Banetai

**Banetai** (pronounced *BAW-neh-tai*) are a vampiric type creature found on Keratasa.

## Appearance

Banetai have a canine build and are capable of standing upright on their legs, or walking quadruped. They are rather furry, with most of their fur naturally being black or dark grey with lighter colors in certain areas, such as the hands, feet, tail tip, inner ears, and underbelly. Additionally, Banetai will either **stripes** or **spots** patterns of a single color across their fur. All Banetai have a black sclera, along with slit pupils that typically match the color of their stripes/spots. Their teeth are very sharp, with two particularly large fangs on their upper jaw which are constantly visible. Banetai always have ears and tails mammalian in design, typically resembling those of carnivorous species. They **cannot**, however, have jestears or horns. They additionally have hunched backs, a triangular face, and claws on their hands and feet.

Along the arms, legs, neck base, hips, and the base of a Banetai's tail are stitches which connect all of their body parts together. These stitches are made up of Banetai threads, which act similarly to nerves and hold everything together. They able to be pulled apart willingly by a Banetai, meaning they can detach their limbs, tail, or even head without consequence.

Among the two main Banetai types exists a third, much rarer type known as **Silver Banetai**. Silver Banetai have- as their name suggests- silver fur instead of black, with accents that are darker in color. Their teeth also have a unique property where usage will turn them black.

## Biology

The Banetai inhabit Keratasa, preying on other Keratasian species such as the Tanri. They are hemovores, requiring a balanced diet of meat and blood to sustain themselves. A Banetai needs to consume blood at least once every two weeks, or they may die.

While they are rather resilient in build, all Banetai are **extremely vulnerable** to fire, as it permanently destroys their body parts, and could ultimately prove fatal if they are not put out.

## Culture

Banetai are a sapient species, living within forests in tribes, with their capital village being Silvermoore. Although many Banetai are willing to hurt any sort of prey they get their hands on, there are also Banetai which form alliances with specific species, meaning that they are prohibited from preying on that species, lest they are thrown into prison or burned.

Silver Banetai are said to come from a royal bloodline, and are thus treated with great respect.

## Abilities

The Banetai all have the unique ability to steal and copy limbs from other species. When Banetai bite another species, they copy the other species' body plan which then allows them switch their head, torso, arms, legs, and tail to those limbs of the species they copied. When changing limbs, the bodies of the Banetai "unravel" and then re-ravel into their new shape. However, their stitches are always visible no matter what limbs they wear, making it easier to spot a Banetai. Additionally, they can also tear off other limbs and attach them to their bodies.

Banetai are also able to convert other species into Banetai by biting them for 10 seconds straight. A converted Banetai keeps their natural appearance, however their eyes become the same as a regular Banetai's, as well as gaining the same stitches on their body. They gain all Banetai traits and are forced into adopting the same dietary needs. Through willpower, however, it is possible for them to make their eyes seem normal.

With their affinity with the shadow sembla, Banetai can easily blend in with shadows, allowing them to easily sneak up on and ambush their prey.

## Gallery

The three types of Banetai.A doodle of Jackie mid-transformation.