Avishraa Reloaded

User Tools

Site Tools

You are here: start » xtauh
xtauh:start

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
xtauh:start [2021/05/07 10:45] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation shyriathxtauh:start [2024/01/25 09:51] (current) – shyriath
Line 1: Line 1:
-The species known as the **xtauh** in [[language:imperial|Imperial]] (both singular and plural) are a species of intelligent dragon that might be considered the second-ranking [[species:start#Enenkalar|sapients]] on [[avishraa:|Avishraa]] and the creators of its most advanced civilizations. Though not as numerous, as technologically advanced, or as organized as the [[takma:|takmar]], their environmental flexibility and self-reliance have stood them in good stead.+====== Xtauh ====== 
 +The species known as the **xtauh** in [[language:imperial:start]] (both singular and plural) are a species of intelligent dragon that might be considered the second-ranking [[species:start#Enenkalar|sapients]] on [[universe:mikurmiya:avishraa]] and the creators of its most advanced civilizations. Though not as numerous, as technologically advanced, or as organized as the [[takma:|takmar]], their environmental flexibility and self-reliance have stood them in good stead.
  
 ===== Numerical characteristics ===== ===== Numerical characteristics =====
Line 10: Line 11:
 ===== Anatomy and physiology ===== ===== Anatomy and physiology =====
 ==== Shape and features ==== ==== Shape and features ====
-//See also the articles on the [[xtauh:body|xtauh body]] and on [[xtauh:scales-and-coloration|scales and coloration]].//+//See also the articles on the [[xtauh:body|xtauh body]] and on [[xtauh:scales and coloration]].//
  
-Xtauh are large [[species:clade:draconiform|draconiform]] [[species:clade:hexapod|hexapods]]. Put another way, they have six limbs; a pair of hindlimbs, used exclusively for walking; a pair of forelimbs, shorter than the hindlimbs, which can be used either for locomotion or for fine manipulation; and a pair of wings, used in either flying or swimming. Each limb has four digits; those on the forepaws form three fingers and an an opposable thumb, those on the hindpaws three toes and a non-vestigial dewclaw, and those on the wing three main spars and a tiny, largely vestigial, thumb. The spars are connected to each other, and to the sides of the body and tail, with a thin web of skin.+Xtauh are large [[species:clade:draconiform]] [[species:clade:hexapod|hexapods]]. Put another way, they have six limbs; a pair of hindlimbs, used exclusively for walking; a pair of forelimbs, shorter than the hindlimbs, which can be used either for locomotion or for fine manipulation; and a pair of wings, used in either flying or swimming. Each limb has four digits; those on the forepaws form three fingers and an an opposable thumb, those on the hindpaws three toes and a non-vestigial dewclaw, and those on the wing three main spars and a tiny, largely vestigial, thumb. The spars are connected to each other, and to the sides of the body and tail, with a thin web of skin.
  
 The head is of a more or less aerodynamic shape with a long muzzle. The teeth are generally conical, although those toward the rear of the mouth have truncated, almost flattened, points. The nostrils can seal while underwater. The eyes have catlike, slitted pupils, and are usually light in color, typically some shade of blue, gray, or washed-out green. Other colors, such as gold, are possible. Xtauh do not have ears, but instead a pair of antennae; long, flexible, backwards-sweeping structures with hollow interiors. The set of the eyes and antennae, and to a lesser extent the mouth, play a major role in xtauh facial expressions.  The head is of a more or less aerodynamic shape with a long muzzle. The teeth are generally conical, although those toward the rear of the mouth have truncated, almost flattened, points. The nostrils can seal while underwater. The eyes have catlike, slitted pupils, and are usually light in color, typically some shade of blue, gray, or washed-out green. Other colors, such as gold, are possible. Xtauh do not have ears, but instead a pair of antennae; long, flexible, backwards-sweeping structures with hollow interiors. The set of the eyes and antennae, and to a lesser extent the mouth, play a major role in xtauh facial expressions. 
  
 ==== Motion and locomotion ==== ==== Motion and locomotion ====
-//See also [[xtauh:body-language|Body language]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Body language]].//
  
 Xtauh are capable of either a bipedal or quadrupedal gait on land. The latter, which involves curling the fingers and placing the weight on the knuckles, is more comfortable for both standing and walking/running for any great length of time, but prevents easy manipulation of tools. The former, meanwhile, frees the forepaws for other activities, but bipedal standing and walking places stress on the lower back and results in somewhat more delicate balance. Most xtauh resort to a bipedal stance only when they need to reach an additional height, or in situations where a balance needs to be struck between motion and manipulation (as with handling weapons in warfare); if manipulation can be accomplished while remaining still, they will simply sit on their hindquarters. Because of their higher center of gravity, males generally find the bipedal stance more difficult to enter and maintain than females do. Xtauh are capable of either a bipedal or quadrupedal gait on land. The latter, which involves curling the fingers and placing the weight on the knuckles, is more comfortable for both standing and walking/running for any great length of time, but prevents easy manipulation of tools. The former, meanwhile, frees the forepaws for other activities, but bipedal standing and walking places stress on the lower back and results in somewhat more delicate balance. Most xtauh resort to a bipedal stance only when they need to reach an additional height, or in situations where a balance needs to be struck between motion and manipulation (as with handling weapons in warfare); if manipulation can be accomplished while remaining still, they will simply sit on their hindquarters. Because of their higher center of gravity, males generally find the bipedal stance more difficult to enter and maintain than females do.
Line 28: Line 29:
  
 ==== Senses and perception ==== ==== Senses and perception ====
-//See also [[xtauh:senses|Senses]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Senses]].//
  
 The xtauh senses are broadly comparable to those of humans, at least to the extent that they would be able to detect many of the same stimuli. That said, their visual and auditory ranges are not identical, and the xtauh sense of small is somewhat poorer. The xtauh senses are broadly comparable to those of humans, at least to the extent that they would be able to detect many of the same stimuli. That said, their visual and auditory ranges are not identical, and the xtauh sense of small is somewhat poorer.
Line 36: Line 37:
 ===== Taxonomy and evolution ===== ===== Taxonomy and evolution =====
 ==== Ancestry and relatives ==== ==== Ancestry and relatives ====
-The closest living relatives of the xtauh are a species referred to in [[avishraa:place:brightness|Brightness]] [[language:imperial|Imperial]] as the [[takma:|takmar]], from whom they began to diverge some eighteen thousand cycles ago. Though neither of them recognize the relationship, they remain genetically compatible enough that interbreeding is occasionally possible, though extremely risky. These two species are together classified as the [[species:clade:takmin|takmins]].+The closest living relatives of the xtauh are a species referred to in [[geography:sekhaa:region:brightness]] [[language:imperial:start|Imperial]] as the [[takma:|takmar]], from whom they began to diverge some eighteen thousand cycles ago. Though neither of them recognize the relationship, they remain genetically compatible enough that interbreeding is occasionally possible, though extremely risky. These two species are together classified as the [[species:clade:takmin|takmins]].
  
-The ancestors of the takmins diverged some 74 thousand cycles ago from those of the [[species:clade:dvidalin|dvidalins]], a mostly bipedal clade. The third known sapient species, the [[orghysh:|orghysh]], are dvidalins, though there are also a number of non-sapient dvidalins scattered throughout [[avishraa:place:sekhaa|Sekhaa]]; few of these live in territories inhabited by the xtauh.+The ancestors of the takmins diverged some 74 thousand cycles ago from those of the [[species:clade:dvidalin|dvidalins]], a mostly bipedal clade. The third known sapient species, the [[orghysh:]], are dvidalins, though there are also a number of non-sapient dvidalins scattered throughout [[geography:sekhaa:start]]; few of these live in territories inhabited by the xtauh.
  
 ==== Variations ==== ==== Variations ====
-Xtauh have a much higher variability in skin color than humans do, even within the same population, and it is relatively common for children to be a different color from either parent (see [[xtauh:scales-and-coloration|Scales and coloration]] for details). The physical races that make up the xtauh species, therefore, tend to be defined based on other factors, though some colors are more common for some than for others.+Xtauh have a much higher variability in skin color than humans do, even within the same population, and it is relatively common for children to be a different color from either parent (see [[xtauh:Scales and coloration]] for details). The physical races that make up the xtauh species, therefore, tend to be defined based on other factors, though some colors are more common for some than for others.
  
-There are, broadly speaking, three major racial types.+There are, broadly speaking, four known major racial types.
  
-  * //Wasteland:// Short, rangy and long-muzzled with slightly oversized wings. They tend toward higher proportions of browns and yellows, with some oranges and reds and very few whites. They tend to predominate in the marginal lands of the southern and central [[avishraa:place:brightness|Brightness]]; because the southern edge of this range overlaps with takma colonies in the river valleys, most xtauh encountered by the takmar are of the wasteland type. +  * //Wasteland:// Short, rangy and long-muzzled with slightly oversized wings. They tend toward higher proportions of browns and yellows, with some oranges and reds and very few whites. They tend to predominate in the marginal lands of the southern and central [[geography:sekhaa:region:brightness]]; because the southern edge of this range overlaps with takma colonies in the river valleys, most xtauh encountered by the takmar are of the wasteland type. 
-  * //Sunset:// On average, taller and stockier than wasteland xtauh, and with wings more similar in proportion to those of takmar. They tend toward higher proportions of reds, oranges, yellows and whites and fewer browns. They are the predominant race in the northern Brightness and the grasslands beyond it, as well as along the eastern slopes of what the xtauh call the [[avishraa:place:refuge-range|Refuge Range]]‌. As these areas are the most thickly settled of the xtauh habitats, sunset xtauh make up a majority of the total population. +  * //Sunset:// On average, taller and stockier than wasteland xtauh, and with wings more similar in proportion to those of takmar. They tend toward higher proportions of reds, oranges, yellows and whites and fewer browns. They are the predominant race in the northern Brightness and the grasslands beyond it, as well as along the eastern slopes of what the xtauh call the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Refuge Range]]‌. As these areas are the most thickly settled of the xtauh habitats, sunset xtauh make up a majority of the total population. 
-  * //Mountain:// They have a build stockier than that of the sunset xtauh, but the size and wingspan of the wasteland xtauh, a shorter muzzle than either; the population is mostly browns and oranges, with some reds but very few yellows or whites. They predominate in the far eastern Brightness and the adjacent mountains known as the [[avishraa:place:nest-of-the-sun|Nest of the Sun]]‌; there are rumors that they have also crossed the mountains into the rift valleys and settled there.+  * //Dunscale:// They have a build stockier than that of the sunset xtauh, but the size and wingspan of the wasteland xtauh, a shorter muzzle than either; the population is mostly browns and oranges, with some reds but very few yellows or whites. They predominate in the far eastern Brightness and the adjacent mountains known as the [[geography:sekhaa:region:Nest of the Sun]]‌; there are rumors that they have also crossed the mountains into the rift valleys and settled there. 
 +  * //Highland:// Like dunscale xtauh, they have a very stocky build and relatively short muzzles, but a size more similar to that of wasteland xtauh and a proportionally short wingspan. They are relatively dark in scale color, with a very high preponderance of browns and reds with few other colors except as accents. Though relatively numerous up until the Imperial era, few highland xtauh remain in the current era, after long attrition due to competition with takmar in the same region.
  
 As with human races, the boundaries between them are not distinct and there are many areas where considerable mixture has occurred. As with human races, the boundaries between them are not distinct and there are many areas where considerable mixture has occurred.
Line 53: Line 55:
 ===== Biology ===== ===== Biology =====
 ==== Genetics and reproduction ==== ==== Genetics and reproduction ====
-//See also [[xtauh:reproduction|Reproduction]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Reproduction]].//
  
 In terms of sexual behavior, neither males nor females are much inclined toward monogamy. Socially, however, most xtauh societies are [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry_in_nature#Paternity_sharing|polyandrous]], with a female having one or more mates who care for her children. In terms of sexual behavior, neither males nor females are much inclined toward monogamy. Socially, however, most xtauh societies are [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry_in_nature#Paternity_sharing|polyandrous]], with a female having one or more mates who care for her children.
Line 76: Line 78:
  
 ===== Ecology and habitats ===== ===== Ecology and habitats =====
-Xtauh are almost entirely restricted to the continent of [[avishraa:place:sekhaa|Sekhaa]]. Although they enjoy being immersed in water and are good swimmers, they [[xtauh:behaviors#thalassophobia|fear being on or in water that is too deep or too far from land]], and have not developed watercraft more advanced than rafts and shore-hugging barges. Their highest population densities are in north-[[avishraa:place:sekhaa#central_sekhaa|central]] and [[avishraa:place:sekhaa#northern_sekhaa|northern Sekhaa]], on the grasslands that lie north of the [[avishraa:place:brightness|Brightness]], but they can generally be found - either alone or interspersed with takmar - anywhere on the continent between 10° and 60° north, and occasionally further north and south.+Xtauh are almost entirely restricted to the continent of [[geography:sekhaa:start]]. Although they enjoy being immersed in water and are good swimmers, they [[xtauh:behaviors#thalassophobia|fear being on or in water that is too deep or too far from land]], and have not developed watercraft more advanced than rafts and shore-hugging barges. Their highest population densities are in north-[[geography:sekhaa:start#central_sekhaa|central]] and [[geography:sekhaa:start#northern Sekhaa]], on the grasslands that lie north of the [[geography:sekhaa:region:brightness]], but they can generally be found - either alone or interspersed with takmar - anywhere on the continent between 10° and 60° north, and occasionally further north and south.
  
 The xtauh are environmentally flexible creatures, able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and climates. Although they do not do as well with low temperatures as humans do, they are much more comfortable in arid climates; unlike the takmar, who die relatively easily away from water and humidity, their bodies conserve moisture relatively easily and their dominance of the deserts of the Brightness is due largely to the fact that the takmar cannot follow them any significant distance from the river valleys. Also unlike takmar, they do not require immersion in water for their health; they will bathe in it if there are sufficient quantities around, but in the desert they typically roll in sand or gravel to get clean. The xtauh are environmentally flexible creatures, able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and climates. Although they do not do as well with low temperatures as humans do, they are much more comfortable in arid climates; unlike the takmar, who die relatively easily away from water and humidity, their bodies conserve moisture relatively easily and their dominance of the deserts of the Brightness is due largely to the fact that the takmar cannot follow them any significant distance from the river valleys. Also unlike takmar, they do not require immersion in water for their health; they will bathe in it if there are sufficient quantities around, but in the desert they typically roll in sand or gravel to get clean.
Line 82: Line 84:
 As a result, low concentrations of nomads and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumance|transhumants]] can be found even in the deep desert, so long as they are in locations where water is near enough to the surface to reach. Both desert dwellers and those merely traveling across it are typically more active at night; those without significant shelter there survive the day either by moving up to a cooler elevation, or by staying put and aestivating. As a result, low concentrations of nomads and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumance|transhumants]] can be found even in the deep desert, so long as they are in locations where water is near enough to the surface to reach. Both desert dwellers and those merely traveling across it are typically more active at night; those without significant shelter there survive the day either by moving up to a cooler elevation, or by staying put and aestivating.
  
-Lately, the development of [[concept:glyphic-teleportation|glyphic teleportation]] has allowed the colonization of other worlds, though so far this has only been done on an individual basis; no significant xtauh populations have been established off of Avishraa.+Lately, the development of [[concept:glyphic teleportation]] has allowed the colonization of other worlds, though so far this has only been done on an individual basis; no significant xtauh populations have been established off of Avishraa.
  
 ==== Population ecology ==== ==== Population ecology ====
  
 ==== Dietary needs and habits ==== ==== Dietary needs and habits ====
-//See also [[xtauh:diet-and-agriculture|Diet and agriculture]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Diet and agriculture]].//
  
 Xtauh have a strong preference for the taste of meat and other savory foods, and they cannot process plant foods with large amounts of cellulose, such as leaves and stems. That said, they are [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facultative|facultative]] carnivores, and where meat is not plentiful enough, are capable of subsisting on other kinds of plant foods, such as fruits, tubers, and grains. Xtauh have a strong preference for the taste of meat and other savory foods, and they cannot process plant foods with large amounts of cellulose, such as leaves and stems. That said, they are [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facultative|facultative]] carnivores, and where meat is not plentiful enough, are capable of subsisting on other kinds of plant foods, such as fruits, tubers, and grains.
Line 101: Line 103:
  
 ===== Behaviors ===== ===== Behaviors =====
-//See also [[xtauh:behaviors|Behaviors]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Behaviors]].//
  
 While xtauh, like humans, have a wide variety of practices based in culture and religion, there are many that rest ultimately in the sociobiology of the species. The possession of the empathic sense, prehistoric territorial instincts and reproductive strategies - factors like these continue to have effects on present-day societies. While xtauh, like humans, have a wide variety of practices based in culture and religion, there are many that rest ultimately in the sociobiology of the species. The possession of the empathic sense, prehistoric territorial instincts and reproductive strategies - factors like these continue to have effects on present-day societies.
Line 145: Line 147:
 Xtauh cultures are not as advanced as those of the takmar, technological progress having been slowed by a number of factors - harsher environments, low population densities, lack of political cooperation or centralization. Save for those who have acquired iron and steel from the takmar, the most advanced xtauh civilizations are at a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age|Bronze Age]] level, and many of them remain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic|neolithic]]. Xtauh cultures are not as advanced as those of the takmar, technological progress having been slowed by a number of factors - harsher environments, low population densities, lack of political cooperation or centralization. Save for those who have acquired iron and steel from the takmar, the most advanced xtauh civilizations are at a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age|Bronze Age]] level, and many of them remain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic|neolithic]].
  
-The Earthly analogies have begun to break down, however, with the discovery of [[concept:enchantment|enchanting]]. The xtauh were the first on Avishraa to discover how to enchant items, and despite some lengthy hiatuses in development due to some [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|unforeseen]] [[history:cloud-era:gate-wars|incidents]], the technique has become increasingly widespread, particularly in the Riverlands north of the Brightness. In some instances, this has allowed them to leapfrog ahead in terms of their abilities.+The Earthly analogies have begun to break down, however, with the discovery of [[concept:enchantment|enchanting]]. The xtauh were the first on Avishraa to discover how to enchant items, and despite some lengthy hiatuses in development due to some [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|unforeseen]] [[history:cloud_era:gate_wars|incidents]], the technique has become increasingly widespread, particularly in the Riverlands north of the Brightness. In some instances, this has allowed them to leapfrog ahead in terms of their abilities.
  
 ===== History ===== ===== History =====
Line 151: Line 153:
  
 ===== Relations with other species ===== ===== Relations with other species =====
-//See also [[xtauh:relations|Relations]].//+//See also [[xtauh:Relations]].//
  
-The xtauh having little to no contact with the [[orghysh:|orghysh]], they are mostly concerned with the activities of their near cousins, the [[takma:|takmar]]. The shared history of the two species has, for the past few ages, been fairly poor, as the takmar continue to expand into those parts of the xtauh lands that they have habitable.+The xtauh having little to no contact with the [[orghysh:]], they are mostly concerned with the activities of their near cousins, the [[takma:|takmar]]. The shared history of the two species has, for the past few ages, been fairly poor, as the takmar continue to expand into those parts of the xtauh lands that they have habitable.
  
   * xtauh:behaviors#aestivation   * xtauh:behaviors#aestivation
xtauh/start.1620398744.txt.gz · Last modified: (external edit)