What is a Tali?
- Tali are large carnivores that stand up to 22 hands high. Their manes travel down to their shoulder blades, and are made up of stiff hairs that have the same consistency of a zebra's mane. They also have thick hair along the front of their torso, and along their jaws. They have long, wickedly sharp retractable claws. However, their more striking feature is the skull that each wears as a mask.
Tali generally live in groups known as Prides, which are lead by older, larger male Tali. The females of the group do most of the hunting while the males protect them and the other members of the Pride from intruders and other Tali. Since females never survive the birthing process, all of the cubs are raised by all of the members of the Pride. The mother's skull is preserved until her only cub either makes its first kill or wins its first fight. On that day, the skull is given to the cub, to be worn as a badge of honor.
Tali live rather long lives, often reaching ages in the forties before passing, not including the mothers. They are considered cubs until they earn their skulls, usually around a year old. Once they have their skulls, cubs become adult members of the Pride, and they can begin hunting and fighting with the others. Tali often engage in fights with one another, although these fights are rarely fatal. If a fight ends with a death instead of a submission, the offending Tali is exiled from the Pride. Exiles are still permitted to live on Pride territory, but they must now fight and hunt for themselves.
The skull of a Tali holds a lot of information about that Tali. Young Tali who have just earned their skulls have a solid colored skull, with no designs or other colors to adorn it. Brightly colored, plainly designed skulls are indicative of a mature male, while more naturally colored skulls with intricate designs are the mark of a female. All exiles, regardless of age and gender, have a dark base color to their skulls.
How do I get one?
- Tali will be adopted out on a best form wins basis. Each Tali will be given a simple form skeleton for you to expand on. I will chose a winner, with the input of the artist who designed that Tali.
