Wrognoth

[[File:|300px]] "Werewolves"
Wrognoth
Pronunciation:	ROGG-noth
Homeworld:	Unknown

The Wrognoth are a large, intimidating mammalian Native species, their intelligence comparable to a Human's. They are little known throughout the galaxy, as they historically choose to seclude themselves and have a disinclination to interact with other species. Regardless, though the majority of their kind are free entities, some major Wrognoth clans are part of the High Council of Harmony.

History

Though little is known of Wrognoth history, they are thought to have been composed always of the same closely-knit clans as they are today. Their homeworld remains unknown to and unseen by Humans, as it exists in a distant corner of the stars, shrouded in strange mist that confounds the technology of ships. Even Helexith does not enter this region of space, as the Wrognoth previously bested them during an attempted conquest. The Wrognoth command a highly advanced civilization, though some other species still consider them primitive due to "shamanistic" practices.

Society

Wrognoth society is founded upon honor, loyalty, clan, and religion. Every Wrognoth belongs to a particular clan, composed of several families, which is foundational to their lives and identities. Blood bonds among Wrognoth are incredibly strong, and Wrognoth possess unique Psionics that allow clanmates, particularly direct family, to sense and communicate with each other across limitless distances. This bond can be created among Wrognoth individuals through ritual and is considered the highest of honors. Wrognoth culture emphasizes spirituality and the afterlife; they are known to go to great lengths to recover the bodies of their fallen for proper burial. Likewise, they guard the resting places of their dead with incredible ferocity. Males and females play an equal role in Wrognoth society, though males naturally feel inclined to protect the females, but females are not restricted from participating in battle or certain roles in society. Wrognoth rarely do anything alone, given their unique and powerful bonds, and to be outcast from one's clan is the greatest of shames, worthy only of those who have committed an unforgivable crime; thus, seeing a lone Wrognoth is a rarity and generally a bad sign. Wrognoth communicate using their own language, which sounds harsh and guttural, virtually impossible for other species to truly replicate, but they easily learn and replicate the languages of other cultures. The Wrognoths' most unique vocalization is the howl, capable of conveying an endless array of emotions to others of their kind. These intricacies are lost on Humans and other species, save the Sarran, with whom the Wrognoth frequently share close bonds.

Religion

While the Wrognoth religion remains very mysterious, it is a foundational element of Wrognoth society, observed and celebrated every day. Wrognoth are highly spiritual, bearing their own form of psionics and possessing an incredible connection with what the Sarran call Afaelya, particularly among members of their clan and family. The Wrognoth have immense respect for the natural world, claiming it to be full of spirits and even saying stars themselves have a soul. It is with these spirits and souls that the Wrognoth strive to maintain strong and respectful connections.

Biology

Wrognoth have a considerable amount of fur on their bodies, which varies in color among black, white, brown, grey, crimson red, gold, and occasionally a bluish-grey. It is always solid-colored, with no patterns on their fur or their skin. Their eyes are bright hues, ranging from green, red, blue, yellow, orange, white, and even purple. Their skin is always solid dark grey or even black. Their head is bestial, with long, pointed ears on the sides of their heads and a thick muzzle. Their heads and faces and ears are furred, and they possess relatively thick manes, as well as short and scrappy bottle brush tails, which lends credence to Humans referring to them as wolf-men. However, they have no fur on much of their chest or back, nor does fur entirely cover their arms and legs. Their bestial legs end in paws with massive black claws they can retract or extend with but a thought, rather than flexing muscles, as do their five-fingered, humanoid hands. Both their feet and hands possess thick, black paw pads for running on all fours, which Wrognoth do frequently. Female Wrognoth possess two complex mammary glands to feed milk to their young, resembling those of Humans; Wrognoth females look similar to males otherwise, though typical of mammals, they are relatively smaller.

In terms of size, most fully-grown Wrognoth rival a Slashrim Zrillak, standing considerably taller than the average Human or nearly any other species. Due to standing more erect than the Slashrim, they often appear taller even than the Zrillak, particularly male Wrognoth. They are capable of hearing and smelling over great distances, tracking by scent, sensing fear and other emotions, and of seeing in extremely low light. Wrognoth generally live under or around 200 years, though some may live longer.

Sex, Reproduction, and Internal Pouch

Wrognoth give live birth to one, two, or three children; Wrognoth frequently have more than one child at a time. Couples generally mate for life, with loyalty and bonds on a spiritual level. A stranger attribute to Wrognoth reproduction and rearing of the young is the inner, expandable pouch both male and female Wrognoth possess in their abdomen. Humans refer to this as a "pseudowomb," comparing it to the pouches of Earth marsupials. The pouch is designed to protect their growing young, offering warmth, air, and biofeedback to the adult Wrognoth. This pouch is accessed via the throat, and Wrognoth possess a unique musculoskeletal biology to swallow large objects as a result. Witnessing Wrognoth "swallowing" their young has led Humans to wrongly believe Wrognoth eat their own offspring. However, when Wrognoth come of age to speak, they are considered too old for the pouch. Many Wrognoth face suspicion amidst other species for possessing the ability to so easily smuggle things inside of them, and some Wrognoth even undergo surgery to seal off their pouch in order to avoid intrusive scans. To use the pouch for anything other than the Wrognoth's own young is considered highly taboo and dishonorable in their own culture, however. Considerable punishments await those Wrognoth who defy the spirits by such an action.

Har nul

A little known and less discussed aspect of Wrognoth culture and biology is their "mating season," referred to among Wrognoth as the "har nul." Once every ten years, Wrognoth of both sexes feel extreme drive to choose a mate for life, a Wrognoth with which they will reproduce and rear their young. Some Wrognoth cultures have developed drugs to aid in fighting the call. Most Wrognoth cannot ignore this urge without the aid of such drugs. Denied too long, the need for a life partner will drive the Wrognoth to violent urges, mood swings, and uncharacteristic behavior. It is said a Wrognoth who denies this drive without some other form of aid for too many decades will eventually go mad. Some Wrognoth choose to spend this drive in battle, throwing themselves into a berserk rage either against their foes or on a hunt like a beast, after which the calling is spent. Rages last different amounts of time per individual Wrognoth, with most lasting several days. To mention the har nul in public is considered very poor form; it is understood as part of their existence, but they prefer not to discuss it publicly. For other species to mention the har nul is a mighty offense.

Antlers

During every winter season on their home planet, no matter where the individual is in the universe, both male and female Wrognoth grow antlers from their skulls. These antlers vary widely in size and shape, with females having smaller, fewer-pronged antlers than males. They are shed during the spring, to be regrown the following year. It is said the antlers of a Wrognoth grow much larger when the individual enters their har nul. Some Wrognoth saw off their antlers, especially those in the military whose antlers would disrupt their ability to wear armor. Others tie their antlers in particular patterns to control their shape and growth, wearing them as badges of pride and ferocity.