Dractil

Written by JoshForeman

Physical:
A tall, thin, winged race. They are very fast and dangerous with a defense mechanism that fires poison hair in all directions, they bring pain and devastation when they attack. They are also very flimsy creatures; a skeletal appearance. A thin, translucent exoskeleton is all that holds their innards in. Due to the amount of energy required to stay airborne, they are very limited when it comes to clothing, armor, and weapons. They can carry up to 200 lbs. for very short distances, and then must rest for hours to recover.

Social:

Their social structure varies radically from group to group. Some seek peace with other species, but many prefer battle and domination. Most are migratory nomadic, building temporary structures out of woven wood and branches. Being cold-blooded, they travel towards the equator in the winter, mainly to deserts. In the summer they tend to live around the tree line in mountainous areas. There are a few permanent Dractil buildings and monuments around Talifar. These are built by the more civilized factions. There is minimal trade between Dractil and other races for two reasons. Firstly, most races are terrified of them, their language is very difficult to understand, and the males who are the ones who do the traveling are not very smart. And secondly, Dractil don’t have many needs that they can’t fulfill themselves. Some of the more civilized colonies have taken to wearing decorative sashes, cords, and ribbon. But these are seen as luxuries.
Like Koala bears, there is a limited number of food sources that work for the drones. High sugar fruits in the further from the equator or cactus-like plant that produces a very thick sap in equatorial regions. This sap works perfectly with their metabolism, powering them like no other food source. So those that wish to expand their territory must plant groves of this plant at least a year or two before they can move into the new area. Matriarchs require a high protein diet.
Another unpleasant fact is that their reproduction cycle requires a live animal which they attach a parasitic egg that fuses with the host body, sapping its life to grow. They usually find small creatures like sheep, but some of the nastier tribes are known to grab sentient species, including human children and tezledek.
Generally the females are the political and religious leaders. They are more intelligent and live longer than the males for a variety of reasons. (Mainly the men-only military campaigns, and less flying stresses on the part of the females.)

History:
Dractil were brought to Talifar on the A.I. Ark from a system threatened by a supernova.

Statistics:

Bowmark grabbed the bow and threw himself under the mulig again as the nightmare swooped toward them with a whirr. The thing touched ground, then shot straight up. Bowmark reached around the mulig’s belly to snag an arrow. The thing streaked toward him. The mulig tucked in its head, stretched its ears over its eyes, and lowered itself, squashing human and spitter. Bowmark squeezed out, rolled to a knee and fitted the arrow while tracking the monster, sweeping the point over the mulig’s back. A mere stride from the point of the arrow, the thing spread its arms and unfolded a scythe of a finger as long as its forearm. Bowmark released the arrow. The monster folded around the projectile and was propelled backward until it thudded into a tree three strides away. The creature twitched, then shook violently. One leg began to swell rapidly, then an arm, the other leg. Bowmark slowly stood as he watched in dumbstruck horror. CRACK! A leg burst and a cloud of orange hairs erupted from its chitin. Several spots on Bowmark began to burn. “Down!” Scolla squealed. Down he went and reached for his burning face. Bristles protruded from his skin. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Bowmark heard what must have been the other limbs exploding -sending more venomous hairs in every direction- but the mulig was between the monster and them.