The Nyluru


The nyluru are native to Inyoso and are the children of Isoyama. Aloof and down to earth, the nyluru seem to be a rather unassuming species. However, there's more to their unflappable attitude than meets the eye. The nyluru are the only intalli species incapable of experiencing pain. One can only wonder if this is a blessing or a curse.

Biology

The nyluru are long, chubby, muscular creatures. Their broad heads boast a blunt snout and two, long barbels. These barbels appear above the eyes or from the snout and possess taste buds. This allows them to detect food sources while underwater. Their tails are large and flattened, with a thick membrane extending from their forelimbs to their tail. They possess thin, translucent fins on their back, legs, and tail, with some individuals growing head fins as well.

The nyluru are semi-aquatic and can breathe through their soft, slimy skin. Nyluru naturally produce a thick layer of anti-bacterial mucus, allowing protection against infection and disease. Nyluru can hold their breath for up to 4 hours but prefer to avoid deep waters. They are physically unable to handle salt water and will easily succumb to dehydration if made to swim in it

Abilities

Analgesia

The nyluru are incapable of experiencing pain or extreme temperatures. When facing injury or illness, a nyluru will only feel the slightest discomfort. This ability dulls the majority of their senses and leaves them highly vulnerable to minor injuries and infections.

Ecology and Behavior

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Nyluru have sequential gilder reproduction with holders laying eggs. All nyluru are born as givers but may transition to holder in adulthood. Nyluru may reproduce at any time, however the majority of matings occur during the spring.

  • Nyluru are physically mature and considered as adults at 17. Ignoring infant and child mortality rates, nyluru have a life expectancy of 60 and a lifespan of 100.
  • Reproduction among the nyluru is a highly casual affair. Typically, groups of nyluru will gather in the spring and pair off randomly. Mating occurs partially underwater, with the smaller giver attached to the back of the typically much larger holder for several hours. After the laying and fertilization of several hundred eggs in the water, the pair will split and the eggs are abandoned.
  • These massive clumps of eggs float freely on the water and are easy pickings for predators and even other nyluru. After a week of development, the larval nyluru will begin to hatch.
  • While the majority of nyluru have little care for their spawn, there are a few individuals which have an intense parental instinct. These few nyluru will travel throughout the land in search for larvae, gathering them on their backs and taking them in as their own. These caretaker nyluru may carry dozens upon dozens of larvae on them at a time and are just barely managed due to high rates of infant mortality. If a caretaker is too overwhelmed, they may even consume some of the larvae themselves.
  • Nyluru grow quickly and are voracious hunters early on. By their teen years, nyluru grow more and more independent, with juveniles slowly beginning to split from their caretaker over time. While some may permanently stay with their caretaker and take on the role themselves, most nyluru will eventually disperse. The majority of mature nyluru will settle within a certain region or community and stay for the rest of their lives.
  • While the majority of nyluru larvae are never taken in by a caretaker, an extremely rare and slim minority survive to adulthood. These nyluru are often heavily scarred or disabled and face major issues integrating into society due to a lack of guidance or education.
  • Nyluru are considered adults at 16 years old. Ignoring infant and child mortality rates, nyluru have a life expectancy of 60 years. Their lifespan peaks at 110.

    Social Structure

  • TBD

    Diet

    Nyluru are highly carnivorous and will target nearly any animal, often preferring mammals and birds. Traditionally, nyluru are ambush predators, sitting under the water's surface and luring in prey with movements of their barbels. They will attack anything which may fit in their mouth, swallowing their prey whole. Younger nyluru will often target fish and amphibians, although catfish is a favorite for all ages.

    Nyluru have little care for cooking and find any process beyond basic food preparation useless or time-wasting.

    Hybrids

    While nyluru are able to breed with other species with relative ease, hybrids face similarly severe mortality rates. Combined with the nyluru's low population, nyluru hybrids are an uncommon sight. The majority of nyluru hybrids experience incredibly dulled but still present pain.

    Psychology and Culture

    Ideals and Instincts

  • TBD

    • Customs and Traditions

  • TBD

    • Trivia

  • TBD