Species

Average Age of Maturation: 15-30 years

Average Death Age: 130-150 years

 

Heights measured at shoulder

Smallest: 5 feet

Largest: 16 feet

Lightest: 350 pounds

Heaviest: 1000 pounds

The range of 8 feet to 13 feet in size is considered the "average" for Kalacros; it's been noted that those smaller than 7 feet seem faster but more fragile, and those larger than 14 feet are less agile, but better on offense.

 

Kalacros, singular & plural

Kala, short for Kalacros

 

Kalacros are large bat-like dragons, found ubiquitously across the Oasis.

 

They are very intelligent and have a great ability for empathy, forging strong bonds with their own kind and with the various human/oids around the Oasis as well.

Kalacros are known to befriend and work alongside human/oids, in some cases acting as their partners and mounts - any Kalacros, however, would likely contest the idea of being a beast of burden, stating that "their humanoids" are useful friends and companions.

 

Thanks to a unique structure in the Kala's throat, referred to as a "sarynx" and comparable to a blended larynx and the syrinx of birds, Kalacros are able to make a variety of noises, and mimic human/oid speech with a surprising amount of skill when they apply themselves to learning it.

 

They are surprisingly deft, able to use simple tools between their mouths, hand-like feet, and the large thumbs on their wings. In addition, Kalacros are able to "gallop" across the land at a quick, though unwieldy, pace. Many will use this as preparation for taking flight when moving from flat ground to air.

Society, Terms and Life Cycle

A group of Kalacros is referred to as a colony. These are predominantly female-dominant groups with phenomenal cooperation and teamwork to benefit the colony as a whole. Colonies vary as much as their inhabitants, with some choosing to maintain and build up a single territory, and others migrating between several different spots.
Not all Kalacros will choose to remain in a colony, though, and have been documented doing just fine on their own.

 

While some Kalacros can, and happily do, roost upside down from anything that will support their weight, it's not uncommon to see them making more proper nests like other creatures, either on the ground or in the massive trees across the Oasis. Meanwhile, other Kalacros, primarily in colonies, have been documented working to establish carved out cliffside dwellings, and others still weave nests together from the thick roots that hang between and off the sides of the myriad floating islands.

 

Colonies who do establish a territory are not generally known to be as defensive of that span as may be expected, instead preferring to foster relationships among themselves and other colonies, keeping connected and building a web to spread news and support throughout the Oasis.

A clutch is the term for a nest of bittens. On average, Kalacros clutches range from two to four eggs, and Kalacros will largely inherit their traits from their parents.

A bitten is a freshly hatched Kalacros, from birth to 5 years of age. At birth, bittens may have a fainter version of their future markings - note, however, that they are still always visible. Around the age of 1-2 years, their markings are much clearer, and not terribly long after that their proper horns begin to grow in. They are normally able to walk within a few hours of hatching, and have been observed leaping off of small rocks and anything within their reach from about two weeks on. Flight, however, does not come until they are at least several months old.

 

Kalacros are known for going through their own version of the "terrible twos", where the itching and discomfort of their growing horns causes them to rub and butt their little heads against anything and everything! Most Kalacros parents know to just wait it out, directing their offspring towards rocks or the sturdy legs of other adult Kalacros, but any non-Kalacros who find themselves raising bittens should prepare for their little companions to be more accidentally destructive than usual.

A batling is a "teenage" Kalacros, from 5 to 15 years of age. By this time, their markings show completely, and their adult horns are well underway to growing in!

 

Kalacros do have a concept of gender identity and sexuality - this is, however, not something many pay much mind to. Another's business is, generally, another's business and not theirs to fuss with.

 

A drake is traditionally a mature male Kalacros, while a queen is, likewise, traditionally a mature female Kalacros. Many instead opt for gender neutral terms like Seeker and Explorer, while some prefer variant terms like Gwid (pronounced similarly to "guide").

 

By the time a Kalacros is old enough to be called these terms, generally around 25 years, they're considered mature enough to breed and raise bittens of their own. At this age, it's almost entirely based on the individual whether they set out on their own to find a new colony/territory, or whether they'll stay with their home colony.

 

Within colonies, there will usually be an Atriarch, the Kalacros at the top of the hierarchy. Few Atriarchs 'rule' alone, however, and often have a council known interchangeably as Sibyls and/or Seers, to help guide and advise them. In many cases, Atriarchs are less rulers and more a directing energy for the colony, as most colonies value each voice and consider their own success to be a communal effort.

 

Kalacros can live to extreme ages, with the oldest recorded being close to 200 years old. On average, not accounting for deaths from outside circumstances, they live to between 130-150 years. Elder Kalacros are proud beings, and many refuse to quit being self sufficient simply as a result of age. Those that do allow their colonies to take care of them will find other ways to contribute, such as tracking the colony history and passing it down orally to younger generations, or simply serving as mentors to any in need.