Chatcaava
Dragon shapeshifter aliens.
Physiology
- are actually mammals despite some reptile and avian like characteristics
- eyesight, particularly distance eyesight, is keener than in humans, but colors are more vivid as a human [1]
- smell is less intense than in humans
- hearing less crisp than in humans [1]
- human balance is worse than Chatcaavan
- think the Chatcaavan taste buds are more fat-and-protein-sensitive [2]
- male Chatcaavan have spines on their genitalia
- not fond of cold or damp, and are comfortable with water temperatures that are hot for most Pelted[3]
- Long, non-retractable claws, "talons to shame an eagle."[3]
- The equivalent of a muzzle is a beak containing fangs, covered in skin, with a flexible lip.[3]
- they use green for their interfaces, I don't know why
Head types
- Axe-head
- Chicken-head (translation) - considered unattractive (too much forehead height)
- Prow-head - shorter nose, smaller eyes. Prow heads grow manes more slowly.
- Aerodynamic-head - admired for its utility but not considered as handsome as axe-heads.
- Shark-head (translation) - associated with younger, clean-cut types.
A good brow ridge is considered masculine.
The brow ridges (with the spikes leading back over them) are seen only in adult males. Similarly, while females will grow the plate horns (the two that come straight back off the skull in line with the eye sockets), the other horns are grown only by males, and include a line from behind the cheek down toward the shoulder on either side of the face, and a row between the two central horns down the spine.
Horns continue to grow all a Chatcaava's life, if slowly. They don't mend unless you glue the broken bits of them back on, but they will get longer. Some males grow more horns than others; this indicates a more aggressive/dominant personality. (Whether that's true or not is up for grabs, as usual.)
Bodies
Their skeletons are more rigid than a human's because of the hollow bones (particularly in the ribs) that help create their biological airframe. They also develop a great deal of muscle flying.[4]
Chatcaava come in a variety of colors: white, black, many shades of gray and silver ranging from near-black to near-white, golds and browns from sable to bisque, and bronze. Some are striped, and some have freckles.[3]
In the current era, males are winged and capable of flight and the Change, and the majority of females have four arms (two at the shoulder, two slightly below), breasts, and no ability to Change. Some rare females have wings and the ability to use the Touch and the Change.[3] In the distant past, all Chatcaava--male and female--were winged and could Change.[5]
Wings
Chatcaavan wings are not stiff or tough like leather, but soft and heavy like suede. They vary in size proportional to the body; the Emperor has notable large wings. The wing vanes are densely latticed with blood vessels and nerves. Significant injury to them can induce shock.[6]
The wings of aging Chatcaava grow dry and brittle, and must be oiled to keep them functional and prevent chafing.[7]
Snapping the wings open makes a noise; in the case of a male as large and powerful, this can be deep as a drum.[3]
Body Language
- Chatcaavan nodding is slower, and singular: one long inclination, not the quick bob of Pelted culture.
- Wings lowered and tilted forward is a submissive posture.
- twitch a hand to shrug[3]
- rolled eyes in a human: a little twitch of brows and huff of breath in Chatcaava
Shapechange
Culture and Society
(Should probably note here that the customs we know of are mostly drawn from the wealthy and powerful, and those Inside, rather than necessarily applying to the majority Outside, and also slaves and harem members have their own microsocieties.)
"Inside" and "Outside"
Chatcaavan society is actually several societies coexisting in the same space. There are those Inside, who have power, wealth, and political clout, but are subject to the violent rules of the Throneworld Court and similar courts across the Empire. There are those Outside, who have no such power but are not beholden to any political power and cannot be casually killed. There are also nonentities, who are not officially Inside or Outside: slaves, aliens (both enslaved and free), and females.[3]
Inside
The males who are Inside play the game of politics, domination, and strategy. Unlike those Outside, they are obliged to their political patrons, even if those patrons might have cause to want to kill them. They are also subject to the rules between males Inside that excuse murder between rivals in most cases.[3][7]
Higher-ranking males may choose to "test" lower-ranking males through rape, torture, and humiliation, to put them in their place and see their limits. It is considered an honor, as only the most promising and dangerous males are put to the test. Those who pass the tests, however, rarely live long, as they become a threat to the Emperor.[7]
Outside
Those Outside are not obligated politically to any male, not even the Emperor, though they still follow the laws of the Empire. This means that they are unable to strive for power outside that afforded them by their role, but are also shielded from the violence of those Inside. Accordingly, they may not take sides. Males Outside may nevertheless become powerful and influential if their particular skills are needed (as with the Imperial Surgeon, who knew very well that he was needed to heal the injuries they inflicted on each other).[3]
"It made her wonder suddenly if the world Outside was striated with the fault-lines of ancient and provincial attitudes, and if that was part of why they were not permitted Inside."[8]
Castrates, Slaves, and Females
Dining Customs
See also Chatcaavan Foods.
While meat is often served already slaughtered and dressed, it is not unexpected for a live beast to be brought in to be killed at table by one of the diners' hands. Food is eaten with the fingers, with claws used to cut and tear meat.[3]
Costume
Males' Clothing
At the Imperial palace, and perhaps elsewhere, males in relatively casual circumstances wear robes of silk or satin with slits to accommodate the wings, and, optionally, loose pants; the robe is pulled over the arms and beneath the wings and tied.[3]
Females' Clothing
Females generally wear nothing but jewelry and possibly paint/cosmetics, but they can be dressed for special effect; for instance, the Slave Queen wore a low-backed sideless robe and translucent shift to Lisinthir's introduction to the court, and Bethsaida was dressed in a thin shift shot through with silver thread for her presentation. Within the harem, they may wear sashes, scarves, or translucent shawls, but nothing concealing.[3]
Jewelry
Jewelry is reserved for females, who are decorated to enhance their beauty and show the wealth and power of their masters; males do not wear it. Jewelry is created in the Preparation Room, where collars are also fitted.[7]
Types of jewelry:
- Collars, used to denote status as a possession. Collars have a fastening to attach a leash, and may be elaborately decorated and set with cabochons. Temporary collars can be removed, but permanent collars are welded in place. The Queen's collar is set with amber cabochons; Bethsaida's, with opal.[7]
- Rings
- Bracelets, including bracelets with chains connecting them
- Horn-rings, with or without gems hanging from them
- Armlets
- Anklets
- Chains with gems and bells string through and around the perforations in the Queen's wings; exclusive to her
- Waist, tail, and horn-dangles[3]
The Queen kept a piece of jewelry from each harem member who was killed, retrieved from the body by the Mother.[3]
Cosmetics
Trivia
- While finding pleasure in the pain of another is completely normal in the society of males Inside, it is considered crude to kill during the process. "...to actually destroy one's playthings was considered a lack of self-discipline."[3]
Chatcaavan Characters
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Only the Open, Chapter 14
- ↑ Farmer's Crown, Chapter 5
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Even the Wingless, Part One
- ↑ Major Pieces, "Deserving," Chapter 3
- ↑ From Ruins, Chapter 18
- ↑ Amulet Rampant, Chapter 15
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Even the Wingless, Part Two
- ↑ Amulet Rampant, Chapter 9