-Shadow Clan Sentient: Ceriphylin-
Ceriphylins are considered oddities of the Shadow Clan. Unlike most Shadow creatures, Ceriphylins have a sense of nobility and purpose backed by nonsubversive principles. This is the result of a curious event in history where the Shadow Clan leader - before he was leader - Zsasha was confronted by other Ceriphylins with typical Shadow traits of deceit and trickery. In a violent and personal struggle he proved that principles were more valuable than underhanded tricks; since then the less savory Ceriphylin had scattered and remain missing to this day, dropping Ceriphylin sightings to a near zero. They aren't easy to miss however, and despite being shy toward other races they're quick to uphold the standards that Zsasha set.
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Appearance
Ceriphylins are pithily described as affable-looking gargoyles. Like all Shadow creatures they are black with white eyes, though they are among a select group that also have visible black pupils. Like cat's eyes, these pupils can widen as far as their own height and reflect light so the Ceriphylin can see better in the dark. Their claws and teeth are white and the rest is covered by short, thick fur. The gargoyle aspect comes from their very cat-like legs supporting an almost-human torso and arms. Webbed wings sit on the back and the tail is flexible and tipped by two sails. The Ceriphylin's face is remarkably similar to those of Shwarmras, with the head being triangular and wedge-shaped like an owl's and a narrow chin (but not as narrow as a Shwarmra's). They also have the two rabbit-like ears on top. Unlike with owls, despite the similar face shape, Ceriphylins have it to direct light to their eyes instead of sound to their ears. The cat-like nose is barely visible among the black fur.
Ceriphylins are among the Karitzuians with close-fit teeth, meaning they have no underbite or overbite. Instead they are designed like bear traps, with all of the teeth being large, pointed, and homogeneous in shape, and butt together cleanly when closed. This does pose dental problems for Ceriphylins as they can't bite too hard without making their teeth brittle over time. It also means they have trouble closing their jaws when their teeth aren't straight. With optimum teeth however bites are strong and clean, perfect for incisions. Like crocodiles, Ceriphylins swallow food in large chunks, as they lack molars.
Ceriphylins are among the Karitzuians with close-fit teeth, meaning they have no underbite or overbite. Instead they are designed like bear traps, with all of the teeth being large, pointed, and homogeneous in shape, and butt together cleanly when closed. This does pose dental problems for Ceriphylins as they can't bite too hard without making their teeth brittle over time. It also means they have trouble closing their jaws when their teeth aren't straight. With optimum teeth however bites are strong and clean, perfect for incisions. Like crocodiles, Ceriphylins swallow food in large chunks, as they lack molars.
Behavior
Ceriphylins run very warm even for a warm-blooded creature. They maintain their temperature with repeated sunbathing and keeping their fur clean, which helps keep it fluffed and trapping heat. Thanks to this Ceriphylins can live in frigid regions without having to go into hibernation in the fall; should the temperature drop below -3F, however, they'll be forced to hibernate, which doesn't require much other than an enclosed space with ample ventilation, or at least enough vegetation to keep the air fresh. They also prefer being high up almost all the time and are quite introverted. All of this combined, interestingly enough, makes abandoned stone buildings a favorite place for them to stay, particularly old cathedrals, churches, and belfries. Ceriphylins don't like meeting other species in general, but also aren't aggressive and don't establish territories, as they can fly up to 18 square miles per day in search of food; this number can be stretched to 25 in times of desperation. Their great weight and the shape of their wings prevent going farther though, so high-altitude travel is not an option for them.
Like all Shadow creatures, Ceriphylins adopt the language and technology of other species, although it's pretty localized to wherever they live; for example, Zsasha and his family were around during the modern age, but they lived in an abandoned cathedral up in Europe away from civilization in a thick conifer forest, so they only adopted the tech from the ruins there. Ceriphylins exposed to city life are far more likely to learn how to read signs, what cellphones are, and to use roads as a means of easy navigation, just like people, whereas those in Zsasha's situation were more "old school" in using stars for navigation, read and write manuscripts, and have never heard a ringtone in their lives. Ceriphylins are also the less likely of all Shadow creatures to use tools, preferring to do things by hand except when it came to fights.
Like all Shadow creatures, Ceriphylins adopt the language and technology of other species, although it's pretty localized to wherever they live; for example, Zsasha and his family were around during the modern age, but they lived in an abandoned cathedral up in Europe away from civilization in a thick conifer forest, so they only adopted the tech from the ruins there. Ceriphylins exposed to city life are far more likely to learn how to read signs, what cellphones are, and to use roads as a means of easy navigation, just like people, whereas those in Zsasha's situation were more "old school" in using stars for navigation, read and write manuscripts, and have never heard a ringtone in their lives. Ceriphylins are also the less likely of all Shadow creatures to use tools, preferring to do things by hand except when it came to fights.
Trivia
- Ceriphylins were among the first Karitzuians to ever be designed, were created around the time Clans were, and are the first Shadow creatures ever made.
- The weight of a Ceriphylin is largely caused by muscle mass, of which they have a lot of. They keep up the strength by consuming as many as three elk cows a day; as much as their weight and a half!
- Ceriphylins are ambush predators and are able to digest both raw and cooked meat.
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