Scarlithian

Incomplete*This article is incomplete. The information on it may be incorrect or missing crucial context and information.*
## Description

The common scarlithian (*Avesicut calvitum) is* a species of opportunistic, bipedal, bird-like mesocarnivores in the *Avesicut* family. Scarlithians are well known for their proficient tool manipulation, despite them only having four fingers. These specific skills allow them to properly wield firearms, swords, bow and arrows, and in some rare occasions, scarlithians have been capable of replicating and recreating various man-made tools to better suit their needs. Scarlithians are prolific breeders, a single litter can consist of between 6 and 8 young, but it is not uncommon to see a litter contain more than 15 hatchlings at a time. However, despite their high birth yield, many scarlithians do not make it past their first year. Male and female scarlithians are sexually dimorphic, the females (broodmothers) being significantly larger than their male counterparts. Along with this, male scarlithians (drones) have a thick mane around their necks and a bald, white head which contrasts against their body. Broodmothers on the other hand will have concealing patterns such as spots, stripes, and a white flash that trails to their pelvic region. Juvenile and immature scarlithians match their broodmother's patterns for the most part, being strategically camouflaged to mimic dry leaves, grass, and rocks. Male scarlithians do not keep their immature plumage for long, the shedding process beginning at around 10-12 years old. During this time, immature scarlithians will be weaned off from their mothers, and given to their fathers instead, where they learn how to hunt, farm, and overall how to "scarlithian".

## Personality

Like humans and other higher animals, scarlithians have variable personalities. However, scarlithians are commonly seen as short tempered, blunt, rude creatures. They are known to be very loud, their hollow beaks amplify their voice along with their lack of knowledge on human manners. Scarlithians are known for their quick, but often miscalculated thinking. They have a tendency to steal, typically 'shiny things' such as jewelry, firearms, and even gold and silver fillings in teeth. As a result, scarlithians are seen as lowly and criminal.

Most scarlithians suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrients during their developing stages. As a result, many of these scarlithians have profoundly short tempers. Scarlithians are prone to fall into fits of frustration where they may yell, screech, or even initiate violence with their comrades. Scarlithians are expert fighters, and it is often advised to not start a fight with one. Their thick, bulky builds come with a price as most scarlithian scuffles end with torn skin, fractures, and the occasional beak breakage.

Many scarlithians have an odd way of speaking. They speak short and quickly, simplifying words if possible. In a sense, they seem excited and playful, and there is an aura of curiosity around their short spoken sentences. Occasionally, a scarlithian can and will speak in full sentences, bearing uncanny resemblance to a human. It is believed that scarlithians speak in such a manner to save time on words.

## Skills and Abilities

Along with their skillful tool manipulation, scarlithians have many abilities as a species, such as brute strength, a long lifespan, and mimicry. Scarlithians have both a larynx and a syrinx, a voice box organ located at the base of their trachea which allows them to create complex sounds. Their syrinx is mainly used to mimic other creatures, allowing them to ward off potential predators or in some rare cases, lure them in. In rare occasions, scarlithians have been known to imitate the cries of human babies in order to disorientate and confuse a potential target.

Scarlithians have extremely dense bones, only having 0.5-2% bone porosity compared to a human's 5%. This puts them at a heavy disadvantage in water, as unlike seals and walruses; whom of which also have extremely dense bones, scarlithians are lean, and do not have enough buoyancy to perform controlled swimming. This trait coincides with a scarlithian's lack of ability to swim, in fact, most common scarlithians do not even have the instinct to hold their breath under water.

Adapted to hostile desert conditions, scarlithians have several adaptations to help them thrive in unlikely environments. Scarlithians are highly efficient in retaining water, hosting thick skin and deep, fleshy eyebags on their lower eyelids. Their skin (Especially their eye bags) collects condensation in the early morning to keep them cool and hydrated. Scarlithians have also developed the taste for blood, being 90% water, blood makes up a majority of a scarlithian's water intake. A scarlithian can live without water for almost 2 weeks. This is more than three times the time a human can survive without water.

The scarlithian family is known for their heat tolerance, but the common scarlithians have the highest heat tolerance compared to any other species in their clade. They are able to withstand high (dry) temperatures of up to 148 C for up to 2 hours without suffering heat stroke. Despite their high heat tolerance, scarlithians lack the ability to sweat and don't even have sweat glands in the first place. To release heat, scarlithians will pant with their long, flat tongues. The evaporation of water from the heat slowly cools the body. Scarlithians also have oil glands situated in their *dermis* which help maintain the scarlithian's dense, but cooling hairs.

Scarlithians have an unusually cool body temperature, and their body temperature is sometimes reliant on the temperature around them. They are not truly cold blooded, as their body has natural thermoregulation processes, It's just not as efficient as mammals or birds. As a result, scarlithians are sensitive to their environment and struggle to function at temperatures below 4°C. In cold weather, scarlithians will bundle up in several layers of clothes, garbs, and wraps in order to stay warm.

Scarlithians have evolved to have *crepuscular* sleeping habits. This means that scarlithians spend almost 12 hours of their day asleep, being most active in the evening and dawn. It's uncommon to find a scarlithian out in the middle of the day but there are exceptions. Because scarlithians struggle with thermoregulation, especially when they're asleep, scarlithians will rest in small groups or piles, on rare occasions a sleep pile may have up to 30 scarlithians sleeping together at a time. Most scarlithians understand the importance of sleep and do not fight amongst each other unless necessary.

In extremely rare scenarios, a broodmother may impregnate herself through *parthenogenesis* due to having Z W chromosomes. Like some reptiles and birds, scarlithians can essentially "clone" themselves.

W.I.P