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The Sploonderocks are a race of nomadic, space faring theatritians and pranksters.

Biology[]

Sploonderocks are warmblooded, scaly creatures from the planet Yelorthear. Their "arms" are in fact prehensile antlers, which aren't grown in for the first three years of life and are shed regularly afterward. Those that have yet to regrow their antlers are called "Vhorthem," which roughly translates into "prank victims."

Another odd feature of the Sploonderocks involves their eyes, which uniquely have bio luminescent scalea, allowing the Sploonderock to literally light up their field of vision. Because of this, Sploonderocks have no true circadian rhythm, being active during day and night equally.

Sploonderocks are technically omnivorous, but their proboscis means that they actually derive their meat sources from small creatures trapped in their usual dinner of nectar. However, the rarity of nectar can be quite wide, as their powerful wings allow them access to a large span of territory.

Society[]

Due to the frequent shedding of their manipulatory limbs, Sploonderocks are often targeted by the predators of their world. Because of this, their culture is understandably non aggressive, preferring stealth and retreat. However, some more daring individuals like to confuse and astound these predators when they're not Vhorthem, and many an epic is written around such tricksters.

In fact, the concept of playing practical jokes so pervades their society that there are actually courses in schools devoted to to the spread of such acts. The clear, first tenant is that the victim must understand the joke and the punchline, otherwise it would simply be rude. This, in part, is why all modern Sploonderock buildings lack reasonable stairs but instead have rickety twisting ledges; since they can fly, but other species might not be able to, they are often able to trick their friends into a friendly party at their home and quietly snicker at their struggles of ascension.

The concept of vengeance, too, is venerated, but not in violent form. Rather, when a Vhorthem is subjected to a form of practical joke, they will laugh along with the observers and memorize the perpetrator's face. Then, once the other has become a Vhorthem themselves, they may strike with a joke of their own. Such eye for an eye behavior is entirely optional, but has resulted in some particularly epic tales and long-lasting friendships.

Sploonderocks also have fond regard for epic tales, and have developed a massive, adaptable atrium for such stories to be told. They are so capable, in fact, that they have enacted the stories of other cultures with nary a deviation from the original source. These acts somewhat make up for their constant pranks. However, as noted (grudgingly) throughout the galaxy, Sploonderocks usually tone down their pranks in deference to another culture.

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