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Anerassi's Journal 02 - Ploverlor
🕑 Added 2018-10-26 07:30:50 +0000 UTC Excerpt from "Guide to Lowlanders Vol 01" translated from its original Skylean.Perhaps the most wide spread and prevalent intelligent species on Layridin is the Ploverlor. Ploverlor, or "Plovers" as they are commonly called, are on the shorter end of average height, usually only getting as tall as 5'9" or 6'2" on average. Their skin is smooth and tends to be gray with a white underbelly, and dark grey or black and orangeish markings. They have two large eyes and blunt snouts. Sprouting from their head is anywhere from one to four horns on average. Hanging from the back of their head is a bulbous "gas bladder" leading to the nickname "sac heads," but this is considered a derogatory term. They have short, stumpy tails, usually concealed by their clothing. The middle finger on their hands ends in what many Plovers refer to as a "grubbin' claw," possibly a hold over from an early ancestor that used it to dig for insect larvae in trees and logs. Ploverlor lack fur or feathers and only seem to grow hair on their heads and nether regions. The gas bladder on the back of a Ploverlor's head is, perhaps one of their most defining features. This balloon-like structure inflates with a type of natural gas. The gas has no odor but it is thick and hangs low in the air when expelled. With a simple muscle contraction, a Ploverlor can expel a thick cloud from the gill-like vents along the sides of their head creating a natural smoke screen. Very handy when one doesn't want to be seen! Once expelled, it may take several hours to build up the smoke again.
Native to the northern regions of Sullan, two variants of Ploverlor seem to have developed as a result of regional differences. These two are commonly referred to as "Eastlanders" and "Westlanders" based on each group's geographic location of origin. Eastlander Ploverlor originated in the misty valleys and foot hills of the north eastern Sullan island, famous for their top quality garments made from Wooly Jumper fleece. The Westlanders, obviously originated along the western coast of mainland Sullan, where they formed bustling fishing villages and trade hubs. Westlanders have formed a strong relationship with the Kren Merchant's Guild as a result of this. There are also physival difference between the regional Ploverlor as well. Eastlanders tend to have a more bulbous, rounder gas bladder with a bumpy, sometimes even spiked ridge running down the middle of it, as well, their "grubbin' claw" starts at the first digit after the knuckle. Westlander Ploverlor have a more elongated, smoother, gas bladder lined on both sides with a wing-like fin ending in an almost tail-like protrusion and a more pronounced first gill. Additionally, Westlanders' "grubbin' claws" begin at the knuckle and lack any additional articulation.
Ploverlor has spread across the entire civilized world, some even managing to adapt to life on the Sky Dragon! Their innate magical aptitude and high birth rate of magically gifted children is likely a contributing factor to their success as a species...
