You people are obsessed
No, seriously, I have an answer for these guys. Physical/sexual attractiveness does play a part in mate selection. Glossy feathers and bright colours in males are attractive, being signs of good health. However, choosing mates solely based on this is considered shallow and foolish by wiser harpies. Other traits such as reliability and good providing skills are also taken into account.
Males tend to flock around the most desirable females. Competition for them is fierce, but once they have narrowed it down to a few preferred males, the other generally accept with good grace. If the male she wants does not court her, there is little a female can do about it, because chasing them is seen as undignified.
With regards to same sex relationships, I imagine it would be viewed much the same as refusing to pick a mate of the opposite sex for any other reason. Fine in fertile times when the clan is strong, but if the clan needs chicks they're going to be pressured to make some.
I forgot to mention, leadership isn't inherited, nor do they have property to pass on.
Be not afraid...Thanks Morven
Well, they do live in a rainforest, so I guess there is a reasonable amount of edible things.
I'm not sure what 'jobs' there would be, beyond leadership and military roles. Those would be decided mainly by consensus. The leader would choose a successor to train up, but if the clan didn't agree with the choice it might be overthrown once the old leader is dead. Of course the opinion of certain harpies with age and status would have more weight than others.
Be not afraid...That's the Internet for ya, girl. Be happy nobody yet asked for hawt carl sex scenes.
Knowing your stance on You Fail Biology Forever and related tropes, may I ask how they manage to be bird-mammal hybrids?
Necroing my old thread because I have another fact file finished!
As always, comments, questions and criticisms are desired.
Lisca are reptiles, standing approximately 4 feet high when standing upright and with a slender, graceful appearance. Their skin is finely scaled, and their eyes have round pupils. Their scales tend to be mainly a shade of green, with highlights or subtle patterns in bronze, yellow or bluish tones. They can walk on all fours or on their hind legs alone. Their forelimbs have ‘hands’ rather similar to human ones, with an opposable digit, and all of their digits are tipped with claws for grip. There are no visual differences between males and females – they have the same build and the same colouring, and genitalia are kept internally. Among themselves they tell the sexes apart by smell and subtle auditory cues. They live for approximately a hundred and 20 years.
A solitary nomad species with no set home territory or range, Lisca live exclusively in the northern rainforests - although they do not usually spread as far south as the harpies and other lizardfolk do. They are predominantly carnivores, although they do eat fruit occasionally. Their diet consists mainly of insects and insect larvae, although they will take eggs and small animals when they can get them.
Lisca are very adept at toolmaking, although they tend to keep only a few essentials long-term, discarding the rest when they move on. They wear almost no clothing, although individuals may fashion themselves a belt or a vest if they find it useful to carry things.
Lisca are a solitary species, roaming the rainforest canopy alone. Indeed, they somewhat dislike company, and while chance encounters may be greeted politely and invited to share a meal, they will each go their separate ways almost immediately. Exceptions occur at times and places of seasonal plenty – for example, a particular stretch of shore where turtles are known to lay eggs might host gatherings of many lisca during the turtle nesting season. It is during these times that stories, culture and information is shared, and friendships formed. Each individual will only stay for a few weeks, however, before the constant presence of so many other lisca becomes an unbearable annoyance and they go on their way again.
Lisca have little to no concept of romantic love as other species know it. When she is in season, a female may go out of her way to find a male, and males coming across her scent may seek her out. If a pair meet at this time, and they do not reject each other outright, a period of courtship may ensue in which the two will travel together and the male will attempt to impress the female with his skills and condition. If she finds him suitable they will become mates. They travel together for a few weeks, but eventually they will grow tired of each other’s company and part amicably.
The female will then lay three to six spherical eggs with a leathery white shell, large enough to fit in one of her hands. She will carry these eggs around with her until they hatch, carefully tending them and keeping them dry and warm. This is one of the occasions where lisca use clothing, as the females often fashion themselves a pack or a vest with pockets sewn into them, so they can carry the eggs while keeping both arms free for climbing.
How many of these eggs hatch depends on the quality of care the female gives to them. When hatched the juveniles are approximately 15 centimetres long. They are mobile from a very early age, and move very fast. However, they have little survival skill or higher intellect, requiring several years of parental care before they can survive alone in the rainforest. They leave their mother at the age of about 5.
Lisca frequently interact with other rainforest denizens. They pick up most other dialects spoken in their range, as well as their own language. They may barter with the harpies or other lizardfolk, or provide temporary services if it takes their fancy. Rarely, however, do humans or carls see them; they have no interest in stealing or raiding and seldom enter Border territory. When they do, they are stealthy and swift enough that the patrols cannot attack them. The Border Guard does not bother distinguishing them from other lizardfolk, lumping them together under the common nickname ‘scalies’.
All three races seem interesting; I think the 'Carls' could be better named (If not a completely new name, some fantastic variant like 'Karles' or something), because I keep thinking of that flash with the Llama couple (Caaaaarl...). These Lisca seem very interesting, I like the tool-making aspect and clothing issue. I think the Lizardmen should be very unlike them, to provide contrast.
Me and my friend's collaborative webcomic: Forged MenAgain with the name -_- Is it really that big a distraction for people?
These other lizardfold I have planned are very different, yes - I plan to make them very large, possibly venomous, and rather craggy and komodo-dragon like to contrast the smooth skink-like lisca. They'll also be quite violent.
Be not afraid...If the Lisca have high mortality rates for their young, I think it would make more sense if they had shorter lifespans, or something. It might work if they only reproduce once, but then mortality rates would be short. Also,when you sa they are skink-like, d you mean the Warhammer skinks?
BTW, seeing how many eplies this new entry has compared to mine (the Umber Shade thread) makes me cry.
Me and my friend's collaborative webcomic: Forged MenHmm... If you consider that a female can have a clutch every five years or so from when she reaches breeding age, and each clutch contains 3-6 eggs but many of those die... and of course she wouldn't want a clutch every five years, it would drive her mad.
I don't know. Maybe I'll think about it some more.
No, not a warhammer skink. I meant the sort of small lizard with lines down its back; I used to see them quite often.
Worldbuilding has really slowed down since this topic was first made :S
Be not afraid...Ok, now I can envision them. Very sleek looking; i imagine the Lizardmen look more like iguanas.
Well, at least you have replies :P *coughhintcough*
edited 9th May '11 3:46:09 PM by Ninjaxenomorph
Me and my friend's collaborative webcomic: Forged Men

Once again- Sexuality? :S
There are too many toasters in my chimney!