Difference between revisions of "Wrognoth"

Revision as of 21:09, 25 January 2024

The Wrognoth are a very large, intimidating mammalian Native species, their intelligence greater than or at least easily comparable to a Human's. Their numbers are relatively few, and 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 were thought to always be composed of the same closely-knit clans as they are today. Their homeworld remains unknown to and unseen by Humans, as it is thought to exist in a distant corner of the stars: a part of space shrouded in strange mist that confounds the technology of ships that dare enter there. Even Helexith does not enter this region of space, and Humans believe the Wrognoth previously bested them when they attempted to conquer their planet. The Wrognoth discovered space travel on their own, without the aid of outside species, and they 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: an extremely important element of their lives and identity. Blood bonds among Wrognoth are incredibly strong, and Wrognoth even 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. Elders and children are always respected in Wrognoth culture, even by enemy Wrognoth clans, who war only through honorable means. 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 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.

Religion

The Wrognoth religion remains very mysterious to Humans and nearly every other species. However, it is widely known that their religious beliefs are a foundational element of Wrognoth society, observed and celebrated every day of their lives. Wrognoth are highly spiritual, bearing their own form of psionics and possessing an incredible connection with what the Sarran call Afaelya, a spiritual energy. The strength of the Wrognoths' connection to their psionics is rivaled only by the Sarran themselves, whose connection is believed to be different in nature but equally if not more powerful. The Wrognoth have immense respect for the natural world, claiming it to be full of spirits and even saying stars themselves have a soul, and it is with these spirits and souls that the Wrognoth strive to maintain strong and respectful connections. Beyond this, little is known of their exact religion.

Biology

Wrognoth are said by Humans to look like beasts, as they have a considerable amount of fur on their bodies, which vary in color among black, white, brown, grey, crimson red, gold, and occasionally a bluish-grey, though always without any other patterns. Their eyes are brightly-colored, ranging in hue from green, red, blue, yellow, orange, white, and even purple. Their skin is always solid dark grey or even black, and their head is bestial, with long, pointed ears covered in short fur and a thick muzzle. Likewise, their heads and faces are furred, and they possess a relatively thick manes, as well as bushy yet relatively short and scrappy bottle brush tails, which helped lend credence to Humans referring to them as wolf-men. 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, a fully-grown Wrognoth easily rivals 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. Their senses are unrivaled, and Wrognoth are capable of hearing and smelling over great distances, tracking by scent, sensing fear and other emotions, and they are capable of seeing in extremely low light. Wrognoth are known for their hardiness as well as their great speed, agility, and strength, leading some to falsely believe they are simpleminded. 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. Only female Wrognoth are capable of pregnancy. It is not thought Wrognoth are capable of producing offspring with Humans or other species. 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 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.

"Mating Season"

A little known and less discussed aspect of Wrognoth culture and biology is their mating season. Once every ten years, Wrognoth of both sexes feel extreme drive to choose a mate for life. This is not a purely sexual drive, despite Human beliefs, but also a spiritual one. Some Wrognoth choose to battle this instinctual drive for a life partner, and 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 will eventually go mad over the course of several mating seasons without finding a partner. 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. This is called the Time of Madness. Rages last different amounts of time per individual Wrognoth. The Wrognoth themselves do not refer to this as their "mating season," as the drive is to take a life partner rather than simply to reproduce with one or more mates. Regardless, this aspect of the Wrognoth is little discussed, even among Wrognoth themselves. It is understood to be a part of their existence, but they prefer not to talk about it openly. Many Wrognoth take offense, should other species reference it.

Antlers

During the "mating season," both male and female Wrognoth grow antlers from their skulls. These antlers vary widely in size and shape, with females generally having smaller antlers than males, with fewer prongs. The antlers are grown in what would be the winter months on the Wrognoth's home planet, regardless of the individual's location, even if the Wrognoth is not facing their once-every-ten-year "mating season" in that particular winter. 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 "mating season." 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.