Post by Shade on Jun 8, 2012 23:22:50 GMT -5
Family- Bats
Colony Name- Vampyrum Spectrum
Human Name- Spectral Bat
Physical Description and Basic Information- Most commonly what people think of when they think about "vampire bats" or even "bats" in general, Spectral bats are not true vampire bats, and are one of the few carnivorous bats in the world. Spectral bats also happen to be the largest carnivorous bat species in the world. Their wing span can reach about 3 feet in length. Slightly larger measurements are not uncommon either.
The fur on the upper parts of the bat is normally dark brown, chestnut brown or rust-orange and quite short. Underparts are usually pale, dirty gray-brown to yellow-brown—the fur is much shorter than on the back. The ears are very long and rounded, as Vampyrum Spectrum also use their own echo-location. There is no discernible tail, but the tail membrane is long and broad. The large feet are robust with long, curved claws for gripping prey. The muzzle is long and narrow, and their carnivorous teeth are strong and capable of ripping off chunks of flesh or snapping a jugular vein. The noseleaf is medium-sized, lance-shaped, horseshoe and spear with continuous rim raised to form a hollow cup around the nostrils, giving them a strong sense of smell. As Shade Silvering and the pigeon lieutenant stated, their facial structure and appearance is comparable to a "gargoyle" from a cathedral's siding.
A formidable aerial night hunter, this large predatory species takes a huge range of relatively large vertebrate prey including amphibians, reptiles, small birds and small mammals (including other species of bats). Insects are also included, especially large crickets, cicadas, etc (Though this is rare of the Vampyrum in the Temple. Wild ones do this more often). When hunting, this species is extremely stealthy. It will often pounce from a position on an above branch onto its prey or fly like some owls by patrolling back and forth along forest edges, suddenly dropping on something in the grass. One young or pup is produced each year, and the mother is very attentive and gentle with her offspring. The male is always in attendance too and will frequently sleep with both mother and young completely wrapped in his wings.
The range of the species is southern Mexico to Peru and Ecuador to central and northern Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and the island of Trinidad. Because of their habitat choice, Vampyrum Spectrum do not naturally hibernate, and some even hunt in the day time.
Society and Structure- Most of the Vampyrum Spectrum are known from the temple that a lot of them congregate in. These Vampyrum Spectrum follow a strict theocratic/monarchy type of government. A caste system also exists, with workers or minor hunters below, warriors/hunters of different ranks above them, and the high priests and royal family above sharing about equal power at the top (Though this is debatable on just who has the most influence). This theocratic monarchy is the result of the Vampyrum Spectrum's loyalty to Cama Zotz, their dark god, and the royal family and the priests are said to have greater connection with him than any other Vampyrum Spectrum.
Not all Vampyrum Spectrum live this way though. A few wild, exiled, or lost Vampyrum Spectrum live as their ancestors did in small family groups, especially since the temple was destroyed. These family groups have no hiearchy like their temple cousins, and instead adhere to the head of the family. This system is very similar to what the northern Brightwings have.
Very few Vampyrum Spectrum actually know of Nocturna. For the few who do, there is usually very little loyalty to her. To many Vampyrum who know Nocturna, either she is the invention of "lesser bats" or is in fact a lesser god herself compared to the great Zotz. However, Murk, a Vampyrum Spectrum that Griffin encountered in the Underworld stated that Nocturna is the god of all bats and the Vampyrum are her creation as well.
As a result, many Vampyrum Spectrum worship Cama Zotz, the old Mayan god of death who was said to take on the physical appearance of an enormous Vampyrum Spectrum. He is seen as their patron, and the Vampyrum Spectrum typically honor him through bloody sacrifice at their temple, similar to what the ancient Mayan or Aztec humans did. Even Vampyrum Spectrum that are removed from the temple have a vague inkling on who Zotz is, and worship him out of a sense of patronage or honor. Otherwise, they don't worship at all, or for a few who may know her, they may worship a darker version of Nocturna.
The royal family or the priesthood rules the Vampyrum Spectrum with an iron claw. They are the voice and will of Zots personified, and any effort to contest this power is usually crushed. Vampyrum Spectrum under the temple system have a strict caste system, and most are not allowed to move out of its influence. Their whole society is dedicated to Zotz, and they have no qualms about sacrificing their own kin if it proves their loyalty, though they will try to make do with other creatures if they can.
Vampyrum Spectrum removed from the temple system live in small family groups. Connections are close and tight knit. The heads of the family are to be respected and honored. Under no circumstances should a Vampyrum harm another Vampyrum, especially if they are family.
Vampyrum Spectrum are southern bats, and since no winter is present where they live, there is no need to hibernate. Most Vampyrum Spectrum don't even know what snow is. As a result, Vampyrum judge age by the dry and wet season. When a Vampyrum Spectrum is mature, they will choose a mate during the dry season. This goes for both the temple and wild Vampyrum Spectrum, though the temple Vampyrum may do it for caste related and political reasons where as the wild Vampyrum do it for natural ones. Taking a mate during the dry season is important because it ensures that the newborn Vampyrum have a good chance to live during the wet season when food is plentiful. Although temple Vampyrum have a slight patriarchy to their system of government, both male and female Vampyrum are almost exactly equal in strength and prowess. When taking a mate, it isn't unheard of for the females to make her interests known to a male rather than the alternative. Female Vampyrum bear 1 offspring per year. Both the male and female parent take tender care of the offspring, and unlike most bats, male and female Vampyrum are generally monogamous for life.
Temple Vampyrum have an impressive list of accomplishments. Because of their religious sacrifice and bloodthirsty dispositions, temple Vampyrum have learned to use their natural predatory abilities for warfare. Most higher caste Vampyrum are excellent fighters, on par with the northern owls. Many have also developed weaponry, like spears and claw blades. These are usually made out of obsidian, and when thin enough, are light enough to fly with and are razor sharp. Temple Vampyrum veterans are great strategists and military planners, taking full advantage of the troops at their disposal. Even wild Vampyrum know some basic combat. Temple Vampyrum are also known for their incredibly accurate calendars. The priests who read this calendar can tell when major astronomical events occur, and this is usually used to tell when sacrifices should be made. The priests also have an extensive knowledge of herbs, including healing herbs, poisons, and hallucinogens.
Relationships With Other Creatures-
Northern Bats- Vampyrum Spectrum, especially the temple faction, see other bats as lesser to them. A temple Vampyrum has no qualms about torturing, killing, and eating a northern or southern bat. In fact, temple Vampyrum have no qualms about eating each other for sacrificial and religious reasons should the time call for it. Even wild Vampyrum see smaller bats as prey, though this has less to do with cruelty and more to do with the Vampyrum simply seeing their smaller cousins as nothing more than food. As a result, especially with what has recently occurred, Vampyrum Spectrum and other bats in general are bitter enemies.
Owls And Other Predatory Birds- Although the owls rule in the north, the Vampyrum rule in the south. The owls were shocked to learn about the Vampyrum Spectrum when they first showed their presence, and they were even more shocked about how easily they could fend off their attacks. The temple Vampyrum and the northern owls both had a powerful military, but at its prime, the Vampyrum Spectrum were more powerful. Many owls and their allies were to be sacrificed were it not for the combines effort of the northern bats, the owls, and the southern rat empire. As a result, both factions hold infinite contempt and hatred for each other, with owls seeing Vampyrum Spectrum as dangerous monstrosities and the temple Vampyrum seeing the northern owls and their laws as laughable. In the wild, it isn't unusual for a Vampyrum Spectrum to kill and eat a juvenile owl, or an owl to kill and eat a juvenile Vampyrum Spectrum.
Beasts- Like small bats and birds, most Vampyrum Spectrum see small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles as food.
Humans- Most Vampyrum Spectrum in the wild are cautious around humans. The temple ones tend to ignore them or see them as annoyances. In the past, southern humans used to worship Cama Zotz and would sometimes bring offerings to his shrine. The temple and calendar itself was made by humans, but they are not involved in his worship much anymore.
Notable Vampyrum Spectrum
1. Goth
2. Throbb
3. Voxzaco
4. Phoenix
5. Murk
Read more: wingsofeternalshadow.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bats&action=display&thread=2#ixzz1xGd3bd7S
Colony Name- Vampyrum Spectrum
Human Name- Spectral Bat
Physical Description and Basic Information- Most commonly what people think of when they think about "vampire bats" or even "bats" in general, Spectral bats are not true vampire bats, and are one of the few carnivorous bats in the world. Spectral bats also happen to be the largest carnivorous bat species in the world. Their wing span can reach about 3 feet in length. Slightly larger measurements are not uncommon either.
The fur on the upper parts of the bat is normally dark brown, chestnut brown or rust-orange and quite short. Underparts are usually pale, dirty gray-brown to yellow-brown—the fur is much shorter than on the back. The ears are very long and rounded, as Vampyrum Spectrum also use their own echo-location. There is no discernible tail, but the tail membrane is long and broad. The large feet are robust with long, curved claws for gripping prey. The muzzle is long and narrow, and their carnivorous teeth are strong and capable of ripping off chunks of flesh or snapping a jugular vein. The noseleaf is medium-sized, lance-shaped, horseshoe and spear with continuous rim raised to form a hollow cup around the nostrils, giving them a strong sense of smell. As Shade Silvering and the pigeon lieutenant stated, their facial structure and appearance is comparable to a "gargoyle" from a cathedral's siding.
A formidable aerial night hunter, this large predatory species takes a huge range of relatively large vertebrate prey including amphibians, reptiles, small birds and small mammals (including other species of bats). Insects are also included, especially large crickets, cicadas, etc (Though this is rare of the Vampyrum in the Temple. Wild ones do this more often). When hunting, this species is extremely stealthy. It will often pounce from a position on an above branch onto its prey or fly like some owls by patrolling back and forth along forest edges, suddenly dropping on something in the grass. One young or pup is produced each year, and the mother is very attentive and gentle with her offspring. The male is always in attendance too and will frequently sleep with both mother and young completely wrapped in his wings.
The range of the species is southern Mexico to Peru and Ecuador to central and northern Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and the island of Trinidad. Because of their habitat choice, Vampyrum Spectrum do not naturally hibernate, and some even hunt in the day time.
Society and Structure- Most of the Vampyrum Spectrum are known from the temple that a lot of them congregate in. These Vampyrum Spectrum follow a strict theocratic/monarchy type of government. A caste system also exists, with workers or minor hunters below, warriors/hunters of different ranks above them, and the high priests and royal family above sharing about equal power at the top (Though this is debatable on just who has the most influence). This theocratic monarchy is the result of the Vampyrum Spectrum's loyalty to Cama Zotz, their dark god, and the royal family and the priests are said to have greater connection with him than any other Vampyrum Spectrum.
Not all Vampyrum Spectrum live this way though. A few wild, exiled, or lost Vampyrum Spectrum live as their ancestors did in small family groups, especially since the temple was destroyed. These family groups have no hiearchy like their temple cousins, and instead adhere to the head of the family. This system is very similar to what the northern Brightwings have.
Very few Vampyrum Spectrum actually know of Nocturna. For the few who do, there is usually very little loyalty to her. To many Vampyrum who know Nocturna, either she is the invention of "lesser bats" or is in fact a lesser god herself compared to the great Zotz. However, Murk, a Vampyrum Spectrum that Griffin encountered in the Underworld stated that Nocturna is the god of all bats and the Vampyrum are her creation as well.
As a result, many Vampyrum Spectrum worship Cama Zotz, the old Mayan god of death who was said to take on the physical appearance of an enormous Vampyrum Spectrum. He is seen as their patron, and the Vampyrum Spectrum typically honor him through bloody sacrifice at their temple, similar to what the ancient Mayan or Aztec humans did. Even Vampyrum Spectrum that are removed from the temple have a vague inkling on who Zotz is, and worship him out of a sense of patronage or honor. Otherwise, they don't worship at all, or for a few who may know her, they may worship a darker version of Nocturna.
The royal family or the priesthood rules the Vampyrum Spectrum with an iron claw. They are the voice and will of Zots personified, and any effort to contest this power is usually crushed. Vampyrum Spectrum under the temple system have a strict caste system, and most are not allowed to move out of its influence. Their whole society is dedicated to Zotz, and they have no qualms about sacrificing their own kin if it proves their loyalty, though they will try to make do with other creatures if they can.
Vampyrum Spectrum removed from the temple system live in small family groups. Connections are close and tight knit. The heads of the family are to be respected and honored. Under no circumstances should a Vampyrum harm another Vampyrum, especially if they are family.
Vampyrum Spectrum are southern bats, and since no winter is present where they live, there is no need to hibernate. Most Vampyrum Spectrum don't even know what snow is. As a result, Vampyrum judge age by the dry and wet season. When a Vampyrum Spectrum is mature, they will choose a mate during the dry season. This goes for both the temple and wild Vampyrum Spectrum, though the temple Vampyrum may do it for caste related and political reasons where as the wild Vampyrum do it for natural ones. Taking a mate during the dry season is important because it ensures that the newborn Vampyrum have a good chance to live during the wet season when food is plentiful. Although temple Vampyrum have a slight patriarchy to their system of government, both male and female Vampyrum are almost exactly equal in strength and prowess. When taking a mate, it isn't unheard of for the females to make her interests known to a male rather than the alternative. Female Vampyrum bear 1 offspring per year. Both the male and female parent take tender care of the offspring, and unlike most bats, male and female Vampyrum are generally monogamous for life.
Temple Vampyrum have an impressive list of accomplishments. Because of their religious sacrifice and bloodthirsty dispositions, temple Vampyrum have learned to use their natural predatory abilities for warfare. Most higher caste Vampyrum are excellent fighters, on par with the northern owls. Many have also developed weaponry, like spears and claw blades. These are usually made out of obsidian, and when thin enough, are light enough to fly with and are razor sharp. Temple Vampyrum veterans are great strategists and military planners, taking full advantage of the troops at their disposal. Even wild Vampyrum know some basic combat. Temple Vampyrum are also known for their incredibly accurate calendars. The priests who read this calendar can tell when major astronomical events occur, and this is usually used to tell when sacrifices should be made. The priests also have an extensive knowledge of herbs, including healing herbs, poisons, and hallucinogens.
Relationships With Other Creatures-
Northern Bats- Vampyrum Spectrum, especially the temple faction, see other bats as lesser to them. A temple Vampyrum has no qualms about torturing, killing, and eating a northern or southern bat. In fact, temple Vampyrum have no qualms about eating each other for sacrificial and religious reasons should the time call for it. Even wild Vampyrum see smaller bats as prey, though this has less to do with cruelty and more to do with the Vampyrum simply seeing their smaller cousins as nothing more than food. As a result, especially with what has recently occurred, Vampyrum Spectrum and other bats in general are bitter enemies.
Owls And Other Predatory Birds- Although the owls rule in the north, the Vampyrum rule in the south. The owls were shocked to learn about the Vampyrum Spectrum when they first showed their presence, and they were even more shocked about how easily they could fend off their attacks. The temple Vampyrum and the northern owls both had a powerful military, but at its prime, the Vampyrum Spectrum were more powerful. Many owls and their allies were to be sacrificed were it not for the combines effort of the northern bats, the owls, and the southern rat empire. As a result, both factions hold infinite contempt and hatred for each other, with owls seeing Vampyrum Spectrum as dangerous monstrosities and the temple Vampyrum seeing the northern owls and their laws as laughable. In the wild, it isn't unusual for a Vampyrum Spectrum to kill and eat a juvenile owl, or an owl to kill and eat a juvenile Vampyrum Spectrum.
Beasts- Like small bats and birds, most Vampyrum Spectrum see small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles as food.
Humans- Most Vampyrum Spectrum in the wild are cautious around humans. The temple ones tend to ignore them or see them as annoyances. In the past, southern humans used to worship Cama Zotz and would sometimes bring offerings to his shrine. The temple and calendar itself was made by humans, but they are not involved in his worship much anymore.
Notable Vampyrum Spectrum
1. Goth
2. Throbb
3. Voxzaco
4. Phoenix
5. Murk
Read more: wingsofeternalshadow.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bats&action=display&thread=2#ixzz1xGd3bd7S