Taur
Taur are a race of strange ungulate-like people who live most prominently on K'mosia. They existed in older periods as primitive tribes, mostly dwelling along the north and north-east areas of the continent. Few migrations elsewhere were successful, with more powerful entities keeping them at bay, and even some rival tribes against each other or reketta natives keeping their time occupied. Taur can sometimes refer to the broader species and its relatives, of which there is no known ancestor, but the name can also more precisely pin-point those that appear more bovine-like in nature while others are sometimes distinguished with more cervine features as a sub-race. The Taur variant would be most successful in longevity and population, breeding with (or even outbreeding) the other variants, and being most prized and used in captivity by other races as trade relations picked up. At their prime, they started networks of agricultural towns and villages, with a large temple dedicated to Sytiha as their patron deity (Learned from some recollection of talks from Basilluan traders). Regardless, the broader race as a whole faced diminishing levels in the start of the second Common Scholar millennium, and would go virtually extinct in following centuries with mostly human halfing hybrids called Fauns carrying the most dominant form of lasting genetics.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Taur of the strict bovine-like variety had features very similar to a standing cattle. They lingered on two split-toed hooves, often had horns with males being primarily longer, long pointed ears, well sized snouts, and multiple internal stomachs for digesting tough vegetation. Despite a bovine appearance, they lacked the usual udders for a more evolved and typical humanoid approach to nursing their young, and rarely used their horns for any serious worth either. Fur colors were often brown, red-brown, straw, bronze, black, or white, with some small variations and occasional patterns or spots showing. Black and white were the more rare colors to possess. It was common that both sexes were large than humans and even often taller above Reketta and Sfixian averages.
Genetics and Reproduction
Calves only need approximately four-to-six months to gestate before birth, and mature quickly by as little as five years. They rapidly obtain senses and grow, but struggle to develop more complicated techniques or teachings on their own, leading to the generally more dim species reputation. The mother typically birth an average of three calves from one litter, though the species also has a higher chance than most to have birthing difficulties or a mother's death. With quick development even in the womb, the size of three can take its toll on the mother, sometimes even hurting her for a while even if she lives the process. As common as triplets are, single calves are sometimes considered odd or shamed by their culture.
Ecology and Habitats
Taur tend to more naturally gravitate to grasslands, and small woodland areas, with survivability still found in the more arid spots, and alongside cooler mountain sides. Their kin with more dense wool make up more territories in the colder mountains, and tend to keep that more to themselves, while the Reketta keep them back from claiming much of the dryer lands. In dry conditions where the Taur do live, they tend to rely more on cactus for food and water, and tend to be more daring to eat insects.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Taur tend to be herbivores, eating mostly plant matter, nuts, berries, bark, grass, and cacti. In some cases they'll eat insects, or eggs, but this is more rare behavior, or for those desperate in more arid conditions. As trade opened up with Reketta and Sfixians, they were introduced to more rich diets in corn, wheat, and alcohol, albeit with more malicious intent. When popular demand divided between eating the females, and keeping males captive as workers (mostly in the K'mosian region itself), the habits and ideas of their culture slowly shifted a bit in some impact. A lot of females were actually raised in cramped spaces, held to a stall-like condition where they could only eat a lot of rough vegetation with cheap (sometimes fried) grain. In freed conditions, and in the short time of town expansions, this carried over into a strange system of thought where often females were given cheaper or stale food compared to the males who thought they deserved better for their strength, and females thought they were supposed to eat fattening loads of cheaper grain - later citing even Sytiha's influence as evidence. Corn on its own became miraculously grown by their society for a time, with fields large enough that village huts were set aside living enveloped in them.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Taur practically went extinct after many centuries full of exploitation of nearly every variety. Their land was sometimes pushed around, they were shipped off, fattened up to be consumed, their fur made use for soft pelts the rich wanted, some of the males made for strong slaves, while K'mosian farmers would later accept a practice of even milking them. Even their patron goddess of Sytiha would eat them as common sacrifices at their own town of worship.
Civilization and Culture
Gender Ideals
The Taur stuck by fairly plain gender roles comparable with many human norms. The males were more often strong, and more anxious to assert a presence, leading them to become more like protectors, sportsmen, and explorers. Females would look after the young unless they died in the process, or would be the ones to watch over products the male foraged, including keeping fires or cooking the food. Females would sometimes be shown more luxury or care given to them, as if to better cradle the young they'd produce, though males made more of the stern decisions for a family if times called for it. As their society developed for a short period into towns, these roles continued with only various small changes and small appropriations from other cultures, like an increased use of different jewelry in later years. When held in captivity, their decisions were mostly forfeit, and duties were kept to the utility of controlled breeding for more livestock.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Taur natively speak a strange combination of low-suuna (like the K'mosian kingdom denizens), and a strange formation of their own sounds or words from a less complete language. Its said that the further towards the mountain or central north, the more likely their people have a sense of an invented or mixed tribal language. After trades, many started to speak or at least mix in elements of Imperial Kayotian with some common Basilluan.
Lifespan
40 Years.
Conservation Status
Nearly extinct past the estimate of 1600csp. Conservation attemps were made by small groups, and the Goddess Sytiha / Gilda, but between food trades, and Ank'shii aggressors, they lost their homes and were often killed and eaten.
Average Height
2-2.5 meters
Average Physique
They naturally tends to build a tougher form, and were once nearly all sturdy creatures. Males still tend to more often gravitate towards stronger builds, but after the trade influence of other cultures, weight problems started. Trade demands especially made cows grow, with many held or bred into stall-fed type processes. This has even made differing symbols, with the female cow being depicted more as a symbol of nurture or sacrifice, while the more daunting male bull stays fixated in myths of 'minotaur' monstrous beast-men.
Geographic Distribution
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