Arolith
Overview
Arolith are a highly prolific species on Aneith, and one of few bipedal ones. They are credited for the building of the many temples to the Leoprin throughout Aneith.
Classification
Mammalian (cursed)
Rarity
Abundant
History
After the war of the gods, the Arolith species suffered greatly due to a toxin that had settled over their homeland. In a bid to make themselves immune to the toxin, they tried many magical experiments. All failed until the species dwindled to a couple thousand individuals. In a last ditch effort, the greatest mages of that time came together and cast a grand spell on the species- that unfortunately wound up being a curse in the end. To this day, the exact details of the spell are unknown, as it took the lifeforce of all the mages that cast it.
The curse made the Arolith more magic based beings rather than biological, though they still react to many things as though they are biological. This forced them to rapidly adapt to a new way of living, making them unlike almost any other creature on Aneith.
Biology
Physical Description
Arolith are a bipedal fox-like species, with large ears and a tail twice the length of their body. The stand about 6 feet tall (1.8 meters).
Diet
Arolith cannot eat normal food, instead relying on magic filtered either from the the world to create a slurry they can ingest. This has lead to many inventions to fulfill this need, from special blenders to a cup that can filter magic straight from the air.
Reproduction
Arolith are unable to reproduce naturally, instead relying on a spell to infuse all participating parents' energies into a crystal that will then be worn around the neck to slowly feed on the carrier's energy. The carrier doesn't need to be one of those involved with the infusion, though the more superstitious believe the young will be more likely to be unhealthy if not. It's also believed the most magic filled of the parents' should be the one to host the crystal, in order to provide the highest quality of energy to the developing young.
Arolith only have one child per crystal, and while it's possible to create multiples by having all participating parents feeding crystals at the same time, it's also considered unhealthy for the young created after the first, since they'll have received 'less prime energy' than their sibling. Naturally, it's also considered unhealthy for one parent to host multiple crystals.
Arolith can be born anytime thanks to this reproduction method, and it typically takes around 4 weeks until the crystal 'hatches' a newborn. The newborn will 'nurse' on the remains of the crystal, continuing to draw energy from the hosting parent for at least the next six weeks.
Lifecycle
Arolith start out as tiny as the crystal they're born from, able to fit curled up inside an adult's paw. They're born with ears and tail disproportionally big, and never quite lose that quality into adulthood, though they do grow to be able to control them. Arolith take a long time to grow, spending their first year unable to even walk due to their ears constantly dragging their head down. As they start their second year, they gradually gain strength, expected to be able to walk by halfway to their third birthday. By their third year they're able to run and are starting to be able to lift their tail on it's own.
By their fifth year they're able to speak full sentences and can lift their tail at will, though mostly will still prefer to drag it. Their ears will also droop less and less. By the time they're seven, they look almost like miniature adults, keeping their ears perked and tail up most of the time, and their proportions will have evened out as well. They'll be about half their adult height. It'll take another seven years of growing to reach their full height afterwards, making them adults at around fourteen years old.
However, not all Arolith make it to that age. There's a phenomenom know simply as 'the fading' that plagues the species. At random, patches of white will spread on their body. These are actually patches where the magic has left, leaving behind only an empty, non-functional shell behind. If a vital organ empties out, it will lead to the death of an Arolith. Some can live hundreds of years before the fading takes them, while others live only a short life. It can appear to happen suddenly, if the fading only touches inside without expressing externally.
This has lead to many superstitions about how to avert the fading rising amongst Arolith, in an attempt to combat this phenomenom.
Activity Level
Arolith still need to sleep, but not as much as other species. This has lead to a wide variety of sleeping styles amongst them, usually fitting an individual's lifestyle. Some will only sleep at night, others in the day, or might just take a nap whenever there's time. Farmers and others who work with Whiptails tend to mimic their sleep schedule for efficiency.
Due to their unique diet, Arolith don't need to restrict their activity depending on the time of year, and can remain fully active through even the harshest of Harth's cold.
Behavior
Temperament
Kind, calm, intelligent, and socialable are all words used to describe Arolith.
Sociability
Highly social, one of the first species to welcome in newcomers and begin making alliances and trade.
Sapience
The first to begin large scale agriculture and masonry, having built nearly all the temples to the Leoprin in existence. They're easily the most advanced species on Aneith, but freely share their creations and methods with others, allowing even further advancements to be made.