Drayi

Drayi (plural: Drayi) are a tree-dwelling bat-like species. They are called Drayi after the ear-piercing shriek they produce to disorient any attackers or to find mates. They are also sometimes called howlers for this reason. They are quite numerous and can be found in nearly any forest on Ûnduleah. They spend most of their time hanging upside down drinking the sap of trees through their tail hooks. If you find strange puncture marks on a tree it's probably a sign that a drayi has been drinking here.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Drayi are roughly the size of a squirrel and they have two featherless wings strapped to their back with a sharp hook at the end of each. A smaller and less sharp hook can be found on each of their 'elbows'. They have 2 fluffy large ears on their head and their tail ends in another sharp hook. They can often be found hanging upside down by their tailhook on the side of a tree trunk.

Genetics and Reproduction

Drayi are not well suited for cold conditions so they usually die in the month of Iridir. They lay eggs in hollowed-out trees that hatch as soon as temperatures get warm enough again. Only in Unem, they can occasionally survive through Iridir and some drayi have been known to live up to 3 years old. Growing disturbingly large if this happens.

Ecology and Habitats

Drayi are found in pretty much any forest as long as there are enough trees or carcasses to drink from. As long as there aren't too many drayi in one place the trees are not significantly harmed and the trees can just keep on growing.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They drink the sap of trees through their tailhook, but then can also use those hooks to suck up blood from carcasses. Basically, they will consume any nutritious fluid as long as their target will sit still for long enough.

Behaviour

Drayi are scavengers and will never hunt. However, in self-defence, they will slash with their tails which can inflict gruesome wounds to soft tissue. If threatened they can also let out an ear-piercing screech that will disorient or stun their attacker.
Their mating shriek consists of two parts. They start with a soft and low sounding 'rrraaa' sound that quickly builds up to a loud and higher pitch. They end their call with a short but ear-piercingly high and loud 'iii' sound. If one drayi hears the mating call of another it will join in and instantaneously produce an identical 'iii' shriek of its own. When enough howlers are present in a forest this shriek can travel from one end of a forest to another as if it were a single sound.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Their tail hooks can be harvested to make straws

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They live in any forest that isn't too cold on Ûnduleah

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their big fluffy ears will pick up any change in the air so they will hear the softest sound and can detect the slightest wind. Because of this perception, they don't like thunder and when you see howlers fly to their holes it's usually a sign that a thunderstorm is coming.

Drayi sketch by nicemustangart

Lifespan

1 year

Average Height

20-30 cm

Average Weight

0.5 kg

Geographic Distribution

• Filinor forest
• Ilinor