Basic Biology

Native Region

Caisni live primarily in tropical seasonal forests (rainforests). These forests are along the coast and also stretch into grasslands.

Biologically

Average Lifespan: 250 years
Average Height: 6'

Caisni are one of the two Fey races on Ybis. They share many genetic similarities with the Fey and Elves of Alrone, with distinct moth-like features. However, unlike most Fey, Caisni lack tails. This is an anomaly. Instead, they have large moth wings. These wings can resemble a diverse array of moths, from the Luna Moth to the Cream-Spot. Wing colours are often reflected in their hair colours, antennae and their sensory lobes. Their wings are fully functional, giving them the ability to fly.

Caisni have human skin tones (ranging from dark brown to pale pink). They have three fingers and one thumb and three toes. Their legs are plantigrade. They have flat noses that are connected to their fleshy mandibles: two moving appendages on either side of their upper mouth that make up their upper lip, as well as a split jaw. These mandibles are covered in skin and blend into the face, completely indistinguishable until a Caisni opens their mouth to eat, their mouth breaking into four parts to reveal several rows of teeth and a forked tongue.
The tips of their noses resemble bats and are brightly coloured. These tips curl together in funnel-like designs, mimicking flowers.

Their ears are incredibly long, going past their shoulders, and have sensory lobes on their earlobes and the tips of their ears. There are three on their earlobes and two on the tips. These lobes can sense the weather, change in temperatures, and send electrostatic signals to other Caisni.

Caisni also have moth-like antennae on their heads, which function similarly to moths. They sense chemicals in their environments and help navigate toward food sources. These antenna connect to the bridge of their nose.

Caisni have large collars of fluff that cover their upper torso and backs where their wings connect. These ruffs extend towards the pelvis, often thinning into a trail that connects to a dense bush over their genital slit. Male Caisni ruffs are exceptionally fluffy and can resemble manes. Female Caisni ruffs are smaller, fitting more closely to the body.

Apart from their different ruff sizes, male and female Caisni are identical. Both have a wide range of hair/fur/skin colours and body types.

Diet

The Caisni are herbivores and insectivores (90/10 split). They have adopted many farming skills from the Hervorians and often trade with them to supplement what they can't grow. Fruits are cooked, cut, frozen and prepared in elaborate dishes. To be a fruit farmer is one of the highest honours of the Caisni because green thumbs are coveted (as it saves them money and valuable resources that they would otherwise have to trade to obtain enough food).

Before the Caisni controlled the world trade, they survived off of their meagre farming and insects, which prompted them to have controlled markets and establish trade with each other.

Reproduction

Like their fey ancestors, Caisni have ovipositors. However, unlike their fey ancestors, Caisni have two sexes. Male Caisni will have two phalli of the same size, an ovipositor and a inseminator. Whereas female Caisni only have an ovipositor. This allows both male and female Caisni to lay and carry eggs, but necessitates the need for a male Caisni to fertilize them. These ovipositors are slender tendrils with fluid pouches along their bodies that swell with slick to pad the eggs. Directly below their tendril, they have an entrance for penetrative sex that leads to their womb (present in both sexes). Both the tendril(s) and entrance are tucked behind a slit that parts when arousal occurs.

For both sexes, when eggs are implanted in their body, they develop breasts (which remain after birth). Around 6-7 eggs are laid at a time, with only 1-3 fully developing. The others are absorbed as nutrients for both the dam and the developing eggs. Infants are breastfed until they are 14 months of age, after which they are weaned with fruits and insects.