#Speculative zoology

[simon-roy]

The first of several stunning entries from the insurmountably great Linnea Sterte (aka @turndecassette2 ) for REFUGIUM - a burrowing pentaped, photosynthesizing from a safely half-buried position...

Take a look at the campaign here

[troythecatfish]

[theantiazdarcho]

The Lancetfish is a species that looks like it comes straight out of a realistic fantasy world building project.

[dokupine]

awawawawaawawawawa!

[dinodanicus]

A portrait of beloved professor Elias Scrimshaw. Elias is one of the stranger creatures from the species exchange program. An intelligent parasitic entity that can live in and manipulate a host's body for hundreds of years. Elias's species keep active only the bodily systems that are most needed, such as those involved in locomotion and eating. The unessential parts of the body are consumed, often Reducing the host species to what is essentially an animated husk which is kept preserved with a special cocktail of antibacterial fluids produced in Elias's strange asymmetric body. His preferred field of study deals with the biomechanics and life cycles of extraterrestrial parasites. His unique perspective and insight has offered great leaps in interstellar medicine by helping provide treatments for rare and often deadly parasitic infections. Not wanting to offend his host planet he took over the form of a stray cat which he assumed to be a local source of food before realizing it was in fact a common household pet. He has since expressed his deepest apologies for this mix up and has advised cat lovers to perhaps reconsider taking his class.

[psalidodont]

[wind-tied]

Some bovids of Lishel.

The western savanna is home to Keerso, Vans impala and, Tapper impalas. Keerso are one of the most populous animals in the area, leading to herds being domesticated for meat. Vans impala are seen as blessed animals, and killing them is looked down on.

The mountainous eastern coast is home Guinin, and Tapin. Both have been domesticated, wild populations still exist naturally. Guinin are often used in hauling due to their hefty builds. Tapin are fast, and sure footed. They can jump along tough terrain with ease and are often used for general transport. These species as historically important to the area.

[yellosnacc]

Kula!

A popular domesticated animal of slomen.

Kula are adapted for grassy areas with lots of small prey. In the wild, they either jump after flying or jumping prey or wait at burrows before smashing their prey with their hooves. If the smash isn't enough they hold it to their beak and finish it. Some species are more specialized to wait while others to jump. The domesticated Kula is speculated to be one of the more energetic hunters, mostly interested in 'insects'.

In ancient times wild Kula were attracted to sloman settlements as they would also attract prey with the slomans' food and light. The slomen would soon learn that Kula were not pests since the wild animals were yet to be spoiled by premium meat cuts and preferred fresh moving meat that the slomen didn't want around.

In current times many cultures keep these animals as pest control on farms and in larger houses. They can be commonly seen in underground rooms that serve as food storage but for a healthy mental state, they need time on the sun.

While in the wild they are usually solitary or in small groups, Kula have a complex body language that they use to express their mood and/or needs. This can be very cute and funny, helping them become as loved as they are. Many owners will grow to care deeply for their Kula but some cultures recognize them directly as pets. In the high-ranking societies of these cultures, pet Kula get even rounder. Often a certain trait is popular in a culture, resulting in localised breeds with different shapes and colors.

Some little goober possibilities - not entirely canon

In a few places, Kula are also part of a religion and have their own shrines.

[silkwhim]

handses and feetses redesign

without text

[t34-mt]

Qua'tuli's traditional adult north-east winter clothes when he returned home, around year 217-219 of GA, before recall (timeline is in the work, numbers might change one day). Altuyur is a hot moon, but only in the far north can temperate seasons can happen.

more infos on clothes below

info chart, I'll expand on some things I've pointed out in the drawing, so make sure to read the notes before reading the text below

The family's folklore animal:

The northern, puy'ul families always have an animal associated with them, said association is from history that happened with the animal, but the event has nowadays turned into folklore. The stories only being transmitted orally, they slowly diverge and change to be more fantastical. The emblem animal can start off as a regular one but slowly shift into more strange descriptions, eventually ending up as a unique beast. Even if two families have the same emblem animal, the stories will never be the same. The emblem animal will often be a coastal one. On Qua'tuli's clothes, it is found in a bone disk that is hollowed out, then tissue is placed under and attached on the side, and the animal is embroidered in the tissue. They believe that emblem animals will be here after their burial at sea has been done, they think the creature will pick their core at sea and return them to haanu.

Repeated Eye designs:

each region have a different depiction of haanu, maanul's all-mighty mother. In the north their version of her has plenty of eyes. constantly shifting from place to place like clouds passing in the sky, they slowly reemerge from her face to disappear in the wrinkles of flesh at the end of her snout. this is what haanu's face looks like in the north ->

a while i dont have an info chart of every version available yet (ill have a separate post for the subject), this is an old sketch but still very accurate! repeated eye patterns are seen as a protection symbol in north regions

Necklace to hide neck:

Not having clothes isn't inherently seen as sexual, as context matters, although in day-to-day life adults might have certain body parts to hide depending on region. In the north east, adult of both genders will hide their neck, and will also always have their keel hidden even in interiors when wearing lighter clothes. Although they can be shown to their partner in private settings, they're hidden for cultural beliefs.

As i said context matters so showing keel and neck in north east while bathing (they bathe in groups) will not be seen as a lack of decency, as the setting is them simply washing themselves

lucky charm

a tooth (of an unidentified animal) qua'tuli has found as a little child in the snow, while throwing himself in the powdered snow he just stumbled upon it and has kept it as his lucky charm. He actually has it with him as a recruit (inside a pocket), and when he came home after acquiring his iron talons he kept it on his foot glove.

[kadalsaurus]

Clearly wrong and innaccurate Spinosauropod

[simon-roy]

The incredible Sawyer Lee designed this marvelous creature for REFUGIUM's guidebook section - the Baro Grappler!

Take a look at the campaign here

[factorybought]

Made a little personal character based off @yellosnacc ‘s world a little Uniima guy

[theantiazdarcho]

The Takin is such a whimsical herbivore, like God commissioned Dr. Seuss for this one.

[fetlockflowers]

🦎Speculative Biology animation for the Cardassians.🐊

[dinodanicus]

An abyssal flabbergast scooping up ocean detritus in its spoon like mouthparts.