Flagermus

**Flagermus** are a playable race in *The Primordial Eulogy. Added Description*

## Description

Flagermus are bat-like Faunae primordials that inhabit the mountainous regions of Kai Emme. Both subtypes of Flagermus have the same base appearance of being very short and petite. Flagermus height ranges from 4’0-5’5. They have strong muscles, specifically strong upper body strength good for combat and climbing. Due to their upper body strength, they are naturally broad shouldered and tend to have muscular arms. Echolocators, in addition to their broad and strong upper bodies, have small eyes and large ears. Seekers have large and upturned “button” nose and big eyes with smaller, but still very large ears. Flagermus vary in all skin tones and eye colors. It is not abnormal to see a dark skinned Flagermus with violet eyes and blue hair. They are a colorful and flamboyant species of primordials.

#### Subtypes

Echolocators: Blind, but rely on echolocation to see. They have smaller eyes but large ears with full mobility to detect the smallest sound.

Seekers: They have an excellent sense of smell which makes them very good trackers as well as having night vision and can see farther than any other primordial.

## Personality

Flagermus ranges anywhere from True Neutral to Chaotic Neutral. They are deemed "wild" and "feral" by humans due to their natures. Due to their lack of conforming to Human and Elven societal roles (no gender, multiple partners, feeding style) they are seen as an animalistic race of primordial. All flagermus are free spirited and follow their own paths and desires.

## Biology

Flagermus are mammal-like and are creatures that have live births and produce sexually. Gender does not exist in flagermus culture. They are called “carriers” (ones that have vulvas) and “seeders” (ones that have penises). It is extremely common for Flagermus to have anywhere from 3-9 offspring (pups) due to how quickly Flagermus gestation (~6 months) is and how quickly they recover from childbirth (around 3-4 weeks postpartum). Another reason why they have so many offspring is that Flagermus heat cycles are biannual…they have one heat in the summer and their other in the winter which increases the chance of pregnancy among flagermus.

Due to their high energy lifestyles, Flagermus eat a lot throughout the day. Instead of the usual three meals a day, Flagermus tend to eat 5-7 meals a day depending on how active they are that day.The large ears Flagermus possess aren’t just for show, echolocators can move their ears to hear in all directions. Seekers also have large ears and excellent hearing, but it pales in comparison to echolocators.
Flagermus have a normal Faunae lifespan of approximately 500 years. However, when the Culling Era began, their average lifespans were cut in half due to the extreme physical turmoil they were forced to undertake when they were drafted into the Inokosha Battalion of the Kai Emme army, with these flagermus living approximately 250 years.

## Society

### Homelands

Flagermus live almost exclusively in the mountains of Kai Emme. It is considered odd for there to be full-blooded flagermus that live among civilization. If there is a flagermus living there, there is either a specific reason for them to live there or they are half-flagermus. Flagermus herds tend to be spread out across their natural habitat, which limits interactions with their own kind. They are only loyal to their family units and tend to not have any other close interactions or bonds with anyone outside of their family pods.

### Diet

Flagermus are carnivorous and only eat raw meat that they hunt. They tend to eat smaller prey, like squirrels and rabbits if they hunt alone. If they hunt in groups they will pursue larger prey like deer and they tend to steal cattle as they have no concept of money or ownership.

### Government

There is no official government in Flagermus culture. Flagermus live in family hunter-gatherer units, called herds, the heads of the family, which are most commonly the parents are the ones that make decisions for the herd. These herds can range from 2-15 members that consist of immediate family. It is uncommon for extended family to interact due to the distribution of Flagermus herds.

### Culture

##### Gender

Flagermus creatures only use they/them pronouns. If there is a Flagermus that uses binary pronouns, they are most likely half-flagermus.

##### Dress and Body-Modification

Traditional flagermus clothing is made from linens, cotton, and furs consisting of embellished embroidered patterns and metallic buttons and charms. They tend to wear loose clothes and sleeves, they do not wear form fitted clothes and they resemble dresses and smocks. Flagermus to not wear traditional pants. In order to protect their ears and skin, flagermus tend to wear headcoverings, such as veils and hats made of linen and furs.

In flagermus culture, body modification is not a common occurrence due to the need to keep their eyes and noses in good working condition. Tattoos are also not common due to their locations in the mountains, they do not have access to civilization and thus flagermus do not have body modifications.

### Religions

Flagermus follow and worship the Nymphs, but their patron nymph is the Tree Nymphs.

### Relationships

Familial bonds are very close and they affectionately call their family herds villages due to the high member count of herds. When they reach adulthood, around age 25, they will leave their family herd in search of a mate(s) and start their own family herd. All except the youngest pup will leave their family herd. The youngest pup, along with their potential mate(s) will care for their parents until they die.

Flagermus have dedicated mates but they can have up to three mates per one flagermus, this is seen as very common among flagermus. More often than not, polyamorous partnerships will consist of multiple carriers and one seeder in order to maximize offspring. There are monogamous partnerships in flagermus culture, but it is uncommon.