Arkonksa

## Arkonska

The Archnox -also known as Arkonksa in their native tongue- are an underground dwelling species, making up 33% of the population in Esecra. They are a species that take many characteristics from above ground spiders as well as a few from nocturnal animals such as bats. The Archnox are a militaristic species that worship the gods Ashert and Ethier.

## Biology

One of the most striking features of an Archnox is their four arms and two spider-like palps. With these arms, the Archnox have a total of 8 limbs like a spider. Archnox have five fingers on each hand like humans but unlike humans, Archnox have short claws that can spin webs. Their webbing is 7 times as strong as steel, actually beating the strength of a normal spider’s silk. They produce webbing in their forearms.

Archnox also have four eyes, however they have tritanopia, a form of Blue-Yellow color blindness. Arkonsa are also blinded in sunlight, their nightvision not able to be turned off. A benefit their eyes do have is that they have partial night vision. They can’t see in total darkness very well but definitely see better than a human.

Like spiders, Archnox women are stronger than there men and quite a bit larger, on average. Archnox women’s height, on average, range from five feet and eleven inches to six feet and four inches. Their weight is usually from 240 pounds to 290 pounds. Men are, on average, five feet and five inches to 5 feet and eleven inches. Their weight is usually 190 to 235 pounds. This high weight to height ratio is due to Archnox having extremely dense muscle tissue that is around four times as dense as human muscle tissue. This means that Archnox are quite a bit stronger than humans, despite looking rather lithe. This assists them in being quite flexible along with their strength. An Archnox can easily do splits and bend their body. Archnox women are able to lift upwards of 20 times their own body weight reliably and up to 50 times their body weight for a minute or less. Archnox muscle tends to grow in density as opposed to width. This means that even if an Archnox works themselves hard, they won’t look much larger than before. They will, however, gain weight due to increased muscle density.

They also have a sonar ability that allows them to see even further away than they normally can. It typically sounds like a low singing of "ah". This singing is rather pretty too, acting as a way to lure pray in as well.

### Reproduction

The Archnox reproductive cycle is much different from most mammalian species. Not only do Archnox women lay eggs, but they only have a 2 week gestation period before laying 2 to 5 eggs. These eggs are about ten inches long and seven inches wide and around 3 pounds. These eggs can survive without any other effort from their mother until it hatches about one month later. The average weight for a baby Archnox is six pounds. Something that has inhibited the Archnox population growth is the fact that only around 60% of Archnox males are Virile. This has also lead to the strength of Archnox women as they have to fight over Virile men. Archnox women, however, are extremely fertile and once a virile man is found, they have no problem becoming pregnant. Both men and women have a never ending supply of their respective reproductive substance, meaning after about

## Culture

### Language

The Archnox language is a rather complicated language with it’s own alphabet and Syllable structure.

### Politics:

The Archnox society is an Imperial one, there being seven Archnox nations under the reign of Empress Osi Ilsonj. Archnox society is also a matriarchal one. Women have quite a few more rights than men and men often times can’t choose their wife. Archnox politics are highly based in war and “Worthiness” While an Empress can choose her heir, if the Empress dies before she chooses her heir, a tournament will commence known as “Enraktsa Ammatkri” which roughly translates to Empress Tournament in which Archnox Women around the empire compete to see who is the strongest woman in the Empire. This woman will be labeled as  Arrotksa Enraktsa which means “Combat Empress.” The Arrotksa is only an honorary title, however it brings with it a large amount of respect. Female Archnox can also challenge each other for their mates. This challenge is known as “issirrsi Arrotksa” or “Mate Combat.” In this challenge two Archnox women, the “Ishirnna” (Or Challenged) and “Ishirnno” (Or Challenger) fight to the death and the winner claims the Mate of the Ishirnna.