Geryonling

Geryonlings are a species of giants that display a unique physical form of tripartism. Geryonlings ressemble anthropods but possess triple the amounts of limbs and work for and live among demons.
== Biology ==
The muscular structure of a Geryonlings body is optimized for strength and endurance, enabling it to navigate its surroundings with relative ease despite its massive size. Its skeletal system can withstand the tremendous forces exerted by its colossal frame, featuring adaptations to support its weight and facilitate movement. A Geryonlings most notable feature, beyond its towering stature typical of giants, is its tripartite nature, possessing three heads atop a robust and muscular body. Each head exhibits distinct physical attributes, such as variations in facial structure and cranial features.
Geryonlings have two distinct body types; the classical tripartite form, with three bodies and three heads or three heads and one body. The appearance of Geryonlings that have been exposed to demons have different features; some possess the body of a serpent, the paws of a lion, and scorpion tails are common changes expatriate geryonlings undergo while in infernal realms.
=== Tripartism ===
A Geryonling's tripartite organism is composed of a robust and muscular body with three distinct heads. Each head possesses its own set of sensory organs, cognitive capabilities, and physical characteristics. Together, they form a cohesive unit, allowing a Geryonling to navigate its surroundings and perform various functions.
The coordination and integration of a Geryonling's three heads are facilitated by a complex network of neural pathways. These neural connections enable the heads to communicate and share information, resulting in a unified perception and response to the external environment. This interconnectedness allows Geryonlings to efficiently process sensory inputs, make decisions, and carry out coordinated movements.
Each head may exhibit slight variations in physical features, such as distinct facial structures, cranial formations, or even individualized expressions. 
The tripartite nature of Geryon's organism suggests a division of labor among its heads. The exact roles and responsibilities of each head specialize in specific functions. Usually, one head is primarily responsible for sensing the environment, another for analyzing stimuli, and the third for executing motor actions.
=== Multicephalism ===
The origins of the giants multiple heads remain a subject of speculation, as it is with other giant species demonstrating this trait. This trait could be attributed to a genetic anomaly or a result of evolutionary adaptation to its environment. Each head might possess distinct sensory capabilities, providing an enhanced awareness of its surroundings.
== Habitat ==
Geryonling habitats are characterized by rugged landscapes, vast plains, and treacherous mountains.
According to their myths, Geryonlings have always lived on the distant remote and elusive island of the setting sun. The heat of the island is said to turn mad. 
Of note on the island is the "landing spot of sun chariot" a mountain where a sun's orbit causes it to go through the mountain top to a lower hollow beneath it. 
== Diet ==
Given a Geryonlings gargantuan size, its dietary requirements are substantial. Cattle raising is a common occupation among Geryonlings and a status of their wealth. Their diet consists primarily of livestock they raise themselves and is the basis of their economy.
== Behavior ==
Due to constant Alcadeus raids, Geryonlings are territorial and protective of their island, and even more so of their prized cattle herds, without which their society would starve. As such, most Geryonlings have a mostly deserved reputation of being fiercely defensive and confrontational by nature, driven by a desire to safeguard their possessions and defend their domain.
== Society ==
The Geryonlings have two communities, the majority of the population lives on the setting sun island, with some expatriates living abroad in demonic societies.
=== Culture ===
Geryonlings live on the island of the setting sun, where they herd cattle. The island is constantly raided by a barbarian tribe called the Alcadeus. Expatriate Geryonlings can be found among demonic societies, such as those on the Lightbringer moon, where they work office jobs in insurance and banking. 
=== The setting sun community ===
Most geryonlings live on the island of the setting sun.
Within this colony of giants, a unique culture emerged, shaped by their shared physical attributes and the threat of constant raids of the Acladeus. The giants hold the defense of their island and their herds in high regard, considering its their main food source. Their culture is characterized by a deep connection to nature, as they inhabit rugged landscapes and possess a strong bond with their surroundings. Their rituals, traditions, and stories passed down through generations, celebrate this heritage.
Geryonlings often own Orthruslings, bicephalus hounds that guard their herds. It is theorized that the hounds were brought back from infernal realms where expatriates live.
==== Economy ====
The economy of the giant colony revolves around their skills and abilities that are uniquely suited to their immense size and strength. They engage in few economic activities, as herding livestock (such as their trademark red cattle), mining the earth in order to create housing, and constructing monumental structures fulfill most of their needs. Trade and barter systems exist within the colony, with goods and services exchanged among the giants. Their economy is extremely self-sustaining, relying exclusively on the resources of the island.
==== Relations to the outside world ====
Secluded by the remoteness of their island have limited interactions with the outside world. Their encounters with smaller civilizations are rare and fraught with challenges due to the immense differences in scale and culture. The giants are extremely prejudiced against median races, that they associate with the Alcadeus. They however will seek outside help, typically when a family member is sick, swimming to the mainland seeking medical help from any who would understand them, often bringing choice dried meats with them to pay for the service.
Many a fishers tale on coastal towns will tell of great waves caused by a geryonlings breaststroke heralding the arrival of a distressed giant. 
=== Expatriates ===
Some Geryonlings live among demons, despite the species having no link to them. The appearance of Geryonlings that have been exposed to demons have different features, the body of a serpent, the paws of a lion, and a scorpion's tail are common changes geryonlings undergo while in infernal realms.
Within these realms the Geryonling tribe work in the realms of insurance and banking, mostly making loans or insuring specific contracts the price of which is souls for demons. This bizarre arrangement is made so that the geryonlings provide labor in exchange of Orthruslings, two headed hounds shepherds use on the island.
Their partnership in insurance and banking perpetuates a culture of deceit, greed, and exploitation. Despite this the Geryonlings do not thrive on the misery of those they trap in their deceptions. Ethics and morality hold no sway in their worldview. They simply work so that their homeland has effective shepherding hounds, homeland which they prioritize above all else.
Category:Giants
Category:Creature