The sensory perception of the drakkhani of one of the most advanced in their world. They are well equipped with highly advanced smell, sight, hearing, touch and taste. This allows them to be sophisticated and well accomplished predators. Here is a basic break down on the sensory abilities of the drakkhani
Smell
A drakkhani have a powerful sense of smell, it's allowed them to find clan mates, navigate, detect sickness, predators and receptive mates. It's almost if not above par of canines. The main use of smell is to navigate. A drakkhani have decent night vision, but not superb. They use a combination of smell and hearing and even touch to navigate in the dark mostly through following scent trails left by dia-mates. Drakkhani have unique scents that help member identify one another within their own dias. Scent is use to also tell if a female is pregnant or in estrus. Males also use scent to detect if another younger male is in rut.
Drakkhani have scent trails while flying these are emitted through the end of their tail and soles of their feet. The also have scent markers on their palms as well. Territory marking is done by urinating, Usually while flying. A dia-mate would often circle around the dia's or clan's borders, the scent surrounding the area will cause it to urinate.
Hearing
A drakkhani can hear before birth. Their hearing is developed enough in the egg for them to hear the sounds of fellow dia-mates and caregivers. Hearing is use as a navigation tool as well. Drakkhani have an organ in the back of their throats that works much like the melon of a dolphin. It allows them to emmit high-frequency noises (which sound like humming) to ecolocate at night. With the help of their pressure sensitive canards and their scent trails this makes night-flying possible.
Hearing is uses to detect prey and predators as well as clan mates. Hatchlings make loud high-pitch cries out of distress, to be heard by their family.
Sight
Drakkhani have excellent color and binocular vision. Used also as a navigational tool sight helps them during day-flying. Their powerful visual memories combined with their well developed sight allows them to make detailed topographic maps for flying. They can see a rabbit from from 500ft in the air. They also have nictating eyelid.
Eye contact is not common with drakkhani culture. Eye contact is a sign of an intimate gesture. To make eye-contact with a drakkhani is the equivalent of randomly hugging someone. It's not always welcomed. If a male looks another male in the eye, it's considered a challenge. Unless they are a mated pair or with in a creh.
Touch
Drakkhani use touch to communicate. Headbutting, wing-touching and shoulder-bumping are ways for Drakkhani to communicate affection, disdain, anger or sorrow. Infants cling onto their caregivers at birth and curl their tails around them. Touch is sensitive but as strong as a human's
Touch is very important for drakkhani socialization.
Taste
Least powerful of the senses. Taste is useful in the sense drakkhani can taste if something is poisoned. Many hatchlings have a habit of licking things.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Clan notes: Sunwings
Clan Sunwings
Climate Plateaus and scrub lands
Clan Structure This dia is rather small in size compared to the other vastly larger ones that have multiple roosting sites and territories. There has been only two Sunwing aeries. Aeries being the place where a clan lives and communes. This explains their insular and very reclusive nature. They are one of the most shiest and skittish clans next to the almost extinct Wintervale dia.
The humans have been calling them “Sunwing” because of their yellow skin, though their drakkhani name means “Sun-touched.” it's not because of their yellow and brown coloring. Sunwings are a clan of seers and diviners. The phrase “sun-touched” is a drakkhani idiom meaning “struck by the light” or “seized by knowing.” It's a concept based on the idea that the sun god touched seers giving them prophetic knowledge. They gift of prophetic visions is heritage passing on from parent to child. Not all of the clan have the gift of Second Sight but for every nine mundane Sunwings there is a one that has the Sight. Seers are trained in their own creh and often act as aids and guides to members of their clan. Other will travel joining other clans and acting also as advisers. Many other mundane Sunwings learn bone casting and stone reading and other forms of divination.
Scientists are fascinated by this clan and a handful of anthropologists have had the honor of walking among them. They discovered that this clan prophetic gifts come in the form of epileptic seizures. This disorder is passed on from generation to generation and the seizures range anywhere from mild, spasmodic twitching to full granmal tremors. Most of the clan is epileptic much to the amazement of human neurologists who are wondering how the clan can function with many of them with seizures. The anthropologist Renee March, have spent ten years among the clan and says:
The visions come in the form of seizures, a clanmate would often pause with eyes rolled back and jaw clenched. It will only happen for a moment before he comes lucid and will report that he saw something, these visions are about 90% accurate much to my astounding. The oracular seizures are the most common, but I have see a young hatchling around four or five years old go into full body tremors. She was just coming into her gifts when one evening she reported of a headache before going limp and falling on the ground in violent tremors. Released from her violent seizing she told her elders that an elven squad are heading to the roost.
She was right.
Scientists are baffled on why the visions are so accurate. It's still unknown. Scientists have been calling this unique form of epilepsy “Caesarian Epilepsy” after Julius Caesar, who also had epilepsy and was believed to be talking to the gods. More traditional epilepsy (Anthros Epilepsy) is often found within the drakkhani clans. This does not have visions follow and it often causes irreversible brain damage. Drakkhani reported with AE do not make it to adulthood. CE because of it's more mild manifestation (it's highly uncommon for granmal seizures to manifest with CE) does not cause the massive damage with AE. AE also appears at birth, but CE symptoms appear at age 10-11. However Sunwing with CE often have more long term problems. Most develop dementia and scizo-typal disorders. They also develop Diviner's Psychosis, or Ricker's Syndrome colloquially known by humans as “seer's madness.” Ricker's Syndrome has been found in mostly with human oracles and elven seers. It was thought to be an elven disorder but now it's been reported to be a disorder that been diagnosis with CE. Ricker's Syndrome appears in the form of prophetic hallucinations and severe night-terrors couple with insomnia and severe paranoia and rage episodes. With drakkhani with Ricker's Syndrome are most always Sunwings and many of them need care for the rest of their lives. Ricker's Syndrome appears around mid-age around age 35-60. They will slowly stop recognizing their reality and will loose all cognitive thought. The final stages of Ricker's Syndrome is complete disconnect with reality and full dementia.
Heartbreaking that is, Ricker's Syndrome is not common and the disorder is treatable. Sunwings care and love their clanmates with mental disorders and tend to be the most sensitive to sentients with mental illnesses. Flying, seer are partner with clanmantes that can watch them catching them if they start seizing in the air. Modern Sunwings in Nirvana City run the Xenokin Mental Health Institution, and provide treatment to any xenokin that need it and free therapy.
Sunwings have an interesting phenotype. They are yellow with brown mottling allowing them to blend into their rocky landscape. Originally, anthropologists are now discovering is that the Sunwings were once TWO clans. The second being the Blood Talons. Which they got their name from their dark red/rust colored talons. They assimilated into the Sunwings and are considered extinct except for Sunwings infants that are hatched with blood red horns and talons. They normally have butter yellow horns and green eyes.
They are feared among humans and have a highly unstable relationship with them. Humans believe that they are all insane. Sunwings are also relatively peaceful and have only basic weapons. They also do not migrate and stay in their territory all year around.
Clan emblem is the all seeing sun.
Clan allies and foes They are friends with Glasswings and Rautaun, however they are feared by the Greenflame clan and the Lunaughti clan.
Clan Notes: Galesongs
Clan: Galesong
Climate: Mountains and Highlands
Clan Structure: Basic with an emphasis on training and raising shamans/mages
This clan while having many stereotypical behaviors of a drakkhani clan, has a interesting emphasis with music and history. The Galesongs have been remarked as the “Clan of bards” by elves and humans alike other drakkhani call them “uru'haa*whisle chirp*” or, 'The family that sings of memories”. Song is an important part of Galesong traditions. While many clans or dia have a love of music and storytelling. It's considered a cultural norm within Galesong society. Even before hatching, unborn drakkhani hear the whisper-songs from their caregivers. Since hatching they are often sung too and learn to recite simple poems and verses. As they get older the decided whether to train to be come a “Song-Teller” or a bard a simple working member of the clan. This decision is made by the child alone while adults may influence in Galesong culture children are respected when it comes to learning the art of bardcraft. It's their choice and theirs alone.
Hatchlings that are trained to be bards study and learn the history of their people, memorize songs and stories and once they come of age they often journey into the wide world to hone their gift. The often return from their “Year of Wandering” wiser and more assured. Some Galesongs stay with other clans others after their Wandering stay with humans...speaking of which
Galesongs like the Glassings have a working and very respected relationship with humans. They make magical instruments which they trade with humans in the villages below. The Galesongs often protect these villages from brigands and raiders. They are one of the very few human friendly clans.
Bards often sing magic spells and rites to different deities. Their clan emblem is the Harp.
Modern Galesongs while different than their wild cousins, often have a love for music and many Galesongs get into the music industry or become writers. For our brothers Lucian and Taajah, they too have a love for music and poetry. Lucian writes poetry in drakkhani and often publishes it. Taajah, learned how to play the guitar and is good at it. These two however are not bards but the love of music and art is in their blood. (Lucian is a geomancer and Taajah is a summoner)
Galesongs are dualistic in coloring. Light phase have white horns brown hair and gold skin. Dark phase has black horns brown hair and purple skin. Eyes can be green or blue. Mutations are tail spines, and marbling of skin. The skin would have solid tone while veins of an alternating color (for instance a light phase Galesong with purple streaks) breeding with Greenflames have produced Galesongs with spines on their arms.
Clan allies Glasswings, Greenflames
Clan foes Bluefangs Stormwake (The whole dia)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Clan Notes: Glasswings
Clan: Glasswing
Climate: Hilly and wooded areas
Clan structure: Basic in design they have a traditional Clan Father/Mother a council of elders and crehs for the young unmated adults.
The Glasswing clan is as classic as you can get within the drakkhani culture. Their clan behavior is used as a model to understand how clans operate and behave as well as a standard to compare other clans too. They are lead by a Clan mother and Clan father who govern the clan's habits and lifestyle. They work as a team deciding who will hunt, fish, guard the nests and educate the hatchlings. They are incredibly important for the clan to keep things consistent and balance. A council of elders act like advisers to situations and circumstances that need more insight and investigation.
The clan has crehs or bachelor groups of young drakkhani that is separated by sex. This prevents over breeding and dominance behaviors from both sexes (males specifically because of their rutting). The clan is semi-hunter gatherer. They have plots of land that they grow corn and wheat for bread in the winter and raise livestock, however during the winter the clan migrates.
Glasswings are specialized in archery. They have well crafted bows and throwing weapons like atlatals. They are also well accomplished aerial archers and have special bows that are light and easy to use. They are well versed in aerial combat. They have decent relationships with humans around their territory and trade their bows for their steel weapons.
As far as religious practices go, Glasswings have a shaman (makh'haa or God-Priest) shamans are picked as young hatchlings to be raised in the mystic arts, they often have some defect or anomaly that makes them unique (like hetrochromatic eyes, mottling on skin, being a twin, being intersexed etc). They are considered 'marked' by the gods to be their intercessor and are treated with respect.
Glasswings have gold to dark brown eyes blond to wheat colored hair and skin that is pale blue to dark purple. Horns are white. Common mutations are hetrochromatic eyes, albinism and missing horns. Having turquoise eyes are another mutation but caused by breading with Yu'taka drakkhani.
Clan emblem is the winged dagger.
Clan allies are the Galesongs, Sunwings and the Rautaun Clan foes are the Bluefangs and the Squallrider clan (sub-clan of the Stormwake)
Drakk 101
Notes: Drakk main root language is high elven (Alftongue) it's phonetic in speech and uses rune like characters in written language (alphabet is call the “ahbal” after the first two sounds) it has roman-like alphabet and construction or words are rather simple. However because drakkhani use their entire bodies to communicate as well ask speaking words with a whole other set of vocal cords (will discuss betalarynx words later) humans have very hard time speaking true Drakk and often use an anthromorphic version to communicate with drakkhani
Ahbal
the ahbal or drakkhani alphabet has 29 characters it lacks C and W it has KH DH JU DD and JJ they do not have Capital letters. Notes on the new letters
KH=kah DH-dah JU=wuh DD=th JJ=ch
Use of body language
Drakkhani use wings tail head hands and ears to change the meaning and tone of words for instance the sentence “What do you want now?” with no movements denotes that the one asking the question is blank in tone and is being literal, the movements (bah'to meaning body-words) change the expression of the sentence. Wigging of the ears turns the question in something more whiny. While swishing one's tail means the question is sarcastic and angry. Quick flare of the wings means anger or impatience. Bah'to without spoken words (geh'to meaning mouth-words) are more sublet and hard to translate. As a rule though, wings out and flapping denote anger, tail swishing denotes doubt or hesitancy, ears wiggling or moving mean interest. There are more bah'to including hand gestures but it's very complicated.
Betalarynx words
Words consisting of the secondary vocal cords are almost impossible to replicate with the human larynx. These include whistling, chirping, clicking, growls, long whoops, teeth grinding and roaring. These are mostly made by the secondary vocal cords of drakkhani and they are used for certain words as well as to change the grammar of the sentence. Example: The use of clicking and a sharp hiss with in the sentence “I have two apples” into “I had two apples”. Adding the bah'to of a head bob turns the sentence into “I ate two apples.” Humans replace the betalarynx words with onomatopoeic words that denote the the sounds (IE: The hissing sound used for verbs is replaces by “hiz” in the anthromorphed language)
Some words change by the use of bah'to and betalarnyx. The word 'eio' (a tripthong) means child. Adding a click to it changes the meaning from child to egg. Adding a hum to it along with the click means treasure or wealth. Adding two clicks means adolescent. The word “babi” has a similar evolution. Babi is a dimunitive word. It means daddy. “Babitah” means father. Now. Adding three clicks turns Babitah into clan-father or chieftain. Adding a click and whistle turns into uncle.
That is the basic over view of drakk explain verbs nouns and adjectives is coming up later.
ETA: The language is still be constructed some laws might change
Ahbal
the ahbal or drakkhani alphabet has 29 characters it lacks C and W it has KH DH JU DD and JJ they do not have Capital letters. Notes on the new letters
KH=kah DH-dah JU=wuh DD=th JJ=ch
Use of body language
Drakkhani use wings tail head hands and ears to change the meaning and tone of words for instance the sentence “What do you want now?” with no movements denotes that the one asking the question is blank in tone and is being literal, the movements (bah'to meaning body-words) change the expression of the sentence. Wigging of the ears turns the question in something more whiny. While swishing one's tail means the question is sarcastic and angry. Quick flare of the wings means anger or impatience. Bah'to without spoken words (geh'to meaning mouth-words) are more sublet and hard to translate. As a rule though, wings out and flapping denote anger, tail swishing denotes doubt or hesitancy, ears wiggling or moving mean interest. There are more bah'to including hand gestures but it's very complicated.
Betalarynx words
Words consisting of the secondary vocal cords are almost impossible to replicate with the human larynx. These include whistling, chirping, clicking, growls, long whoops, teeth grinding and roaring. These are mostly made by the secondary vocal cords of drakkhani and they are used for certain words as well as to change the grammar of the sentence. Example: The use of clicking and a sharp hiss with in the sentence “I have two apples” into “I had two apples”. Adding the bah'to of a head bob turns the sentence into “I ate two apples.” Humans replace the betalarynx words with onomatopoeic words that denote the the sounds (IE: The hissing sound used for verbs is replaces by “hiz” in the anthromorphed language)
Some words change by the use of bah'to and betalarnyx. The word 'eio' (a tripthong) means child. Adding a click to it changes the meaning from child to egg. Adding a hum to it along with the click means treasure or wealth. Adding two clicks means adolescent. The word “babi” has a similar evolution. Babi is a dimunitive word. It means daddy. “Babitah” means father. Now. Adding three clicks turns Babitah into clan-father or chieftain. Adding a click and whistle turns into uncle.
That is the basic over view of drakk explain verbs nouns and adjectives is coming up later.
ETA: The language is still be constructed some laws might change
Monday, March 28, 2011
Drakkani Reproduction
Drakkhani Reproduction
Drakkhani start sexual maturity at age 13 roughly. Their fire sacs are now fully mature and their body are now producing the right pheromones for mating and reproduction. Drakkhani men start their version of musth around this time and females go in to estrus as well. Twice a year around mid spring and mid autumn drakkhani are more sexual active and being what is often called "the Itch." Males will be more aggressive and horny and compete for mates often around this time. Once a female chooses the right male they will mate. During marriage rights and courting, the female will of course test to see if the male is worthy by spending time with it. This goes around Winter or Summer before estrus. If the male is worthy she will ask the elders to preform the marriage rights and the male becomes her mate (U'khayi). Once estrus begins the male will begin the task of mating.
Sex is done often in the air as it's often very pleasurable, but on the ground is common too. Male will mount the female mostly from the front (as the tail makes mounting from behind difficult) eye contact as well as mutual grooming acts as foreplay simulating them both. The act of mating last from anywhere twenty minutes to an hour depending on how much foreplay involved. Oral sex is common during mating and males often preform this after intercourse. Afterplay usually comes after intercourse which is usually body rubbing and tail wrapping.
Same sex pairs are common in drakkhani culture. Male crehs are established in traditional dias (clan families) these are normally sexually mature males that ban together and living among the clan. During the “Itch” it is not unheard of to see young males mating with each other “Scratching the itch” is their word for homosexuality in crehs. To lower testosterone levels. Females in their own crehs do the same thing during estrus. It's also not uncommon for males and females to pair bond instead of the opposite sex. Because of the communal raising of young, same sex pair bonds are not left out of raising of children. Adoption is also considered a cultural norm.
Fetal Development
Drakkhani have a two part gestation. First part the female carries the unborn hatching while consuming large quantities of calcium rich foods to produce the shell (which takes about three to four months to grow and surround the emybro) once the shell is formed the female lays the egg which will continue incubate in a massive nest filled with other eggs laid around summer or winter (winter laid eggs are guarded by a creh for young females and males who watch the eggs until spring as many clans migrate during the winter)
Conception-2wks: The sperm and egg join inside the female and start genetic replication. A blasocyte is formed and continues to divide and divide. It travels down fallopian tube and embeds in the uterus. The little clusters of cells began to divide into two halves. One becoming the embryo the other the yolk/placenta.
3-4wks: At this time the embryo is forming. The heart is forming as well as the head case. The cord is also formed connecting to the yolk sac. At this time the female's pH level will start to change and emit an odor signaling that she is pregnant. She will start having cravings for milk and food heavy in calcium.
5-7wks: The embryo is now forming leg and arm buds, the wing bud does not form until the tenth week. A black spot on it's face is the eye. It will often have something like a muzzle a throw back to drakkhani's ancestor to dragons. This muzzle with flatten into a human like face. The heart is still being formed as well as the spinal cord.
9-12wks: The body is still taking shape. It's roughly the size of a small peanut. Around this time the heart will start beating. The wing bud is forming and the calcium that the mother is ingesting will continue to form the shell.
4th mth: At this point in the game the embryo is still inside the mother. The yolk sac is fully developed and will be it's food source from the time it's laid until hatching. Shell is around the embryo providing a spacious cocoon around it until it become too small around hatching. An air bubble would be at the top of the egg during laying which will be it's oxygen source once its lungs are developed. The female will start to lay the egg going into labor. The laying process is around an hour to two hours long. The egg is soft and reptilian looking with tendrils at the end that will hook onto rock surfaces and anchor it preventing the egg from being moved around.
5th mth: Now the process of incubation begins. The egg is among other eggs in very warm and dry area. Females must keep the temperature constant. They will not gender the eggs until the sixth month. Hot temperatures often form female drakkhani cooler temperatures produce males. Much like crocodiles. This is not always a rule. There have been females born in male gender egg clutches. Inside the egg the embryo is developing legs and talons it's hands are forming the wings are also forming. The tail is long and formed as well. Most of the organs are still being formed.
6thmth: At this time the females will gender eggs. Females will get higher heat around this month and male eggs around this time will be left alone. The fire sac is being formed and will not mature until adolescence. The embryo is now starting to look more like a mini-drakkhani now growing into the size of a small bell pepper. Quicking will happen, and the nervous system is now starting to cause reactions. Including tail twitching and grasping with talons.
7th:mth: The brain is developing as the skull is already forming around it. It's senses are also developing. Eyes are now developed. As are the hands and talons. Wings are still growing. The now fetus will start moving around the egg. Turning it's face to the sounds of it's clan mates. It will yawn and grasp it's cord and tail.
8th: There has been dramatic change. The fetus's hand talons are formed. So are it's major organs. The lungs are still growing and will be complete once the fetus's head and mouth reach the air packet in the egg. The wings are now formed. Skin color will be apparent. The fetus will press it' hand against the shell and slap it's tail on it. The shell is starting to be more transparent. The fetus will be seen around the tenth month.
9th mth: The fetus is now growing rapidly. The yolk is getting smaller smaller and the fetus is almost ready to be hatched. The horn buds are forming and it's body looks more like a drakkhani now.
10th -11th mths: At this stage of the game. The fetus is almost complete with it's lungs. It's little face is in the air pocket and breathes the air for the first time. It's lungs are formed. Flight bladders are formed and so is the brain. It's canards are still small.
12th mth: Finally the fetus starts to hatch. The shell is weak and the yolk is gone. The fetus will start tearing open the shell skin with it's back talons. It's a long process. This is observed the clan as the cord disintegrates once the fetus plops out of the egg. It's a very long and exhausting process. Most hatchings take up to two to four hours during hatching.
Twining
Twining is very rare in Drakkhani biology. Many double yolked eggs do not survive pass the first month of incubation. Double layings are also rare however those survive often. Double layings are almost always fraternal however double yolked eggs are mostly identical. Those that survive are regarded as a sacred and the twins that hatch are often raised to be priests. Fraternal hatchings that are different genders are also respected being the living principle of the God/Goddess dichotomy. The problems concern twining mostly fall under one of the twins dying or being reabsorbed. More often than not, one twin will end up with a developmental delay of some kind. Most common are “Turner-Ackman's Syndrome” which has many symptoms that are similar to human's Down's Syndrome. Including mental retardation and low muscle tone. They also would have a flatter scalp and rounder ears. They are often born with small or no fire sac. They will be able to fly but not produce the gas necessary for fire breath and are prone to weight issues and a poor thyroid. Low Oxygen Syndrome or LOS is also a common disorder in double yolked eggs. One twin would not be able to receive enough oxygen during the last leg of incubation. Because of this it will have several delays and neurological impairment. Many will not be able to fly because of sensory processing issues and many will spend their lives on all fours. They will have cognitive delays and will need the care of their clan for the rest of their lives. Many LOS drakkhani are prone to seizures. LOS is almost a 78% in double yolked eggs, Turner-Ackman's is around 67% in happening. About 89% of double yolked eggs will end up being dead.
Double layings will have less chances on having complications. However their have been reports of LOS happening on one of the eggs that have a weaker shell. Weak Shell Disorder also is common with double layings, one of the shells of the eggs will be weaker and prone to collapsing. Females that are expected to gestate two eggs are suggested to double their calcium and iron intake. Conjoined twins are highly rare, those never survive incubation. Dr. Travis Yoland, xenobiologist has the only specimen of a drakkhani conjoined fetus. The fetus died in incubation and was extracted. The fetus has no gender and is joined at the buttocks. There have been only 5 reports of conjoined twins in drakkhani society. Neither have survived.
In vary rare cases, drakkhani females will abandon fertile eggs. There are several theories on this one theory is that females can detect sick or weak children while they are still developing. Others believe females experience a form of post pardum and disconnect from their eggs. Egg abandonment in Dias(clans) is not common and rare. If an egg is abandoned, the clan will merely throw it aside.
In some case humans will adopted the egg and raise the hatchling...or another clan will find the egg. In most cased of egg abandonment, the egg will simply die.
Drakkhani start sexual maturity at age 13 roughly. Their fire sacs are now fully mature and their body are now producing the right pheromones for mating and reproduction. Drakkhani men start their version of musth around this time and females go in to estrus as well. Twice a year around mid spring and mid autumn drakkhani are more sexual active and being what is often called "the Itch." Males will be more aggressive and horny and compete for mates often around this time. Once a female chooses the right male they will mate. During marriage rights and courting, the female will of course test to see if the male is worthy by spending time with it. This goes around Winter or Summer before estrus. If the male is worthy she will ask the elders to preform the marriage rights and the male becomes her mate (U'khayi). Once estrus begins the male will begin the task of mating.
Sex is done often in the air as it's often very pleasurable, but on the ground is common too. Male will mount the female mostly from the front (as the tail makes mounting from behind difficult) eye contact as well as mutual grooming acts as foreplay simulating them both. The act of mating last from anywhere twenty minutes to an hour depending on how much foreplay involved. Oral sex is common during mating and males often preform this after intercourse. Afterplay usually comes after intercourse which is usually body rubbing and tail wrapping.
Same sex pairs are common in drakkhani culture. Male crehs are established in traditional dias (clan families) these are normally sexually mature males that ban together and living among the clan. During the “Itch” it is not unheard of to see young males mating with each other “Scratching the itch” is their word for homosexuality in crehs. To lower testosterone levels. Females in their own crehs do the same thing during estrus. It's also not uncommon for males and females to pair bond instead of the opposite sex. Because of the communal raising of young, same sex pair bonds are not left out of raising of children. Adoption is also considered a cultural norm.
Fetal Development
Drakkhani have a two part gestation. First part the female carries the unborn hatching while consuming large quantities of calcium rich foods to produce the shell (which takes about three to four months to grow and surround the emybro) once the shell is formed the female lays the egg which will continue incubate in a massive nest filled with other eggs laid around summer or winter (winter laid eggs are guarded by a creh for young females and males who watch the eggs until spring as many clans migrate during the winter)
Conception-2wks: The sperm and egg join inside the female and start genetic replication. A blasocyte is formed and continues to divide and divide. It travels down fallopian tube and embeds in the uterus. The little clusters of cells began to divide into two halves. One becoming the embryo the other the yolk/placenta.
3-4wks: At this time the embryo is forming. The heart is forming as well as the head case. The cord is also formed connecting to the yolk sac. At this time the female's pH level will start to change and emit an odor signaling that she is pregnant. She will start having cravings for milk and food heavy in calcium.
5-7wks: The embryo is now forming leg and arm buds, the wing bud does not form until the tenth week. A black spot on it's face is the eye. It will often have something like a muzzle a throw back to drakkhani's ancestor to dragons. This muzzle with flatten into a human like face. The heart is still being formed as well as the spinal cord.
9-12wks: The body is still taking shape. It's roughly the size of a small peanut. Around this time the heart will start beating. The wing bud is forming and the calcium that the mother is ingesting will continue to form the shell.
4th mth: At this point in the game the embryo is still inside the mother. The yolk sac is fully developed and will be it's food source from the time it's laid until hatching. Shell is around the embryo providing a spacious cocoon around it until it become too small around hatching. An air bubble would be at the top of the egg during laying which will be it's oxygen source once its lungs are developed. The female will start to lay the egg going into labor. The laying process is around an hour to two hours long. The egg is soft and reptilian looking with tendrils at the end that will hook onto rock surfaces and anchor it preventing the egg from being moved around.
5th mth: Now the process of incubation begins. The egg is among other eggs in very warm and dry area. Females must keep the temperature constant. They will not gender the eggs until the sixth month. Hot temperatures often form female drakkhani cooler temperatures produce males. Much like crocodiles. This is not always a rule. There have been females born in male gender egg clutches. Inside the egg the embryo is developing legs and talons it's hands are forming the wings are also forming. The tail is long and formed as well. Most of the organs are still being formed.
6thmth: At this time the females will gender eggs. Females will get higher heat around this month and male eggs around this time will be left alone. The fire sac is being formed and will not mature until adolescence. The embryo is now starting to look more like a mini-drakkhani now growing into the size of a small bell pepper. Quicking will happen, and the nervous system is now starting to cause reactions. Including tail twitching and grasping with talons.
7th:mth: The brain is developing as the skull is already forming around it. It's senses are also developing. Eyes are now developed. As are the hands and talons. Wings are still growing. The now fetus will start moving around the egg. Turning it's face to the sounds of it's clan mates. It will yawn and grasp it's cord and tail.
8th: There has been dramatic change. The fetus's hand talons are formed. So are it's major organs. The lungs are still growing and will be complete once the fetus's head and mouth reach the air packet in the egg. The wings are now formed. Skin color will be apparent. The fetus will press it' hand against the shell and slap it's tail on it. The shell is starting to be more transparent. The fetus will be seen around the tenth month.
9th mth: The fetus is now growing rapidly. The yolk is getting smaller smaller and the fetus is almost ready to be hatched. The horn buds are forming and it's body looks more like a drakkhani now.
10th -11th mths: At this stage of the game. The fetus is almost complete with it's lungs. It's little face is in the air pocket and breathes the air for the first time. It's lungs are formed. Flight bladders are formed and so is the brain. It's canards are still small.
12th mth: Finally the fetus starts to hatch. The shell is weak and the yolk is gone. The fetus will start tearing open the shell skin with it's back talons. It's a long process. This is observed the clan as the cord disintegrates once the fetus plops out of the egg. It's a very long and exhausting process. Most hatchings take up to two to four hours during hatching.
Twining
Twining is very rare in Drakkhani biology. Many double yolked eggs do not survive pass the first month of incubation. Double layings are also rare however those survive often. Double layings are almost always fraternal however double yolked eggs are mostly identical. Those that survive are regarded as a sacred and the twins that hatch are often raised to be priests. Fraternal hatchings that are different genders are also respected being the living principle of the God/Goddess dichotomy. The problems concern twining mostly fall under one of the twins dying or being reabsorbed. More often than not, one twin will end up with a developmental delay of some kind. Most common are “Turner-Ackman's Syndrome” which has many symptoms that are similar to human's Down's Syndrome. Including mental retardation and low muscle tone. They also would have a flatter scalp and rounder ears. They are often born with small or no fire sac. They will be able to fly but not produce the gas necessary for fire breath and are prone to weight issues and a poor thyroid. Low Oxygen Syndrome or LOS is also a common disorder in double yolked eggs. One twin would not be able to receive enough oxygen during the last leg of incubation. Because of this it will have several delays and neurological impairment. Many will not be able to fly because of sensory processing issues and many will spend their lives on all fours. They will have cognitive delays and will need the care of their clan for the rest of their lives. Many LOS drakkhani are prone to seizures. LOS is almost a 78% in double yolked eggs, Turner-Ackman's is around 67% in happening. About 89% of double yolked eggs will end up being dead.
Double layings will have less chances on having complications. However their have been reports of LOS happening on one of the eggs that have a weaker shell. Weak Shell Disorder also is common with double layings, one of the shells of the eggs will be weaker and prone to collapsing. Females that are expected to gestate two eggs are suggested to double their calcium and iron intake. Conjoined twins are highly rare, those never survive incubation. Dr. Travis Yoland, xenobiologist has the only specimen of a drakkhani conjoined fetus. The fetus died in incubation and was extracted. The fetus has no gender and is joined at the buttocks. There have been only 5 reports of conjoined twins in drakkhani society. Neither have survived.
In vary rare cases, drakkhani females will abandon fertile eggs. There are several theories on this one theory is that females can detect sick or weak children while they are still developing. Others believe females experience a form of post pardum and disconnect from their eggs. Egg abandonment in Dias(clans) is not common and rare. If an egg is abandoned, the clan will merely throw it aside.
In some case humans will adopted the egg and raise the hatchling...or another clan will find the egg. In most cased of egg abandonment, the egg will simply die.
FAQ
1) Q: What is a drakkhani?
A: A drakkhani is race of draconic humanoids that I created for my fantasy world Roannora (though they pop up everywhere). They stand upright, walk bipedal but can walk quad. Fly and breathe fire. They look more dragon but they have human faces.
2) Q: What the dimorphism between a male drakkhani from a female one?
A: Almost none. Males and females have slight differences.
Males:
-Have no mammary slits.
-Lightly larger and muscular
Females:
-Have mammary slits
-Hips are large for egg laying
-a little more curvy
Both look similar in hair and face, both have genital slits. Like sharks or dolphins. But they are mostly androgynous.
3) Q: What do drakkhani generally look like?
A: drakkhani large feet designed for climbing wide hands as well. The have horns their head and throat fire pouch. Legs are bowed. The lurch when they walk, a little like raptors.
4) Q: How do drakkhani fly?
A: A combination of large wings, hollow wing bones, and hydrogen producing flight bladders.
5) Q: How do they breathe fire?
A: The have special organs in their throat and chest that produce a cocktail of gases uses for both flight and breath fire.
6) Q: Are drakkhani territorial?
A: Most are. They generally have scent trails left in the air during flight for there clan to follow. Others have rune marks on stone pillars stating to elves or humans that they are entering "_____'s Grounds. Most would take heed and leaving, depending on clan.
7) Q: Are drakkhani friendly to humans?
A: Generally yes. Most are hospital to humans if they are polite and respectful, though if you are not. Well...I am sure your head would might a nice warning pole =D
Take not that most clans are xenophobic, but a few are very welcoming.
8) Q: What do they like to for fun?
A: drakkhani have several hobbies. Hunting, magic craft story telling. Most love to bask. They lay in the warm sun and soak up the solar rays =D
9) Q: What clans to drakkhani have?
A: They have 12 known Major Clans and several subfamilies. Clan is word I use for their social structure. Clan is a actually Gaelic word meaning "child". I use Clan for their social structure since they the "children" of the first founders. Most of the clan members are related.
They are as followed:
Lunaughti
Greenflame
Bluefang
Rautaun
Stormwake
Galesong
Yu'Taka
Downgust
Wintervale
Sunwing
Glasswing
Kalijani
11)Q: Do drakkhani mate for life?
A) No. drakkhani are pretty poly by nature, they might have one particular male and female they breed with but they could have several lovers,Orgies for everyone
12: Q) Do drakkhani have marital customs?
A) Yes and no, in the Nirvana City universe drakkhani emulate a lot of human customs, including marriage rituals. There is one traditional custom though, in drakk culture a pair-bond would often fly together in a dance then grab each other's hands and free fall as they are falling to their deaths they let go and ascend back up together. Then the Shaman of the clan pronounces them as a pair. Because of their polyamory they often have no need to "Fall-bond" and most will just hook up have sex and lay eggs and move one. This is common in small sub-clans when they need to expand the gene pool.
13: Q: How do drakkhani feel about human monogamy?
A: They think it's a joke, they might say, "what monogamy?" in response.
14: Q: Are their funeral customs?
A: Birth and Deaths are a big deal in Drakk society. When a drakkhani dies several things happen.
-if they died naturally (age or sickness), a shaman would bless the body and ask the Goddess to consecrate their soul. Then they would have sky burial. Spine is broken and the body is bound up in white linen with bright ribbons of many colors, flowers and spices are put on the sky bundle. drakkhani would remove the horns, talons and wings, and burn them in a massive fire. They are the three most important part to a drakkhani. The mate and family member will then take the body to a mountain top to rest and become part of the forest. The rest of the clan will keen, many humans who hear a drakkhani funeral song, often get the willies, it's something like whale song and Tuvan throat singing. All members sing together.
-However if they died in battle, either their pair-mate or closest companion or brother/sister will partake of ritualized cannibalism. The will eat the heart of their fallen companion, taking their soul inside them. The rest of the body is would be buried in drakkhani fashion.
15: Q: Would the death of a drakkhani child be the same as an adult.
A: Yes, but their would probably be more grief, parents might weep in their keening song or before preforming the sky burial would maybe cradle the baby and sing it a lullaby to quiet the soul of a child that never reached adulthood (this is seen as really morbid by humans). It's also to prevent Utdene, which is the ghost of a child either taken from their mother or killed before adulthood. Utdene are often curses prevent females from having children until the spirit is put to rest.
Quirky note, in modern drakkhani culture, most older drakkhani are 'pro-life' not for the same reasons as humans though. This is based on the old superstition of the Utdene. Many older females from the home world believe that terminating an unborn baby drakkhani upset the soul of the child causing a Utdene or 'ghost curse', this is all massive superstition and may younger drakkhani don't believe in this.
16: Q: Do drakkhani have ritualized rape?
A: No only one clan does this. Bluefangs might have something like appears to be rape but it's more or less a dominate male pressing his penis against a younger male to symbolize mounting him. It's suppose to suppress the hormones to mate. Humans assume all clans do this, not a small minority and it's often sensationalized by the media.
17: Q: Do drakkhani have sex in the air?
A: yes many do, it's considered a traditional away to consummate a marriage.
18: Q: Do drakkhani masturbate?
A: Who doesn't? drakkhani don't have a large stigma on sex and self-pleasure.
19: Q: What kind of religion does drakkhani have?
A: polytheistic, they have goddess figure...Starfang and other minor gods, they also practice ancestral worship.
20: Q: Is it frowned upon for a Drakk to mate with a human
A: Yes. Drakk/human children are possible though magic, but if they are ever conceived and born they are freaks with a lot of disorders. So it's frown upon to have sex with them with the intent to breed.
21: Q: Do females have periods?
A: Twice a year. Also males have testosterone surges and are more violent than usual.
22: Q: What age to hatchings breath fire?
A: 8-18 Depending on who...Lucian was late in the fire breathing department.
23: Q: Is there sexism?
A: That's more of a human concept really.
24: Q: Do drakkhani have human vices?
A: Yes, drakkhani rarely smoke because of flight, but some drink booze, sex up everything, gamble, steal....
25: Q: Do drakkhani have any genetic disorders or disabilities.
A: Yes, "Loose-Web Syndrome" is when the webbing in the wings are weak and tear easily. Females might have "Placental Birth Disorder" in which they give birth live instead of laying eggs. They might be deaf or blind. Autistic drakkhani are kinda unheard of, since their autism wouldn't be like a human's. I like to think that all drakkhani are perpetually Aspie. XD
26: Q: What are the birthing customs?
A: drakkhani believe in "double births" the lay of the egg is the first birth and the second is the hatchling emerging from the sack, this is met with singing and blessing of the newborn. The shaman would read a poem blessing the child for it's new life within the clan. Siblings would squeak and chirp and touch the newborn. Clan members would take turn holding him/her.
27: Q: Homosexuality is considered stigmatic in drakkhani culture.
A: No. Most drakkhani are pansexual, sex is sex, it can be for breeding or having fun. What is look down upon is egg-stealing.
28: Q: Can drakkhani be racist/Specicist?
A: Yes. Anthrophobia is common for old drakks. Hatred towards elves is also considered to be a drakkhani thing
29: Q: Are drakkhani big in adoption?
A: Yes, drakkhani are communal, while hatchlings in the clan bond with their parents; everyone raises the hatchlings as well, so hatchlings regard clan members as “aunties and uncles” and see them as extended parents. Some same-sex pairs adopt eggs that have been orphaned or abandoned. Will they raise a human child? Yes. If it was abandoned or orphaned around their aerie.
30: Q: Are drakkhani literate?
A: Yes and No. Most can read Drakk in easily learning English or any human language takes longer
31: Q: How do drakkhani show affection or love or arousal?
A: nursing hatchlings wag their tails while feeding, babies will purr while being held. These infantile behaviors are still exhibited by adults while they are with their pair or lover. drakkhani won't kiss unless they are influence by humans, to show the same sort of intimacy, pairs will:
-Nuzzle noses,
-Rub their horns together
-Rub their tails together
-Cover each other in their wings
-Nuzzle necks
-Kneed or massage backs, (where the wings connect)
Arousal can be pretty damn obvious sometimes, Males will have their phallus exposed, but in the same time that can also be a sign of dominance or aggression not always "ooh I'm horny" They might lick the air, growl low or wiggle their ears. Funny enough humans often think that when males expose, it's because their aroused, and many often get hurt by interfering with male displaying dominance.
Little boys often have their phallus exposed too as hatchlings, they might hump the air as well, much to their parents annoyance (and this is often discouraged). They stop this at age 3, but it start alllll over again at age 13, males want to rub up against everything on the account of the surge of testosterone and several other hormones that humans lack, and females start going through their bi annual heats. It's a lovely time to grow up 8D
A: A drakkhani is race of draconic humanoids that I created for my fantasy world Roannora (though they pop up everywhere). They stand upright, walk bipedal but can walk quad. Fly and breathe fire. They look more dragon but they have human faces.
2) Q: What the dimorphism between a male drakkhani from a female one?
A: Almost none. Males and females have slight differences.
Males:
-Have no mammary slits.
-Lightly larger and muscular
Females:
-Have mammary slits
-Hips are large for egg laying
-a little more curvy
Both look similar in hair and face, both have genital slits. Like sharks or dolphins. But they are mostly androgynous.
3) Q: What do drakkhani generally look like?
A: drakkhani large feet designed for climbing wide hands as well. The have horns their head and throat fire pouch. Legs are bowed. The lurch when they walk, a little like raptors.
4) Q: How do drakkhani fly?
A: A combination of large wings, hollow wing bones, and hydrogen producing flight bladders.
5) Q: How do they breathe fire?
A: The have special organs in their throat and chest that produce a cocktail of gases uses for both flight and breath fire.
6) Q: Are drakkhani territorial?
A: Most are. They generally have scent trails left in the air during flight for there clan to follow. Others have rune marks on stone pillars stating to elves or humans that they are entering "_____'s Grounds. Most would take heed and leaving, depending on clan.
7) Q: Are drakkhani friendly to humans?
A: Generally yes. Most are hospital to humans if they are polite and respectful, though if you are not. Well...I am sure your head would might a nice warning pole =D
Take not that most clans are xenophobic, but a few are very welcoming.
8) Q: What do they like to for fun?
A: drakkhani have several hobbies. Hunting, magic craft story telling. Most love to bask. They lay in the warm sun and soak up the solar rays =D
9) Q: What clans to drakkhani have?
A: They have 12 known Major Clans and several subfamilies. Clan is word I use for their social structure. Clan is a actually Gaelic word meaning "child". I use Clan for their social structure since they the "children" of the first founders. Most of the clan members are related.
They are as followed:
Lunaughti
Greenflame
Bluefang
Rautaun
Stormwake
Galesong
Yu'Taka
Downgust
Wintervale
Sunwing
Glasswing
Kalijani
11)Q: Do drakkhani mate for life?
A) No. drakkhani are pretty poly by nature, they might have one particular male and female they breed with but they could have several lovers,
12: Q) Do drakkhani have marital customs?
A) Yes and no, in the Nirvana City universe drakkhani emulate a lot of human customs, including marriage rituals. There is one traditional custom though, in drakk culture a pair-bond would often fly together in a dance then grab each other's hands and free fall as they are falling to their deaths they let go and ascend back up together. Then the Shaman of the clan pronounces them as a pair. Because of their polyamory they often have no need to "Fall-bond" and most will just hook up have sex and lay eggs and move one. This is common in small sub-clans when they need to expand the gene pool.
13: Q: How do drakkhani feel about human monogamy?
A: They think it's a joke, they might say, "what monogamy?" in response.
14: Q: Are their funeral customs?
A: Birth and Deaths are a big deal in Drakk society. When a drakkhani dies several things happen.
-if they died naturally (age or sickness), a shaman would bless the body and ask the Goddess to consecrate their soul. Then they would have sky burial. Spine is broken and the body is bound up in white linen with bright ribbons of many colors, flowers and spices are put on the sky bundle. drakkhani would remove the horns, talons and wings, and burn them in a massive fire. They are the three most important part to a drakkhani. The mate and family member will then take the body to a mountain top to rest and become part of the forest. The rest of the clan will keen, many humans who hear a drakkhani funeral song, often get the willies, it's something like whale song and Tuvan throat singing. All members sing together.
-However if they died in battle, either their pair-mate or closest companion or brother/sister will partake of ritualized cannibalism. The will eat the heart of their fallen companion, taking their soul inside them. The rest of the body is would be buried in drakkhani fashion.
15: Q: Would the death of a drakkhani child be the same as an adult.
A: Yes, but their would probably be more grief, parents might weep in their keening song or before preforming the sky burial would maybe cradle the baby and sing it a lullaby to quiet the soul of a child that never reached adulthood (this is seen as really morbid by humans). It's also to prevent Utdene, which is the ghost of a child either taken from their mother or killed before adulthood. Utdene are often curses prevent females from having children until the spirit is put to rest.
Quirky note, in modern drakkhani culture, most older drakkhani are 'pro-life' not for the same reasons as humans though. This is based on the old superstition of the Utdene. Many older females from the home world believe that terminating an unborn baby drakkhani upset the soul of the child causing a Utdene or 'ghost curse', this is all massive superstition and may younger drakkhani don't believe in this.
16: Q: Do drakkhani have ritualized rape?
A: No only one clan does this. Bluefangs might have something like appears to be rape but it's more or less a dominate male pressing his penis against a younger male to symbolize mounting him. It's suppose to suppress the hormones to mate. Humans assume all clans do this, not a small minority and it's often sensationalized by the media.
17: Q: Do drakkhani have sex in the air?
A: yes many do, it's considered a traditional away to consummate a marriage.
18: Q: Do drakkhani masturbate?
A: Who doesn't? drakkhani don't have a large stigma on sex and self-pleasure.
19: Q: What kind of religion does drakkhani have?
A: polytheistic, they have goddess figure...Starfang and other minor gods, they also practice ancestral worship.
20: Q: Is it frowned upon for a Drakk to mate with a human
A: Yes. Drakk/human children are possible though magic, but if they are ever conceived and born they are freaks with a lot of disorders. So it's frown upon to have sex with them with the intent to breed.
21: Q: Do females have periods?
A: Twice a year. Also males have testosterone surges and are more violent than usual.
22: Q: What age to hatchings breath fire?
A: 8-18 Depending on who...Lucian was late in the fire breathing department.
23: Q: Is there sexism?
A: That's more of a human concept really.
24: Q: Do drakkhani have human vices?
A: Yes, drakkhani rarely smoke because of flight, but some drink booze, sex up everything, gamble, steal....
25: Q: Do drakkhani have any genetic disorders or disabilities.
A: Yes, "Loose-Web Syndrome" is when the webbing in the wings are weak and tear easily. Females might have "Placental Birth Disorder" in which they give birth live instead of laying eggs. They might be deaf or blind. Autistic drakkhani are kinda unheard of, since their autism wouldn't be like a human's. I like to think that all drakkhani are perpetually Aspie. XD
26: Q: What are the birthing customs?
A: drakkhani believe in "double births" the lay of the egg is the first birth and the second is the hatchling emerging from the sack, this is met with singing and blessing of the newborn. The shaman would read a poem blessing the child for it's new life within the clan. Siblings would squeak and chirp and touch the newborn. Clan members would take turn holding him/her.
27: Q: Homosexuality is considered stigmatic in drakkhani culture.
A: No. Most drakkhani are pansexual, sex is sex, it can be for breeding or having fun. What is look down upon is egg-stealing.
28: Q: Can drakkhani be racist/Specicist?
A: Yes. Anthrophobia is common for old drakks. Hatred towards elves is also considered to be a drakkhani thing
29: Q: Are drakkhani big in adoption?
A: Yes, drakkhani are communal, while hatchlings in the clan bond with their parents; everyone raises the hatchlings as well, so hatchlings regard clan members as “aunties and uncles” and see them as extended parents. Some same-sex pairs adopt eggs that have been orphaned or abandoned. Will they raise a human child? Yes. If it was abandoned or orphaned around their aerie.
30: Q: Are drakkhani literate?
A: Yes and No. Most can read Drakk in easily learning English or any human language takes longer
31: Q: How do drakkhani show affection or love or arousal?
A: nursing hatchlings wag their tails while feeding, babies will purr while being held. These infantile behaviors are still exhibited by adults while they are with their pair or lover. drakkhani won't kiss unless they are influence by humans, to show the same sort of intimacy, pairs will:
-Nuzzle noses,
-Rub their horns together
-Rub their tails together
-Cover each other in their wings
-Nuzzle necks
-Kneed or massage backs, (where the wings connect)
Arousal can be pretty damn obvious sometimes, Males will have their phallus exposed, but in the same time that can also be a sign of dominance or aggression not always "ooh I'm horny" They might lick the air, growl low or wiggle their ears. Funny enough humans often think that when males expose, it's because their aroused, and many often get hurt by interfering with male displaying dominance.
Little boys often have their phallus exposed too as hatchlings, they might hump the air as well, much to their parents annoyance (and this is often discouraged). They stop this at age 3, but it start alllll over again at age 13, males want to rub up against everything on the account of the surge of testosterone and several other hormones that humans lack, and females start going through their bi annual heats. It's a lovely time to grow up 8D
Intro
For those that read my LiveJournal or Prism*Song this is my world building blog. Most of my story telling centered around my fantastic race the Drakkhani will be here. For referencing and to help unclutter my personal blog :3
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