Ertakar

Ertakar(air-tah-kar) Are the dominant species and native, sentient inhabitants of the planet Sytous. Due to their similarities to Jural-associated western dragons, they often get referred to as Dragons or Drakes. More insulting labels provided by Jura will regard them as reptile or lizards.

Physiology

Ertakar are classified as a mammalian species, despite appearing similar to upright standing draconic creatures. They are warm blooded, with a body temperature closer to that of marsupials, and a hollow bone structure reminiscent of earth birds. To accommodate their wings, they have a second set of scapula and pectorals, similar to any species that might have 2 sets of arms at the torso. Their torso and spines have greater elasticity, similar to earth cats, allowing them to achieve both bipedal and quadrupedal movement with natural ease. Potential height of the species comes at around 7ft to 9ft.

Appearance

Skin comes in two general categories, either thickly plated leathery skin, similar to that of an earth Rhinoceros, or thickly patched scale similar to earth crocodiles. Those of patchier/plated skin can be traced back more rugged terrain and arid environments, those of smoother skin can be traced to more temperate and humid environments. Colors can range from earthy tones of brown and yellow, cool tones of blue and green, warm tones of red and orange, or simple colors of black, white and gray.

Along with varying skin types and color patterns, Ertakar are made most unique by the set of horn and bone arrangements on their skulls, or even lack of. While likely originally adapted for protection, in current society it is more used as a means of display, for attraction or intimidation. Arrangements range from short and long horns, grouped and solitary, along with other protruding bone structures.

Diet

Similar to earthen bears, Ertakar are carnivores with omnivorous attributes, or they can also be described as an omnivore with a carnivorous bias. Throughout all races of Ertakar, animal proteins are consumed more often in their diet than most other forms of proteins. Modern Ertakar have been able to break down and digest carbohydrates and other manner of plant protein, however, centuries old records suggest certain gains and plants once made Ertakar sick. Concepts of Vegetarianism and Vegan-ism didn't occur until cross culture exchange with the Jura, though it is rare for any Ertakar to be physically capable of fully converting to either.

Sex and Reproduction

There is no sexual-dimorphism within the species, nor is there difference in voices or any other clear defining feature, apart from pheromone or scent. An especially tall, deep voiced female is just as possible as a high voiced, petite male. The genitalia of the Ertakar are all internally housed, making them nearly unnoticeable when standing upright.

Like earth-classified mammals, they require a male and female for reproduction through penetrative sex. Erakar birth their young live, with a gestation period of about 13 months. However, unlike earth-classified mammals, the species does not have any mammary glands, feeding their young by way of pre-processed foods similar to that of birds. On average, the species reproduces very slowly, about once every 20-25 years.

Society

Gender

Due to a lack of physical dimorphism, gender roles and aspects of presentation remained few and far between within the several types of cultures through the centuries. Apart from a few separated cultural groups, the majority of the society has very little split in attire, careers or lifestyles between men and women of the species.

Due to the lack of associating gender with appearance, the only real indication of another's sex is through one's pheromones, but even that isn't the most perfect indication. But it's not like this has ever been a problem.

Romance and Relationships

For the majority of Ertakar, long term coupling is unusual. Most Ertakar have 2 or 3 long term relationships in their lifetime, usually correlating with the length of time it takes to raise young. There does not seem to be any significant difference in relationship length between Ertakar couples that choose to bear children and those that do not.

Post War Culture

After the end to the war and the merge of a new culture into their own, the shape of their entertainment, fashion and other elements of the arts, changed the most dramatically.

Religion

Wardens of Life

One of the most prominent, ancient religions of Ertakar society, are the 'Wardens of Life'. They live in small numbers around the 'Cradle of Life', an extremely lush crater in a temperate hemisphere. The land itself is considered a reservation, leaving it untouched by modern change, which has ultimately lead to it's survival.

History

Ertakar Jura War

The main turning point in the Ertakar's basic life style, was the war between the Ertkar and Jura. While the Jura had visited the Planet looking for new places to colonize, an unknown act of violence during one of the meetings with the large clan closest to the landing caused a war to break out between the Ertakar and Jura.

In hopes of gaining an advantage in the war, the Erta's best geneticist worked on manipulating the genes of their own soldiers to make them look like Jura. Of course, the risks involved were drastic, and lives were lost in a processes that took over a year. The final product, was Erta that could transform into a human form. Of course, the final human form had it's flaws, often times, discolored skin, or lack of hair, but such things could be masked easily.

Though this new ability helped them infiltrate enemy ranks and give them a bit more of an edge in the battle, eventually this advantage did not help enough in the long run as the Erta and their lack of militant experience on this scale was turning the war into a loosing battle for them.

In a drastic effort to turn the tides of the war, the used their skills to splice captive Jura soldiers and threaten to take the genetic splicing on a larger scale, in hopes the act would cause the Jura to react. The Jura saw the act as barbaric and the desire to end the war came about quickly.

A treaty was formed between the two to put an end to the war.

Currently, Hundreds of years after the initial war, the Jura and Ertakar now coexist, both on Sytous and Jural, however the effects of the war are still apparent in the culture of each civilization.

	Species
	Sytous	Ertakar • Teotkoa • Jal-Kar • Human
	Ehga	Keemex • Bird
	Taia	Taithal