The Creatures
The planet Ectroi is inhabited by three different types of creatures. There are the "dominant species"--Troodon, Hecklefang, and Kenashi. Each of these species has the capability to speak, write, and read. Their intelligence is equal to that of humans. Then, there are the secondary beings, often referred to as "helper creatures"--Pumabat, Doggoon, and Repteal. The last category of creatures are all the others forms of animal life, which can be found on both Earth and Ectroi, despite their slight genetic differences.
However, bridging the gap between the three types are the Orics--shapeshifting creatures that can rewrite their DNA, heal wounds, communicate through mental telepathy, and open portals between Earth and Ectroi. They can be born into any of the dominant species, and often become ambassadors and peace-keepers, since they can personally understand the plight of every living thing. Although they closely identify with their "birth species," and can produce non-Oric offspring, they are Orics before anything else. Hundreds of years ago, they were the governing class, peacefully ruling over all, before a rebellion arose and most of them were executed. Now, they are rare and often feel isolated from the other species.
However, bridging the gap between the three types are the Orics--shapeshifting creatures that can rewrite their DNA, heal wounds, communicate through mental telepathy, and open portals between Earth and Ectroi. They can be born into any of the dominant species, and often become ambassadors and peace-keepers, since they can personally understand the plight of every living thing. Although they closely identify with their "birth species," and can produce non-Oric offspring, they are Orics before anything else. Hundreds of years ago, they were the governing class, peacefully ruling over all, before a rebellion arose and most of them were executed. Now, they are rare and often feel isolated from the other species.
The Dominant Species
The Troodon
(TRUE-don; different pronunciation than the dinosaur)
Class: Mammal
Lifespan: 80-100 years
Diet: Omnivorous. Fish, red meat, birds, grasses, roots, tubers, fruits, vegetables, and fungi.
Size: Up to 6 ft (1.8 m) at the top of the head (not counting horns).
Top Speed: 40 MPH (64 KPH) when running, 30 MPH (48 KPH) when flying.
Variants: Fur color ranges from shades of white, gray, red, ginger, gold, brown, black, or blotched/dappled. All have a solid colored underbelly, which is usually either gold, light brown, white, or dark gray. Irises range from brown, gold, gray, or red. (The now-extinct Ice Troodons all had violet or purple eyes.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair stays together for life, and usually will not choose another mate if theirs dies. Their society is patriarchal. Most live in semi-nomadic tribes that consist of many families that can number anywhere from twenty to a couple hundred individuals per tribe.
Habitat: Forests, mountains, and grasslands in the country of Troodainia. (The now-extinct, pure white variant, the Ice Troodon, used to live in the arctic tundra and snowy forests of northern Troodainia.)
Notable Characteristics: Serrated spike on the tail is used for fishing and defense. Six ivory horns on its head for display and for defense. Females' secondary and lesser horns (the four smallest horns) slope slightly upwards, while males' secondary and lesser horns slope slightly downwards. Bat-like wings on its back allow flight, spanning up to twenty feet. Has bear-like teeth: incisors, canines, and semi-flat molars. Each ear and nostril can be closed when underwater. Also has a transparent nictitating membrane to protect their eyes when underwater and when flying. Has opposable thumbs.
Lifespan: 80-100 years
Diet: Omnivorous. Fish, red meat, birds, grasses, roots, tubers, fruits, vegetables, and fungi.
Size: Up to 6 ft (1.8 m) at the top of the head (not counting horns).
Top Speed: 40 MPH (64 KPH) when running, 30 MPH (48 KPH) when flying.
Variants: Fur color ranges from shades of white, gray, red, ginger, gold, brown, black, or blotched/dappled. All have a solid colored underbelly, which is usually either gold, light brown, white, or dark gray. Irises range from brown, gold, gray, or red. (The now-extinct Ice Troodons all had violet or purple eyes.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair stays together for life, and usually will not choose another mate if theirs dies. Their society is patriarchal. Most live in semi-nomadic tribes that consist of many families that can number anywhere from twenty to a couple hundred individuals per tribe.
Habitat: Forests, mountains, and grasslands in the country of Troodainia. (The now-extinct, pure white variant, the Ice Troodon, used to live in the arctic tundra and snowy forests of northern Troodainia.)
Notable Characteristics: Serrated spike on the tail is used for fishing and defense. Six ivory horns on its head for display and for defense. Females' secondary and lesser horns (the four smallest horns) slope slightly upwards, while males' secondary and lesser horns slope slightly downwards. Bat-like wings on its back allow flight, spanning up to twenty feet. Has bear-like teeth: incisors, canines, and semi-flat molars. Each ear and nostril can be closed when underwater. Also has a transparent nictitating membrane to protect their eyes when underwater and when flying. Has opposable thumbs.
The Hecklefang
(HEK-uhl-fang)
Class: Mammal
Lifespan: 70-90 years
Diet: Wildebeests, antelopes, deer, hares, rabbits, zebras, birds, monitor lizards, carrion, etc. Basically any meat, other than hyenas or other Hecklefangs.
Size: Up to 7 ft (2.1 m) at the top of the head (not counting ears).
Top Speed: Up to 35 MPH (56 KPH) when running.
Variants: Fur color ranges from shades of gold, tan, and yellow. The mane running down the back of their head and neck can be black, rust red, brown, or gold. Females have naturally longer manes. Irises range in color from brown, gold, and bright red. (Red eyes are considered the most desirable, and are believed to bring success in hunting.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair usually stays together for life. Their society is matriarchal. Most live in nomadic tribes that consist of several families that can number anywhere from ten to a hundred individuals per tribe.
Habitat: The savanna grasslands, scrub forests, and deserts of the country of Hy.
Notable Characteristics: Can lift almost twice their weight. Are strict carnivores, and can digest days-old carrion and bone. Are hyena-like in appearance, but walk mostly upright like humans, and can still run easily on all four legs if desired. Has opposable thumbs.
Lifespan: 70-90 years
Diet: Wildebeests, antelopes, deer, hares, rabbits, zebras, birds, monitor lizards, carrion, etc. Basically any meat, other than hyenas or other Hecklefangs.
Size: Up to 7 ft (2.1 m) at the top of the head (not counting ears).
Top Speed: Up to 35 MPH (56 KPH) when running.
Variants: Fur color ranges from shades of gold, tan, and yellow. The mane running down the back of their head and neck can be black, rust red, brown, or gold. Females have naturally longer manes. Irises range in color from brown, gold, and bright red. (Red eyes are considered the most desirable, and are believed to bring success in hunting.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair usually stays together for life. Their society is matriarchal. Most live in nomadic tribes that consist of several families that can number anywhere from ten to a hundred individuals per tribe.
Habitat: The savanna grasslands, scrub forests, and deserts of the country of Hy.
Notable Characteristics: Can lift almost twice their weight. Are strict carnivores, and can digest days-old carrion and bone. Are hyena-like in appearance, but walk mostly upright like humans, and can still run easily on all four legs if desired. Has opposable thumbs.
The Kenashi
(ken-AH-shi)
formerly known as the "Switch-Claw"
Class: Warm-Blooded Reptile
Lifespan: 70-100 years
Diet: Deer, fish, boar, birds, large cats, domestic pigs, cattle, poultry, and occasionally horse. Basically any meat, other than most large lizards, snakes, and other Kenashi.
Size: Up to 7 ft (2.1 m) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 50 MPH (80 KPH) when running.
Variants: Scale colors range from shades of green with a yellow underbelly, orange or red with a tan underbelly, or purple with a blue or gray underbelly. All individuals also have tiger-like stripes. Eye color ranges from red, brown, gold, green, and gray. (Red and green are considered to be the most desirable.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair usually stays together for life. Their society is strictly patriarchal. Most live in villages made up of many families, numbering from fifty to six hundred individuals per village. Larger cities are common, however.
Habitat: Rainforests, caves, and savanna grasslands of the country of Veloci.
Notable Characteristics: Has one extremely large "killing claw" on the third, inside toe of each foot. Uses their thick, long, kangaroo-like tail to lean back on for balance when kicking and using the killing claw. Most favor either the left or right killing claw. Similar in appearance to a dinosaur. Is well known for making complex hunting traps and tools. Has opposable thumbs, and walks almost completely upright.
Lifespan: 70-100 years
Diet: Deer, fish, boar, birds, large cats, domestic pigs, cattle, poultry, and occasionally horse. Basically any meat, other than most large lizards, snakes, and other Kenashi.
Size: Up to 7 ft (2.1 m) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 50 MPH (80 KPH) when running.
Variants: Scale colors range from shades of green with a yellow underbelly, orange or red with a tan underbelly, or purple with a blue or gray underbelly. All individuals also have tiger-like stripes. Eye color ranges from red, brown, gold, green, and gray. (Red and green are considered to be the most desirable.)
Lifestyle: A mated pair usually stays together for life. Their society is strictly patriarchal. Most live in villages made up of many families, numbering from fifty to six hundred individuals per village. Larger cities are common, however.
Habitat: Rainforests, caves, and savanna grasslands of the country of Veloci.
Notable Characteristics: Has one extremely large "killing claw" on the third, inside toe of each foot. Uses their thick, long, kangaroo-like tail to lean back on for balance when kicking and using the killing claw. Most favor either the left or right killing claw. Similar in appearance to a dinosaur. Is well known for making complex hunting traps and tools. Has opposable thumbs, and walks almost completely upright.
The Helper Creatures
The Pumabat
(POOH-muh-bat)
Class: Mammal
Lifespan: 40 years
Diet: Fishes, birds, lizards, insects, and rodents.
Size: Up to 1 ft (30 cm) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 30 MPH (48 KPH) when running or flying.
Variants: Fur color ranges from tan, gold, brown, and black, with a slightly paler underbelly than its primary coat color. Has darker patches of fur on the tip of its tail, ears, and on each cheek, similar to a cougar/puma/mountain lion. Iris color ranges from green, gold, and brown. Noses are always pink, red, or black.
Lifestyle: Individuals find a new mate every few years. After a kit reaches maturity, they stop relying on their parents, but usually stay in the same flock. Flocks often live in close proximity to Troodons, in a (usually) symbiotic relationship similar to humans and dogs. They catch fish, and keep the pest populations down in orchards, fields, and storehouses. In turn, the Troodons provide them with shelter, sufficient food, and protection from predators.
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, marshes, and prairies of almost all of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Appear to be extremely small pumas/cougars/mountain lions with bat-like wings. Can learn to understand many languages, but their vocal cords are limited to their own animal-like language. Has wings that allow flight.
Lifespan: 40 years
Diet: Fishes, birds, lizards, insects, and rodents.
Size: Up to 1 ft (30 cm) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 30 MPH (48 KPH) when running or flying.
Variants: Fur color ranges from tan, gold, brown, and black, with a slightly paler underbelly than its primary coat color. Has darker patches of fur on the tip of its tail, ears, and on each cheek, similar to a cougar/puma/mountain lion. Iris color ranges from green, gold, and brown. Noses are always pink, red, or black.
Lifestyle: Individuals find a new mate every few years. After a kit reaches maturity, they stop relying on their parents, but usually stay in the same flock. Flocks often live in close proximity to Troodons, in a (usually) symbiotic relationship similar to humans and dogs. They catch fish, and keep the pest populations down in orchards, fields, and storehouses. In turn, the Troodons provide them with shelter, sufficient food, and protection from predators.
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, marshes, and prairies of almost all of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Appear to be extremely small pumas/cougars/mountain lions with bat-like wings. Can learn to understand many languages, but their vocal cords are limited to their own animal-like language. Has wings that allow flight.
The Doggoon
(dawg-GOON)
Class: Mammal
Lifespan: 50 years
Diet: Fruit, roots, vegetables, nuts, small rodents, young antelope and gazelle, insects, lizards, occasionally fish and fungi.
Size: Up to 2.5 ft (76 cm) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 30 MPH (48 KPH) when running.
Variants: Fur color ranges from tan, gold, and brown. Iris color ranges from gold, red, and brown. Noses are brown or black.
Lifestyle: Mated pairs stay together for life, and will not find another mate if theirs dies. Families live in large, roaming troops that can number anywhere from ten to a hundred individuals. Troops often live in close proximity to Hecklefangs, in a relationship similar to humans and dogs. They catch prey, track animals and escaped prisoners, herd livestock, eliminate pests, and also are able to carry around objects in their hands.
Habitat: Savanna grasslands, deserts, jungles, and prairies of almost all of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Has a baboon-like body, and a dog-like face that appears to be beagle or labrador-like. Males have long, fluffy manes around their necks. The healthiest and largest males have the longest, largest manes. Females are slightly smaller than males and almost maneless.
Lifespan: 50 years
Diet: Fruit, roots, vegetables, nuts, small rodents, young antelope and gazelle, insects, lizards, occasionally fish and fungi.
Size: Up to 2.5 ft (76 cm) at the top of the head.
Top Speed: Up to 30 MPH (48 KPH) when running.
Variants: Fur color ranges from tan, gold, and brown. Iris color ranges from gold, red, and brown. Noses are brown or black.
Lifestyle: Mated pairs stay together for life, and will not find another mate if theirs dies. Families live in large, roaming troops that can number anywhere from ten to a hundred individuals. Troops often live in close proximity to Hecklefangs, in a relationship similar to humans and dogs. They catch prey, track animals and escaped prisoners, herd livestock, eliminate pests, and also are able to carry around objects in their hands.
Habitat: Savanna grasslands, deserts, jungles, and prairies of almost all of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Has a baboon-like body, and a dog-like face that appears to be beagle or labrador-like. Males have long, fluffy manes around their necks. The healthiest and largest males have the longest, largest manes. Females are slightly smaller than males and almost maneless.
The Repteal
(REP-teel)
Class: Currently unknown. Similar to birds, but also reptiles. Often classified as birds, though. (Although, like the echidna, platypus, and kiwi, they do not meet all of the requirements of the class they've been put in.)
Lifespan: 90-100 years
Diet: Birds, monkeys, insects, lizards, and occasionally bats and snakes.
Size: Up to 18 in (45 cm) from tail to snout.
Top Speed: Up to 50 MPH (80 KPH) when flying.
Variants: Feather color ranges from teal to sky blue, with red tail feathers and a few red secondary flight feathers. Iris color ranges from gold, red, and green, often with a yellow, orange, or hazel ring around the pupil. Scales are always shades of purple.
Lifestyle: Mated pairs stay together for a year. Males and females alike take care of the chicks and fledgelings, but individuals live a solitary life during most of the year. They're often kept as pets, messengers, or servants by the Kenashi.
Habitat: Rainforests and savanna grasslands of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Has a forked tongue, and can inject a fast-acting paralyzing venom from its snake-like fangs. Also has clawed hands, scales, teeth, and fully functional flight feathers. They lack a beak. Can mimic a wide range of sounds and words.
Lifespan: 90-100 years
Diet: Birds, monkeys, insects, lizards, and occasionally bats and snakes.
Size: Up to 18 in (45 cm) from tail to snout.
Top Speed: Up to 50 MPH (80 KPH) when flying.
Variants: Feather color ranges from teal to sky blue, with red tail feathers and a few red secondary flight feathers. Iris color ranges from gold, red, and green, often with a yellow, orange, or hazel ring around the pupil. Scales are always shades of purple.
Lifestyle: Mated pairs stay together for a year. Males and females alike take care of the chicks and fledgelings, but individuals live a solitary life during most of the year. They're often kept as pets, messengers, or servants by the Kenashi.
Habitat: Rainforests and savanna grasslands of Ectroi.
Notable Characteristics: Has a forked tongue, and can inject a fast-acting paralyzing venom from its snake-like fangs. Also has clawed hands, scales, teeth, and fully functional flight feathers. They lack a beak. Can mimic a wide range of sounds and words.
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