Creature:Drodo

The Modern Drodo is a sapient, humanoid creature of whom the largest population resides within the Drodo Empire. The Drodo species is fairly young, and possess few outstanding physical capabilities. Despite this, Drodo have been noted as possessing great intellegence and craftiness, and most of all an otherworldly determination and ferocity when in battle or under any other sort of pressure.

History
Modern Drodo emerged about 200 000 years ago in Southern Aratacia/Northern Deverinia on Coron from an earlier line of Drodo species. within 20 000 years they had colonized all of Coron and 5000 years after that were the only remaining Drodo species, having exterminated the others in competition for food and land.

The modern Drodo species was outstanding in its improved brain power and dexterity faculties. These two factors gave the modern Drodo species an edge over its counterparts, and would result in its domination of the world by the age of agriculture.

Basic Characteristics
A Drodo's biology is very humanoid; Possessing two arms and legs, a torso, and a head. They as well have a dense, short layer of soft fur covering their body with the exceptions of the top of the head and moustache area; Where hair grows. They are on average shorter than humans, at about five feet four inches, but usually physically stronger. Drodo are omnivorous.

Despite being mostly humanoid, Drodo possess some unusual or outstanding characteristics; Instead of possessing ears, Drodo have two antennae, ranging from 15 to 30 centimetres long. The antennae pick up small vibrations and transmit this to the brain as sound. A Drodo's antennae are fragile and prone to being cut off or crumpled and crushed in accidents or combat, but this type of injury is considered minor and usually doesn't require medical attention; As the antennae are capable of regenerating within the space of a week or two.

Drodo also have a unique sort of mouth which superficially resembles a thick proboscis. However this is not so; The Drodoian mouth is simply a fairly standard mouth; Complete with lips and a set of teeth, on an extended, reinforced section of the pharynx and esophagus. Many theories have been proposed as to why the Drodo mouth is as it is, but none have been definitively proven.

Due to the nature of the Drodo mouth, the Drodo have no jawbone and instead of bone, the Drodo teeth are made out of keratin; A similar material found in horns, hair, and finger or toenails.

Drodo, while appearing less muscular, have as a sort of compensation more dense and efficient musculature to Humans. A good amount of this is focused around the legs and lower body, so as to afford more agility. This combined with adrenaline can make Drodo extremely swift on their feet.

Reproduction, Parenting and Aging
Drodo reproduce sexually, requiring a male and female partner. Drodo are born live and fur fully developed. Drodo also tend to have large "litters"; One, two, or even three children in one birth is considered typical, anymore than that is considered something of a blessing upon the family and clan. Drodo family units, by virtue of being very large and very close-knit (often family members live nearby or within the same neighbourhood), can support and successfully parent many children with help from relatives. Indeed, Drodo children often have many guardians beyond their parents that they interact with almost as much or as much as with their parents.

The average Drodo lifespan is 130 to 150 years, but what is unique about their lifespan is that Drodo, when leading a fairly healthy or active lifestyle, tend to stay physically youthful until about the age of 100, when serious aging and degradation starts to occur. This aging process can be curbed with more advanced medical care however.

Psychology
Psychologically, Drodo are tenacious, crafty, curious, and short-tempered. Drodo are known to react violently to physical harm or even especially hurtful insults, and protect family and friends fiercely; Sometimes even with deadly force. However most Drodo learn to master their temper, and have the ability to be very devious and cool-headed diplomats and leaders.

Drodo have an insatiable, reckless curiosity and for better or for worse will attempt to try and explore things and places others may never dare. Its sometimes said that Drodo lack fear in this circumstance, but this is not so; It is simply that their innate curiosity wins over their more cautious instincts where it may be the opposite with humans, or others.

Metabolic and Adrenal Systems
Drodo have high metabolisms, and as such burn through energy quickly. This results in most Drodo having a lean or or even slight form, and combined with a generally simple and healthy diet and active lifestyle, makes for very low obesity rates within the Empire.

This also however has some side effects. For example Drodo have less endurance due to their body's rapid consumption of energy, and as such can become exhausted quickly. This can potentially be countered, however, by the Drodo adrenal system.

Drodo have the ability in strenuous situations to call upon quite vast reserves of adrenaline. The amount of adrenaline at a Drodo's disposal naturally is much higher than that of a human's, and as such its effects are amplified. For example, while Drodo are already quite agile, on adrenaline, most fit Drodo can reach a level of agility only achievable by the best Human freerunners. This can also translate to raw physical strength, as well; More than once has a Drodo, in a life-or-death struggle literally punch the lower jaw off of a human or humanoid opponent.