Sindryl (Modern)

Sindryl are a fictional, desert-dwelling sentient species created by Roxirin, based on an original character design by Krysiilys. They usually live to be around 400-450 years of age, although individuals as old as 600 have been reported ( the validity of these reports is unknown). They are inhabitants of the planet Torr, located in the Omega Torvus star system, and are currently a fairly small but well-developed race, with a population of around 700,000 (seven hundred thousand) individuals.

## Physiology

Sindryl are humanoid, though their appearance is composed of vulpine, avian, reptilian and feline aspects (most humans agree that they cannot be truly classified by human morphology). Their bodies are usually slender and angular, and most individuals grow to be around 8 feet tall on average. Sindryl all have a few base traits which never change: All have extremely long tails, ears that are in line with their skull, scales on their legs and noses, a crest of feathers which acts much like hair, and a set of antler-like horns, each of which has a unique shape.

Sindryl tails are usually twice their body length or longer, and the reason for this is that they are essentially cooling systems. The tail has very thin skin and is rich with blood vessels which run close to the surface, allowing heat to be let off. Since the tail has a significant surface area due to its length, this allows Sindryl to keep cool easily. Their ears produce the same effect on a smaller scale. Sindryl are additionally able control the bloodflow through their tail unconsciously, so when night falls they don't lose their tails to frostbite or other such conditions.

Sindryl also all have black skin rich in melanin, which acts as UV protection, although this is usually obscured from sight by their fur. The fur is short and slightly coarse and glossy, which helps to reflect heat during the day and acts as insulation at night, when it gets very cold due to Torr's thin atmosphere. Sindryl have a wide range of fur tones, varying from black through browns and reds and up to grays, whites, and creams. Darker colours tend to have a shinier, more glossy quality than lighter colours. The crest of feathers adorning a Sindryl's head and neck is usually brightly coloured in the same shades as those found on tropical birds; this was originally evolved in the species as both a defense from larger predators and as a mating display, found on both male and female specimens.

Sindryl horns are sturdy, built similarly to antlers found on earth-dwelling deer species. Horns are usually dark, neutral shades and the shape of the horn varies greatly. Multiple sets of horns are a rare genetic defect.

Sindryl have visibly pronounced sternums due to their large lung volume, which pushes their ribcage outwards further during development and causes them to form what is almost considered a 'keel' (the prominent breastbone found in many bird species on Earth).

Sindryl hands are remarkably human, though they are very sparsely furred. They possess non-retractable claws rather than fingernails.

### Dentition

Sindryl have very unique dentition. Upon first glance, most would compare their dental structure to that of a Solenoglyphous snakes, however upon closer inspection this is not entirely the case. Whilst Sindryl do possess the 'folding' fangs seen in vipers, they also possess molars at the back of the mouth and have two rows of incisors on the upper and lower jaw, which are serrated and backwards-curving. The larger, blunter incisors at the front of the mouth are used for grabbing onto things, grooming, and to supplement speech. The molars aid in the small amount of chewing that Sindryl are able to do - however, they largely just use their incisors to break their food into smaller pieces when eating. A Sindryl's lower jaw is detached from the upper one, held in place not by bone but by a series of strong ligaments that allows the individual to open their mouth to almost 130 degrees.

### Reproduction

Sindryl reproduction is a somewhat complicated affair, as they naturally produce large quantities of a hormone known as prolactin. In humans, this hormone has many functions but largely does two things: stimulates milk production in the mammary glands, and counteracts sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Since Sindryl are not mammals (and therefore do not have mammary glands/breasts), for them it largely does the latter, meaning Sindryl have virtually no sex drive.

Sindryl lack any and all sexual drive/attraction, and due to the lack of sex hormones in their bodies, reproduction can be an altogether unpleasant, uncomfortable, and often painful affair. Sindryl understand and feel the basic need to reproduce for the survival of their species, but due to the sheer lack of enjoyment on both ends, when a couple decides to have hatchlings it is taken very seriously and the couple makes sure they are prepared to take on that responsibility before they conceive. This can be extremely useful: Sindryl very, very rarely have accidental pregnancies.

### Vocalization

Sindryl voiceboxes are evolved to create a wide variety of sounds, including (but not limited to) screeches, squeaks, whistles, hisses, chittering growls, and in the case of modern Sindryl, speech. When angry or afraid, Sindryl hiss loudly, similar to snakes. When happy, they produce something close to a purr, though it has a very avian quality to it

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ud\_X4v5Zg (0:59-1:40 best captures this peculiar purring sound)

## Culture

Sindryl culture is based primarily around knowledge and the gaining of such: they value this over wealth, militaristic endeavors, and most landmark goals that other races may pursue. Due to the fairly high precious metal content of their planet, they are not a poor race by any means, having established trade routes with nearby species, and they possess several fleets of space-faring vehicles, the largest of which is owned by the Council of Scholars, and is used for governmental purposes.

Sindryl mature fully by around 30 years of age (any Sindryl under 30 is considered a youth and is not eligible for many roles, such as apprenticeships and certain governmental positions). Most Sindryl have a job and a profession, which are usually distinct from each other until the individual in question manages to gain a job within their profession. The reason for this is that every Sindryl, upon coming of age, tends to choose a subject of interest which they will then study extensively and archive for the remainder of their life (known colloquially as their 'Study').