Rhessian (species)

Basic Information

Anatomy

Risolts are the only non-mammalian race in Sartaldia. They are tall and graceful with scaly skin ranging from greyish green to pale turquoise and often covered in brown or yellow patterns. Their fingers and toes are clawed and instead of protruding noses they have slits. Rhessian facial structures range from flat to slightly protruding muzzle. This difference in facial structure is part of the social hierarchy with patricians (or pure Rhessian) having flatter features and plebs having more protruding ones. Despite being reptilian, Rhessians’ metabolism has evolved several ways to cope with fluctuating temperatures. While their main source of energy comes from surrounding heat, Rhessians are able to add extra heat through intense muscle activity hence their propensity for sports and athleticism. Rhessians eat and sleep very little during summer but in winter they eat more to give their body enough energy to be active and create heat. When temperatures become too low Rhessians become drowsy and fall asleep. One would think that this would prevent them from living in colder climates but Rhessians are able to function over a wide range of core body temperatures. Rhessians are thus both mesothermic and poikilothermic.
Rhessians are mesothermic, meaning that they can produce their own body heat through muscle activity and obtain some energy from external heat like ectotherms. During the hot season they can obtain most of the energy through ambient heat but in winter they need to be exercising constantly to keep their body temperature high. As a result they sleep very little during winter. Rhessians have a four chambered heart and a diaphragm. They have moderately specialised teeth with the front ones being conical and sharp while the ones at the back are dome-shaped (similar to caiman lizards).

Genetics and Reproduction

Rhessians are oviviparous however Rhessian women will lay soft shelled eggs when their hormones are triggered or due to environmental factors.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Rhessians are omnivorous, eating meat and soft plant material.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Eyesight: average, colour vision Split tongue Vomeronasal (Jacobson's organ): able to pick up pheromones from surfaces. Essentially works as a reptilian equivalent to a mammal's sense of taste. Very good sense of smell Capable of sensing body heat thanks to a vision pit between the nose and the eyes.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

A flatter face is a sign of belonging to the upper class and as a result, Rhessians will sometimes undergo body modifications to artificially flatten their faces.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Rhessians claim to be the natives of Sartaldia and Jannharb and see the mammalian species as barbaric invaders.