Reaha
Overview
Reaha are a fiercely independent species. They have a relatively low population, but more than make up for it with their tenacity and drive.
Classification
Draconian (cursed)
Rarity
Uncommon
History
Reaha originate from a cave system on an island south-east of the mainland. Within the cave system, they were forced to live under a religious dictatorship centered around the moons. Their leaders, referred to as 'The Chosen Ones', named a sacrifice each time the moon changed, under the guise of the moon requesting that individual to sate their hunger so they don't devour all of them.
In reality most of these sacrifices were just those the leadership disliked and wanted to be rid of. These sacrifices were tied outside to be burned alive by the moon, though this habit ultimately led to the end of this style of governance. They failed to properly tie down one of those who spoke against their leadership, and she began rescuing all those 'sacrificed', eventually amassing enough to violently overturn the old leadership.
Biology
Physical Description
Reaha resemble wyverns, and are one of the smallest species on Aneith- measuring only two and a half feet (0.8 meters) at the shoulder on average. They have five digits on each of their forelimbs, of which the thumb and index remain regular fingers, while the remaining three are stretched out into wings.
Their tail is thick and semi-flexible, and measures roughly twice their body length. Their wings roughly match the tail in span, and extend from the shoulder down past the base of the tail slightly. Their muzzles are short, blunt, and rounded; their teeth are all sharp carnivorous fangs, and equal in size except for the slightly larger canines. They have deer-like ears, and two large bumps above the eyes that culminate in a pair of short, thick, sharp horns. Their legs end in large feet that look like a mix between avian and reptilian, with large curved non-retractable claws.
The curse they're under causes their body to react caustically with the moon's daylight energy. It reacts as though they're on fire, slowly burning their skin anywhere the light touches. They are also highly resistant to magic, being immune to many magical feats such as Jacksier's curses or Yvet's telekinesis.
Diet
Reaha are omnivores that primarily consume meat, bugs, tubers, and fruit. They stay away from food with too much fiber, as it can upset their stomach, and they are unable to digest bones easily- small pieces will break down, but they have to be careful not to swallow large chunks.
Reproduction
Reaha are reproductively active all year round. They lay 1-3 eggs that hatch into kits roughly five weeks later. Egg-laying Reaha will begin to develop eggs around 2 weeks after laying their last clutch, and at roughly week five, they'll become fertile. If the eggs aren't fertilized within a week, the Reaha will either lay the dud eggs two weeks later, or reabsorb them if resources are too low.
However, very rarely, a dud egg may end up developing a kit anyway due to parthenogenesis. This is immensely uncommon, happening a maximum of five times throughout the entire Reaha population in a year (usually happens less than that though). However, this chance is still enough to compel most Reaha to incubate and keep an eye on their dud eggs for a few weeks anyway, just to be sure.
Once the kit has hatched, their parent(s) will keep an eye on them, but they're otherwise mostly independent. They know how to hunt and seek out food by instinct, though they do benefit from having older Reaha teach them more refined tricks and skills. The parents care for them in a manner similar to crocodile mothers- keeping close and protecting them, and occasionally teaching them some things, but are otherwise largely hands-off.
Lifecycle
Once a Reaha hatches from it's egg, they spend the first few weeks of life sticking close to the older Reaha around them, mimicking their behavior and slowly figuring things out. At seven weeks old, they'll begin attempting to fly, though often by this point, their wings have grow much quicker and are too large to be easily managed by the still growing kit. At around twelve weeks of age, their body will have caught up to their wings, and they can manage true flight. From here, they mostly just look like a smaller version of an adult Reaha, and won't undergo any more large physical changes, aside from just growing bigger.
On average, Reaha live to about forty-five years, and the oldest known lived to be fifty-three. Reaha near the end of their lives will often be plagued with joint pain, low energy, and will have lost the strength to fly. However, they keep their strong spirit, and their eventual death often feels out of the blue- they'll be out and around, bright as ever, then simply pass away once they go to sleep.
Activity Level
Thanks to advancements made by other species, Reaha are able to remain in daylight in spite of their curse thanks to a special cloak that covers most of their body and casts an enchantment around the rest of them, dulling the moon's energy before it reaches their body. In spite of this, Reaha prefer to be active during the night, preferring to just not take the risk.
They tend to become slower and less active during the colder seasons, and more active once the seasons warm.
Behavior
Temperament
Reaha are well know for being strong-willed, competitive, and aggressive. It's widely believed that if they weren't so naturally strong, they would have never survived their past and flourished as well as they have now.
Sociability
Reaha are semi-social ambiverts for the most part, needing equal amounts of socialization and alone time to remain mentally healthy. They tend to be difficult to get along with, being naturally rough, abrasive, and crude- often dishing out insults as a form of affection. They are however, steadfast, loyal, and protective friends, who won't think twice about putting themselves in harm's way for someone they care about.
Reaha don't have a very strong internal social structure- after the discovery of The Chosen Ones' deception, they aren't very keen on the concept. And while they'll largely follow the laws of other's when on their land, they aren't afraid to openly question stranger or unfair rules, and willingly ignore rules they believe to be nonsensical.
Sapience
Reaha are relatively 'primitive'- they make use of very little tools, and tend not to hop on new technology as quickly as others. They are, however, known for being the species to domesticate the Maervic, which have now spread to become a staple livestock species across the world.