Pendragon
The most dominant species to inhabit Ramath-lehi: the pendragons. These creatures are an anthropomorphic mix of feline, canine, and dragon. Because of their genetic makeup, the variety among these individuals is astounding.
Contents
Description
Pendragon colours can range dramatically. They've taken on all of the hues of the visible light spectrum. So it's not uncommon to see a green pendragon or even one with rainbow coloured stripes. Their body structure is a lot like Earth's wolf, although entwined with a lot of feline attributes (some even look a lot like Earth's big cats, or even like true mythological dragons). They usually have hair, sometimes even bladed hair, usually growing from the top of their heads that sometimes slinks down their backs like soft spikes.
Winged pendragons have also evolved for the skies. They're not as common as the ground and cave dwelling, but have started to increase in numbers. Their wings usually consist of a feather-like make up but some with leather, true dragon wings have also evolved out of the tangled mess. You could make up your own style of wings if you wish, it's just that "draconic" and "feathered" wings are more commonplace.
Both male and female pendragons are capable of telepathic thought-speak (sending messages into each other's minds). This is the preferred way of exchanging information.
Mostly all pendragons are marked with tattoos, usually on their left haunch though sometimes on the right. These are symbols that their parents thought would reflect the young pendragon's personality. Usually the parents consult a seer or someone else of that nature in order to gain insight as to what a young pendragon's symbol should be. Some players like to make up random designs for their character's tattoo, or even base them off of a specific creature or object.
Height and weight can vary greatly from pendragon to pendragon. Pendragons can be found in anything from mouse-like size, to even that of an elephant. But in this world, size doesn't really matter. Some pendragons even have the ability to change their size, so don't let them fool you.
Pendragons have large fangs for ripping and tearing. They are born carnivores, but some have slipped over and became omnivores (Some have even taken it as far as to become vegetarians). They have 36 teeth, large canines, just like that of a canine or feline, but their molars are more defined for grinding and chewing foods more thoroughly.
Pendragons are digitigrades, but their paws have evolved to become a little bit more than just that. They have longer "fingers" on their forepaws as well as a prehensile thumb which makes it easier for them to work and handle things. They have five "toes" or "fingers" on each forepaw and back paw. Embedded within the paws are thick retractable cat-like claws.
In a perfect world, pendragons would have no set life span. They grow more powerful as they age. They could live "forever" if it wasn't for set elements, murder, illness, and accidental deaths. The Graders have been secretly killing off all those that could pose a threat to their leadership. So the "set" life expectancy of any given pendragon is roughly 70-85 years.
Reproduction and Social Life
Pendragons lay eggs and can be considered as monotremes (Think platypus and echidna). They lay eggs much like a platypus, yet still hang around to suckle their young. The eggs need to be incubated and kept warm for roughly 40-50 days, about a quarter of a Ramathian year... during which time they would need to be protected by a parent until they hatched. Once hatched, the newborn's would need to be protected until they are able to take better care of themselves. Though a newborn's teeth would be able to defend itself successfully to some extent. Generally pups stay with their parents until they are 7 years old, then they are shipped off for schooling.
Pendragons live in family clans, or tribes (or by their lonesome). Usually consisting of a mother, father, and their young. Some exist in larger clans with sometimes three families or more. Some even prefer to be alone in remote regions of the world.
Habitat
Pendragons may be found just about everywhere on Ramath-lehi.
Quarterly "Heat" Cycles
Every fifty days, or every season, a sexually mature female pendragon enters a two-phased heat cycle. The first step lasts roughly five days, and no noticeable physical changes occur. The female is merely receptive, and the only way this is apparent is by her "chemical signature", present by scent, particularly in her urine. Due to evolution and the development of innovated civilization, this chemical output has been muted greatly, so it is less communal when a female is in season. During this short span of time, the female's drive to mate will be greater than normal, but this is by no means an uncontrollable lust.
If the female chooses not to mate, she will not conceive, and thus she will enter the next phase of her cycle, which is much like a human's menstrual period. Because she does not need the wall of tissue in her womb in order to nourish a developing egg, the female will shed the uterine lining. This process lasts another five days, and during this time the female may choose to utilize implements much like earth's "feminine products" to stopper their flow. When both phases are over, the female pendragon's body will slowly begin to acquire a new lining, and the process will continue next season.
Intercourse and Pregnancy
There seems to be a hell of a lot of confusion about this. We have seen many people roleplaying their characters all pregnant and swollen and stuff, and even giving live birth, so we highly recommend people read this and play this kind of thing out PROPERLY!
To be sure, pendragons are sexually active throughout the year, with no particular mating or breeding season. Of course, when a couple wants to conceive, they have to time intercourse so that it takes place during the thill's receptive heat phase. It is possible to conceive when she is not in this phase, but it's unlikely.
Because of the anthropomorphic trends on Ramath-lehi, mating rituals are not as simple as feral encounters. Positions, traditions, and individual encounters are left up to the players.
After conception occurs, an egg grows within the female pendragon. It remains there and grows for roughly 20 days, give or take. Once the egg is laid, it takes 40 to 50 days of incubation in order for it to hatch.
In the "internal phase," i.e., during the twenty days when the egg is still within the female, she does not show much. Her abdominal area may grow a little, but there's no major swelling. Perhaps just enough of a "bump" to tell she's "pregnant." There are probably not many physical symptoms like we have on Earth - no back pains or swollen feet. Things like morning sickness and moodiness might occur though.
In the Addfesmatt and other traditions, a seer oftentimes visits the incubating egg to bless it and meditate upon it.
Parenthood
Male and female are equal caretakers. Male will help to incubate the egg, as well as nurse it and care for it.
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Males are generally larger in size, but not always stronger than females. Two main differences make them distinct from their feminine counterparts. First off, their tails are prehensile and long. The very tip of the tail ends in a flame which feeds off of the Ramathian magic entity known as Fronima. Usually you can tell a pendragons mood and current feelings by looking at how the fire on their tail burns. Secondly, males have the ability to shapeshift. They can assume other forms by mutating their own and either giving or taking energy from Fronima (the Spirit World). Some accidents involving shapeshifting have been known to occur, especially for beginners, but it's a skill that just needs practise in order to be mastered.
Females are generally smaller than males. They're not gifted with shapeshifting, although a few unique individuals have learnt it. Instead, they have been blessed (or burdened, as the case may be) with magic of the mind. They are born telepaths, able to read thoughts (of course with discretion and respect). Older female pendragons are also able to move objects with their mind through telekinesis - both telepathy and telekinesis draw on power from Fromina. These abilities grow stronger in females with age, which is why the reigning government has decided to take certain precautions. Female pendragons also usually don't have flamed tails, but some mutations have been known to occur.
