The Teretosi


The teretosi are one of the native species of Reinao. Despite their home in the land of chaos, teretosi tend to live life to the fullest. Their supernatural luck and speed are all that keep this hardy species from the edge of disaster.

Biology

The teretosi are long, slender, but well-muscled. They boast three sets of legs, utilizing the middle pair for grappling prey or opponents. They have long, sensitive ears and eyes built for the darkest nights. While patternless at birth, adults possess bioluminescent stripes. These stripes are usually used as a light source and for communication.

Venomous spines trail down their chin, neck, back, and tail. When injected, the venom quickly spreads throughout the body, causing extreme pain and paralysis. Fortunately, teretosi are able to control the flow of venom.

Abilities

Roll of the Dice

In spite of their birth within the land of disasters, teretosi are rarely found among their region's casualties. They are gifted with extreme luck, able to escape dangerous situations and able to survive fatal ones. While most seem to only possess the luck to escape disasters, some teretosi are lucky in all aspects of life.

Ecology and Behavior

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Teretosi possess a holder-giver reproduction system with holders giving birth to live young. Pregnancies are extremely short and as a result, newborn joeys are barely developed. A single litter can produce up to six joeys. After birth, joeys are brought into the pouch to develop for the next several months.

  • Both holders and givers possess pouches and produce milk. As joeys grow extremely fast, a complete litter can quickly outgrow their parent's pouch. As a result, it is common for litters to be split between multiple pouches (Usually between parents and other family members) for allonursing and protection.
  • Most litters will outgrow their pouch within 6 to 10 months, after which time within the pouch must be evenly distributed between each joey. By 4 years old, most joeys will be unable to fit within the pouch even by themself.
  • Juvenile teretosi are hyperactive and love to roughhouse. Play fights between siblings and even against parents are highly beneficial for physical and mental development.
  • Teretosi are considered adults at 19 years old. Their lifespan peaks at 200 and their life expectancy ranges from 100-120.

    • Social Structure

  • Traditionally, teretosi formed small, semi-nomadic family packs. Most children would disperse to form their own groups, creating vast swaths of territory all belonging to a single familial line.
  • Nowadays, most teretosi live in large interspecies communities, however, families are still extensive. Multigenerational households are common and expected.
  • Polyamory and alloparenting is extremely common and most children are raised with more than 2 parents/guardians. Most individuals who are not identified as parents but did participate in nursing are treated as auncles.
  • In recent years, it's become increasingly common for fresh adults to leave their families in search of independence.

    • Diet

    Teretosi are efficient and strategic hunters. Capable of hitting speeds of up to 50 mph in short bursts, they are perfect predators of antelope and deer. Birds and small rodents are also regularly consumed. They possess long, curved dew claws that are used for killing and preparing prey.

    Cooking has been a common practice for teretosi since their inception. Most teretosi meals are heavily spiced and salty.

    Hybrids

    Teretosi hybrids are uncommon but not rare. Due to how underdeveloped newborn teretosi are compared to other species, most hybrid joeys do not survive their first day. Hybrids are generally safe after their 1st month.

    Most hybrids have the same luck and spines as their parents, but they may lack venom.

    Psychology and Culture

    Ideals and Instincts

  • While commonplace in Reinao, the teretosi's twisted sense of humor is something that most others struggle to understand. Hailing from a land where even the luckiest teretosi faces danger at every turn, death is seen as a rather casual and common topic.
  • Most teretosi carry a natural attitude of enthusiastic pessimism, believing that the worst will happen and finding entertainment in spite of it.
  • Insults are commonplace during banter. Messing with your friends and family is seen as a normal form of bonding. This has led to various issues when teretosi interact with other species.
  • Teretosi are naturally inclined towards risky behavior. Any method of testing one's luck is common, with gambling in particular being extremely popular. Younger individuals are more likely to participate in direct thrill-seeking and dangerous behavior.

    • Customs and Traditions

  • Teretosi funerals are rather unusual. Practically everyone who knew the individual in life is invited, including the estranged and the hated. Their body is laid out for people to admit their anguish, their love, and their grievances. By letting others share their true feelings with the deceased, it is believed that they will be able to learn and improve themselves in their next life.

    • Trivia

  • When threatened, teretosi are able to shake their spines together to create a loud rattling noise.
  • Their bioluminescent stripes are commonly used as a form of sign language. They can control when their stripes glow and can light up each one individually. Different combinations of flashing stripes indicate different words.