Craner

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Craner
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Racial statistics
Type: Humanoid
Origin: Natural
Size: Medium
Height: 1,6-1,8m not counting the neck
Average lifespan: 90 years
Climate: Arid terrestrial
Innate abilities: TBD
Worlds: Hushh

Craners are a race of humanoids hailing from Hushh who defy classical taxonomy. Possessing characteristics of avians, mammals and arthropods as well as completely unique traits, they are one of the more alien races on the galactic scene. Originating from a single world and not possessing a powerful state, craners are a rare but always memorable sight.

Biology[edit | edit source]

Craners are vaguely humanoid, possessing a clearly delineated torso, arms, legs and a tail, but this is where the similarities end. They do not possess a real head. Instead, from the top of their torso sprouts an over 120 cm long neck, atop of which rests a head-like appendage called a "pseudocephalus". That appendage is not a head - it has no brain, and the only sensory organs on it are a large, sharp beak with a forked tongue, as well as a single eyestalk crowning the entire creature. The neck and pseudocephalus evolved to let the primitive craners reach higher into the tree tops for grazing.

The real face and brain rest inside the large, oval torso of the individual. Craners have a pair of deep-seated eyes on the upper part of their torso, as well as two cat-like ears to the sides, just above their shoulders. They have no mouth or nose, breathing through their entire skin and speaking through reverberation of their outer skin layers (the beak on top is used only for eating).

Craners possess a pair of arms, but they hatch without them and grow them in the first two years of their lives. Occasionally, one in 100,000 individuals, will fail to grow their arms. Since craners evolved from herd herbivores, their first instinct towards these disabled individuals is one of care and assistance. Each disabled craner can be seen attended by a couple of people who try to help their sick and wounded. Some of these disabled craners purchase magical items that simulate the use of hands in order to become independent from the constant crowds of nannies. Craners also possess a pair of strong, stumpy legs and a heavy tail pulled behind them (and therefore always clothed).

Craner torso appears elastic and soft from outside, thanks to the reverberating membranes of their outer skin layers and the thick, soft down covering their entire body. Deeper inside they are protected with an internal carapace which surrounds all their internal organs. The organs are tightly packed together and kept cool with a network of air-veins connecting to the oxygen-bearing skin layers.

Craners are oviparous and monogamous. They marry for life and do not usually remarry even after a spouse's death. They do not appear to have much in terms of sexual dimorphism for an outside observer, but craners tell each other's genders by observing how their skin reverberates and some subtle differences in down patterns. Females typically hum in lower-pitched, deeper tones - traditionally associated with males among mammals, leading to much confusion among aliens.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Craners have a number of differing cultures and minor religious differences (mostly being of unorganized shamanistic faiths). However, the culture most would recognize as typically craner is called Binjae.

Binjae craners wear thick clothing covering most of their torso and limbs (including the tail) and keep their neck and pseudocephalus uncovered. They cover their real face (that is, body surface directly around the eyes) with elaborate masks that cover their main eyes. Binjae are very private in their customs, considering talking to one's real face a rare privilege one earns only in close friendship. Neck and pseudocephalus are considered 'unclean' and are not to be touched by other people unless absolutely necessary. They are kept uncovered as their public face one talks to when among people they don't know. Their word for the pseudocephalus could be translated as 'facade' - a fake image kept up for the public. Indeed, Binjae craners often have two different personalities - one seen by outsiders, and one seen by close friends and family.

Races
Common races Human - Elf - Dwarf - Gnome - Halfling - Orc - Goblin - Goliath - Giff - Dohwar - Mercane - Oni - Reigar - Sphinx - Dracon
Other races Aboussaur - Ajazy - Android - Aperusa - Aureal - Baku - Blemmye - Boggard - Bugbear - Cactusfolk - Catfolk - Cecaelia - Centaur - Cerebromorph - Corallite - Craner - Crion - Cynosurine - Darfellan - Dragonid - Ereleshku - Ettin - Finchkin - Gargoyle - Ghilani - Giant - Girallon - Gnoll - Grav - Grippli - Gullard - Hadozee - Harpy - Hobgoblin - Hamsterling - Hopslet - Hothak - Hurwaeti - Hydross - Kappa - Kenku - Khorak - Kobold - Korraw - Kyton - Lektin - Lizardfolk - Locathah - Ma'yee - Medusa - Merfolk - Minotaur - Molekin - Myconid - Myrmidon - Nephilim - Naga - Nerugi - Nsing - Oortling - Osh'wari - Paprot - Plumkin - Polarid - Raptoran - Ratling - Salamander - Saturnite - Satyr - Scorpid - Sea Devil - Sealkin - Shivan - Siyokoy - Syrinx - Tanukki - Telchin - Thorak - Tiefling - Treant - Triton - Troll - Trox - Ursine - Vagash - Vannara - Vegepygmy - Velocix - Venerean - Vespene - Vroomn - Vyrhuo - Wayang - Wurm - Xantid - Xill - Xiwangmin - Xixchil - Yaksha - Yapper - Yeti
Spiritual races Akashic - Angel - Demon - Ghost - God - Worldmother - Wraith
Undead races Draugr - Death knight - Écorché - Ghoul - Jiangshi - Larva - Lich - Mummy - Natural undead - Vampire - Zombie
Extinct races Bond'wari - Titan - Xa'tac - Yellowstone Progenitors