nuri, and they can be found in wooded areas around the world.

Amalas Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!The Amalas Nuri have tan or yellow base coats, typically with darker brown, auburn, or black markings. Their ears are naturally set forward and like most Nuri, bald on the inside. Their tails are long and thin with a large poof of fluff at the end. These savanna cats can be striped or spotted; they always ghave a dark line running from the top of their head to the tip of their tail. Thicker, coarser fur runs along this line, however, it's only in the middle of their backs between their shoulder blades and down their spines to the base of their tails. This subspecies has malar stripes (tear marks) which help to protect their eyes from the blistering sun of their climate. Males of this subspecies are fully maned around their heads, necks, chests, and behind their elbows.

Sumlian Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!Sumlian Nuri are a coastal/island subspecies. They most commonly have bright yellow or black coats with vibrantly colored gradient markings. Their patterns are very tribal in appearance and typically include arrows and spots adorning their stripes. This subspecies is rather small, they have short, muscular legs and bodies. Their ears are shorter and more rounded than other subspecies and the edges of their ears almost touch at the base to protect them from water. These small creatures have moderately fluffy tails, but they are shorter than the Yanin subspecies, barely reaching the ground. The webs between their didgets are a distinct feature as they are closer to water and have adapted to be excellent swimmers. They can hold their breaths for as long as five minutes at a time, and their eyes have an invisible protective film over them to protect them from irritants.

Aerath Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!Aerath Nuri have very fine, thin coats of fur, ranging in color from dull tans, to blondes. Their ears are long, but thinner than other Nuri subspecies. This Nuri's inner ears are lined with fur that is longer towards the base of the ear than the tip which helps to keep sand out of them. Their tails are long and thin, much like a cheetah's, but they are deceptively muscular, and help them to balance in the loose sands of the deserts in which they live. They have long, lithe bodies and legs, and are very fast runners. This subspecies can withstand extremely high heat. Because of their desert climates, there is little to eat or drink, but this subspecies has adapted to not need as much food. The energy that they get from their food sustains them for longer periods of time than other subspecies. Their skin and gums are thick and tough, which allows them to get to the liquid within a cactus in their climate with little problem in order to stay hydrated, it's rare that a prick sticks them, or affects them.

Nygel Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!Nygel Nuri have very unsaturated coats of dense fur. Most of their bodies have medium length fur other than the long fur on their cheeks and the tufts of fur at the tips of their long ears. This subspecies has short puffy tails, short bodies, and longer legs. their legs are well muscled, which makes them amazing at climbing rocky slopes. Despite having short tails, these cats have an amazing sense of balance. The Nygel subspecies has adapted to handle the low oxygen levels of high altitudes extremely well. Their muscles don't need as much oxygen to create energy, and their blood has become more efficient at carrying oxygen through their bodies. Their paws are moderately large compared to their body size which helps them to stay above the snow on mountain tops.

Torilin Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!The Torilin Nuri are of the rainforests around the world. They are known for having dark coats, but brightly colored eyes. This subspecies has long and very muscular legs. They have short sleek fur that helps them to survive the humidity of the rainforest and thick, muscular tails that are thicker at the end, but completely sleek. Their ears are long, round, and naturally set forward. They are great at focusing in on one particular sound, blocking out the rest of the noise in the dense and lively rainforest. This subspecies is excellent at climbing and extremely well balanced. The Torilin Nuri have beautiful bioluminescent tail feathers, they use these feathers to help them to attract prey.

Zynyran Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!The Zynyran Nuri live in arctic climates. They have long thick coats of typically dull and unsaturated colors that help them to blend in with the snow, usually blue in hue. Their fur is almost always spotted. Zynyran Nuri have extremely long, silky, dense fur on their chests, cheeks, and tails, as well as hanging from their arms and legs. Their ears are more long and pointed than the other subspecies of Nuri and these are the only subspecies that has fur lining the entirety of their inner ears to help to keep them warm. Like the Nygel Nuri, their paws are very large, and help them keep from falling too deep into the snow when they walk. This subspecies has the ability to go for days, sometimes weeks without food in order to survive. These felines are heavily muscled which along with their long, thick fur helps to keep them warm in the frostbitten climates that they live in.

Mala Nuri

!!!!THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER AND WILL BE UPDATED!!!!Mala Nuri typically have dark coats, and bright luminescent markings and tail feathers. It's believed that the Torilin Nuri could be mutated from Mala Nuri because of their bioluminescent traits. The Mala Nuri are the rarest of all subspecies, and are always pure bred. Their inner ears glitter just as the precious stones in their caves do, and they have a small gem embeded on their foreheads. The gem on a male's forehead tends to be more angular and sharp whereas the gem on a female's forehead tends to be more round and smooth. These nuri have been known to have the gift of sight, many of them are prophetic, and this gift of prophecy is believed to be linked to their gems. These are the smallest of the Nuri, and they have the largest ear-to-body ratio with their large, wide, and batty ears. Their eyes are larger than other subspecies do as they are often born with vision problems, or born blind, and those large eyes assist their vision if they have it at all. While most Mala Nuri can see alright in their caves, supplementing with their own version of echolocation, the light outside their caves leaves them blinded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there LGBTQIA+ representation within the species?

There is! This manifests in different ways depending on how the owner of the Nuri would like to represent them. Some examples are femme presenting AMAB nuri with some femme nuri traits like white sclara, and smaller tail feathers while retaining the elongated second set of canines, or an AFAB nuri with a more muscular build and the larger tail feathers and venom glands that are typically more masc presenting. It really just depends on what you would like your nuri to look like and what you would like their background to be!

Can you make a nuri from an existing design?

Yes I can! As long as it's okay with the original designer that the design is altered to be a different species, I can definitely create a nuri from an existing design. I feel like this is common sense, but only thing that needs to be noted here is that the original design and nuri design must be sold together if they are ever sold. They can not be seperated.

I own a nuri, can I change it's design?

Yes! You can absolutely alter your Nuri's design as long as the update still resembles the original design. Please just be sure to get the redesign approved by the species owner, Destry. Some examples of edits that would be acceptable are color variations like winter and summer versions of the same coat, or tweaking colors, adding or removing some markings, changing hair style, eye color, hair color etc. As long as the changes reflect an update of the current design rather than a completely new character, they are allowed. If you are unsure if the changes that you want are too far off from the original design, please feel free to message Destry for approval of your ideas before the changes are made.

I changed the design of my nuri, can I sell the old design?

No. If you change your Nuri you can not sell the old design. All versions of a Nuri character must be kept together as a singular character. This means that if one version of a nuri is sold, all versions of that nuri must go with it.

Can I own a nuri if I don't have a toyhou.se account?

Unfortunately not, a toyhou.se account is required if you would like to purchase a nuri. If you do not have a toyhou.se account, Destry can give you a code to create one, just ask her! We have required nuri to be posted to toyhou.se for a while now for a few reasons, the biggest of them being that toyhou.se provides a platform that we can use to keep track of nuri, and it helps to prevent fraud, if you're trying to purchase a nuri, and the seller is unable transfer you a nuri that shows HeathenDove as the creator on toyhou.se then there is a chance that the nuri you are trying to purchase is not legitimate.

There is a nuri for sale that doesn't have a toyhou.se, what should I do?

Unfortunately the toyhou.se rule has not been in effect the whole time that nuri have been around, so there are some nuri out there that don't have a toyhou.se, in any case where you try to purchase a nuri that doesn't have a toyhouse page, please check with Destry for it's legitimacy. If you do purchase the character, once you receive it, Destry can create a toyhou.se page for said nuri to be able to transfer it to you!

There is a nuri for sale from a blacklisted user, can I buy it?

Yes! You are perfectly safe to purchase a nuri from a blacklisted user, and even encouraged if the design interests you! We would be understandably happy to see nuri go from blacklisted users, to users that we can better trust.

I would like to apply to be a MYO artist for nuri. How can I do that?

If you would like to become a MYO artist, please DM Destry on any of her socials with the following information:
Examples of Reference sheets you have created off-base.
Examples of designs that you have created.
Any active socials you may have.
Your current queue.

If you can think of any more questions that you would like the answers to, please feel free to reach out to me and let me know, I would love to answer any questions that you may have to add to this list!

Blacklist

Our Current Blacklist includes:Vin: Roonanifear, Vindictiivespet, Vindictiive, Tersa, Roonix (More will be added as found)Cat: Cat, xCreativeCat, CreativeCat, DemonBrat, FloralFelidae, FloralFeline, Floral.Feline, SnowPetal Pedigree, Zombeans, Licorne (More will be added as found)Alirras: Alirras, AlirrasArts, Alisia, xAlesia, Tiwis, Nuxies.Species, Zixya, AlirrasArtsYCH (More will be added as found)

While there has never been a need for a public blacklist in the past, we have reached a point where we feel it is necessary to maintain one. This list exists to clearly identify individuals who are not permitted to own Nuri, as well as individuals with whom Destry does not wish to conduct business or share personal spaces.Anyone placed on this blacklist is prohibited from:
Owning or purchasing a Nuri
Owning characters created or previously owned by Destry
Purchasing artwork or other services from Destry
Participating in Destry's public Discord serverIndividuals may be blacklisted for violating Destry's T.O.S., but a blacklist does not require a T.O.S. violation. Destry may also blacklist someone simply because she is not comfortable doing business with them or having them within her personal or community spaces.This is a personal boundary, not a statement of public hostility. The individuals listed here are not being blacklisted because Destry wishes them harm or harbors hatred toward them. This system exists to protect her mental health, maintain her boundaries, and ensure that her spaces remain safe and comfortable for her.Blacklist & Nuri SalesEffective August 29, 2026, knowingly selling or transferring a Nuri to someone on this blacklist will result in the seller being blacklisted as well.There is a two-strike system for sellers who unintentionally violate this rule:
If you knowingly sell a Nuri to someone on the blacklist, you will be blacklisted immediately.
If you were genuinely unaware that the buyer was blacklisted, you will receive one strike. To avoid being blacklisted, you must refund the buyer in full and reclaim the Nuri.
If you receive a second strike, you will be blacklisted.Please check this list before transferring ownership of a Nuri or a character created or previously owned by HeathenDove. Responsibility ultimately falls on the seller to ensure that the person receiving their Nuri is permitted to own one.Please Do Not Harass Anyone Listed Here
The blacklist is not an invitation to harass, threaten, confront, or otherwise target anyone on this list. Please do not contact individuals on this list on Destry's behalf, attempt to punish them, or create drama surrounding their inclusion. Whatever personal circumstances led to someone being blacklisted are between Destry and that individual.The purpose of this page is simply to make these boundaries clear and prevent confusion regarding who may participate in the Nuri species and Destry's community.