A unique flying species with some of the most interesting traits. Alcarians may not be as advanced in terms of technology as the Geode Wyverns but their intelligence still makes up for it. They have two main habitats, the Dracholt Plains and the Bieganie Desert, but may also be found within the Crystal Caverns living alongside the Geode Wyverns and even Dama Surmβs Paradise with the Karasks. Though their incredible ability to adapt to almost any environment is one to appreciate, their strange physical characteristics that come with it are not something most of the planetβs inhabitants are jealous of.
There is no mistaking an Alcarian from afar even when flying. They have tough, leather skin and feathered wings accompanied by a set of feathers along the back of their neck along with a pair of arms ending with clawed, five fingered hands, and back legs ending in hooves much larger than that of a Brassisaur. All of this is followed by a muscular tail that is more keen to move up and down rather than side to side, allowing them to stand up on two legs for an extended period of time.
The Alcariansβ anatomy doesnβt stop there. Another important factor to note is the three pairs of compound eyes and two sets of nostrils. Their eyes allow for a nearly 360 degree vision range and with three pairs, itβs quite rare that one would need glasses. Alcarians are excellent hunters due to their evolutionary advantage so combined with the fact that they will eat just about anything they can get their hands on makes them a true survivalist.
With homes built into the ground or into trees, depending on their environment, and not nearly enough of them to make any one spot feel crowded, itβs no wonder nearly every other species calls Alcarian towns some of the coziest. Brassisaurs or familiars usually freely roam throughout the towns, brought back to their feeding grounds by their owners at certain points in the day. They run their small communities through an age-based hierarchy, oldest at the top and youngest at the bottom. The absolute oldest, still functional, Alcarian is referred to as Chieftain; they are considered the wisest amongst them and make most of the rulings. The youngest, functional, Alcarians are made to be harvesters alongside their family with the males typically being game harvesters and the females being crop harvesters.
Alcarians take great pride in the option of choice in their society so while it may be required to follow the few rules they have, new rules and how they function are mostly put into place by the entire community, only approved by the Chieftain after all vote on it. Sometimes, the Chieftain may be referred to as a Guide instead. Alcarians will look to them for guidance on what to do, rather than an exact decision on what they have to do.
Now, while the Chieftain plays an important role in guiding the community, there are some behind-the-scenes leaders helping to keep everything running smoothly. Keepers are split into two different categories, Record Keepers and Community Keepers, which have different jobs depending on their titles. Similarly to Scriveners of the Incantors, Record Keepers take note of day-to-day happenings amongst the community, documenting any major or minor events needed, for future reference. They mostly take note of changes made to any laws or leadership positions, what happens on the days of celebrations, or information on any new discoveries. Community Keepers are purely there to watch over the Alcarians. While they do take notes when one starts to cause too much trouble, they are usually just there to reinforce the rules and help the community when needed. Some double as guards who keep watch just outside the town for any wild animals that a hunter may need to take care of.
While Alcarian towns may not have many inhabitants, that doesnβt mean their overall population is low. Many Alcarians choose not to live within their own communities and are more keen to live in the wild or even in the residential areas of other species. More similar to Karasks, Alcarian outsiders, also known as wanderers, are not looked down upon for their desire for a different style of living or change in scenery. Instead, it is seen as the start of a new journey. A celebration is held in turn, to send off the Alcarian to their adventure, and they are allowed to come back if something were to happen.
Geodites may not like to admit it but truly, all know that most traditional celebrations in the present day came from a historic Alcarian holiday. Although the times have changed what exactly happens or what a particular holiday is about, the general theme has kept true and can still be recognized.
One of the most popular holidays today is Nou Solune, meaning New Year in Alcarian. Traditionally, Nou Soluna was meant to celebrate the arrival of Atlas, marking the last day of the year. The month leading up to the very last day is filled with feasts and festivities with the first day of the next year filled with gifts for Atlas to say goodbye to him. Present day, it similarly celebrates Atlasβ arrival minus him actually landing on the planet. First day gifts are now given to children by their parents, typically being toys and trinkets as well as food or candies, meanwhile naughty kids are instead told that Diablo may eat them if they donβt behave.