Juareziq Yazli Elgitarzi

Armored Tree Thief

by Razhea

Juareziq Yazli Elgitarzi, often referred to as simply Elgitarzi, are arboreal creatures loosely resembling a cross between the terrestrial wallaby, sloth, and pangolin. Hard, scale-like plates cover them from the tops of their heads, along their backs, down to the ends of their tails, and the top sides of their limbs. Their faces, sides and bellies, and the undersides of their limbs are covered in thick fur. They have rather dextrous claws and prehensile tails, which they use to move through trees and take hold of items.

They are marsupials, females carrying their young in a pouch on their stomach following birth, and later on their back and tail. Their armor plating mimics the bark of the trees they live in, and with their flat bodies pressed against the trunk they are well hidden from any predator without sharp eyesight. They spend most of their time in the canopy searching for fruit, but need to move to stable ground to mate and give birth.

Young Elgitarzi often steal fruit from other creatures rather than foraging for themselves, and have been observed replacing unattended fruit with similarly looking objects such as colorful rocks or flowers. During harder times they are seen as nuisances, but they can be prevented from stealing by installing an Ejnuhetxai, a Zadei food-watcher. Elgitarzi are highly intelligent, and seem to find amusement in their games with Zadei children.

They take food, objects that are shiny, colorful, or have a desirable texture, or that hold some sentimental value to the individual. They will steal just about anything that they find interesting, as long as it’s unattended. Elgitarzi will even steal from one another, if they believe they can do so without being caught. Elgitarzi don’t only take items though; they have also been found rearranging items, or placing an item from their own collection, within a Zadei home.

In Ranehya Re Razli, Elgitarzi are popular pets and companions among Zadei children, when food is plentiful. Their timid nature makes them challenging to befriend, and Zadei children enjoy attempting to attract them. Hopeful children lure them in by presenting them with an object that they expect will catch their interest, repeatedly ‘gifting’ a singular Elgitarzi individual until it deems them safe, after which the Elgitarzi will present the child with a gift of its own.

Zadei don’t consider any living thing to be owned, and therefore don’t call themselves ‘owners’ of their Elgitarzi, instead calling them friends. Children might even refer to their Elgitarzi by a Zadei name, or sometimes Elgitarzidzi, an endearing term meaning ‘little thief’.

Provided they are well fed, Elgitarzi are generally amiable and their antics range from occasional theft to simple pranks. When deprived of food for long periods of time they can become aggressive and malicious. Their diet consists mainly of fruit and berries, younger individuals especially preferring such food. They have the ability to digest small amounts of meat, and become increasingly omnivorous as they age. Elgitarzi have not been raised as livestock by any Zadei or Satei group, so little is known about their reproductive preferences, or the effects of their diet on their dispositions.

While Elgitarzi usually avoid colder climates, desperation will occasionally draw them out to the Satei tundra. Food is much more scarce in Thoaksi lands, and the Satei people will kill and eat Elgitarzi if caught stealing, or spotted at all.