Lunaan

WIP by Zeke Isurus

 **Average Height**
 **Weight**
 **Facial Appearance**
 **Fur/Skin Color**
 **Bipedal/Feral Looks**
 **Bioluminescence**
 **Distribution**
 **Place of Origin**
 **Behavior**

The lunaan are a unique species that thrives in the desert regions of Nel. The lunaan species consists of two different subspecies species, the Sen'Kerl and Naan'Kerl, Sun Touched and Moon Touched respectively. The lunaan is covered in smooth scales/soft fur. They possess a pair of horns on their head, 4 arms, a \_\_\_\_\_ tail, 2 \_\_\_\_\_\_grade legs, and a pair of spines on their back. The lunaan are a tall and slender species, with males ranging in height from 5'9" to 6'8", females ranging in height from 4'8" to 5'7", and weighing in at 170lbs to 198lbs for males and 145lbs to 167lbs.

The modern lunaan live in thriving societies, prioritizing knowledge and research above all else. Like their ancient ancestors, the lunaan revere the sky, closely tracking the movements of astral bodies during both night and day. The ancient lunaan built their cities, temples, and monuments to reflect the sky of both night and day.

## Appearence

The variations of the species can be seen in their outward appearance. The Sen'Kerl, or Sun Touched, are a variant of lunaan whose \_\_\_\_\_\_ display warm and earthy tones. The males have additional flourishes and colors that vary in shades of reds, yellows, and oranges, with the occasional green. The Naan'Kerl, or Moon Touched, are a variant whose \_\_\_\_\_\_ are cold in color, showing greys and blacks while the flourish and color of the males display bright blues, greens, and purples.

### Bioluminescence

The lunaan are originally a subterranean species, thriving in the rocky caverns that spiderweb beneath the desert of Nel. Due to their underground origins, lunaan were gifted with Pinya'Nal or "Star Hearts".  The Pinya'Nal is in reference to their body's bioluminescence which is most prominent at \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Sunlight increases production and the glow intensity of the Bioluminescent chemicals.  The intensity of the glow is usually determined passively by the Lunaan's body.  If a Lunaan is happy or pleased they will glow brighter.  If one is stressed or upset they will glow dimly or not at all.  A Lunaan at times can forcibly control their glow in an effort to attract someone or threaten/scare off another.

### Fur and Skin

The Lunaan tend to be of different colors due to the conditions of their environment.  Lunaan of the arid deserts tend to have more earthy and sandy colored pelts and skin where jungle dwelling Lunaan tend to be greener.  There are variants of the species whos colors match that of their glow, due to spending their lives primarily underground.  IE: A Lunaan who has a blue glow would have a bluer pelt and skin tone.

Men and women have distinctly different coloration.  The males often have darker or cooler coloration where the females have brighter and warmer coloration.  The Lunaan men are usually dark brown, dark green, blue, or black.  Females are usually a sandy brown, a bright green, red or yellow, or white.  The old religion had several stories that correlated a Lunaan's coloration to the astral bodies that they worshipped.

*"The men, blessed by the Moon, were bestowed the colors of the night.  Seeing the blessing her brother had given the men of Lunaan, the Sun gave her children, the Lunaan women, the opposing colors to complete the balance.  This, the reason why men and women are named respectively after the Moon, Naan, and the Sun, Sen."  ~Translation from one of the Many Oral Stories of Mektra Daan*

On top of their base coloration, Lunaan men and women often are covered in markings that are their opposite colors.  Men, if they have streaks or marks, will have sandy brown, bright green, red or yellow, or white colored ones where women would have the opposites.

### SarenTak - "Wings"

Lunaan have vestigial limbs growing out of their backs.  These appendages can move freely and can be tucked into a Lunaan's back completely.  These limbs are "frames" for the Lunaan "wings".  Depending on the environment they live in, and the status the different members of Lunaan society have, they will use items from their surroundings to create the "wings".

For example: A middle class, desert-dwelling, Lunaan who lives in one of the underground towns or cities will fill in his SarenTak with polished stone.

The weight that the appendages are able to lift is proportional to the size of the SarenTak.  So if a Lunaan's back limbs are strong enough to hold stone, depending on the strength of the back limbs, a Lunaan will have wings equal to the amount of the same material they are able to lift.

The Lunaan attach the fill of their SarenTak by multiple means.  Some may use decorative chains or fabrics to have them drape over their appendages while others may use a more longer lasting method, such as resins or piercings.

Due to the Lunaan putting objects on these semi-vestigial limbs they can become very weak later in life.  This can result in the limbs falling off which is considered taboo in Lunaan society.  Lunaan who lose SarenTak are called Senkerl (Sun-Burned).

## Lunaan Social Structure

### The Senkerl

The Senkerl are a group of Lunaan who have lost their SarenTak. The Senkerl are often times not considered to be kin of other Lunaan out of fear of spreading the curse that they believe the Senkerl to have.

The Senkerl don't often live in Lunaan cities and villages despite there being sections specifically for them at their outskirts. Senkerl who don't live in the major locations tend top be nomadic and form close ties with their fellow kin. The nomadic Senkerl live a relaxed life, for the most part. They have mastered the harsh climate and terrain of Nel, and will often guide the lost.

Not all Senkerl are as peaceful. Many, especially those within the cities and villages, often are criminals. In the larger cities, gangs of Senkerl have been seen fighting for territory in the sectors and enforcing the rules that they have made.

#### Senkerl Gangs

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