Adesjok

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

The Adesjok are mammalian and give birth to one to five children after roughly nine months of pregnancy. Children are meant to be raised by the whole clan and the number of children depends on available support. Adesjok women react to the hormones of other women nearby - the presence of many non-pregnant woman will result in a increased chance of twins, triplets or more. If an Adesjok woman is on her own or surrounded by already pregnant women, she will usually only have a single child. Even non-pregnant women will sometimes start lactating if living in close quarters with young mothers, so they can help nurse the children.

Ecology and Habitats

Most Adesjok live in hidden clanholds deep in the forest of Monka. One clanhold usually holds the titular clan as well as visitors and apprentices from other clans, clanless workers seeking protection and any kind of lifestock the clan may possess. With the exception of the occasional shelter and the communal fire pit, all buildings are build high above the ground in the treetops. Adesjok will only set a foot on the ground if they have to. The forest around a clanhold will usually be altered (by magic or hard work) to suit the needs of the clan and most clanholds a surrounded by large groves of fruitbearing trees.
Some Adesjok have started to live in human cities under human protection. In such cases, they usually stay among their own kind, sometimes even forming whole quarters. The Anderwelsh cities of Elgernost and Sifismund have a notable Adesjok population.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Adesjok are omnivores and can digest milk even as adults. Their day-to-day diet usually consistes of dried meat and fruit, eggs, milk and cheese, nuts and sometimes fish. Human bread is seen as odd by them, but has been gaining popularity. They also brew many kinds of fruit brandy.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Adesjok are said to be the cleverest of all species - according to the Adesjok. (No proper scientific consensus has been reached yet.)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Hearing of the Adesjok is execptional and is, in fact, their primary sense. Compared to humans (and especially elves), they tend to be slightly short-sighted, but are better at differentiating colours. Many Adesjok also have a natural knack for magic.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Normal Adesjok names have four, sometimes five, components: Birth-Name, True name, Nickname, sometimes a Mother-Name and the name of their clan.
The Birth-Name is chosen from a small pool of traditional, nondescript names like "Je" (child) oder "An" (She/He is) right after birth.
The True Name is chosen by a priest once the child turns twelve and has usually religious or traditional connotations. It is not secret, but reserved for intimate moments and as a legal identifier and proof of 'personhood'. Using it in casual context is very rude.
Nicknames are used in day-to-day life. They are usually bestowed by relatives, teachers or friends and can change through the years.
A Mother-Name is passed down through the direct maternal line and is usually only used in case of a prominent ancestor or to tell family lines apart in large clans.
The Clan-name is exactly that - the name of the clan, the large family units Adesjok live in.
Clanless Adesjok have neither clan-names nor true names and are not considered proper people because of this.

Major Organizations

The Monkasavi (Allies of Bird-Forest)

Beauty Ideals

Most common ideals of beauty include long limbs, even facial features and shiny, well-kept fur with no asymmetrical patterns. Pierced ears are held as beautiful in some clans, but vulgar by others.

Gender Ideals

Adesjok society is moderatly matriachal. Woman are seen as wiser and more responsible - thus, the ideal woman is always in control of her feelings, highly intelligent and puts her duty to her family first. Having children is near mandatory, especially in smaller clans, where the survival of the clan may depend on it. Men are usually given more leeway when showing emotion, but they also hold less power and a taken less seriously. A mans role tends to be defined in relation to his female kin - he is always a son, a brother or an uncle first and himself second.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Adesjok of Talam speak Ta'desjol. Many mutually intelligible dialects exists, the most prominent being Ta'šihur, sometimes also calles "Harbor-Ta'desjol",

Common Etiquette Rules

Respecting one elders, especially ones mother or teacher. Family always comes first. Curiosity is good!

Common Taboos

Talking about death, admitting to Adoption

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Adesjok tend to refer to any Non-Adesjok as 'faltoi' - literally "belonging on the ground". Faloi are not considered people in the legal sense and almost no Adesjok will consider them as an equal.
Nevertheless, they have a longstanding friendship with the dwarves of the Ironside which has resulted in many profitable trade routes, shared customs and innovations. They also hold the elves of the island realm Anvanima in high regard and several clans have been allowed to settle the on isle.
Apart from that, they treat outsiders with a mixture of curiosty and healthy caution.

Lifespan

95 to 120 years

Average Height

0.9-1.3 m

Average Physique

Since they move by climbing, most Adesjok tend to have decent muscle mass.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Black skin. Fur is usually a single shade of brown/sand-colored with accents in other shades. Both very dark and very light fur exists, but is rare.