Sexual Reproduction

Non-Unioning Reproduction

Species in Feodris are divided between those who reproduce using the magical mechanism known as unioning, and those who do not. These non-unioning species reproduce via sexual intercourse, as seen in the Material Plane (Earth). This sexual reproduction works on Feodris identically.   In the Pillars of Peace Era, non-unioning species are considered somewhat primitive, often viewed as having either not chosen to evolve or having not been chosen by the gods to be trusted with having a hands-on approach to gestating life. Sexual urges among unioning species are quite weak (sex is generally considered to be a romantic undertaking, but it is treated as somewhat immature and not suitable for public, akin to heavy kissing). Non-unioning peoples comprise the ethnic groups which have self-organized by species and fall under the political banner "Unaffiliated Kingdoms." Technically these kingdoms are a part of the Tower Kingdom government.  

Non-Unioning by Species

Dragonkin/Gheor

The dragonkin mate similarly to many Scourgefolk species: sexual activity that involves a mystical gestation process. Gheor have long claimed they deserve to be included in the unioning species because of this, but their inability to union without sexual conduct and their lack of genetic compatibility with the four main unioning species has predisposed Tower species to view their reproductive systems as partially evolved (if that).   Culturally, gheor do not place a high emphasis on family units. Gheor have fairly potent mating cycles which occur on average 2-3 times over a typical gheor lifespan. During these periods they will place a strong emphasis on seeking a partner to mate with. These partnerships are commonly ones of convenience and often offspring are left in the care of Kindreds which are charged with raising multiple whelps at once. Occasionally gheor will become romantically linked together and a small but not insiginificant number of them do choose to reproduce and raise their whelp(s) though this seems to occur much more frequently among gheor who have chosen to live in areas with high Tower species populations.  

Gnome

Gnome reproduction, like most gnomish physiology, seems to operate on a slightly longer timescale. Gnome gestation takes roughly three years on average. Gnome pregnancies typically begin with three viable embryos at least, sometimes up to as many as nine. Because of the long gestation, it is fairly common for partial miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant gnomes. However, they also have a higher than average number of multiple births. Twins and triplets are not terribly uncommon, although a single live birth is still the average.    In gnomish civilizations, partnerships tend to be semi-permanent, often centered around the activity of child-rearing. Match-makers in gnomish society are often more about making genetic matches and looking for compatible parenting styles. These family units are often not based on romance or passion between the parents, but a shared passion for the family unit which survives until the litter reaches maturity at around 80 cycles old. After that point, the parents tend to go their separate ways and often will start new family units with other matches.  

Griff

Griff are a polyamorous species. Griff females are only capable of reproduction once every three cycles or so, and only to a single calf at a time. Griff calves are also born at a rate of 1:3 males to females. As such, griff females tend to form pods with a group of 3-5 peers at an early age who then seek a suitable bull to lay claim to, often before any of them are even at sexual maturity. These pods are remarkably resilient and the vast majority of them survive through the pod members' lifespans.   Griff sexuality is an important part of their culture, but griffs tend to be very private about their intimate activities. In public, griff tend to show no affection with their pods or partners, and sex is considered a taboo subject. Pregnant mother griff are typically sequestered for the duration of their relatively short gestation periods (about three and a half months). Griff have only given birth to multiples in extremely rare circumstances. Griff mothers bond especially closely with thier calf, though all members of the pod will develop a relationship with each calf before they reach maturity.  

Halfling

Halflings reproduce almost identically to Earth humans. Halflings typically have a single child, though twins occur about 1% of the time and triplets about one tenth as often. No reports of surviving halfling quadruplets or more have been recorded. Halfling gestation periods are about seven and a half cycles. Halflings don't reach sexual maturity until about halfway through their lives. As such, they tend to focus their younger years on a trade and preparing for retirement, at which point they focus on starting a family without the daily concern of earning a living. Halflings tend to mate for life fairly young, but because they don't have children until their later years, their view of romance often carries an element of nurturing with it.   The halfling birthing process is exceedingly traumatic. Halfling babies are frequently overlarge for their mothers, and halfling culture prohibits cutting a female's skin. As such, caesarean section-type birthing surgeries are never performed. As a result, it is estimated that some 60% of halfling women die during childbirth. Because of this, nearly all halfling parents only have a single offspring. Mothers who survive the ordeal rarely wish to take the risk a second time. It is common, therefore, for many halfling children to be raised by widower fathers. The common halfling axiom is, "husband and wife do the work while they're young; father and child spend the money till it's gone."  

Harengon

Harengons have a strong cultural sense of family, although the way their families tend to develop does not follow the common Tower principles of paired parent family units. Harengons create family units that are more akin to clans, with a number of mixed generational and mating pair adults maintaining a household and a set of loosely related children. Mating pairs within the same clan will sometimes mate with each other's partners, introducing genetic diversity. Non-nomadic harengon clans often make special requests of traveling clans to pair-match nearly mature offspring for similar reasons.   Pregnant harengons generally gestate for about six cycles and have 3-4 bunnies per birth. Children in harengon clans are often cared for by older children, though tribal bonds do run pretty deep in most harengon clans. Harengons, being generally playful and youthful throughout their lives, tend to spend a lot of clan time creating athletic contests, making music together, and teaching each other various survival techniques and skills.  

Tabaxi

Tabaxis generally do not pair together for long-term companionship or child rearing. Tabaxi childhood is extremely brief, with most fully mature tabaxi being no more than four years old. Tabaxis are born with a great many natural instincts such as walking, hunting, self-defense, and rudimentary language skills. As such, parenting is given a very casual palce in tabaxi society. Often tabaxi kittens don't even know who their birth fathers are. Sexual activity among tabaxi is very casual, although tabaxi do have heat cycles about every ten years or so during which they will seek out more sexual partners than other times.  

Tortle

Tortles live in matriarchal societies in which the family units (called bales) typically feature one female head (a Xolo [show-low]) and several competing suitor males who comprise the 'sovereign'. The sovereign work for most of the cycle to earn favor in the Xolo's eyes and during mating season (Qualn), she selects the one who has proven most desrving and capable. Sexual activity with the chosen from among the soveriegn fertilizes the eggs tortles hatch from, prior to laying. Tortle eggs usually produce litters of 4-7 young.