Nycteris

Nycteris are a bat-esque humaniod species. They reside on the planet Auxinumn along with Cheshires.

## Anatomy & Physiology

Nycteris are covered in fine purple fur and have silver/gray hair. Nycteris sport bat-like ears and noses, and also have one red bat-esque wing. Some Nycteris have longer noses than others. They have one pair of red horns on the top of their head that are asymmetrical. This asymmetry can vary wildly, with some Nycteris having horns that are very similar to the two horns not resembling each other in the slightest. They have three skinny long toes ending in a claw.

Nycteris have two eyes with brown sclera and black, pentagon shaped pupils. Their eyelashes are the same color as their hair.

It is possible for Nycteris wings to tear or break, but these can heal on their own. Nycteris blood is dark red, similar to burgundy blooded trolls.

Similar to bats, Nycteris sleep hanging upside down.

### Abilities

Nycteris are capable of flight for brief periods of time.

Nycteris are able to echolocate like bats, using the ability for navigation at night and to hunt insects.

It is possible Nycteris have some sort of magical abilities, as evidenced by their rituals and ability to fly with one wing, but this has yet to be conclusively proven.

### Diet

Nycteris are herbivores and insectivores.

## Society & Culture

Nycteris are a superstitious lot, often looking to perceived signs and omens to foretell what will happen in to them. They also have rituals to try and mitigate or even prevent bad omens from occurring. While there are general ones such as asking for aide from the Deity they were born under, others are more personal. While Cheshires are generally skeptical about how potent they are, these rituals usually work.

Although relationships among individuals vary, overall Nycteris and Cheshires get along rather well.

### Symbols

Symbols are based on when the Nycteris was born. Specifically, what time of day the Nycteris was born (Day/Night) and what deity's season (Deer, Owl, Mole). The names for the symbols keep the deity, but depending on the day/night dichotomy they are either gold or silver, respectively. As an example, a Nycteris born during the season of the deer at night would have the silver deer symbol. Nycteris pronouns are also based on their symbol.

Being born under certain times and seasons is seen as lucky while being born under other times is seen as unlucky. The ranking of "luckiness" (along with the pronouns associated with the symbol) as follows:

1. Silver Owl (Sio/Siol)
2. Gold Owl (Glo/Glol)
3. Silver Deer (Sie/Sier)
4. Gold Deer (Gle/Gler)
5. Silver Mole (Sioe/Sioem)
6. Gold Mole (Gloe/Gloem)

### Clothing

Nycteris wear mostly black and dark gray. Having accents or accessories of colors is rather rare. Nycteris do no wear shoes.

### Ritual of Blood

A relatively new movement, small group of Nycteris believe that ingesting the blood of "lucky" creatures will keep bad things from happening to them, these creatures including Cheshires and other Nycteris (specifically those born at night, most especially owl/night). Most Nycteris frown upon this practice.

One way to tell if a Nycteris is a part of this group is a distinctive wound on their neck that looks like fangs punctured their skin. A more subtle way is if the color red is a prominent part of their wardrobe.

## Naming Conventions

Nycteris have only first names that are 7 letters long, with the first letter dependent on what season they were born.

* Deer: D, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, P
* Owl: A, B, C, E, I, O, U, Y
* Mole: M, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Z

## Etymology & Inspiration

The name Nycteris come from a genus of bats.

Nycteris's general coloration follows along with the autumn aesthetic consistent with Cheshires, just specifically Halloween.

## Gallery

A Nycteris with the Silver Deer symbol named Golshan.A Nycteris with the Golden Deer symbol named Klaveen.A Nycteris with the Silver Owl symbol named Britony.A Nycteris with the Gold Owl symbol named Igraine.A Nycteris with the Silver Mole symbol named Moswald.A Nycteris with the Gold Mole symbol named Merrick.