Troglodyte

Trust me, a trog's gonna be the least of your worries down in the caves. You'll smell 'em a mile away and lose your lunch before they've got the chance to get anywhere close.

Troglodytes are a species of goblinoid demikith characterized by the odd shapes of their frame and skull alongside their most well-known trait, their odious musk. The stench of a troglodyte is the most telltale sign that one is approaching its habitat, and the creatures themselves will happily supplement this scent with the presence of rotting meats and animal dung strewn across the borders of its dwelling.
In terms of overall body shape, a troglodyte is somewhat similar to a widely-set orcish male, though perhaps thicker along its abdomen even in the absence of fat or muscle, either of which is usually contained in spades. Its shoulders appear hunched at a distance, though upon closer inspection exhibit a musculature which spans from the shoulder-blades to the ridge of its skull.
Lecherous and slothful beings, a troglodyte's primary motivates are feasting, fighting, and fornicating. Usually in that order, if the creature has its way. Possessing the rare quality of holding sway over its own rate of metabolism, the troglodyte is able to last weeks at a time without food while keeping up its strength in times of famine, but much prefers gorging itself on hordes of fruits and raw meat when able. Troglodytes are most often immediately hostile to outsiders, but will rarely turn down bountiful offerings in exchange for leaving intruders unmolested.
Particularly well-known for their habit of dwelling in caves, troglodytes are additionally attracted to any damp and dimly-lit location they can find far enough away from kithfolk settlements to avoid harassment or attack. The appetite and sheer aggression of most troglodytes prevents the creatures from living in the same dwelling – the highest recorded number of troglodytes found within a shared living space was five, and the vast majority of the beasts live entirely solitary – though those within near-enough distance to one another will often keep acutely aware of each others locales and meet up every few years to mate and produce offspring.
Female troglodytes are more rare their their male counterparts and, though smaller in stature, no less gluttonous. When bearing or rearing a child, a female member of the species will often remain in a single spot for days on end, moving only to consume the swaths of food that her mate has brought her.
They are believed to have originated in the western swamps and jungles of the Kardan continent.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

A troglodyte's face is strangely alien in comparison to those of other goblinoid species. With the odd musculature of their shoulders and upper back that blends into a body ridge atop their heads, the creatures lack a true neck and, though able to crook their heads side to side and up and down, are unable to truly swivel it on an axis. Dark, wiry hair falls from either side of their skulls in wispy strands.
The front of their faces protrude into a meaty snout framed on either side by their small, beady eyes. Their jagged sets of teeth are covered by a set of thin lips capable of pulling back and allowing them to take large, meaty chunks of their prey. Beneath this, loose skin often hangs from their jowls in flaps.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Troglodytes have, over time, developed rather poor and sensitive eyesight due to their fondness for dark, shaded areas and underground caverns. Though able to see more easily in dimly-lit areas than an average human, they are equally as visually lost in near darkness and are overly sensitive to the point of temporary blindness if exposed to points of bright light. Though capable of vision in direct sunlight, these creatures usually prefer to avoid it all the same.
Their aural and nasal capabilities, however, are greatly increased, able to locate prey in pitch blackness by the sounds of its footsteps and the scent of its flesh.

Civilization and Culture

Courtship Ideals

Whether due to their natural musk, the horrendous scents they are so fond of accumulating, or simply their strange appearances, troglodytes do not seem to display particular physical interest in other members of their species, and perhaps even find them as detestable as many outsiders would. Troglodyte mating, it seems, is usually carried out for the sole purpose of procreation alone, with male and female individuals often permanently separating once a child has been reared. While many recorded cases of male troglodytes coming to blows over a potential mate exist, it is theorized that this may stem from a show of pride or dominance in oneself rather than out of a true desire to win over a female.
Male troglodytes are still incredibly virile beasts, however, and their lust is perhaps the sinful endeavor for which they are third most well-known for. If properly fed, it is not uncommon for male troglodytes to attempt and capture members of other kith species or extort smaller kith communities for an outlet in pleasures of the flesh.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Troglodytes overall hold a general disdain for all other species at a default, often simply considering them to be intruders to their cavernous homes. On occasion they will partner with nearby tribes of other goblinoid races, even occasionally making deals with small communities of kith, to provide peaceful coexistence and added protection in exchange for food, accommodations, and the occasional consort.
Troglodytes living on their own are often miserable, but more violent than their counterparts, as anything that moves is a potential source of food.

Scientific Name

Goblinoid