Valkarnis

The Valkarnis are a species with a fascinating evolutionary heritage as woodland trapping carnivores. These creatures are adept flyers and climbers, with an imposing presence, standing 3 meters tall and weighing around 270 kg, with a wingspan ranging from 10 to 17 meters. The females are smaller, approximately 2 meters tall and 90 kg, with an 8-meter wingspan. Valkarnis are physically robust compared to humans, boasting a pair of wings and two pairs of limbs adapted for climbing, perching, and later tool manipulation.   Their skin is covered in feathers, providing some temperature tolerance. Males are cold-blooded but maintain warmth due to their size, while females are warm-blooded.   Reproduction is a unique aspect of their biology, with males reproducing asexually by spawning 80-280 offspring per litter, and females engaging in sexual reproduction, yielding 70-420 offspring with moderate care post-birth. The advantages of sexual reproduction are evident in the superior genetics and vitality of the offspring, although survivability rates are low, and cannibalization among the young is not uncommon. The high birth rate and low survival rate leads to a society that values strength and resilience, with a focus on competition and survival of the fittest. Independence and self-reliance are highly valued from a young age as well.   Males engage in territorial battles to establish dominance and secure harems, with asexual reproduction serving as a way to replenish their numbers. Socially, though, such offspring is considered inferior, forming a disenfranchised warrior caste. Which, however, is still above the "prey" class being subjugated or enslaved by the higher castes.     Valkarnis possess incredible vision, including night vision, human-level hearing and touch, acute taste, and a discriminatory sense of smell. Communication is based on elaborate visual signals using gestures, feather arrangements, or body markings, especially for long-distance interactions or territorial displays. Symbols or patterns visible from above are known to mark territory, with intricate designs indicating the owner's status or prowess.   Their culture is marked by fierce territoriality, reflected in their feudal power structures and harem-type mating arrangements, with small groups consisting of a male and 2-12 females. This leads to a social hierarchy where males are dominating social and political structures, and compete to control access to resources and mates. Despite being subjugated, the necessity of females for the procreation of better offspring grants them a certain level of influence or respect within their society, with social roles that emphasize the importance of females in maintaining the strength of their bloodlines.     Social status is determined by the size and quality of one's territory and population, leading to a society where land ownership and control are central to power dynamics. Valkarnis culture places a high value on surveillance and domain control. Their cities and settlements are designed for both defense and surveillance, with high vantage points and integrated trap mechanisms for protection.   Advanced tool use and engineering skills are a hallmark of their society, with a focus on creating intricate devices and structures for surveillance, defense, and other purposes.A strong emphasis on strategic thinking and engineering is present in their educational system, preparing individuals for roles in surveillance and territorial management.     The Valkarnis mentality is characterized by paranoia, low empathy verging on bloodlust, good concentration benefitting lengthy mental tasks, a preference for solitude, and a mild inclination towards tasks requiring creativity or invention. Trust and alliances are rare, formed primarily for mutual benefit and dissolved when no longer advantageous. Disputes are often resolved through displays of strength,control, and intimidation, with negotiation and compromise being less common. Social interactions are marked by caution and suspicion, with individuals constantly assessing threats and opportunities. A strong emphasis is placed on individual achievement and innovation, with inventors and thinkers being highly valued. Creative works celebrate cunning, strategy, and the mastery of technology, with heroes often depicted as brilliant engineers or tacticians.   A near-extinction event led the Valkarnis to travel to Ixar, instilling a sense of selflessness in their mentality through a crisis, as they adapted to their new environment and the challenges it presented. They formed a polity of Valkarnis Skylarchy.