Terror Species in Vellikka | World Anvil

Terror

"Goodness me, they are awful. Even when I was working in Peacekeeper Integrity I avoided these people at all costs. They serve no discernable purpose as far as I can see.   They grunt and groan at each other in a rude and obtrusive manner. They have wings but have no ability to fly. They smell, they molt and their children claw at everything.   I have witnessed one of them refuse to eat a Fraga - which we all know is the perfect dish - simply because it contained meat. The only so-called 'vegetarians' I've ever met are savages, and the Terror are no exception. It is little wonder they are referred to as The Terrible around the hallowed halls of Space Station One.  
— Extract from Travelling To Victory: An Exploration of Victalis System
by Peacekeeper V'Kly  

Difficult

  The Terror are known across the Peacekeeper Territories for being obtuse and difficult to work with. They have a strong set of ideas and cultural norms which are very different from those of the Peacekeepers. They may not think of themselves as difficult, but it is understood that each Terror has their own mind and it is not necessarily easily swayed.
 

Groaners

The Terror are not actually called the Terror. In their own language their people are known by a long, loud groan which vibrates from the back of the throat. It doesn't have a direct translation. However, the Peacekeepers changed their name to the Terror as part of their agreement, but without explaining what the word meant first. They explained that it was simply a noise which was easier (and less inappropriate) for Pachians to make.   The Peacekeepers chose Terror because it lined up with their renaming of the planet to Triumph, and they had found working with the bird-like species extremely challenging.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Terror are a bird-like humanoid species. They have clawed feet and two short legs, each with a two clear joints, an ankle about a third of the way up which bends backwards and a knee which is another third up which bends forwards.   Their torsos tend to be bottom heavy, tapering towards their shoulders and head. They don't have arms, but instead have claws on the end of their wings which have an amount of texibility and control. They are covered from head to knee in feathers which tend to be a colourful red and ruddy hues around the head, fading into a dirty brown down the body.   They have long curved beaks with large holes for nostrils. Their eyes are positioned towards the front of their heads, and on the sides they have holes for ears which are hidden from view by the feathers.   Despite having wings, they are unable to fly well. When their stomachs are empty they are able to take off and fly for maybe 50ft. However, when full, at best they can use them to glide from a height.  

Leaf Eaters

Despite their size, the Terror are predominantly a leaf-based species. They have four stomachs which are capable of extracting the majority of useful nutrients from roughage in a process that involves fermentation, chewing their own puke, and various stomach sacs and digestive stages. This process is known as rumination, and is also how the Terror feed their young.   As a result of this, they are surrounded by a very distinctive odor which is more commonly associated with livestock. The combination of their diet and they digestive process makes for a very potent manure-like smell which they use to attract mates, but doesn't endear them to other species or potential prey.   They do occassionally eat leaves coated in liquids or sticky substances like sap and honey, but these are considered a treat and can wreak havoc on their digestive system. It makes them smell much worse than usual.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Unlike most bird-related species, the Terror are unable to sing. It is said that this was caused by a curse, but what is clear is that their throats don’t allow the vibrations necessary for singing.   Their language, therefore, is constructive from huffs, groans, croaks, hisses and grunts. It is a grating and noisy language. They are a loud species, and the noises they make when they’re communicating carry great distances. It is possible this served some evolutionary need, but now it just creates quite a din when more than a couple of them get together.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Terror are mostly broken up into two schools of thought; known as The Theory of Wings and The Theory of Claws. These two theories have a lot to do with the cultural heritage of the species. It is recognised across Triumph that everyone is an individual and has their own mind. As such, people who follow the Theory of Wings (also known as Wingers) and people who follow the Theory of Claws (also known as Clawers), live happily side by side, willing to agree to disagree.  

Theory of Wings

The Theory of Wings states that as a descendent of birds, and as a species born with wings, that the Terror were meant to fly. Not being able to fly is a great shame, and those non-sapient birds which can fly are to be admired and imitated as far as is possible.

Theory of Claws

The Theory of Claws states that the Terror are far more advanced than thos birds they are descended from. They don't need their wings, and the fact that they have claws on both their wings and their feet is proof of that. Birds which can fly are to be pitied.
 

Foods and Dishes

 

Braaaaahgraaaurgh

Braaaaahgraaaurgh, sometimes spelled "Braaaaaaaargraughhhh", is a dish traditionally eated by the Terror from Triumph.   As all of their dishes are mostly plant-based, the combination here of leaves is very important. What seperates this from other dishes from Triumph is the treatment of the leaves with a spicy oil. This gives it a rather pungeant smell, and the different types of leaves react differently, making some of them softer and some more crispy.  
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Related Articles

Organisations Peacekeeper Alliance, Victalis Command
Locations Peacekeeper Territories, The Victalis System, Triumph
Lifespan
70 years
Average Height
9ft 5in
Average Weight
14st 4lbs

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