Sex and Reproduction

While this may at first read like a writing exercise for an overly hormonal teen, the topic of sex and reproduction is an important one to cover. This will not be explicit material, in fact it will be very sterile and textbook. For you, the reader, I hope that this serves to better your understanding of the people and races that inhabit Tyron and help internalize that sex is a topic that should not be shunned but respected and understood.

To start, most races share a similar makeup when it comes to sex organs. Every male has a form of organ meant for producing sperm (testes) and one for depositing it (the penis). This is in addition to several organs that help the internal processes, such as the Epididymis, Vas Deferens, Seminal Vesicles, Prostate Gland, and Cowper's (Bulbourethral) Glands. While there may be minor variations between the races in respect to these organs, primarily they are universal. This also goes for the female of each race, possessing an organ meant to receive sperm (the vagina) and subsequently fertilized (fallopian/uterine tube and uterus). In the same way as the male, they too possess several organs that aid this process, such as the Ovaries, Fallopian Tube, Uterus, Cervix, Vagina, and Vulva. For the function of these organs, please reference the table below.

Male Reproductive Organs
 Testes
 Epididymis
 Vas Deferens
 Seminal Vesicles
 Prostate Gland
 Cowper's (Bulbourethral) Glands:

Female Reproductive Organs
 Ovaries
 Vulva
 Fallopian Tubes (Uterine Tubes)
 Uterus (Womb)
 Cervix

These male and female reproductive organs work together to enable sexual reproduction in humans, with sperm from the male fertilizing an egg from the female, resulting in the development of a new organism.

Below, you will find some more nuanced descriptions of the various races. If a race isn't listed, you may assume that it operates with nearly the same functionality and processes of the human and humanoid races. As for pregnancy and birth, the gestation period of most races, including humanoids, lasts around 9ish months. Some may take slightly longer, some shorter, but it will mostly fall within that time frame without any real extreme cases. In addition, most races outside of a few exceptions have live birth. Otherwise, the species typically still have a gestation period but the result is laying eggs, which then will hatch a baby.

(Note: "Humanoids" is simply referring to races that are very close to humans in biology and physical makeup, not the entire class of humanoid species)

#### Humans and Humanoid Races:

As stated previously, humans and humanoid races are categorized by males possessing external sex organs in the penis and testes which deposit sperm into the vagina, the female sex organ. Eggs are detached from the ovaries where they meet sperm in the fallopian tube and are subsequently fertilized. Following an average of a 9 month gestation period, a baby is born. Many of these races are compatible with each other and can bear children with a strong resemblance to both parents. Examples of these kinds of races include: Humans, Orcs, Elves, Dwarfs, Goblins, etc.

#### Aarakocra:

The graceful and avian race exhibit unique reproductive anatomy that differs significantly from many humanoid races. Their reproductive system is adapted to their avian nature, featuring internal structures for males and a cloaca for females.

Male: Male aarakocra do not have external genitals, instead being internal, though still having the same physical makeup of penis and testes possessed by most other males in other species. Due to this, a male and female aarakocra may be mistaken or confused for the other. The male's "slit" roughly resembles a cloaca from a distance and can cause confusion until closer inspection. In this way, aarakocra clothing is actually quite unisex and they can often wear female clothing from other species quite easily.

Female: Female aarakocra possess a cloaca instead of a vagina. From more avian roots, a cloaca typically serves the purpose of both a vagina or vulva, and that of an anus. However, due to evolution to a humanoid form, it is no longer combined. Aarokocra still have an anus, and possess a separate cloaca that purely serves the purpose of urination, sex, and reproduction. The gestation period after fertilization is typically around 7 months, goes to 8. Instead of live birth, aarokocra lay eggs after the gestation period and the clutch typically ranges from three to five on average. A majority of the eggs will be "duds" while there is usually only one or two that a developed chick. After which, there will be 2-4 more weeks before the chick will break out of the egg.

#### Dragonborn:

The enigmatic Dragonborn race, known for their draconic heritage, possesses reproductive anatomy that is a fascinating blend of humanoid and reptile-like characteristics.

Male: Male dragonborn do not have external genitals, instead being internal, though still having the same physical makeup of penis and testes possessed by most other males in other species. However, unlike aarokocra, it is quite easy to distinguish male and female aarokocra due to much more pronounced traits such as spines, scales, and musculature. The male's also possess a "slit" that holds their genitals internally which can be denoted by a set of scales that oppose each other, unlike every other place on the body. Almost resembling a zipper of sorts, without an alternating pattern.

Female: Female dragonborn are unique, in that their sex organ is both like and unlike a vagina and cloaca. It resembles both organs closely in outward appearance. However, internally, the organ is similar to an ovipositor. While egg laying can be painful for many races, dragonborn can lay eggs with minor pain and relative ease. After fertilization, gestation usually takes 9-10 months, after which only fertilized eggs are developed and laid, unlike other species. When this occurs, it only takes a week or so at most for hatching to occur. There is little to no wait period after an egg is laid as the hatchling is fully developed while in the womb.

#### Gnoll:

Gnolls are a proud and strong humanoid race often compared to hyenas due to their beastly traits. They possess a reproductive system closely aligned with the biology of their animal counterparts.

Males: Male gnolls typically follow the same physical makeup of many other humanoid species. External genitals that refer both to the penis and testes which are used during reproduction.

Female: Female gnolls are a case of unique evolution when it comes to the race. They possess a womb and ovaries that produce eggs, but it is in their sex organ that they differ from everything else. Female gnolls possess a pseudopenis, similar to their male counterparts. It serves as the genital structure through which copulation occurs. The pseudopenis is also used for urination and birth, making it a multipurpose organ. Due to this, female gnolls can be mistaken for male at times, and they often wear male clothing of other species due to this. Gnoll clothing is tailored to fit both male and female equally, making it unisex across the board.

#### Kenku:

Kenku are very avian in nature and possess an very similar reproductive system to aarokocra. When referencing Kenku, you may use the aarokocra information interchangeably.

#### Kobold:

Kobolds are similar in nature to dragonborn with a very slight deviation.

Male: Male kobolds typically follow the same physical makeup as dargonborn. Internal genitals that refer both to the penis and testes which are used during reproduction, and the presence of a "slit" that denotes where their reproductive organs are.

Female: For female kobolds, they possess a sex organ that more resembles a vagina that functions similarly. The main differentiation between kobolds and dragonborn is that female kobolds lay larger clutches of eggs, with expected "duds" akin to aarokocra. Gestation is usually 6-7 months, with hatching usually occurring after a few weeks to a month.

#### Lizardfolk:

Lizardfolk follow the same processes as kobolds and follow the same general makeup. You may use the information for kobolds here interchangeably.

#### Owlin:

Owlin are cousins to aarokocra and follow many of the same facets and systems with slight variation.

Male: Male owlin do not have external genitals, instead being internal, though still having the same physical makeup of penis and testes possessed by most other males in other species. Similarly to species with internal reproductive organs, they possess a "slit" that denotes where reproductive organs are.

Female: Female owlin are almost exactly alike to aarokocra in respect to possessing a cloaca that is used for urination and reproduction. However, female owlin will generally lay smaller clutches of around 2-3 eggs that are smaller in size. Gestation takes around 6-7 months but the eggs will remain for up to 3 months before hatching.

#### Tabaxi:

Tabaxi are very similar to many other humanoid races, with some minor variation that comes with more feline traits.

Male: Male tabaxi possess external genitals that are used for reproduction in the form of a penis and testes. Unique to tabaxi, they possess "spines" on the penis that will physically "hook" during ejaculation. This may sound painful, but with correct preparation and knowledge, the process can be completed without any pain or discomfort. The "spines" retracting back to their original state when no longer aroused.

Female: Female tabaxi possess a vagina like many other species, and are more likely to give birth to several cubs when pregnant, often referred to as a litter. While not by a large margin, it is as likely to have one child as it is to have twins or triplets. Gestation takes around 9 months on average.

#### Tortle:

While it may seem like a humorous remark, tortle do in fact reproduce very slowly. They are very similar to some of the reptilian species, they are notably different in some ways.

Male: Male tortle possess internal genitals that are used for reproduction in the form of a penis and testes. Unlike the other species, there is not a "slit" but instead the shell covers the organs entirely. Only physically presenting when aroused, in which the penis is more prehensile to compensate for the typically bulky shell. On average, tortle take longer on mate and reproduce.

Female: Female tortle possess a sex organ that resembles a dragonborn ovipositor, and will lay a clutch of very small eggs relative to their size. They will typically lay 6-12, with many of them being "duds" and only 2-3 on average being fertilized. Gestation takes only 2-3 months, however the eggs will develop over 10-12 months on average. Compared to other species, tortle have the longest gestation period.

#### Wolfin:

Wolfin as a race carry many canine traits in both culture and appearance. This is also true for its reproductive processes.

Male: Male wolfin are unique as they do possess external genitals but they are notably different from other humanoid races. They are external but are held internally by a "sheath" as it has been named. When aroused, the penis presents from the sheath. In addition to that, near the base of the penis is a swollen section that is meant to "tie" the male to a female to ensure fertilization. This has been referred to as a "knot" because of this. The process of removal can be quite painful if there is not adequate time taken for the male to no longer be aroused.

Female: Female wolfin are very similar to other humanoid races, possessing a vagina. They often have small litters akin to tabaxi with less pups on average, typically only 1-2 in total. The gestation period usually takes 9 months like many other races.

#### Yuan-Ti

Yuan-Ti carry many snake-like traits and this carries on into their reproductive organs and processes. They are very similar to dragonborn with few notable differences.

Male: Male yuan-ti do not have external genitals, instead being internal and within a small cluster of scales that denote their "slit." Unlike other races, yuan-ti have the unique property of having two penises instead of one singular, though the testes are no different to other races. It is believed this is to aid in reproduction as it is more difficult in comparison to other races due to their body shape.

Female: Female yuan-ti possess a cloaca type sex organ that holds an ovipositor within it. It is notably difficult both to find and is deeper nestled into the body than most other races, making reproduction difficult. After fertilization, the gestation period takes around 6 months, with 3 months of development before hatching. Clutches are typically around 6-7 eggs, with many "duds," only 1-2 typically fertilized on average.