Nautilings

Art by Meringuepie.

Nautilings are a sapient race of Cephalings and a possible playable species. They descended from the genus Nautilidae. What distinguishes them from Inklings and Octolings is their huge peppermint-like shells and abundance of "cirri" (not tentacles). However, their agility is limited from the rest of the cephalopods. Nautilings are not to be mistaken with the other common Nautilus species of Splatoon, for example Karen from Ink Theory. Karen's species is still considered living fossils while Nautilings are more evolved and humanoid. The two species both share a common ancestor: the chambered nautilus. They can't play turf war, but often works as janitors after any ink battle. Oh, and did I mention that they're waterproof?

## History

No one was sure of where they came from, but Nautilings were known to be spunky hunter-gatherers, scavengers, and sailors. Without the agility of Inklings or the wisdom of the Octolings, they were struggling to blend in with society at first, unlike their cousins, the common advanced Nautilus. They were clearly superior in terms of abilities, however. Nautilings are gifted with a more advanced brain, clearer vision and ability to change colors as well. Their huge shell also served as a shield and weapon at the same time, since it has evolved to be very strong. Nautilings first came to Inkopolis as pilgrim sailors trying to seek a better land to live on. Because the population of Nautilings is smaller than other cephalopod species, they're very hard to find around, but if you spot one, you're pretty lucky.

They're usually secretive and not very open-minded to other opinions. Sometimes they can be shy, but most of the time, they're quite friendly towards other creatures. They're also incredibly air-headed, figuratively and literally.

One of the greatest Nautiling leader known was Captain Whorl. He was a great explorer, traveling to many unknown places before Inklings and Octolings ever set their foot there. He discovered many species and introduced them to trade and culture, and was credited for also fighting alongside Captain Cuttlefish in the war. He is still alive today, making him 200 years old or so. Uncle Whorl is currently retired and living a happy life with his family and grandchildren.

### Biology

Nautilings soon evolved an ink sac after the Mollusc Era began, since they also developed territorial behavior like their fellow cephalopod cousins. Baby Nautilings spend their time inside of a pod for about 2 years before hatching. All Nautilings only reach maturity at the age of 20, unlike Inklings and Octolings who reach maturity at the age of 14. Nautilings age slower and live longer, and some of them lived before the Great Turf War! The older the Nautiling, the more they resemble their ancient ancestors.

Nautilings fingers are round and has cirri-like transparent ends that can be colored (like Octoling hands, but more nail-like). Their hair assembled in about 86 strands and not in big chunks of tentacles, which makes it easier to style. It has small tinted dots of their main color from the root to the middle. Their eyes have a straight faint line across the iris, and their vision is quite sensitive. Their eyelids are not connected like Octolings, but has a vertical triangular stripe going straight through it (this applies for both genders). Their teeth/beaks/fangs are identical to Octolings', but upside down and mirrored. Their ears are shaped like the shape of their shells. Under their shell is a triangular hood, which also can be seen as hair bangs. Nautilings don't have bioluminescence, but their shell emits a pearlescent aura that shines brightly with colors when met with a source of light or when a special is ready for use. Shell customization is possible.

Nautilings store helium in the chambers in their shells so they can keep their heads upright and make it easier to move around, and in their nautilus form, it allows them to fly and super jump. Their shells are also very durable, which can defend them from predators. However, the strongest part of a Nautiling is not their shell, but their neck which keeps their heavy heads up.

### Conflicts

Unlike other cephalo-sapiens, Nautilings tend to be neutral and peaceful. They only use their fighting and instincts if they really have to fight. Since their evolution made their shell thicker and more durable, most predators don't have the interest of preying on them, even Makoids or Salmonids. However, a new threat has risen and brought a concern to their kind...

### Calls

Nautilings have their own unique booyah calls:

* Kaawi! (Nautiling girl)
* Myo! (Nautiling boy)

Of course, they only say those words while cleaning ink.

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## Relationship with other species

### Inklings, Octolings, Reeflings

They don't interact with each other as much.

### Harelings and Fishlings

They see them as cool and admirable, although some thinks that Fishlings are way more interesting.

### Draculings

They're friendly to each other, as both species make up a smaller population of ink-based humanoid mollusk species. Nautilings actually like the Draculings' creepy vibe.

### Pinnipeds

Nautilings cannot stand those clown-esque sea mammals, and tend to stay away unless they really have to fight. One of them, however, willingly fights on their own...

### Starlings

They see Starlings as overly dramatic divas.

### Sheetlings

They get along with each other pretty well, and also fight alongside each other against the Pinnipeds.

### Bunnylings

They can't stand the Bunnylings' adorableness and won't resist themselves from petting one.

### Chintonlings

"wOW, aNoThEr eVoLVeD LiViNg foSsIL! iT'S soO nIcE tO mEeT yOu!" :DD

actually they thank the Chintonlings very much for helping them cope with anxiety.

## Trivia

* Nautilings are more leaned towards chaos, as most of them bring colors to the blandest things in life.
* Although they're a peaceful species, trouble keeps showering upon them. And even if they can live for very long, the oldest and wisest Nautilings have to witness all their friends flow away from their lives. This is why they tend to put on a more positive outlook on things and treasure the things they have.
* Nautiling shells are very valuable, but to the Nauts themselves, they often have fearful reactions, as nautilus shells are the Nautican equivalent of human skulls or shrunken heads.
* Their language (Nautican) is more complicated than Inklish and Octarian, but not very hard to learn. It is however, rarely spoken by other species. Not much is known about their culture, but it is known that they don't like wasting food and tend to scavenge the last bit of refrigerated leftovers at night very often.
* They're naturally airheads (figuratively and literally), thus explaining their silliness.
* Their scientific name is **Anthronautilos margaritódis**(descendants of the chambered nautilus) , meaning "person-nautilus" and "pearly", describing the pearlescence of their shells. They are the major species. Some Nautilings are **Anthroallonautilos tetricisdicerer**(meaning crusty), which is the Crusty Nautiling, a subspecies that have extra inky "fur" that sticks on their shells and bodies.