Hekiru

The hekiru race are small vulpine nomads created by Phox Sillanpaa.

Physical

Hekiru are a bipedal race. They are short compared to most other sentient races, averaging from 1.2 meters in height to 1.5 at the most. They are naturally built lithe, but laziness and poor diet could produce a relatively round hekiru. They generally weigh 35kg. As a race, their coats are mainly earthy colors. Common colors are tan, light brown, brown, and cream. Black and white hekiru are possible but considered extreme rarities. They have vulpine snouts with a bat-like nose. Hekiru have large, expressive ears. The hekiru have five fingers on each paw and five toes on each footpaw. Hekiru have bobtails for the most part, except on the rare occasion when a kit is born with medium-length very fluffy tail. General practice is to dock the tail to facilitate maintaining a lower profile.

Hekiru are well adapted to dark situations and will suffer in bright light. The entirety of their eyes (pupil, iris, and sclera) are matte black and have a layer that hides any reflection from nearby light sources. They have a pair of small nubs at the base of each ear that are used to detect differences in chemical levels to the hekiru's right or left, painting them a more clear picture on which direction they should move to avoid danger.

With the help of their large ears, hekiru can use echolocation to identify potential threats or obstacles nearby.

Home World

Hekirutec - The hekiru are the only sentient race to come from Hekirutec, though as a species they never controlled the planet. Hekirutec is home to a large variety of vicious carnivores, with most being about half the size of a krakun. The world is generally jungle but has regions of grassland and desert that are largely uninhabited by anything but small reptiles and large arachnids. Hekirutec caught krakun attention for it's very similar atmosphere to Krakuntec Prime. The Hekiru were not initially discovered for many weeks following the planetary surveys.

The day/night cycle on Hekirutec is the equivalent of about 180 days on Krakuntec Prime.

Language

Hekiru language is composed almost entirely of sign. Words can be modified using some chirps or chitters, but typically any noise at all is avoided. The species can emit a high pitched screech to get the attention of other nearby hekiru, far above the hearing spectrum of the larger predators on the planet. Hekiru are capable of learning to speak, but will always choose to sign unless instructed otherwise, and even then, it's a hard habit to break.

Society

Hekiru had centralized governments, though never truly united as a species. They established a democracy founded upon territorial affiliation, despite their nomadic nature within that territory. Only influential, local, hekiru could run for office. Often the same hekiru could hold down a position until death, which seemed inevitable at the jaws of some predator, anyway. Familial bonds among the hekiru are weak. As an individual, a hekiru chooses their own families, often bonding with whatever creature is nearest to them.

Life Cycle

Kits grow up quickly, only spending five years of their lives dependant on their parents. At five years of age, they are considered adults and will choose their own packs and range the territory they are born within. Adulthood is considered to be roughly one hundred and forty-five years. The average hekiru lifespan is one hundred and sixty. Hekiru don't appear to age until they are within the last five to ten years of their lives. Then they age very quickly.

Servitude

Krakun do not consider hekiru to be good slaves, due to their smaller size and unwillingness to communicate with other creatures they are forced to work alongside. It is more fashionable to carry a hekiru in a cage as a good luck charm. Hekiru have also been used as interactive krakun hat decorations for overly up-scale events. Hekiru are especially prone to bonding with their krakun owners, as that krakun is the most important aspect of the hekiru's survival. Whether a hekiru cares for the well-being of other krakun captives is specific to the hekiru.