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Published: 2018-02-07 22:34:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 2357; Favourites: 66; Downloads: 12
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Description
Sun imps are the smallest known imp species that only lives along a remote tropical coastline with eroded limestone cliffs. The species belongs to the umbra group, but appears to have a lot in common with spotted imps; however, these are convergent traits related to their smaller size and preference for water-rich environments. Males lack the colourful beards the closely-related striped imps have, but instead, they have a characteristic yellow spot on the underside of their arm membranes. The mark is also present on females and on the top of the membrane, but in these locations it is a dull, brownish colour. The spot is often enhanced with paint or fashioned to have the appearance of an eye, which allows it to double as a threat display.Being adapted to gliding to a larger degree than the other imp species, sun imps have a wide tail fan and extended gliding membranes. While the leg gliding membrane attaching at the ankle is a trait they share with rufus group imps, the arm membrane attaching at the wrist is an unique trait. As a result, sun imps hold their lower arms spread to the side rather than forwards to maximize the surface and when they land, they catch themselves with the legs, which they will swing forward while righting up their front body. Other imp species catch themselves with their already extended arms, absorbing the impact with their rotating shoulder blades. Gliding is an important type of locomotion in their environment, where it is much easier to glide from one rock spire to another rather than taking the longer, more dangerous way through the water.
Because of the small population and the restricted range, there is little cultural variation among the clans. Dwellings are mostly built in rock crevices of free-standing than on trees to avoid storms. The main materials for tools are wood including driftwood, plant fibers, shells and bones from marine animals, carved coconut shells and flint concretions found in the limestone, which are especially valued. Food is mostly gathered among the vegetation along the coastline and on the spires, supplemented with marine animals and algae. When the sea is calm, they will dive for food, counteracting their high buoyancy with weighted belts consisting of limestones that had a hole bored through them to be hanged on fiber rope. In case of emergency, the rope is cut, which allows a quick ascension; similar tools are used by most imp cultures living at coastlines or along lakes and rivers.
Sun imps are exclusively residents, where each clan has a defined territory along the coastline and members of different clans often visit each other or exchange members. Animal cooperation is uncommon, usually happening with seabirds. Among sapient races, sun imps have contact with goblin species, coast scrzaki (a group of flying goblin relatives), elves and sirens.
The natural vocalisations of sun imps resemble those of striped imps by consisting of crow-like sounds, rough barks and thrilling chirps, but with a higher pitch.
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Comments: 8
srjf1 [2021-08-28 18:17:50 +0000 UTC]
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FrustratedInExcelsis [2018-02-08 01:07:49 +0000 UTC]
Among sapient races, sun imps have contact with goblin species, coast scrzaki (a group of flying goblin relatives), elves and sirens.
What would sirens be? I remember you mentioning that undines are a type of eldritch race -- are sirens something similar?
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Ramul In reply to FrustratedInExcelsis [2018-02-08 07:47:00 +0000 UTC]
Yes, both undines and sirens are aquatic eldrich races (the former in freshwater, the latter marine) with a long lower body and multiple fins running along its side.
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