Etausi (people)

About

Indigenous species of sapient reptilian six limbed bi-peds. The best estimates for global population is somewhere about two-hundred million Etausi, all sub-species combined, scattered in small pockets globally.

Etausi do show a handedness preference like the treahni, favouring for the lower left hand/left side over the right side for basic tasks.

Origins

The Etausi evolved naturally on Entorais, and would have been the dominant sapient species, had the Treahni not arrived from elsewhere. Following the God Wars, they survived in scattered pockets.

General Appearance

Scales: Generally natural tones, which provide a level of camouflage matched to the local environment based on sub-species. Some colour phasing, or patterning may be present.
Hair: Etausi do not have hair, but some scaled crests, frills, spikes, or small horns may be present.
Eyes: Gold, orange, yellow, green, blue
Height: Average between 1.27-1.88 metres (50-74 inches).
Frame: Medium, average between 43-82 kilograms (95-180 pounds).; Within a single colony of etausi there is little genetic or physical variation. Disparate colonies have changed over time, and may show differences in morphology, to the extent that they appear to be distinct species.

Amphibious

Swamp dwelling Etausi Boh, and the marine Etausi Rure in particular, can and do spend significant amounts of time in and under water while hunting and gathering. They can hold their breath three or four times longer than a treahni. Utilizing all six limbs and their tails for propulsion, they are quite fast and agile in aquatic environs.

Reproduction

The Etausi are exclusively of one sex, which reproduce parthenogenetically.

Egg Laying

Only one or two members will be in brood at a given time guarding a communal clutch of about a dozen eggs. Etausi eggs have a leathery shell, and will grow in size to accommodate the growing fetus until it is sufficiently developed to break free.

Males

Biological sex is determined by environmental factors. Males hatch rarely (about 1 out of every thousand eggs), but do not survive due to a cultural practice of male-infanticide.

Survivability

If sufficient numbers of adults are present, then the eggs will be well cared for, and some 97-99% of them will hatch. Of those hatchlings, infant mortality (disease, accidents, depredation) accounts for about 25% loss, so from egg to adult (9-12 years before reliable egg laying) is about 73% survival.

Lifespan

The average life expectancy of Etausi, is around 35 years. In ideal conditions an Etausi could live an extremely long time compared to Treahni.

Primary Culture

Etausi follow similar cultural patterns despite vast geographic spread, and isolation of individual colonies.

Ethnic Sub-Groups

Etausi have several sub-species distributed across the planet, in isolated pockets well suited to the locale biomes.

Etausi-Boh

Distinctive Features: Etausi-Boh are quite solid in stature compared to the other sub-species, and tend toward dark greens, blacks, and blue hues in their colouration.
Geographic Distribution: Etausi-Boh favour inland swamps, marshes, and bogs.
Height: Average between 1.27-1.78 metres (50-70 inches).
Frame: Heavy, average between 48-80 kilograms (105-176 pounds).

Etausi-Daut

Distinctive Features: Etausi-Duat have scales of greys, blacks, and other light browns. They tend to be much smaller than average for Etausi.
Geographic Distribution: Etausi-Duat favour rocky scrublands, hilly, and mountainous regions.
Height: Average between 1.22-1.72 metres (48-68 inches)
Frame: Heavy, average between 45-76 kilograms (100-168 pounds).

Etausi-Grat

Distinctive Features: Etausi-Grat are tall and lean, with a mix of yellow, sandy tones, and browns.
Geographic Distribution: Etausi-Grat favour savanna, plains, and desert regions.
Height: Average between 1.33-1.83 metres (52-72 inches).
Frame: Light, average between 48-69 kilograms (90-153 pounds).

Etausi-Mal

Distinctive Features: Etausi-Mal have scales of greenish hues, which shift with the seasonal variation through yellows, oranges and reds. During the winter months their scales take on a mix of browns and greys.
Geographic Distribution: Etausi-Mal favour forested areas.
Height: Average between 1.30-1.80 metres (51-71 inches).
Frame: Medium, average between 44-75 kilograms (97-165 pounds).

Etausi-Rure

Distinctive Features: Etausi-Rure have scales of blue, green, or black, with splashes of brighter orange, yellow or red.
Geographic Distribution: The Etausi-Rure are reef, shore, and island dwelling and spend a lot of time in and under the salt water of Entorais' oceans and seas.
Height: Average between 1.40-1.90 metres (55-75 inches).
Frame: Medium, average between 49-84 kilograms (109-185 pounds).