Priola

## Biology

The Priola are an all-female, amphibious species that evolved from the muddling of several species of Salamander and Fish as well as mixing with early Merfolk and as a result they have slowly become more and more humanoid in appearance as they evolved.

Their apparent "breasts" they gained from mixing with Merfolk function as a water bladder to allow them to continue amphibious activity. As a result they do not possess nipples. They however still retain their smooth, moist, scaleless skin and long, thick tails.

The Aurs (Head Tails) present on Priola house their hearing system, as they evolved their ears developed outward in order to help them hear in multiple directions. Sound enters through small openings at the ends of each Aur to let sound in. They can be freely maneuvered in any direction or angle.

They are highly subject to dehydration and thus largely live in the water. Ambi Priola can go roughly 12 hours on land (without hydrating) before suffering negative effects of dehydration, Iro Priola only have around 30 minutes before becoming dehydrated while also having difficulty breathing effectively in air.

Many Priola retain fins after maturing however Finless Priola are not uncommon.

Average Priola height is 5"6' from Foot to head and around 6" from head to Tail, often causing their tails to drag slightly on land. To the right is a cross-section of a Priola Tail. Tails have been known to grow back entirely in about 90 days.

### Sub-Species

Multiple Priola sub-species exist, however they are largely denoted by their means of respiration.

Amby-Priola, Which develop Lungs while retaining their gills and develop larger water bladders and shorter tails to extend their time on land making them less subject to dehydration.

Iro-Priola, which never develop lungs and have a distinct iridescent striped skin not found in Amby-Priola. Prone to jealousy at their Amby-Priola cousins. In some cases Water Bladders do not develop properly or at all.

Primary differentiating traits are:

* Amby-Priola have Solid color or spot patterns, Larger water Bladders, Longer Aurs, shorter tails, a short ridge in place of a connecting fin down the back and on the head and tail, traditional humanoid eyes, Darker bellies in contrast to skin tone, Smaller, more conforming gills, larger noses, and humanoid lips.

* Iro-Priola have Iridescent stripe patterns, Smaller, water bladders, Short Aurs, Long tails, a long connected fin from the forehead all the way down the back and tail, Fully dark eyes to let in more light in the deep ocean, webbed fingers and toes, Lighter bellies in contract to base skin tone, and large, horizontally protruding gills, and smooth, round lips.

### Lifespan & Maturation

Priola of all subspecies average 100 years, with physical maturation occurring early at around 12 and the production of eggs beginning at 20 years of age. Egg production beings to drop at 60.

### Reproduction

All subspecies or Priola reproduce through the process of Gynogenesis(Developing eggs inside the female being activated by the presence of sperm, regardless of compatibility, and discarding the genetic material) After 8 months 1-5 eggs are laid in a protected, submerged environment which hatch 2 months later. Larval Priola breathe primarily by means of gills, which are usually external and feathery in appearance. Priola can partner with any humanoid species due to their muddled evolution.

Priola develop eggs regularly when the hot season begins each year and are fertile for about 28 days, after which the eggs are expelled.

### Diet

Priola began as Carnivores but evolved a Omnivorous diet through necessity. They still however highly enjoy Meat, and love insects especially Maggots. However vegetarian Priola have been recorded.

## Society

Priola society has several distinct roles separate from other species. Notably the presence of the Caretaker role, wherein an individual(or several) is tasked with the safeguarding and care of several egg clutches whilst the mother continues her normal routine. This is of course optional and once hatched the young Priola are raised communally with other young, overseen by most of the colony's adults, but are still familiar and close with their genetic parent.

Priola society also denotes Adulthood beginning 2 years after physical maturity (about 14) and such begins to expect them to begin their journey towards self-sufficiency at that time.

### Hierarchy

Priola society is ruled by a small council of 2 elected members from each of the 5 primary roles, to represent each of the two Sub-species and the interests therein.

* Caretakers, they care for young Priola from the time their eggs are laid to the time they turn 14
* Guardians, Who provide protection and security.
* Creators, Who create products and goods, from Blacksmiths to Farmers.
* Merchants, who travel and trade goods across the ocean and on land with the other races of the world.
* Scholars, who seek new knowledge and techniques.

While not all Priola fall into one of these classical roles within society, most do, however those who do not fit into the primary roles can still find a unique place in society, or seek a life in a more mixed populace. The Merfolk-friendly city of Arralune is a common place for outcasts both Priola and Merfolk alike.

### Religion

Priola society does not have a single organized religion, nor does it support any. All religious choices are made by the individual.

### Education

Young Priola being daily schooling after 3 years. It consists of 5 years General Education, in which each child is taught reading, writing, and history, as well as about the 5 Roles. After General Education is completed, Each child is shown the jobs within each role and is tested for aptitude in known field, the child then goes onward to specialized education which they choose, using the knowledge from their aptitude test. The first year they are able to change their mind and change to another role. They continue their specialized education until they are 14 at which point they can choose whether or not to join their Role.

## Architecture

Priola architecture is made up largely of Cylindrical corridors and either Oval or Orb-like rooms which form a cave like structure in those areas where they simply do not build inside caves themselves, which is common. Even inside caves however, the same architectural basis applies, simply in limited space. Furniture is largely pod-like in design.

The primary building material for structures is Hardened Coral, a material produced from special coral farms, with Metal forged in volcanic vents as support. Fabrics are made using a process that turns Seaweed into a weavable fiber, which is then fed through sealed dyes refined from other ocean plants.

While a Priola city would look similar to a cluster of orbs and would be completely filled with water, a Village or other less densely populated area would look similar to a small group of miniature orb clusters.

## History

The early years of the Priola were bloody, many warring tribes fighting over Food and spawning grounds constantly. When food scarcity prompted them to develop more Omnivorous diets, they began to come together and unite as a species. A council of 10 (5 from each subspecies and Role combination)

## Trivia

* Priola may most notably be known for their creation of Polysilk, a light, stretchy cloth made from the tall kelp stalks they often farm.