The Tarael are digitigrade humanoids with slender, tall forms ranging from 5’ ½ to nearly 7’. They all have between four and six eyes, with the first two along the midline of the face, and the second usually either right above or right below them, and any more are typically mutations that are counted as secondary eyes.
On either side of the head, they have four to six frond-like antenna, which captures vibrations and aid in their ability to hear low tones (the primary way that the species communicates with eachother, often sounding like a very low purr). Though they outwardly function similarly to the long ears of some earthly creatures, Tarael fronds are highly-specialized organs that are extremely sensitive and also act as an aid for their sense of balance.
Their skin is covered with a layer of fur, which can range greatly, from straight to curly and short to long. This fur can be a variety of colors, typically ranging from lighter colors such as grey, gold, or brown in males, and brown, dark gold, and black in females. However, there are rarer colors such as red and white, which are due to a mutant gene for the fur color. It's not rare or uncommon to see Tarael of all gender with manes and other decorations of grooming done to their fur, though it often depends on their political status and wealth in society.
After birth, a Tarael's fur is also marked in a distinct pattern, which can cover their body either partially or fully in a tone a shade lighter or darker than their general coloring. This design can vary in complexity and is often connected and similar to the designs of others in the family, much like a fingerprint--each set of markings is identifiable to a family line. The marks are visible at birth, and often fade away to the general color of their fur by the time a Tarael has reached adulthood.
They have the ability to have the design fully or partially dyed or tattooed to their bodies (often depending on the thickness, color, and texture of their fur). Regardless of the amount, this is a somewhat common activity to see done for many Tarael whom are maturing into their adulthood.
They have thick, powerful legs and tails that give them an incredible jumping ability and sense balance--this was largely useful when they were treetop predators, using their legs to jump from branch to branch and their semi-prehensile tails to cling to the trees and balance themselves.
The most mysterious, dangerous, and perhaps least noticed feature of the Tarael are their incredible jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. These jaws and mouths, which are normally hidden away as per a current cultural stigma, were once thought to be the most important part of their anatomy when they were still hunters and lacked technological knowledge. The size of their teeth actually render it very difficult to move their jaws repetitively as one would with most other spoken languages, so they've adapted their language to be spoken with a closed jaw.
Also to be noted that they produce a venom that is considered toxic to many other races across multiple words. To their own species, the symptoms of this venom are mild. To those of other species however, it can be incredibly painful and extremely deadly.
There are multiple subspecies within the Tarael, and they're usually based upon one of the 10 districts their family originates from.
Hybrids are rare (due simply to the fact that the Tarael are, intergalactic introvert creatures), but they are certainly possible!
Note: Though gender expression is a varied behavior for all Tarael, there is a definite percentage of physical sex in the Tarael culture. The male and female sex are equal in number, but approximately only 10-15% of Tarael are intersex, and are commonly (but not always) found in higher-ranking, older families as it is tied into a perception of spiritual 'perfection' from many generations-old traditions. Due to this rarity, while male or female Tarael are freely open for MYO designs, intersex Tarael are currently not open as an option from the start.
On either side of the head, they have four to six frond-like antenna, which captures vibrations and aid in their ability to hear low tones (the primary way that the species communicates with eachother, often sounding like a very low purr). Though they outwardly function similarly to the long ears of some earthly creatures, Tarael fronds are highly-specialized organs that are extremely sensitive and also act as an aid for their sense of balance.
Their skin is covered with a layer of fur, which can range greatly, from straight to curly and short to long. This fur can be a variety of colors, typically ranging from lighter colors such as grey, gold, or brown in males, and brown, dark gold, and black in females. However, there are rarer colors such as red and white, which are due to a mutant gene for the fur color. It's not rare or uncommon to see Tarael of all gender with manes and other decorations of grooming done to their fur, though it often depends on their political status and wealth in society.
After birth, a Tarael's fur is also marked in a distinct pattern, which can cover their body either partially or fully in a tone a shade lighter or darker than their general coloring. This design can vary in complexity and is often connected and similar to the designs of others in the family, much like a fingerprint--each set of markings is identifiable to a family line. The marks are visible at birth, and often fade away to the general color of their fur by the time a Tarael has reached adulthood.
They have the ability to have the design fully or partially dyed or tattooed to their bodies (often depending on the thickness, color, and texture of their fur). Regardless of the amount, this is a somewhat common activity to see done for many Tarael whom are maturing into their adulthood.
They have thick, powerful legs and tails that give them an incredible jumping ability and sense balance--this was largely useful when they were treetop predators, using their legs to jump from branch to branch and their semi-prehensile tails to cling to the trees and balance themselves.
The most mysterious, dangerous, and perhaps least noticed feature of the Tarael are their incredible jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. These jaws and mouths, which are normally hidden away as per a current cultural stigma, were once thought to be the most important part of their anatomy when they were still hunters and lacked technological knowledge. The size of their teeth actually render it very difficult to move their jaws repetitively as one would with most other spoken languages, so they've adapted their language to be spoken with a closed jaw.
Also to be noted that they produce a venom that is considered toxic to many other races across multiple words. To their own species, the symptoms of this venom are mild. To those of other species however, it can be incredibly painful and extremely deadly.
There are multiple subspecies within the Tarael, and they're usually based upon one of the 10 districts their family originates from.
Hybrids are rare (due simply to the fact that the Tarael are, intergalactic introvert creatures), but they are certainly possible!
Note: Though gender expression is a varied behavior for all Tarael, there is a definite percentage of physical sex in the Tarael culture. The male and female sex are equal in number, but approximately only 10-15% of Tarael are intersex, and are commonly (but not always) found in higher-ranking, older families as it is tied into a perception of spiritual 'perfection' from many generations-old traditions. Due to this rarity, while male or female Tarael are freely open for MYO designs, intersex Tarael are currently not open as an option from the start.
Percentages in Population:
Common: 50% / Uncommon: 30% / Rare: 15% / Very Rare: 5%
Common: 50% / Uncommon: 30% / Rare: 15% / Very Rare: 5%
Fronds (Ears)
The Taralian 'ear' are technically antennae called 'fronds', and are able to pick up low tones and vibrations (which is how they naturally communicate with one another). Though it's common to have either one or two pairs, it isn't entirely unheard for Tarael to have three or more, though this is exceedingly rare, and often only found in the bloodline of the royal family or district leaders. It is almost unheard of for a Taralian to have absolutely no fronds--because this inherently means that they are deaf. This is a mutation that is looked upon as a disability.
There are obvious exceptions for those who have endured injuries--it is incredibly painful for a Tarael to lose an entire frond or set of fronds, and it often leaves them disabled or impaired in their ability to hear.
There is a fair size range for their fronds. They can be as small as the width of their head, or as long as two or three head-widths worth. And they can be floppy or perky, but keep in mind when drawing them that their fronds are also high emotional indicators of mood!
As for the 'style' of the fronds, there is no particular limitation; the general rule is, however, 'the more complicated-looking, the rarer'.
There are obvious exceptions for those who have endured injuries--it is incredibly painful for a Tarael to lose an entire frond or set of fronds, and it often leaves them disabled or impaired in their ability to hear.
There is a fair size range for their fronds. They can be as small as the width of their head, or as long as two or three head-widths worth. And they can be floppy or perky, but keep in mind when drawing them that their fronds are also high emotional indicators of mood!
As for the 'style' of the fronds, there is no particular limitation; the general rule is, however, 'the more complicated-looking, the rarer'.
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Common: Two pairs, one primary and one secondary
Uncommon: One pair, only the primary
Rare: More than two pairs
Very Rare: None
Uncommon: One pair, only the primary
Rare: More than two pairs
Very Rare: None
Position of Fronds
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Common: Either perpendicular to the ground or slightly drooped
Uncommon: Large droop, typically laying on the shoulders; perked nearly vertically
Uncommon: Large droop, typically laying on the shoulders; perked nearly vertically
Length of Fronds
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Common: Roughly 2.5-3.5 heads wide
Rare: Either <2 or >4 heads wide |
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Styles of Fronds
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Common: Simple shapes with minor divots or notches naturally in the frond
Uncommon: Mildly complex shapes with multiple notches or half-split fronds Rare: Severely complex shapes, split fronts, sheep-like wool texture or feathered |
Eyes
One of the most interesting thing visually about the Tarael are their eyes. Most commonly, they have two sets--the first set, typically along the midline of their face, are their 'main' eyes. These give them their overall visual perception of detail, color, and movement.
The set above have a similar ability but are particularly sensitive to a slightly larger spectrum, including a wavelength that allows them to see the invisible markings on individuals of their species (akin to that of a fingerprint). These markings are visible at birth, but fade until they are invisible by adulthood, unless otherwise dyed or tattooed.
The eyes often appear a solid color--this is because the Taralian iris is larger than the visible parts of the eye, extending to the eyelids. Because of this, it's rare to see visible shapes in their eyes, and especially with inverted-looking coloration. However, there are instances of a second color over the first, making their sclera appear non-white.
Generally speaking, the upper pair of eyes is almost always smaller than the main set. It's fairly uncommon for the opposite to hold true, and rarer still for there to be more or less than two pairs of eyes. Having more would be an advantage in some way, but having less would be seen as a disability, lacking the ability to see one major chunk of the color spectrum and make them effectively partially blind.
The set above have a similar ability but are particularly sensitive to a slightly larger spectrum, including a wavelength that allows them to see the invisible markings on individuals of their species (akin to that of a fingerprint). These markings are visible at birth, but fade until they are invisible by adulthood, unless otherwise dyed or tattooed.
The eyes often appear a solid color--this is because the Taralian iris is larger than the visible parts of the eye, extending to the eyelids. Because of this, it's rare to see visible shapes in their eyes, and especially with inverted-looking coloration. However, there are instances of a second color over the first, making their sclera appear non-white.
Generally speaking, the upper pair of eyes is almost always smaller than the main set. It's fairly uncommon for the opposite to hold true, and rarer still for there to be more or less than two pairs of eyes. Having more would be an advantage in some way, but having less would be seen as a disability, lacking the ability to see one major chunk of the color spectrum and make them effectively partially blind.
Number / Position of Eyes
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Common: Two pairs of eyes, as long as the top (secondary) eyes are smaller than the bottom (primary) eyes
Uncommon: Two pairs of eyes in most all sizes and shapes where the bottom (primary) eyes are smaller than the top (secondary) eyes Very Rare: Whenever there are less than or more than 4 eyes, one pair being primary and the second being secondary |
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Pupil Shapes
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Common: Blank sclera or simple pseudo-iris.
Rare: Oddly-shaped pseudo-iris or human-like (with the iris small enough to see the sclera of the eyes) |
Iris Colors
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Common: Pastel, earthy or otherwise semi-muted colors
Uncommon: Any color strictly along the greyscale Rare: Extremely bright or saturated colors |
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Tails
The tail is one of the most important part of a Taralian's body in both terms of communication as well as reproduction. This is due to the fact that it acts as a non-verbal tool and cue for emotion for the former, and because the base of the tail is the location of the male sex organ that produces and stores eggs just before the male's heat cycle. Because of this, many Taralian's enjoy styling the fur on the tips (or entirety) or their tails in a great variety of shapes, colors, and thensome.
In general, females have longer, thinner tails than their male counterparts. There are exceptions, but it's almost impossible for a Taralian to have no tail at all, and multiple tails have only been recorded for hermaphroditic Tarael, and are rare even at that.
In general, females have longer, thinner tails than their male counterparts. There are exceptions, but it's almost impossible for a Taralian to have no tail at all, and multiple tails have only been recorded for hermaphroditic Tarael, and are rare even at that.
Common: Short, medium or long fur that originates from the last third of the tail
Uncommon: Either having none or complete extraneous fur coverage along the full length of the tail.
NOTE: Having thick fur along the length of the tail is NOT uncommon if your Tarael otherwise has very thick or fluffy fur on the entirety of their body.
Uncommon: Either having none or complete extraneous fur coverage along the full length of the tail.
NOTE: Having thick fur along the length of the tail is NOT uncommon if your Tarael otherwise has very thick or fluffy fur on the entirety of their body.
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Coat / Fur
There is an amazing variety in the colors and textures of a Taralian's coat. A lot of their colorations depend upon their subspecies, which is generally different between each main district on their planet, due to the original tribes in which they came from. Even so, there are some general rules that can be made about them. Males tend to be lighter in color, while females are typically darker. It's uncommon for a Tarael to have a perfect white or overly bright coloration, such as neon colors.
As a simple rule: if the color would have made them stick out like a lightbulb in the middle of a eternally-twilight forest when they were trying to hunt prey, then that color is on the rare-er side of the spectrum.
But of course, Tarael are advanced as a race and, of course, there are exceptions for artificial dyes and whatnot, but keep in mind that it can be very expensive and time-consuming, so many don't bother with the effort unless they have a lot of money!
As a simple rule: if the color would have made them stick out like a lightbulb in the middle of a eternally-twilight forest when they were trying to hunt prey, then that color is on the rare-er side of the spectrum.
But of course, Tarael are advanced as a race and, of course, there are exceptions for artificial dyes and whatnot, but keep in mind that it can be very expensive and time-consuming, so many don't bother with the effort unless they have a lot of money!
Common: Natural, earthy shades (akin to natural human hair color, for reference). This only includes the darker-half of the grey scale.
Uncommon: Pastel, particularly non-natural colors that are non-neon.
Rare: Pure white
Very Rare: Very bright and unnatural colors.
Uncommon: Pastel, particularly non-natural colors that are non-neon.
Rare: Pure white
Very Rare: Very bright and unnatural colors.
