Taschevah

Male Mechaelen

Taschevah Skeleton

Taschevah Musculature (Pocket: Moiet)

Taschevah are a widely diversified, 6 limbed people genetically similar to the mammalian ungulate animals of Earth but with the same level of intelligence as humans. Although vaguely similar, they are not dragons ( and tend to take a great deal of offense to the term), wield no magical abilities, nor breathe fire.

Over their history, the taschevah have had an astounding rise of cultural, religious, and civilized development allowing for unique differences between the races. This has also, however, led to disagreements between peoples causing hostility and war among nations.

Anatomically: Women have an upward spiraling duct in front of the eye, whereas the men have a downward curling duct.

Knuckled horns are found on almost all taschevah, however there are a few races without horns. These horns function as both signals of emotion, for silent communication (by use of the three reflective white morse spots), and to handle or carry items. As a general rule, men have rougher, bumpier and often tined horns with flags, while womens' horns are smooth lacking the flags. These flags are situated at the base of the horns on the outer and top positions and have the ability to flip up and forward to get the attention of ladies. Men also have longer canines and several molar protrusions growing from the rear of the jaw. These 'teeth' were once used during confrontations to slice, but have over time become much duller and less likely to inflict injury.

Within the pages defining each taschevah you will see what is referred to as the "Winter Coat Range", this explains the general length of hair during the height of winter. Ranges go as follows:

0= No winter coat

1= A light dusting of thick peach-like fuzz, about 1/4"-1/2"

2= 1" of thick soft hairs

3= 1.5"-2" of thick fur

4= 3" of thick fur

5= 4"-5" of soft thick fur

6= 6" of soft thick fur

7= 7"-9"+ of long thick fur with a soft water resistant undercoat

Any mixed races will have a median range between the parents genetic difference in coat lengths. Usually, coat colors coincide with the pattern of the skin, however, the patterns will gradually change depending on the length of the hair. Fetlocks are common on winter ranges 4-7, they are not found below winter range 3. Taschevah in winter ranges 6 and 7 CANNOT FLY during the winter months, their wings are stowed the entire season. However, they are capable of short flights in fall. Flight in winter wastes energy due to weight. On a positive note, velvets are carried by parents in their wing pockets for warmth.

Tail hair will thicken with an undercoat and a -1/-2 coat range may extend along the underside of the horns based on the range they belong in (in other words, a range 7 would have a range 6 along the underside of the horn flesh, while a range 2 may have a range 1 or even 0). Horns in ranges 2-5 may have velvet, this is really a weird genetic anomaly, but allowable.

Taschevah still retain their fairly retractable tail which in time past was to protect not only the tail itself and get it out of the way, but the genitalia as well. The tail does not fully retract but may hang at various levels of the thigh or calf, this is dictated by the length of the tail itself. Generally the thin tail is the length of the rest of the body from head to rear. The longer the tail, the thicker the "bob" (retracted). The tail has the ability to contract and extend thanks to numerous thick bladders located between the bones. These bladders are linked to a pair of larger bladders located at the base of the tail which retain the fluid and contract the muscles in order to shorten the tail length, or release the fluid and relax the muscles in order to lengthen the tail. The tail itself is still very strong and flexible.

Both men and women have a pair of breasts between the thighs. The breasts of the men generally go unnoticed while womens' breasts grow no more than a large grapefruit.

The unique pocketed wings vary from one taschevah to the next, below are the four types:

Pocket Types

Diddie: Full pocket; small “zipper” runs the spine with a thinner mantle but provides a full pocketed slip. The diddie is for taschevah who are extensive fliers.
Moiet: Half-mast pockets run laterally from front to back and have a longer vertical mantle with deeper pocketed slips. Moiettes are found in the majority of taschevah who spend equal time in the air and on the ground.
Cloak: The cloak is a reversed Diddie where the pocket opening runs the length of the body below the elbow and knee. This is the type of pocket you would find with aquatic type taschevah such as Skilt and Hu, or arctic type such as Dhorikh and Akinu.
Cuff: Shallow pocket; the rarest, and considered an abnormality, the cuff is a vertical slit at the shoulder dropping to the elbow, then running diagonally towards the hip. In effect the wrist slips into the cuff at the elbow while the wing elbow slips into a small pit at the hips.

From birth, taschevah wings develop in their pouches till about the age of five to seven years at which point the pocket becomes irritated and itchy, then splits open. Very often the opening splits on its own within two to three days, for those stubborn zippers doctors are often the next stage as incorrect splitting the zipper may damage the muscles. Flight does not begin until the taschevah reaches eleven years of age.