am'nýer—a'
T
NATURAL RESOURCES
LEGEND
.png){kind=small}
Sustenance
Apothecary
Trades
Psychoactive Substance
Poison
Lungs Continent
Püertagœ, Fawzia-Kedet & B'hărăbû
Legs Continent
Sky-Coral Sea
Heart & Throat Continent
Rīdhaūñaī and the 'Neutral Zone'
Pelvis Continent
ZàÞça, Trótskarr
Hands Continent
The Mountains of T-'a'Ţăs'múr
Foot Continent
Zdjętzami Homeland
Ribs Continent
The Emerald Isles
Arms Continent
The Ãoni Coast
Ocean
Becal Curtains & The Sk'ïenaik Empire
FAUNA
Aktanas (ack-tah-nah-s)
Aktanas is a type of Tam'nýer—a''n butterfly. The Aktanas is attributed to the beloved Goddess of Memory, R̂xya', thanks to its distinct colouring and the optical illusion of movement people tend to witness, as if the pattern is mimicking the Goddess' infamous robe.
The Aktanas is therefore considered to be sacred, unlike most other animals who represent the Gods via the Hours, because none look as though they are a manifestation of their divine 'counterparts', or 'inspiration' if you will.
It should be noted that this also saves the Aktanas from being used for Vç (dream catchers). If, however, one did use Aktanas in the making of a Vç without realizing it, or even by honest mistake, this can ruin a career of being a Vç craftsman. Despite this though is a Nkhya'jran practice which seems to defy any morals that tell of a Aktanas' sacred station. That is to capture them in order to crush them up after they've died into a fire.
Albeit, this is distinctly to hex someone via blood magic in a sense to rob someone of cherished memories or to have loved ones forget about said person being hexed. This is in part because Aktanas are also tied to the concept of memory as these seemingly fragile creatures emerge at the end of summer, and live throughout autumn, reminding one of spring as most other butterfly species live then.
A full grown Aktanas measures anywhere from 17-20.5 centimeters (6.75 – 8 inches) in width and migrate from ॠधऊञई · Rīdhaūñaī , the Emerald Isles, and the Sky-Coral Sea through to Trótskarr where they go to breed as well as die.
Anande Ilij
(a-nahn-gee · e-lidge)
Anande Ilij is a type of coral on Tam'nýer—a' that thrives mainly on the edges of Sk'älik insulars. Its glowing body is akin to a miniature galaxy, leaving an onlooker absolutely mesmerized. Unlike most corals, Anade Ilij if growing too close to another one of its own species, will try and kill it for space. In this case, Anande Ilij is considered a cannibalistic coral, because it does not discriminate between a 'sister' plant or a foreign one; all other entities other than itself are the enemy. Because of this, Anade Ilij's are mostly documented to be just one massive coral growth, rather than multiples, and can grow up to a kilometre in width (0.62 mi), though it should be stated that it is only 'up to one
kilometre' because this is the current measurement of the largest Anande Ilij found to date.
Anande Ilij is one of the handful of corals that the Sk'älik pressurize in order to force the creature to crystallize, although the crystallization process of this particular coral is more labor-intensive than one might think. In order to properly force Anade Ilij to crystallize you have to bring it down to the sea floor, wait until it is glowing to a certain degree, which signifies that it is dying and raise it back up at its normal depth of growth. However, you must do it not once, but a minimum of 4-6 times (dependent upon the size of ball of coral). Doing this essentially fossilizes the glow attribute of the coral, indicating that it is of good quality, and only after this process will it start to crystallize. So, you may do it 4 times, not catch it in time for the required 5th rise to the surface, and completely throw all your efforts down the drain, and that's anywhere from a year, if lucky, to years of effort trying to harvest.
By now, you may be asking "why even bother to go through all the trouble?" and the reason why is because of a healing reaction that no one really yet understands how it works, but if given to a dying child before they have hit puberty, it has a 50% success rate of healing said child. Because of this, Anande Ilij is colloquially referred to as 'The Goddess' Hand' in reference to Q'Tam'šmă, the Mother of All who rules over the sea.
Ãokv'kele (aow-kiv-keh-lay)
The Ãokv'kele are a bulky, meaty lizard-like creature. They are the main beast of burden and form of transportation through the deserts of Trótskarr. Ãokv'kele are extremely staunch animals, and can get very attached either to their task or to a rider they carry often. Though if they do get attached to a person, they can get quite demanding and affectionate. Taking a nap with your beloved ride can do wonders for this bond, and the Ãokv'kele tend to reciprocate with extremely good behaviour when traveling, patience, or a willingness to stay at a higher speed upon demand.
These animals vary in colour but usually appear a dark green or dark red with a beige coloured belly, to keep itself cool in the heat, whilst the topside colouration attracts sun to keep it hot so that it can function properly.
Ãokv'kele have 4 stomachs, 2 for food, and 2 for water, meaning that it can store up on food and drink and last a long journey without stopping. It takes approximately an entire Tam'nýer—a''n day for an Ãokv'kele to digest its food. A fundamental point concerning digestion is that the more the animal stays in movement, the slower it digests, perpetually burning the food or “fuel” in this case, but slowly as a natural precaution to not starve.
On top of having 4 stomachs, the Ãokv'kele tend to weigh anywhere between 680-1,000 kilograms (1,500-2,200 lbs) depending upon sex and size. Needless to say, you wouldn't want one to roll on you. A distinction between the sexes are two very notable facts; the females tend to have tusks and a more hunkered-down body type, while males ‘stand taller’ and have much smoother faces.
Ap'lüqwi (ap-lieu-kwi)
Ap'lüqwi are thick-coated animals who can give a thought-provoking side eye as good as your mother laying up a trap to catch you in a lie. Intelligent, adaptable to weather changes, these omnivorous felines never seem to take a break as they constantly roam the rings of Püertagœ in search of their next meal or shelter. They have an incredibly strong digestive system as well as powerful jaws, enabling them to eat some types of bones if they are desperate enough for a meal.
Truth be told, Püertagœ captured about a hundred Ap'lüqwi from the streets of ZàÞça to keep them around the city, distinctly for food/garbage disposal, ultimately aiding in in preventing disease or illness caused by rampant waste. Not to mention actually eating biological waste.
Some Ap'lüqwi even carry on symbiotic relationships with food vendors and Püertagœn residents via eating rotten food in exchange for shelter so they can catch some well needed rest. On a rare occasion a Ap'lüqwi will have a routine with an individual for so long that the Ap'lüqwi might as well be considered a pet that will build an impressive tolerance for cuddles.
However, one should always remember that these animals are wild and always serve themselves first.
C-bxa'(ch-bwugh)
The C-bxa' males are notable by their prim and proper stature; standing tall and seemingly pompous. Their legs are quite long and the thighs are somewhat stocky. In an odd contradiction, the females build is more hunkered down to the ground, and have notably long tail feathers.
C-bxa' tend to lay eggs varying in colour; shades of pastel greens and oranges. The yolks appear as a burnt orange, so they are extremely pigmented. What we refer to as 'egg whites' here on Earth are more of a clear liquid marbled with a soft magenta colour. When cooked, the clear turns to white, like our eggs do, but the magenta becomes more pronounced in shade.
With all that in mind, yes, C-bxa' are farmed for food, and for their eggs. However, their plumage is also a commodity, whether it be for clothing, jewellery, or blankets (not as a stuffing material, but thousands sewn together and placed on a sheet of fabric to create said blanket).
These animals consume mainly water, oats and nuts, which they break down with their beaks. Their beaks have microscopic razor like teeth on the inside of them, which permits them to grind the nuts up with ease. Their living conditions though, they can be quite fussy. They aren't fans of rain, and are susceptible to growing fungus if they become wet for long periods of time. Too hot, and they will dehydrate faster than they can process the water they ingest, and too cold, their bodies will shut down. 20°c, or 68°f, is a perfect temperature for them.
Çuïnk'anagâ
added by Waldo
Known colloquially as 'Storm Worms' the Çuïnk'anagâ are beings of a bygone era in Tam'nýer—a'. Primarily found in the deserts of southern and northern Tam'nýer—a', the Storm Worms ranged in size from five feet long babies to well over a thousand feet long. It is unknown exactly how large they could grow, because these ferocious beasts were usually slain by the time as soon as they were spotted. There are said to be villages that use their bones as buildings deep in the Pelvis continent and cities made from their carcasses in the Foot continent.
The reason for their name is that the Storm Worms' hide seemed to be made from a conductive metal similar to Qanzoe that would attract lightning when larger Çuïnk'anagâ burst from the soil of the desert. It is said that this lightning was meant to be Ižwala's attempts at slaying the beast and guiding brave warriors to it. These may merely be fantasies, but the truth is that no matter where these creatures came from they are dangerous and destructive predators that can emerge at almost any time.
When the first Çuïnk'anagâ attacked the desert dwellers of the Pelvis continent, it grew fat and powerful on its helpless victims. All the weapons of mortals bounced off the tough skin of the beast.
It is also said that first Çuïnk'anagâ was in fact the piece of heart that was stolen by Jn that now ravages his fallen body for his sin so even the Gods seemed weary of approaching something so blasphemously powerful and evil. However, as the heart poisoned Y'l and Öx, so too did the gods devise a poison for these monsters: Nyzal.
After its creation Nyzal was seeded throughout the homeland of the Çuïnk'anagâ and gradually mortals realized it could be made into weapons. When used upon the Storm Worms the metal melted into their bloodstream and poisoned the beasts. Each weapon had one use, but it only took one lucky strike to fell the lesser worms. In time they were able to slay the Çuïnk'anagâ broodmother, some say with the help of Vojshā who struck the killing blow against the being that ravaged her cousin’s body.
With the broodmother slain, the mortals became adept at slaying the beasts and eventually founded a guild dedicated to fighting them. The guild was funded by ZàÞça and later Püertagœ. Though they worked tirelessly it was still a struggle to ensure no Storm Worm grew too large. Eventually the Çuïnk'anagâ grew weaker and when the Cataclysm hit the magic that hardened their hides faded. Regular weapons worked on them and they were practically wiped from Trótskarr.
These monstrous creatures have faded into the myths and legends of Tam'nýer—a' in the years following the death of the gods. Even then, formidable Çuïnk'anagâ were a rarity due to the hunting parties established by Püertagœ and ZàÞça to keep the peoples and resources of the Pelvis continent safe. The only land that these beings were able to grow from their humble 5" beginnings to the towering monstrosities was the Foot continent where they were driven away from the Zdjętzami primary home by the mysterious Sztwenī. This is part of the reason that the Zdjętzami never left their continent.
However, with the resurgence of magic and the trail markers activating clutches of dormant Çuïnk'anagâ eggs are hatching in the desert for the first time in over ten years. Those Storm Worms that had grown and survived on the Foot continent have become impervious to the damage done by Zdjętzami. Though the Storm Worms are still relatively small, only measuring a hundred feet, they are encroaching on Sztwenī for the first time. Rumors of larger, more ancient Çuïnk'anagâ swirl around the continent as well.
Cusur'galli (koo-soo-rr-gah-lee)
Cusur'galli are majestic docile creatures in personality, but can invoke fear due to their size (relateable to a bull elephant; 12-14 feet at the shoulder). For every foot in height that a Cusur'galli reaches is equivalent to 1,000lbs. With multiple eyes and control over each one, they can see in many directions other than behind them clearly. It is their main weakness, and an unfortunate fact as they are over hunted.
Cusur'galli are hunted for multiple reasons and are as follows:
-
On their feet and legs, Inva' crystallizes and forms naturally. These are assumed to form with age as a sort of calcification, and copious small bodies of water that they traverse though.
-
The leather from their face and ears is the most durable in all of Tam'nýer—a'.
-
Capture; as they make the best pack animals on land, and can survive high altitudes well. Cusur'galli have no issue travelling mountains if there is a path for them to walk along.
Due to this poaching however, Cusur'galli are becoming a creature of the past. They are now a rare find in the wild, and because of this they tend to be viewed as the highest sign of prosperity and luck. You are most likely to find them in the northern tip of the Sky-Coral Sea, the Emerald Isles and Rīdhaūñaī. It is said that if you want to be guaranteed to see one in your lifetime, the Temple of VüƑ keeps one as a pet
Dlam’prête (dl-ahm-prett)
Dlam’prête may look cute and fuzzy, but there is a reason that they have not been domesticated. For starters, they prefer either the coldest or the hottest temperatures. Their fur and feathers act as insulators that aid them in surviving either or. Dlam’prête also have one of the biggest migrations
in all of Tam'nýer—a’, travelling from Rīdhaūñaī to Trótskarr and the Foot Continent. That being said, these lovely fellas need lots of room to move so any sort of confinement would not fly. Sorry, not sorry.
In contrast to most creatures as well, Dlam’prête breed and raise their young during winter once safely settled in Rīdhaūñaī. This is due to there being less predators, and the majority of competition for food has either migrated, or is in hibernation as well creating a safe environment to hunt and forage for food for their demanding new babes. Dlam’prête also tend to forage for dead animals during winter seasons as well, meaning they make a great clean up crew as well.
Drîmos (drr-ee-mo-ss)
A bit out of this world, and seemingly with more limbs than one could possibly use, these tiny insects tend to flock together especially during the rain. You might be thinking that their aversion to the rain is likely due to their small size, which would be a natural assumption. However, the Drîmos find the rain not only an inconvenience but deadly, most especially during the Super Summer season as it tends to have more acidity, and can actually burn these poor little creatures. They tend to hide in burrows, be they in trees, or taking shelter in another animal's home, as doing so is less of a risk to them than the rain.
Despite their size as well, the Drîmos have the ability to launch for approximately 5 feet, and that can mean life or death in their natural habitat which is in the jungle that is the Sky-Coral Sea. Although it should be said that they can live within the canopy or the jungle floor. No matter where they go though, they are hunted by the races of Tam'nýer—a' and animals alike as they are not only high in protein in eaten whole, but they are the natural source of Tam'nýer—a''s sugar, making them highly sought after. In fact, gathering Drîmos, preparing and selling them is becoming a booming industry for the Sky-Coral Sea, alongside ship building.
Drîmos sugar is turning into something that people cannot get enough of, especially since it was added to teas, and it is now becoming the norm for tea drinking.
However, it should be said that Drîmos sugar is nothing less than the creatures being lightly roasted, and mortar and pestled into a fine powder. Which means, at least this sugar isn't completely bad, as it still contains the protein content of the insect itself.
Drr'ţö (duh-rah-tz-uh)
What could one ask for when everyday pets look this aesthetically pleasing? Drr'ţö are known for their beauty, soft lush fur, and notably long tails which vary in size but average about 3 feet in length. They have slender, angular faces, and are wonderful runners, or endurance trekking, though it should be noted, they spend an enormous time preening.
The surprising thing is how much the Drr'ţö mimic our own vanity, and this is a huge reason why they are as popular as pets as they are; they adore being dressed. Because of this, however, they are also considered high maintenance. Drr'ţö over time have turned into a status symbol, which consequently has made competitions quite fierce between owners.
Drr'ţö are carnivores, clearly requiring a high protein diet, and drink moderately. There are no consequences to feeding your Drr'ţö table scraps, and they will eat vegetables, but be careful to not overload their stomachs with them as it will make them quite bloated and sick.
As a side note, it should be said that Drr'ţö, because of their innate vanity, they are not fans of the Sk'älik finding their mucus-like texture to be physically repulsive. Drr'ţö are more likely to bite a Sk'älik than befriend one.
Euƒ'yr (u-f-urh)
Euƒ'yr, more commonly known as Eƒy, are small, adorable winged creatures with fur, notably long ears, and tail.
Social creatures at heart, they require companionship to live a healthy and full life. The astounding thing about Eƒy's is that their companion could be another of their own species or an owner of another. They are semi-popular pets to the middle-upper class but are known to be extremely possessive, as well as protective of whoever they form the companion bond with. In the wild, they travel in pairs or a group of pairings.
Despite their adorable look, Eƒy have sharp little teeth, mainly relying on fang-like canines, surrounded by two rows of small triangular teeth, the second row being an inner one and only mirroring the 4 front teeth, indicative of them being carnivores. However, a little bit of greens won't harm them, though that all depends on whether the Eƒy will eat it or not. Eƒy's also have four paws for feet, all of which have three toes, and claws, sharp as a razor at the tip, which makes handling them something to do with care.
Some owners choose to declaw them so that they can handle them more freely, but this runs the risk of the Eƒy becoming permanently distant from their owner, or hinders their ability to trust. The damaged trust then inherently means the bond of companionship is weakened, making them prone to bouts of depression. This, however, can be eased and fixed over time by spending time with other members of their own species under the watch of their owners, as they are always aware of their presence.
With long ears, Eƒy's hearing is quite acute. The fur is a staple even there on their anatomy is assumed that it is for protecting the inner ear canals from bugs, etc. when in flight. The tail is there to aid with balance, obviously, but also to even out the weight of the ears. Efy become sexually mature at 1 Tam'nýer—a''n week, and when breeding them, they produce a litter of anywhere from 1-3 babies. They generally live for 2-3 Tam'nýer—a''n months (7-10 years roughly).
Þ'l (faw-p-aw-l)
Þ'l are a tremendously beautiful creature living in the depths of the ocean with the Sk'älik. While those on land have the Wôrdiţ, the Sk'älik have the Þ'l. Fluid, dynamic movement and speeds in the water, the Þ'l are a wonder to be seen in action. Looking more akin to a sentient bunch of seaweed, they are masters at camouflage. However, they can emit a blue bioluminescence which they can turn off and on at will. It is also assumed that they communicate with one another with the flashing of this luminescence, but what certain patterns means requires more studies on them.
While the Sk'älik are known to ride them insular to insular, most Þ'l are found to be pets when youngsters, and subsequently raised with Sk'älik children side-by-side. The children are usually the ones who become the Þ'l's rider when they grow up, as the creatures must have a strong bond in order to be willing to carry a rider.
Faeries of the Sea
Faeries of the Sea is a term given to a number of animals found in the ocean that all have transparent to semi-opaque jellied tendrils noted for their glowing tips. Seeming like an indefinite shape made of cartilage, Faeries of the Sea flutter about in the ocean while surviving on plankton, algae and microbes. The Faeries of the Sea sleep on whatever surface they can find to rest on safely, be it a rock or a Sk'älik insular.
Faeries of the Sea are also used for food. It's texture and use is much like scallops on Earth, but it's taste, while similar, also has an after taste akin to cumin.
Fydaoosh (fee-da-ush)
This beauty may look like a big bird - but it is a lie! In fact, it is the size of a pigeon (although of course much more intelligent) and it hunts annoying rodents and large insects, as well as M’jex’sûh. Who needs a mosquito net when you own one of these? The Fydaoosh are solitary birds and can be found in Trótskarr and the Feet Continent. They lay eggs and mate during Super-Summer only and it is the only time when the birds will live together in small colonies, until the chicks grow big enough to survive on their own.
The Fydaoosh make extremely loyal pets and live a long time – close to one Tam'nýer—a’’n year, and therefore they have also been acclimated in the Lung Continent by specialized breeders and trainers. It is rumored that they can understand C'eröd, although it may just be a few commands only. However, they are hard to tame and they can be quite expensive, as the process is time-consuming
and involves creating a very close relationship with the bird by feeding it directly by hand over a period of one Tam'nýer—a’’n week.
Despite their small size, their claws are extremely sharp and since the Fydaoosh tend to express their affection through grasping firmly, the future owner should be careful to purchase in advance several pairs of Tzlivy leather gloves. The Fydaoosh can be very needy for attention if tamed, as the taming process makes them extremely co-dependent, and if neglected can become depressive and refuse to eat.
One thing to take note of if you are interested in a Fydaoosh as a pet is that the bird has special sacs hidden between the dense feathers of their wings. These sacs contain a special oil that helps them repel water when caught in a heavy downpour, such as monsoons so as to not weigh them down. However, the oil also has an acidity to it, so that if they feel threatened they can trigger the sacs to release the oil, and if in flight it can slick off their wings and launch behind them, getting bigger birds to stop their pursuit of a good lunch.
Gaizohr (gay-zo-ore)
These lovely birds can be found in the “outer” areas of main hub of Tam'nýer—a’ because for some reason they never seem to want to cross the Becal Curtains, either to the north or to the south. They are called Gaizhor, or “Constellation Birds”. They fly in large swarms and truly it is a pleasure to see them, especially for the brief periods when neither Tam'nýer—a’’n sun is visible in the sky and the only light is from Nue (the moon), because their feathers - littered with white dots normally - shine silver and blue in the moonlight. This makes for an interesting visual effect, akin to seeing a swarm of stars flying in the night sky. For this reason, all over Tam'nýer—a’ (except in Rīdhaūñaī) they tend to be associated with Nue, the God of Companionship, and because of Nue also indirectly with N—'Ƒëkas, the God of Comfort, Warmth & Wax.
Because of these associations, it is generally considered a very good omen to see a swarm of Gaizohr in the night sky, especially while in the company of family or with your Nāxšir, because it means that they will always remain with you in spirit, even if separated by time or circumstance. Often, children or lovers would try to stay up and watch the sky during the true night periods in the hope of seeing the Gaizohr, or would wake their family or lover to witness it with them.
Grásh (gur-ay-sh)
Grásh may seem beautiful to us here on Earth, but to those of Tam'nýer—a' these are mostly viewed as pests, as they are Tam'nýer—a''s version of our seagulls and crows all rolled into one.
Flocking in groups or alone in search of a meal, they can be cruel, and are quite cunning. If you aren't looking, they might take off with your cat, or if you're luckier, your sandwich. They aren't nice, but to the people who reside in B'hărăbû they are viewed as a good omen, and feed them in order to have better luck in their travels on the sea, as the Grásh represent home to them, or let them know 'Land ahoy!'.
Grásh mainly survive on meat, but will eat almost anything to fill their stomachs and try to survive. They also vary in size as there are a handful of breeds of Grásh, but in general have wings, talons, scales, a long tail and a gradient of minimum 2 colours. As babies, they will fit in the palm of a human hand, and at the biggest, 18ft wingspan.
Gyfw-t (gif-whit)
Gyfw-t are tiny rodents, able of great speed in order to escape their many predators. They live in warrens, sprawling underground tunnels with their respective families, which can be anywhere from 5 to about 20. While they are somewhat small, they can surprisingly weigh up to 8 pounds, and their meat is a delicacy.
Many people farm them, most especially in Trótskarr, and as such, they make a fortune selling them. Not only is their meat a rare, delicious commodity, their fur is surprisingly soft, and nothing goes to waste to the farmers. If they kill the majority of a family for their meat, they will make luxury collars for coats out of their fur, or even small pillows. To own one is a show of status.
ईश्युअग् • Izyuag (ez-ee-uag)
These birds, although they may seem small, colorful and cute, are actually one of Tam'nýer—a' most aggressive predators and very much feared. They live primarily in the Emerald Isles and the Heart Continent, deep in the forest, and have been also referred to by the Ṅkhya'jra in Rīdhaūñaī as Sty-kopös’ Hunger. Indeed, they look beautiful and enchanting thanks to their coloration. However, they hunt in large swarms and are more than willing to dive bomb and break barriers one would not think possible. Their blue beaks are hard as metal and would be able to peck through wood. They have been known to flock even large animals and peck them apart, feeding colonies of anywhere from 25 and up to 300!
Fortunately for the inhabitants of the Emerald Isles and the Heart Continent, their frenzied attacks would only happen if the birds have not fed in a long while. It has become custom for the Ṅkhya'jra, when they know a colony of Izyuag is nearby, to leave off carcasses of hunted animals once a week for the Izyuag to feed off. However, the act of actually going closer to the colony to leave the offering is in itself dangerous, and people have been killed in the attempt.
Káñonbahár (kaah-nyon-ba-haah-r)
Upon first seeing them you may think that they are a human standing in the distance as the heat screws up your vision, or that they are merely a boulder. In actuality, they are the most useful commodity to the Dëymosþan, being their beasts of burden and main mode of transportation, aside from walking that is.
Káñonbahár are animals that, whilst horned like the Wôrdiţ, but are much more slender. Káñonbahár have spindly legs, but they are pure muscle, tendon and bone, so their speed, and ability to run through the sand is impeccable. Their main body is shelled in a natural strong carapace that resembles a mere grey-white boulder. This carapace offers protection from the heat of the sun and the detriment of sand if caught in the wind.
These beautiful creatures as also equipped with a long neck helping them get as big a view of the landscape as possible, and their noses can pick up scents from miles away (especially on the wind). Some who form great bonds with their riders, will even signal to their counterpart when they smell people or death, meaning a possibility for gain. It creates a loving symbiotic relationship. This bond goes further because while it is common place for the Dëymosþan men to race their Káñonbahár to assert dominance and sometimes gain breeding rights, the Káñonbahár have begun to view this race as a similar thing, not solely going off of their fins.
Ka'Tika (kuh-tee-ka)
Ka'Tika are a type of fish that can be rather aggressive, but are found throughout the Sweet Way waters in high density in and around the Ãoni Coast. As you can see, they have a large variety of colouration, but no one pattern seems to outweigh the other.
They are rather slim, and small, (think the size of your palm and no bigger), but their bones oddly dissolve when put to high heat. So, if eating them was your plan, if you fry them, you don't have to worry about the bones and they taste like dried anchovies. Think of them like the chip of the the sea.
Another use for Ka'Tika is that if you mashed them up, they reveal this brilliant cobalt blue. The blue is actually their blood, but it seeps into absolutely everything it touches. If mashed up properly, and left to dry, it will turn into a powder that can be used to dye varying fabrics.
Khûypya'payy (kwee-pee-yugh-pay-e)
Body wise, they are similar to our ferrets and minks on Earth. Their tail ranges from half to three quarters of their body length, and their average body length is around 18 inches, for both male and females alike. Despite this body size, Khûypya'payy tend to be very light, averaging from 2-3 pounds or 1,000-1,500 grams, and this is surmised to be due to the skeletal build, allowing them a certain speed and agility.
Male and Female Khûypya'payy are coloured quite differently. Males are an electric sky blue with a coral nose, mask and ears, while females, having the same nose, mask and ears, their main colouration is a pastel purple-grey; striking but simple and less flamboyant than their male counterparts.
Khûypya'payy's diets consist of small birds, when they can catch them, smaller rodents, such as mice, and shellfish. That being said there are two species of Khûypya'payy, one's that tend to live in the vegetation by seashore in clay burrows or rocks and others that live in grasslands and the jungle that is Uwhang (Sky-Coral Sea), who also live in self-made burrows, be it using the thick vegetation of the Jungle floor or in the safety of the trees reusing an old bird's nest inside of a tree.
Their burrow-homes are not simply used for shelter but for storing food as well, despite being carnivores. In this case they will store living animals after disabling them in some way, either by breaking their food's legs, or blinding it with a mucus that they usually reserve for defensive reasons. This mucus, kept in a sac at the base of their throat that is akin to our stomach, has mild acidic properties.
Kig'çyoh (key-guh-see-yo)
These Kig'çyoh are quite similar to manta rays on our planet, with a disc span that varies between 3.5m - 7m (11.5ft - 23ft), with males being on the higher end of the scale. The rays of Tam'nýer—a' do tend to have a stinger, but it's only the females that do. Perhaps it is nature's way of compensating for size?
They can also change the pigment of their skin, which oddly enough, despite being unable to completely camouflage their markings, tend to match the shade of the water during the daytime. The deeper they swim, however, they less likely they are to do this and the same goes for nighttime, as the oceans darken, and tend to hide them as it is.
The Kig'çyoh are nocturnal hunters, meaning that they hunt for food at night, consuming plankton mostly, but during the day, small shrimps are always a delectable treat to them. In fact, the Kig'yoh are known to go into a frenzy if they come upon shrimp when patrolling reefs, causing the rest of the reef residents to go into hiding, putting a stop to the daily hustle and bustle.
Despite their shrimp bonanza though, there is one time of year that is such a feast that even the Sk'älik take part with their Þ'l, and that is when Spring goes into Winter. It is considered the 'last meal before the storm', and for good reason. Thanks to the colder temperatures of the oceans as things begin to cool off, it triggers billions of phytoplankton to rise to the surface that shimmer a bio-luminescence when agitated.
The Kig'çyoh flock by the hundreds swimming past, almost as if performing a ballet in the waters whilst eating. Thanks to the sheer beauty of this natural spectacle, the Sk'älik get to strut their stuff, as it were, as their Þ'l join in on the feast as well. Since it is so vibrant, and a such a sight to see, it is not uncommon that people will venture out in boats to witness it and get close to the action. In all truth, it is so well attended and looked forward to that it may as well be a holiday. This event happens to the south of the Emerald Isles and the South Western tip of Uwhang.
.png){kind=small}
Krêk'h (cray-kuh)
added by Morgan
Krék'h are a large marine reptile. Once the pride and joy of Giyu husbandry, Krék'h are known as animals capable of large oceanic cargo, as well as living weapons as they have an agility in the depths when they feel threatened that none would like to meet. These formidable creatures are also capable of spraying ink as a defensive mechanism and inhaling large pockets of water into sacs hidden within their cheeks, and expelling it at high pressure.
Krék'h offer Tam'nýer—a''an's a multitude of commodities, despite once being used as Giyu beasts of burden. When a Krék'h decomposes, some of their decomposition waste ends up on shore as Krék'h glass (more on this under Gems/Rocks/Minerals), and the Sk'älik have learned to harvest Krék'h ink to turn it into an alcoholic indulgence so strong that it is considered illegal across all of Tam'nýer—a', except of course, B'hărăbû.
Ky’Tir’Nem (kai-tyr-neem)
One of the most dangerous beasts of Tam’nýer-a', these magnificent big cats are ruthless killers and feared by the Khah’ throughout the Sky-Coral Sea, but can also be found in the Emerald Isles.
Despite their impressive size (9 to 11 feet in length, including the tail), they have adapted to the thick canopy of trees with an impeccable night vision and are the stealthiest hunters, so much that Khah’ children are never left to play alone, lest they be snatched away. They are known to be hunting in packs of three to five at night, while during the day they are lazing away hidden on the jungle floor. They also can be found swimming along the coast line during summer, and fishermen have seen them chasing the Grásh.
A small blessing is that the Ky’Tir’Nem are highly repulsed by the Spring Rot Trees, which also explains why the Khah’ use them so much as a source of light for their family trees and why the sight of the Spring Rot Trees is so comforting to the Khah’ children. Because they are so strong and agile, killing a Ky’Tir’Nem is considered a remarkable warrior feat, even if the creature is still small or is older in age. Ky’Tir’Nem have a very long lifespan for a beast, and can live up one Tam’nýer-a’’n year, although very few have actually been found to reach that age.
The reason, beyond the danger of the Sisynum T'enaks and their poison, to which the Ky’Tir’Nem are very vulnerable, is that the females would often fight amongst themselves and kill each other for a male. When this happens, the jungle is alive with the sounds of the struggle and terrifying yowling can be heard.
Lão Crab (lah-ow)
Funky coloured crabs that come out during specific times of year. Lão crabs bury in the sand, high up from shore and only come out during times of year when there is true night, as they are nocturnal. However, during these times of year when they actually travel across the sand, it is considered harvest time. Lão crabs are a major treat as they are rather delicious.
Plump, juicy crab meat with a faint honeyed flavour make them perfect to eat cooked or smoked. Lão crab meat is also used for a specific dish; Lão Purses. The crab meat is packed into thin pastry and wrapped up as if a small coin pouch. Hence, the name Lão Purses. Aside from food, sometimes Lão crab shells are cleaned and used to make colourful brooches.
Lão crabs walk along the beaches of northern Sky-Coral Sea, the northern Emerald Isles, and at the base of the
T-'a'Ţăs'múr mountains.
Lopikăş (low-pee-k-ahw-s)
Lopikăş may look ominous and terrifying, but are actually quite docile in nature, only becoming hostile when feeling trapped or endangered. To keep up their beautiful colours, they eat a numerous amount of things including grub, flowers, and the bones of cadavers with their four protruding teeth.
The outside of their body, on the green side, is an incredibly tough, spiked carapace, which in turn allows Lopikăş' to sleep with minimal worry about predators.
Their wingspan is about 2.9 m (9.5 ft) on average, so Lopikăş are quite large, and not to be reckoned with due to their size, although some have been known to form a relationship with particular people if they leave food out for them.
They reside mainly in the Sky-Coral Sea, grazing the canopies, but also live amongst the lush Emerald Isles. Being neighbors of the Khah' they have a reciprocal relationship as they will come 'pick up' the bones of the animals the Khah' use for food. In this sense, it is garbage disposal for the Khah' and food for the Lopikăş; sharing is caring.
Meyexiu (may-e-juu)
Meyexiu are large clams that love to live at the bottom of perilous crags and underneath large coral growths. These colourful creatures range from 61cm (2 ft) to 84cm (2.75 ft). They are quite hefty, and while that might translate as good eating to some, the primary use of Meyexio is to harvest their byssus, or spit fibres that attach them to whatever they decide to moor themselves to. That's because this byssus is actually the source of where Tam'nýer—a' gets its silk from.
Farming Meyexiu byssus is a highly profitable but deadly profession thanks to where they like to live. They adore the mix of cold to mildly warm waters, and seem to prefer strong currents as part of their habitat. Thanks to this the tend to live wherever there are many islands, providing the rocky areas they tend to cling to. This includes the Emerald Isles, Southern Sky-Coral Sea and the Southern Ãoni Coastal region. However, on the rare occasion they have been found in Eastern T-'a'Ţăs'múr as well.
These beautiful creatures also reveal a light show during the night time as their lips can pulsate glittering rainbow patterns along the exposed flesh there. Though as to why, no one has any idea.
Miphak (mee-faq)
Cute and chattering like crazy, these little ones do not exceed the size of a kitten and are equally as fluffy! Miphak are native to the Sky-Coral Sea, as well as the Emerald Isles. While they might be adorable looking and quite small, they make up for it in numbers as they live in colonies of 60-70 monkeys with a highly hierarchical structure revolving around a monkey “queen”.
Miphak are extremely territorial and protective of their young and their ‘Queen’. They have no qualms to attack from the treetops by throwing various objects, and making an enormous racket, which will invariably attract the Ky’Tir’Nem. Once the Ky’Tir’Nem appear on the scene, that’s when they tend to scatter to let the Ky’Tir’Nem do the bloody work for them.
Such devious minds are viewed as a delicacy by the Khah’, particularly Miphak brains cooked with Drîmos in what may seem like a pudding to us, are served at special occasions and official receptions in the Sky-Coral Sea.
Through a series of curious events, the Miphak have also been brought to, and have acclimated to ZàÞça. Both in ZàÞça and the various port cities of the Sky-Coral Sky, Mihpak are renowned for forming special tribes of little thieves in the tourist markets. The chittering Miphak have learned to act cute and cuddly and brazenly ask for
pets and food. However, once they are indulged, they steal shiny things such as jewelry, and disappear fast as lightning. They do this so that they can bargain them back to poor suckers to get more of what they want.
Miphak are also good parrots. They have no problems picking up words, including a few swear words, though they do seem particularly fond of “Hadrat!” and have inadvertently become somewhat of a tourist attraction.
Pelican
Mirzum (meer-z-um)
Primarily greens, teals and golds, Mirzum are beautiful creatures appearing mostly like our Dragonflies here on Earth. However, in Tam'nýer—a', Mirzum are half the size of ours, and tend to swarm more so throughout their life or travel in pairs. They tend to live for 2 Tam'nýer—a''n days (20 earth days), and they live off of eating other small insects, or decaying corpses. Mirzum love to lay their eggs in dark crevices, be it slightly damp or dry, so if coming upon a corpse, they will either place their eggs in the mouth or crawl into the lungs. It's not exactly a pretty process, but they are still rather beautiful insects, so many tend to ignore this part of what they do, though it is common knowledge.
M’jex’sûh (ma-jex-su-he)
M’jex’sûh are Tam'nýer—a'’s version of mosquitoes, which flourish during the Spring (Lo'Qît) and Summer (Žraăst'e) season especially. Both the Sky-Coral Sea (Legs continent) and the Emerald Isles are especially plagued by the minuscule beasts, but Püertagœ, Fawzia-Kedet & B'hărăbû (the Lungs continent) and Rīdhaūñaī (Heart continent) can also be affected occasionally.
M’jex’sûh are especially dangerous however, because their bite inserts tiny eggs under the skin, and after an incubation period of two Tam'nýer—a'’n days, hundreds of new M’jex’sûh would eat their way out, leaving tiny but ugly cicatrices. This seems to affect Humans, Ṅkhya'jra and Khah’ the most as their skins are not protected by fur and is more sensitive and sweeter to the tiny beasts. The M’jex’sûh are luckily the main source of food for the Pig’lǿdsž though, so they tend not to live very long. Thank the Gods!
Nîcrraß (knee-crass)
If you weren't brought up in an area that has Nîcrraß, upon first seeing them you might be intrigued and minorly horrified. Nîcrraß are brightly pastel coloured in order to mimic the sun reflecting off the snow and other environments during sunsets in particular as a form of odd technicolour camoflauge. They have hundreds of legs, all seemingly fragile, but move like no other whether it be up or down mountains and across burning hot desert sand as their feet move swiftly and never seem to get burned.
Nîcrraß are roughly 3.35m to 4.25m (11-14ft) in length, and are anywhere from 1.22m-1.8m (4-6ft) high off the ground, they move incredibly fast.. They also have odd faces with fly-like eyes that eat up seventy-five percent of their face. Though they do tend to be quite chattery creatures through clicks, they can also try and take breaks if their riders aren't strict enough, to clean their antennae leisurely. Nîcrraß also survive in all climates, although will be differently coloured dependent upon the species of the genus and which temperature it lives in.
Quirks aside, their size, and speed make them perfect mass pack animals for terrains deemed difficult. They can also transport multiple people, although going above three is not recommended as the Nîcrraß might get agitated and begin to act up, or in a worst case scenario lash out.
Nyu'Kai (n-you-k-eye)
added by Yuki
Nyu'Kai are hefty creatures that have a lot of strength. Growing up to 7-8 feet (2.13-2.43 meters) and weighing a ton on average, it might be surprising that they can live up to 480 Earth years (16 T. years). Mostly living in swamp-like areas or places that have a lot of water and humidity, they are creatures that can live on land or even in the sea. Able to transport heavy loads through deep water swamps, they have a large water bladder that keeps them easily afloat and can breathe underwater with the gills that are placed on their neck and sides of their torso. These animals are more amphibious than anything and require the ability to access water at all times as to not dry out. Drying out won't kill them, but it is very uncomfortable for them and can make them agitated.
Mostly found in the Legs, Ribs and Arms continents, they are very helpful for the transportation of goods as well as being animals used for farming, so much so that some villages choose to capture them and domesticate them. Their webbed feet assist them in moving unhindered in deep water.
With their amphibious and aquatic nature, they have soft, but tough skin that holds moisture well and they are normally hard to miss. Their colors can go from a wide range of blues and purples, to yellows and greens and often have fin like additions that are brightly colored. The males have large horns atop their heads to attract mates and have bio-luminescence in patterns along their whole body. Females on the other hand might have small horns that bump out of their skull by a few inches, and do not have any bio-luminescent spots. Instead, the females tend to have slightly more dull colors and more anemone like fur on their forms, mostly along their back. This lack of luminescence is also good when the female is pregnant or leading her babes in the waters or dense jungle.
Their diet consists of mostly rocks and coral, able to crush them down fine with their strong molars and can absorb the nutrients and minerals in them. They are grazing animals, but rarely eat normal flora as a full meal.
Pig’lodsž (pig-low-du-sh)
added by Dorian
Pig’lodsž, or Pigs as they are affectionately be called, are tiny birds (not more than four centimetres in length) which live in large colonies and migrate between the northern and the southern hemispheres following the Spring (Lo'Qît). Upon their arrival in the southern hemisphere they quickly settle and build their nests, and remain for the Summer (Žraăst'e) season as well.
Pig’lodsž are extremely well liked all over Tam'nýer—a' because of their delightful chirruping and singing, and children tend to be taught by their parents how to attract Pig’lodsž to their garden with a simple gift of Zyţ, which the Pig’lodsž love to eat. The small birds will also eat sweet nectar from flowers and small insects, a bonus to get rid of the pesky M’jex’sûh!
Q'wold (k-wool-d-ye)
Q'wolḑ are a type of spiders. Due to their habitat, need to stay warm, so they are constantly on the move, searching for food. On the occasion they will set up shop, as it were, and weave a web not quite how you would imagine. Considering their voracious diets, their bodies transform the blood that they ingest and store the metals in the blood of their prey that they have a hard time digesting. In turn, Q'wolḑ might also stop and make a web simply because they have too much of a build up of metals and causes them pain similar to that of being impacted in the bowels. So, they make a home to relieve the pressure. Their metallic webs are rather cool to the touch, but are extremely malleable when warmed, slightly above body temperature, meaning that if you sat on it for long enough it'd melt, making it extremely easy to work with.
There are various types of the Q'wolḑ spider. Some live in the deserts of Trótskarr, burying themselves in the sand during the day, and coming out when the temperatures drop below freezing at night. They also reside in the high altitudes of T-'a'Ţăs'múr. It may sound odd as the metals they produce are softer when heated, however without the metal in a liquid state, it is easier to move around. They will wiggle or dance to heat themselves up enough to make it malleable once more in order to spin their webs. Or, soak up the evening sun.
रक़्वह्र् · Raqwahr (rak-wa-ar)
Say hello to Tam'nýer—a’'s first lizard, the रक़्वह्र् (Raqwahr). Native to the Emerald Isles and Rīdhaūñaī, the Raqwarh is not larger than a man’s palm, and tends to be incredibly fast and difficult to catch. It is, however, a favorite of the Nkhya'jra, not as a pet or for any religious purposes, but as a food delicacy. Deep fried in Noor’liès oil, fungi and all, it is served to honored guests or in special occasions, and is eaten whole, starting with the head.
The flavour is akin to fried chicken, but the fungus would actually differ in color and taste depending on where the Raqwahr comes from. If from Rīdhaūñaī, the fungi would taste slightly tangy and bitter, as opposed to the Raqwahr caught in the Emerald Isles, which would taste sweeter with a tart aftertaste. A third flavor, akin to an alcoholic pickle, is obtained by marinating the Raqwahr with Takhir̀-cha', and then fermenting it.
Rönela'g (roo-neh-lah-g)
added by Jzork
Rönela'g are fiesty, territorial, and semi-aquatic toad-like creatures that are known for their absolute hatred for just about every other living thing. Despite this innate dislike, they are adorably small, relative to the size of a small dog growing up to 2 feet wide, and 1 foot tall; though don’t be fooled, they can weigh up to 20 pounds! Needless to say, they are a versatile species, able to thrive anywhere where predators can't effectively kill it. Their bodies are coated in thick, slimy hide and acid sacs, they're resistant to poison, stubborn, and generally avoided.
Normally, Rönela'g hide in pools of water or under foliage and sit around not doing anything, and unless aggravated, Rönela'g will simply take up space, eating whatever critter comes too close. From insects, to birds, to even small mammals and reptiles, as well as others of its own species, so long as it is its size or smaller. Whatever is eaten is broken down almost completely, either into nutrients or acid which the creature stores in the special sacs all over its body. If they eat enough, they can go many days without having to seek another meal.
The most vulnerable stages of the Rönela'g are the egg, tadpole, and adolescent stages. During these stages, the toad is not fully grown and developed, and doesn't have the glands fully developed for acid production. Only when it reaches full-adulthood does it have the capacity to break down its food into acidic chemicals. They lay clusters of eggs in ponds and standing pools of water in order to maximize the chances of their offspring surviving. Unfortunately, this often leads to competition between siblings due to size, and usually the most vile and strong Rönela'g will make it to adulthood. Cannibalism is common among the species.
When threatened, Rönela'g will flare up a bright pink and purple color, agitating the acid within their body to glow and make its enemies wary. The acid sacs will burst under enough pressure, releasing the chemicals stored inside. The best place to strike a Rönela'g is on its underside, which is devoid of these sacs. Flipping it over, however, can often be understood as 'not worth the effort' as the Rönela'g can also disperse acid through its bite.
When it is time to move, Rönela'g will hop slowly and heavily across versatile terrain until they find a new resting place at which to stay. It is considered a bad omen if you see a Rönela'g hopping across a path or road, some consider it a warning that they need to take a different route to their intended destination, or perhaps a new view point as to why they are going somewhere.
Rönela'gs in captivity are uncommon, because they're a hassle to care for (obviously) and will not live with any other type of pet - anything smaller than itself, that is. It's said that only the loneliest of folks consider Rönela'g for a pet, but many who have interest in creating deadly concoctions take the creature in to harvest it's acid, which can be cultivated in different potency levels depending on the diet the toad is given. If you want to have a Rönela'g as a 'pet's, the best stage to start at is tadpole stage, where they're more easily caught and contained.
Rönela'g are excellent at pest control too, as they will eat up insects of all sorts in large quantities, invasive critters (akin to mice and rats), even birds that stray too close. Wild Rönela'g are strictly carnivorous, but captive Rönela'g will not object to fruit, though they cannot subsist on fruits alone. This is because they cannot break down fruits as well as meats, and consequently makes the acid it produces rather sweet to taste - if low enough in potency to taste, that is.
If you're looking for a compassionate creature, Rönela'g are rather indifferent, but know the hand that feeds them and won't bite its caretaker. Home intruders may be caught off-guard by a riled-up Rönela'g and end up sustaining serious burns or loss of tissue. Rönela'g can also detect poison and it's own acid in drinks. Also, giving it a sip of something noxious will rile it up and make it change color.
The acid produced by a domestic Rönela'g has many uses, both as a potent toxin and as a solvent. It can be used to strip flesh from bones on carcasses, destroy invasive fungi and plants, and at its
lowest potency, cause a bad stomach-ache and mild rashes. Someone even found a way to sell sweetened acid as a way to attract (and kill) unwary critters.
Rülc · Ülschefa (ree-ew-l-k · e-ule-chef-ah)
Rülc are truly hidden gems amongst the fauna of Tam'nýer—a', and that's a double meaning. This is because Rülc tend to live in caves until they are done their metamorphosis, so they legitimately hide for a good portion of their life, and it is arguably the more mesmerizing part of their life.
Rülc begin as larva, birthed individually along the roof of caves, and to the Rülc the darker the better. This is because of the way the larva feed. Latching onto the rocky surface with feet like grappling hooks, which is what ultimately kills the parent as it is birthed, the larva will feast upon the body of its deceased parent.
When hungry once more, the cave turns into a glittering mural. This is because the Rülc rely on their bioluminescence to attract their prey. Dripping mucus textured filaments act as fishing lures. Many insects fall for the trap and are snapped up in the glue that is their line. Over time, the trapped insect will be reeled in and devoured.
The Rülc feast like this for 1 Tam'nýer—a''n week until they are ready to pupate. It takes another week to fully transform into the stunning Ülschefa (e-ule-chef-ah), which we finally get to see. While no longer bioluminescent, the Ülschefa carry an iridescence, as if a leftover from their larvae stage.
Sisynum T'enaks (see-sin-um · tuh-nah-kuh-s)
Beautiful, alluring, deadly; the Sisynum T'enaks is a wondrous creature to behold, but dangerous to approach. Relying heavily upon camouflage, the creature rests in and amongst the forest, as well as, jungle growth, portraying itself as one of the many florae. If an animal gets too close it will strike swiftly, piercing through tough hide if the animal is big, or engulfing a small one and hanging on with it's 'taloned feet'.
Once pierced, the prey is injected with a virulent poison taking only seconds to start affecting the poor creature with acute sluggishness, dizziness, and blurred vision. This usually is followed by cold sweats, if said prey can indeed perspire, and a shutting down of major systems such as respiration. That being said, they do not chase their prey, and rather wait till an animal is sniffing it, or relieving themselves next to it or on it.
With this poisoning system lies a more insidious purpose. Whenever a Sisynum T'enaks kills its prey it has the option to also impregnate the animal it is killing. Little eggs which will hatch into carnivorous larvae will be planted within the blood stream of the prey and whatever is not devoured by the adult will be food for the babies to consume during their gestation period.
Sisynum T'enaks hunt alone or in groups appearing as a flower bush and are regarded as one of the deadliest creatures to grace Tam'nýer—a'. They vary in size, but the average is 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) in diameter of the main 'flower' body. These measurements do not include the tendrils with taloned feet.
Skulqc (skull-ck)
While Skulqc are beautiful creatures, they are mostly house pests. As temperatures fall and we tend to get a small invasion of spiders and mice trying to stay warm for the winter, Tam’nýer-a’’n homes tend to get pestered by Skulqc. For some, they are terrifying, and would rather hop onto a chair and scream at one. For others, they are simply a nuisance to either kill or capture to release back outside. For others though, they tend to use them to their benefit, and then become a nuisance themselves.
What do I mean? Well, especially in the dens of Fawzia-Kedet, ZàÞça, and the lower Rings of Püertagœ, not to mention the generic streets of B'hărăbû, (but even ॠधऊञई · Rīdhaūña, surprisingly amongst the rich mostly like we drink wine) the Skulqc are a welcome treat to those looking to escape their situation or horrors of the past by grinding them up, and smoking them. That’s right! Skulqc, these beautiful living creatures, get captured, ground up, and smoked, because they have hallucinogenic properties.
The high last anywhere from 10-14 candlemarks (depending on how much, of course), and tends to turn your natural visual saturation up, with the added bonus of making everything seem as though it is dancing to whatever tune you got kicking around in your head. This gets further intensified if you happen to be listening to music, or walking through a populate market street. Sound seems to make everything ‘buzz’, but while it might make things too intense for some, the colours are to die for. The drug is known on the streets as “Heart“, and yes, this is a play on Y'ljnöx and them smoking a piece of their parents’ heart, as overdosing is very much an issue.
Their use as a drug aside, Skulqc live in little families, and have litters of 1-4 babies. They also live up to 1 earth year, meaning they can be quite a hassle, unless you wanna perpetuate the drug trade. Given how virulent their infestations can be though, that also means that the drug problem that they raise is just as virulent, if not worse.
And just in case you were wondering, yes they still sting, and yes, the sting is poisonous. Luckily though, their sting is like a wasp’s. It hurts like hell, it swells up like the dickens, but only if you have a specific allergy will it possibly kill you. Some can react very badly to a Skulqc’s sting, and it best if you have a milk bath with honey. It’s expensive, but it oddly seems to draw out some of the poison, reducing the symptoms. No matter what though, if you get stung, it’s probably best to put your feet up for the rest of the day and take it easy. You don’t want that poison rushing all at once to your heart, otherwise, allergy or not, you may not see the next Hour.
ßnuwg (ss-new-g)
ßnuwg are incredibly docile creatures as they tend to be overly trusting of slow approaches and easily manipulated by the mere offering of food. However, if they hear twigs snapping, they will go running. No sudden sounds and you could probably stand in a field surrounded by a small pack of them if you have food. While these sweet creatures are more akin to our deer here on Earth, you can feed them like birds.
However, the bonus to them is that they won’t eat all the flowers in your garden. In fact, ßnuwg are probably more after the weeds that grow, grass and the insects that happen to be on their food when they eat as a bonus treat. ßnuwg can live basically anywhere except for the mountains given that they are not suited for extreme climates with thin air. They breath quite heavily, and require as much oxygen as possible, or they tend to faint. Mind you, some ßnuwg can also be found fainting as a defense mechanism.
On the topic of defense mechanisms, while ßnuwg are for the most part herbivores, ßnuwg can run long distances. They may not be the fastest, but their endurance is key to their survival. If a predator cannot catch them quickly, they can certainly waste too much energy chasing after them because ßnuwg would laugh at some people’s goal of taking a mere 10,000 steps a day. On average a ßnuwg will run 4 kilometers (roughly 2.5 miles) because they heard a branch crack, and nothing more. This also means that they have no qualms traveling long distances to reach a new food or water source.
Tzlivy (tiz-li-vay)
One of the most interesting animals in Tam'nýer—a’, the Tzlivy can be found in the Sky-Coral Sea, and very rarely in Rīdhaūñaī, where food is more difficult to find for them. The Tzlivy live on ants and small worms, which are found in abundance in the Sky-Coral Sea. They are blind and therefore function based on a heightened sense of taste developed in their trunk as well as by sensing the vibrations around them with their antennae.
Their particular appearance allows them to blend seamlessly in the green foliage, and their skin is capable of changing color slightly, making them extremely difficult to spot, especially in the dim light of the jungle. They are viviparous, meaning they reproduce by giving birth to live babies. The babies are born devoid of legs in their first week of life, making them extremely dependent on their parents and living within a pouch that they are literally birthed into for further development. This is the moment when the Khah’ are able to most easily find the Tzlivy and capture them.
Due to the mothers and babies being easiest to capture because of how much the weight of a newborn can slow them down, there is obviously very strict rules on how many can be hunted per mating season. Ultimately, these animals are used by the Khah’ as an important source of good-quality protein, with the meat being dried and turned into jerky, and also for their very fine leather. The leather is tanned and used to produce the uniforms for the Khah'Xia's guard and can be applied to heavier armor when out on patrol to borrow the camouflage.
Trýpña (tree-p-nya)
Trýpña are solitary creatures. Seemingly odd, but adorable (depending on your viewpoint), they are reserved, quiet and like to be left alone. You can observe them from afar, and they won't mind you - much like a heron. However, loud noises will make them skitter away, and boy do they ever! Trýpña can move lightning fast when they believe they are in danger and they will jolt away for quite a distance, which is surprising when their normal speed is very relaxed, as if they have all the time in the world.
Despite looking and behaving docile, it is best to keep your distance as the Trýpña can be deceiving. For instance, if you venture too close, rather than run away they might try to bite you and if they succeed, it's game over. You see, the Trýpña has fangs like a snake, and they are venomous. The Trýpña's venom paralyzes its victims and it's not simply a paralyzation that keeps your outer extremities from moving, it paralyzes to the point that your ribs cannot expand, ultimately stopping you from breathing and you're powerless to stop it. While this is terrifying, it is great for the Trýpña to capture its prey, as it lives off of small rodents & fish, as it is more akin to a salamander on earth. It can live in both shallow water and on land.
As from all this, and how dangerous the Trýpña can be, they are actually a source of economic value to the denizens of Tam'nýer—a’ as they provide one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. You see, while their bite can kill you, their venom is also coveted because the venom, in incredibly small quantities (think like a couple of drops max!), is used as a botox-like substance, as it stiffens and paralyzes the skin getting rid of things such as wrinkles & sagging skin, making one look youthful. Of course, this job is not for the faint of heart, but it also pays incredibly well - as it should.
Uklara (you-clara)
Uklara are an odd sort of fuzzy lizard. They can travel long distances, snacking on insects as they walk by, requiring only to stop in order to drink. Their spines are reinforced, as they carry a double-spine naturally. This is assumed to be a physical defense developed over the years as they are solely a jungle dwelling animal, and felled trees are nature's way of clearing out the old to make room for the new.
Uklara are ground dwelling animals, but have claws in order to climb trees to escape larger predators. The claws also help them for gaining traction on the jungle floor when running. This is also emphasized by the long legs that can help them crouch low to the ground when necessary, and keep the brush from injuring their bellies.
These beautiful creatures are the main beasts of burden and transportation to the Khah' peoples.
उजखसि · Ujakhasi(oo-j-kah-see)
The Ujakhasi are magnificent colorful birds, some say the last remnants of a world where Gods were alive and walking in Tam'nýer—a'. The males and the females of the species have different colorings, however, and it is debatable which are most beautiful. The females, with their red and blue aesthetic, are visually more striking, while the males have more green in their tail feathers. All of them are coveted for their feathers by all races and, due to them replacing their feathers every year, there is a belief that their flesh cannot rot, making them 'eternal', ergo an animal of the Gods.
For this reason, the Ujakhasi are very prominent in Nkhya'jran culture, where they are deemed sacred and untouchable. It is indeed fortunate that in the Heart continent these birds are given sanctuary, because elsewhere (can be found everywhere except the Pelvis, Feet and Arms continents), they are less protected. Their bones have healing properties when ground into dust, and this dust has recently begun to
be used as a primer for makeup as well, to make blush appear brighter. Over all, they have practically disappeared from the Mountains and the northern parts outside of ॠधऊञई · Rīdhaūñaī, and the numbers are decreasing every year in the Lungs continent.
The Nkhya'jra allow for the feathers to be gathered, but the birds themselves are only killed in a ritual manner, and very sparingly, more as an offering to the Gods or to the Monarch than for any practical use. Because the Heart continent has turned into a sanctuary for them, they can breed unimpeded by poachers. The Ujakhasi are a very familiar sight, especially in the cities, where they are fed and pampered by adults and children alike.
The Ujakhasi breed once a Tam'nýer—a’’n month, all at the same time as if they were synchronized by some invisible force, and their courting rituals involve elaborate dances between the males and females, which some believe may have inspired some of the Nkhya'jran traditional dances. Because for some reason males are more common, seeing several green Ujakhasi dancing around a red and blue colored once is a typical sight in ॠधऊञई · Rīdhaūñaī at that time of the month.
Vîkaţ (vee-cats)
Did you ever find yourself asking how Storytellers actually relayed messages to the Empress of the Sky-Coral Sea? I mean, one can't have Khah' simply standing around, hovering like a shadow – especially when Storytellers impart important communiqués via Scorch Marks. That wouldn't be good to have permanently attached to ones flesh.
Admittedly, the Khah' have help from a well kept secret, and this secret has little issue with avoiding the dangers of the jungle floor. Lopikăş, however, yes.
The Vîkaţ are small creatures that live 4-7 per 'house'. The term 'house' is used loosely however because these houses could be more explained as min-castles. They prefer their homes to be attached to branches, and in exchange for their messaging services, a Storyteller houses their home and provides food and warmth for them. The homes vary in style, and it might help to think of them as Southeast Asia's Spirit Houses.
Vîkaţ are of course are held in high esteem by the Khah' peoples, and children have been known to play with them, or be watched over by them as they sleep. It is considered a blessing if they visit you or land on a finger. But this domesticity does not lessen their importance. They are key in keeping the Empress apprised of what it going on throughout the Federation she rules over, as a mother does to an egg.
Vîkaţ measure up to be 8-10cm (2.75-3.5 inches) in length, so they are very small, hence why Lopikăş tend to eat them, if they can catch one, but it is usually by accident as they don't even serve as an appetizer for the large carapaced animals.
Each Vîkaţ that lives with and is under the protection of a Storyteller wears a particular colour and intricate design of tassel. Every Storyteller has their own colour configuration and style so that everyone receiving a Scorch Mark delivered by a Vîkaţ will know which Storyteller is communicating with them.
Vriksum (v-rick-some)
These beautiful beasts are huge. They are the gentle giants of the Sky-Coral Sea and Emerald Isles. Weighing 300-700kg (661-1,543lbs) and measuring 1.5-2m (4.9-6.6ft) from the ground to their shoulders, definitely looking larger than life. With six eyes, large fern-like antlers, and a pelt more appropriate of belonging to a wolf with it's winter coat, yet a stag's body, they are awe inspiring, it is best to keep a distance as they can be quite territorial and if they feel you are too close, they will howl at you in warning before daring to charge. That's right, they howl. In fact, they are actually fans of singing, and this is because they sing to attract mates. At least, the men do. The bigger the lungs, the longer a boy can hold a note, the more likely he will get to breed. But once a female approaches, she will judge for a flowing mane as well. Gotta have lungs and looks, Hun.
The stranger thing is a Vriksum's diet. Their favourite is coming across an ant mound, but they do settle for leaves of ferns and trees as well, and all the better if it's caterpillar season because they are filled with lots of protein and fat for the Vriksum On top of all this, it should be noted that Vriksum are hunted, in moderation, as they not only provide a village with a lot of meat, their thick hides prove to be decent blankets, their fat is good for making butter, and males lose their reproductive organs for the sake of making Tam'nýer—a''n whiskey. Needless to say, Vriksum are prized animals dead or alive.
X'miasxu (ksu-mi-az-ksu)
Eggs are used to cure mild poisons & toxins.
This colourful snake is so tiny that it can literally stay wrapped around your finger or wrist, like a colourful ribbon. It is not poisonous, except to the isolated Ãoni, which is not a problem for the most part since there are none on the Ãoni Coast. The X'miasxu eats fruit, fungi and any type of food you may eat as well. This makes the X'miasxu quite useful as a food-taster by the more paranoid, as well as a pet. If food is rotten, toxic or poisoned, the scales of the X'miasxu would turn from their lovely pink-magenta color they have normally to a sickly shade of yellow.
The species is originally from the northern continent, but it has spread everywhere because the tiny X'miasxu are highly resilient and can adapt to almost any condition. Just give them good things to eat and they will be your friends forever. The X'miasxu breed by laying eggs, which need to incubate for a full day. The X'miasxu eggs themselves are highly sought after because they actually act as an antidote to most mild poisons and toxins, except the most virulent or fast-acting ones. However, as with most mild poisons and antidotes, it all depends on the quantity, so eating the X'miasxu eggs won’t save anyone if they have already ingested a lot of poison.
Ycemneijéu (ye-sim-neh-e-juh-uh)
Ycemneijéu are a species of Tam'nýer—a' that vary in not only sizes but colours. Some are relative to a human's size, and so tower over all species. But no matter the size, Ycemneijéu, while they may have been wild and aggressive beasts millennia before, have been domesticated over time, being herded as working animals or, for some (farmers in particular), viewed as pets.
However, by now you're probably thinking why would anyone domesticate that? And the grizzly truth is is that Ycemneijéu are actually Tam'nýer—a' 's version of cows, meaning we get milk from them. This 'milk' is referred to as Ynéijusx.
Ycemneijéu have a high tolerance to temperatures and an ability to adapt, which is probably why they have been around for so long, even without the help of any of Tam'nýer—a''s races. It should be noted though that their least favourite weather is cold, as it tends to give them arthritis-like pains. Oddly enough, they have been known to chirr when pleased, and hiss when in a bad mood. Hissing is very apparent when you might try and use a Ycemneijéu to plow a field. It will behave for a while, but don't expect it to be happy about it after half an acre.These beautiful, had working animals live for an average of half a Tam'nýer—a''n year (15 earth years).
Ylazmŏl (ee-laz-mool)
The Ylazmŏl are Tam'nýer—a’s variety of bees and are clearly an extremely colorful species of insects. Larger than regular bees, they can come in neon green, vibrant red, brilliant teal and electric purple. As they age, becoming elderly, they get fuzzy, and their wings take on their primary color as well. Their colorful visuals are not the only thing special about them, though. As normal bees do, the Ylazmŏl are social creatures which live in swarms and build themselves intricate nests. However, based on the continent they are living in, they have adapted in various ways.
The Ylazmŏl living in the northern territories hibernate during winter in gigantic nests they make by burrowing into old dead trees. Called गरण (garana) by the Nkhya'jra. They are larger than average, and also very aggressive if disturbed. The Ylazmŏl living in the territories between the two Becal Curtains are smaller in size and have stings that seem very minute to sentient races, where as predator animals may die, which makes them much easier to manage in apiaries. Those in the southern continents are smallest in size, but extremely aggressive.
The Ylazmŏl make their nests from a substance similar in its consistency to silly putty, called Ylaz (ee-laz), which they produce themselves in various colors (the same neon green, vibrant red, brilliant teal and electric purple). As the Ylaz dries, the Ylazmŏl abandon their nests and go on to build another, and another. The abandoned nests are collected, soaked in water to make them malleable again and used for the production of ceramics, which are then glazed and burned in the oven to produce plates and vases, or ceramic tiles. They retain their color for a long time, and if glazed and burned properly they are extremely durable.
Yz'jîdtho (ye-zz-jee-duh-tuh)
Yz'jîdtho are massive, massive fish, which in our terms would be better to classify as a whale. Yz'jîdtho resemble koi fish and have an odd tendency to constantly move from warm to cold waters. They prefer living in cold waters, but go to warmer waters to eat. Of course, an animal this size requires a lot of fuel, but they don't discriminate. They'll eat tons of plankton a day, mixed with large sized fish. If it swims, it's food. And be prepared to potentially be mistaken as it if you tend to be in a dingy. They have no qualms breaking the surface of water.
The most dangerous thing about a Yz'jîdtho is that they are exceptionally fast swimmers, despite their size, in warmer waters. This is due to their need to catch so much food within a day's time to keep living. In fact, if you start seeing a quickly growing whirlpool in the distance, it's not the weather, it's a Yz'jîdtho herding a school of fish to eat! So, don't get caught up in one, or you and your ship will become dinner. Who said whirlpools are only caused by ocean tides, and land jutting out?
ဝတဆ · Watacha (wha-ta-chuh)
suggested by Woona
ဝတဆ · Watacha is a vital underwater (seemingly plant) animal throughout all the oceans. There are multiple reasons as to why the Watacha is so useful, but the primary reason is the ecosystem is that fish brush against the Watacha because it is sticky. This means that the microbes and algae that can be harmful to the fish stick to it, and it is a symbiotic relationship because the Watacha feeds off of these microbes.
However, its stickiness is also why the Sk'älik harvest it. Its consistency is similar to that of sticky hands (the toy on Earth) and it is used to ship large amounts of P'ee K'äh. To help understand the process goes like this; the plant is harvested, and cut up into small pieces for use. Ever get a new card in the mail and it's sticky-tacked to the paper? It acts exactly like that, but is placed in between each P’ee K’äh, which is then compiled into disks of currency for shipment.
In addition to this, once the P’ee K’äah is shipped, the tack can be removed and put into a massive ball for sake keeping. This also alludes to the fact that it is reusable. Although, it should be said that over a Tam’nýer-a’’n month’s time, (3.5 earth years), it will become brittle and break down, unless one stores the unused bits in water, and then it should never break down until perhaps 3 Tam’nýer-a’’n months later (roughly 10 earth years) because of age, wear & tear and natural decomposition.
Watacha Can grow both inside the Becal Curtains and on the outside, however in the salt water, it can feel more coarse, and grows small, but in larger quantities. Whereas within the Becal Curtain it grows much bigger and bulbous, but in underwater type bushes, rather than widespread.
Wôrdiţ (w-uh-a-r-dee-tz)
The Wôrdiţ is a deer-like species sporting reddish brown hides and four spindly legs that are good for galloping at fast speeds. Unlike most species on Earth, both the Males and Females of the Wôrdiţ grow horns.
They can measure anywhere from 4.5 - 7.75 feet in length and weigh 243 - 677 lbs.
The species prefer to eat reeds as they provide a high protein count and therefore must eat less in a shorter amount of time to become full. This also makes them grazers as they must feed throughout the day in order to stay healthy. When it comes to hydration, however, the Wôrdiţ are exceptionally equipped to handle droughts as their throats are lined with glands which naturally absorb some of the water that they drink to save it for later. Due to this, a Wôrdiţ can last 4-6 days without water intake.
Males become sexually mature anywhere during the period of being 3 to 4 years of age, while the Females of the species can become pregnant any time after their first year. There is no specific breeding season for the Wôrdiţ, however, with a recent study it has been found that they are more likely to copulate during the ever changing raining seasons. We can only assume that this is due to the prosperity of lush grasslands supplying an ample amount of food for them. Unfortunately, while potentially being coerced by nature's rain to breed, the gestation period is 6 months, when the rains may have stopped entirely.
This precarious risk is exploited by the Humans as they can keep track of multiple families and when the creature is in need with a new calf, they can take them in and begin the domestication process. It is true that over a third of the creature population is domesticated and used for trading, farming, and transportation, but without these animals, civilization would be tested.It should be noted however that the Wôrdiţ, while used as working animals by most of civilization, the Ãoni feel an affinity for the Wôrdiţ, treating them as though they were pets as well as a working part of the family. Though with
the Ãoni living cliffside, they will have a small herd of Wôrdiţ per colony, permitting them the reign of the land to graze as they please, whilst keeping them in a pen during the night under supervision to keep them safe.A Wôrdiţ in the wild, their life expectancy is up to 10 years, while life in captivity is roughly 14.
Wykurş (vi-kursh)
The Wykurş are found in the Sky-Coral Sea, and every Khah’ child knows them. It is considered common knowledge that they should be protected and fed as well, regarded as friends. They are special snakes, flat like the large leaves among which they usually hide, but whichever tree they make a home of will be protected from rot, worms and small insects, since the friendly snakes will eat them all. Despite being flat and small, they can be quite gluttonous in this way.
Wykurş are also non-venomous and quite friendly. If they become a pet of the Khah’ family living in the same tree they will allow themselves to be petted and fed small scraps of food as well. Now, the lovely critters don’t have many predators and live rather long lives, but they are still not taking over Uwhang for the simple reason that they only produce one offspring per Tam'nýer—a’’n month. This in turn means that every snake can, at most, produce nine or ten other Wykurş during their entire life.
As a result of their rarity and usefulness, they can be bred and sold as pets. Although it should be noted that not many breeders will sell to those that plan to take them 'back home' outside of the Sky-Coral Sea as Wykurş do not fare well in cold temperatures.
Zagifu (za-gi-foo)
These large bird are easy to spot and recognize by their vivid orange to red plumage and long narrow beaks. Zagifu live in large swarms on the coastlines of the Ãoni Coasts, the Mountains of T-'a'Ţăs'múr, and also the coasts facing those areas along the Lung Continent. They are silent birds and are often seen flying low near water, as they mostly feed themselves out of the sea, but are never object to finding snacks whilst preening.
The Zagifu are considered a good hearty food item by Humans, Khah', Z'sa'Ză-'Bäa and Giyu. In particular, their tender meat, both savory and salty, tends to be a favorite of the Z'sa'Ză-'Bäa. However, it would be in very poor taste to serve Zagifu meat to an Ãoni, as this is one sure way to alienate even the most friendly and open-minded of them as they are against eating the wildlife that share so much of their home with them.
शह्रिब · Zahriba (zah-ree-bah)
These elusive fox-like creatures, albeit much larger with the biggest specimens going up to 1.78 metres (5ft 8inches), with a tail length of 89cm to 127cm (35-50 inches). The Zahriba are native to Rīdhaūñaī and more generally the northern continent. They are stealthy nocturnal animals and very difficult to see and hunt normally (except when caught in the moonlight as their fur then glows silver) but also extremely prized for their pelt, which is silky soft and very nice to touch. The Ṅkhya'jra use it to produce luxury bed covers and cushions which are highly sought after in the winter season and associate the Zahriba with N—'Ƒëkas, the God of Comfort, Warmth & Wax.
Several attempts have been made to catch and raise the Zahriba in captivity for their fur, but all captive animals have so far refused to eat anything and have died after one or two Tam'nýer—a’’n days. Nobody has been able to find out what these beautiful creatures actually eat, and attempts to feed them other animals, various plants and fungi have all failed. Fortunately, the Zahriba have not yet been hunted into extinction because of an old Ṅkhya'jran superstition regarding them being protected by Nue, the God of Companionship.
It is said that anyone who hunts and kills a Zahriba while they are profiled in the light of the moon when their fur grows silver and easy to spot will be cursed by Nue to die alone and miserable. Thus, the Ṅkhya'jran hunters go after the Zahriba always during the day, trying to find them in their hidden lairs. The Z'sa'Ză-'Bäa hunters from the Northern Continent, on the other hand, are not bothered by this, and the number of Zahriba living beyond the AukaliṬhaiṢa has dropped drastically as a result.
Zeresda (zah-ree-bah)
The Zeresda is an omnivorous creature that thrives in the deserts of Trótskarr. It's considered to be a nocturnal creature, though they can be seen scampering around in the late afternoons as well. Zeresda are scavengers more than predators, eating bugs and berries and other small critters, but they give farmers a lot of grief, snatching up unsuspecting C-bxa' by sneaking their way past fences and into enclosures once the sun has gone down.
They have sharp teeth and claws for defense, and thick fur built for rolling through the sands. This fur, usually brown or gray in color, is patterned with black spots and stripes all around, and no two Zeresda have the same patterns. In the daytime most Zeresda are asleep, burrowed into holes dug into the sand and dirt so that they can keep cool. They’re solitary creatures and highly territorial. Usually they only ever share space with each other during mating seasons, where each couple will stay with each other for anywhere from two to four Tam'nýer—a''n days in which they will mate until the female chases the male off.
The female Zeresda is a fierce and devoted mother, usually bearing anywhere from one to four kits at a time, and she will stay with them until they’re old enough to leave home and be on their own. A female Zeresda can have up to three to four litters of kits a year. These animals, while noted scavengers, are hunted not only to keep them from stealing from farms but also for their fur. The rough and thick fur is perfect for repelling sand and a hood made of Zeresda fur is high in demand when the sandstorms roll in.
Znawik (zee-no-wick)
These cute babies are the equivalent of ducks in Tam'nýer—a'. They can be found in small colonies of between 40-70 birds on the edges of the Sky-Coral Sea, and everywhere in the Lungs, Heart and Throat Continent. They are around 38–44 cm (15–17 in) long, and the black and white coloring makes them resemble small Euƒ'yr. Many have been trying to domesticate them for this reason and breed them for pleasure and profit.
Like ducks, Znawiks eat a variety of food sources such as grasses, aquatic plants, fish, insects, small amphibians, and worms. They produce brightly yellow-coloured, tiny eggs which can be found in clutches of 5-7 in hidden nests. The eggs themselves are called Zmew and they are edible although they have a slightly tangy flavor. They are actually considered a delicacy by the Khah’ when eaten raw. Apparently, they help with stamina.
The Znawik have a nesting sanctuary between Kwetz and Grammurtz where they cannot be caught for food, and their nests and eggs must be left alone. The sanctuary is so large that it now holds an amazing number of birds, and occasionally the males would get into aerial fights which are quite spectacular to watch, adding to the attraction of traveling along the Bluş'taji River.