Phase 2:Neluskskel Kin'toni Clan

History

Psychology

Biology

The Neluskskel are adapted to the windy, high altitud, and open Badarval Canyon. They are short and very thin of build, with an nearly hollow skeletal structure. The sternum is reinforced and the vertebrae are fused to anchor immense pectorals. This allows them flight power and resilience against high-G forces. The downside of this is being very susceptible to bone fractures, and lacking in body strength compared to other kin'toni. Their beige skin is thin and durable, tight on bones and on their large, membranous wings.

On their heads, wings and tails, they have small, hairlike feathers that acts as fine sensors for detecting micro-changes in air pressure and turbulence. The feathers on their skin also detect minute shifts in atmospheric electric fields to allow them to sense impending weather changes. In thunder storms, they are prone to disorientation. The wings have fine, protein-based stiffeners inside to prevent tearing or deformation during powerful updrafts. This allows the wings to survive the forces of flight, even in high winds.

The wings also have controlled skin flaps along the leading edge of their wings to allow them to automatically adjust in order to maintain laminar flow. This aids their control in the air. The wings also have an modified vascular network in their wings that allows them to "breathe" trace oxygen from the air. This allows them to have sustained activity at high altitudes where air is thin. The tail is broad, feathered and controlled by highly efficient musculature. This allows for adjustments to allow for unparalleled maneuverability and aerial braking.

Damage to the tail or wings stops them from being able to fly and if it is damaged in flight, can be fatal. Their brown eyes are optimized for extreme distance and rapid movement compensation. This allows them very good long range vision but they are very short sighted. The ears are short and pointed. The inner ear is adapted to filter out the deafening sounds of high-speed air passing over their head. This means they can maintain communication and spatial awareness at terminal velocity.

The downside of this is being unable to low-frequency sounds. The nose has an complex valve system that closes automatically during dives. This protects the nose from wind damage, but also hinders their sense of smell. The teeth are long, thin and curved backwards to allow them to find on airborne prey while in flight. These teeth are fragile often break on the thicker hides of ground bound prey. The clan's claws are long, sharp talons with exceptional strength, for snatching prey from the floor. These claws also make fine motor skills and walking awkward.

The ligaments and tendons are highly elastic. This allows them to store kinetic energy from wing beats to aid sudden take offs and evasive movement. The bone marrow is mostly replaced by inert, ultra-light gas-filled matrix to lower the body mass from flight. It also means they have less ability to generate red blood cells. The blood has specialized antifreeze protein to stop cell damage while flying in sub-zero temperatures at high altitude, but also makes them prone to overheating in warmer environments.

Culture

Government

Military

Religion

Miscellany