Post by Shade on Mar 17, 2012 22:37:55 GMT -5
Family- Bats
Colony Name- Mastiffs/Free-Tails
Human Name- Mastiff Bats or Free-Tailed Bats (Numerous species)
Physical Description and Basic Information- Mastiffs are a very large Northern bat species, and are in fact the largest bat species recorded in the U.S. They live in the southern parts of the country, from central California into Arizona and even parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. They prefer warmer weather, but they have been known to have overlapping territory with some of their northern neighbors. Unlike their more Northern cousins, Mastiffs do not hibernate, and are active year round. They roost in the crevices of rocky cliff sides in full view of a drop of 20 feet or more. This is necessary, as Mastiffs are so large that they require a significant drop before catching enough wind to fly. Their echo location is also very loud, perceptible even to human ears. To other bats, Mastiffs seem rumbling and loud when they speak.
Their name derives from their flat dog-like faces. This gives the Mastiffs a powerful lower jaw for eating large insects and defending themselves. Indeed, among many northern bats, Mastiffs are the most alien to them with their imposing size and fierce appearance. Mastiffs are a fairly large bat and weigh about 2 to 2 and a half ounces. Their narrow yet powerful wings boast a wingspan of about 20 to 23 inches or 2 feet. Some believe they are the fastest flyers out of all the bats. Their fur tends to be a dark brown or light chestnut color.
Despite their size and girth, mastiffs are insect easters just like their other northern brothers and sisters. However, their diet consists of larger insects such as cicadas, moths, may flies, locusts, and even ground insects such as crickets. Mastiffs catch their prey by hovering in the air before lunging for a potential meal. Other times they hunt on the ground or on the sides of cliffs.
Society and Structure- Mastiff colonies are small, yet close knit. Typically, the average size of a colony is about 200 bats, though cave dwelling colonies in the south have been known to have nearly 50 million individuals. Mastiffs (Or Free-Tails as they are more commonly known as) are a rather spartan group. Few words that aren't reflected on are spoken, and discipline and hard work is valued in Mastiff colonies.
Mastiffs are believers of Nocturna, but she isn't usually reflected upon a great deal in Mastiff society. Mastiffs simply lived with what they had, content with the state of things until their smaller cousins started shaking things up with the owls. Mastiffs were skeptical about The Promise and they never believed that the human bands had anything to do with Nocturna. Recent events have inspired their colonies somewhat, though they are still wary of what they believe is likely to change. The truth about the bands have put them on edge too, especially since one of their northern outposts in Bridge City is in such close proximity to humans.
Mastiffs go by an elder structure like many other northern bats do. However, elders have to be of strong character and positions are not guaranteed based on age. As a result, eldership in Mastiff or Free-Tailed colonies is official and carries real power rather than just implied power.
Mastiffs or Free-Tails do not hibernate. Staying in the same, general area most of their life, they only travel to find food, establish new colonies, or find warmer climates. When they are about two years of age, Mastiffs may take a mate, and unlike other bats, have a single young in the summer. Courtship is a long, complicated process of both families analyzing the hopeful couple, giving their approval and blessing when they believe the two are ready.
Because of their size and strength in relation to other Northern Bats, Mastiffs act as the disciplined warrior group for their smaller cousins. Having fought against predatory birds and beasts in the past has encouraged Mastiffs to be fierce when they need to be, and as a result, many Mastiffs were ready to take up their claws and fangs when war between the bats and birds was about to occur again AND when the Vampyrum Spectrum made their appearance known. Out of all Northern Bats, Mastiffs are one of the few Northern bats that can hold their own against Vampyrum Spectrum or owls on physical strength and girth alone for at least a little while.
Because of their military history, it is not unusual to find Mastiff bats that can shape and craft rudimentary weapons and armor. Battle tactics and formations are also common knowledge.
Relationship With Other Creatures-
Northern Bats- Mastiffs view their Northern cousins with a mix of kinship and exasperation. Although allies and sometimes fast friends, Mastiffs have a different worldview than other Northern Bats, and see themselves as taking up the mantle of war when their brothers and sisters couldn't fight it themselves. This is a slight point of contention sometimes when the War To Take Back the Sun is brought up, with Mastiffs saying, "You started it to take back the sun, but it was the Mastiff/Free-Tailed clan that really fought it." Recent events have made Mastiffs proud of their tinier kin, but they are wary of how long it will last.
Owls And Other Predatory Birds- Mastiffs and predatory birds in general have always been enemies. Mastiffs fight against the prospect they are to be food for the owls and their allies, and the owls see them Mastiff clan as dangerous upstarts for attempting to rival their military might. Owls can say, "The smaller bats are no threat. They want their sun back, let them have it." For Mastiffs though, owls see them as dangerous rivals attempting to change the natural order of things. Mastiffs know this all too well. There is respect between the two groups. But it is also mixed with contempt and rivalry, and Mastiffs and owls will always see each other as enemies.
Beasts- Mastiffs have little to no relation with beasts. For the ones that are predatory, Mastiffs avoid or fight them as a colony.
Vampyrum Spectrum- Both are bats. Both have military tradition. But Mastiffs see Vampyrum Spectrum as unnatural and as a blight upon the world, perhaps seeing them as "a darker side of the mirror" as it were. Vampyrum are cruel and boast of killing and hunting their kin and prey. Mastiffs see themselves as disciplined and honorable. To use such strength the way Vampyrum do towards prey is bad enough. To dominate your own kind is unforgivable. With recent events, Mastiffs have focused even more on their military training in the event the Vampyrum or something worse rears their ugly head.
Humans- Mastiffs have been no friend nor ally of humans. Although their northern outpost in Bridge City shares a huge population with humans, the Mastiffs were willing to go to war with them when they heard about the bands and their true nature. Recent events have made Mastiffs calmer about sharing living space with humans, but they don't necessarily enjoy sharing the company.
Notable Mastiffs
1. Calliban
Colony Name- Mastiffs/Free-Tails
Human Name- Mastiff Bats or Free-Tailed Bats (Numerous species)
Physical Description and Basic Information- Mastiffs are a very large Northern bat species, and are in fact the largest bat species recorded in the U.S. They live in the southern parts of the country, from central California into Arizona and even parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. They prefer warmer weather, but they have been known to have overlapping territory with some of their northern neighbors. Unlike their more Northern cousins, Mastiffs do not hibernate, and are active year round. They roost in the crevices of rocky cliff sides in full view of a drop of 20 feet or more. This is necessary, as Mastiffs are so large that they require a significant drop before catching enough wind to fly. Their echo location is also very loud, perceptible even to human ears. To other bats, Mastiffs seem rumbling and loud when they speak.
Their name derives from their flat dog-like faces. This gives the Mastiffs a powerful lower jaw for eating large insects and defending themselves. Indeed, among many northern bats, Mastiffs are the most alien to them with their imposing size and fierce appearance. Mastiffs are a fairly large bat and weigh about 2 to 2 and a half ounces. Their narrow yet powerful wings boast a wingspan of about 20 to 23 inches or 2 feet. Some believe they are the fastest flyers out of all the bats. Their fur tends to be a dark brown or light chestnut color.
Despite their size and girth, mastiffs are insect easters just like their other northern brothers and sisters. However, their diet consists of larger insects such as cicadas, moths, may flies, locusts, and even ground insects such as crickets. Mastiffs catch their prey by hovering in the air before lunging for a potential meal. Other times they hunt on the ground or on the sides of cliffs.
Society and Structure- Mastiff colonies are small, yet close knit. Typically, the average size of a colony is about 200 bats, though cave dwelling colonies in the south have been known to have nearly 50 million individuals. Mastiffs (Or Free-Tails as they are more commonly known as) are a rather spartan group. Few words that aren't reflected on are spoken, and discipline and hard work is valued in Mastiff colonies.
Mastiffs are believers of Nocturna, but she isn't usually reflected upon a great deal in Mastiff society. Mastiffs simply lived with what they had, content with the state of things until their smaller cousins started shaking things up with the owls. Mastiffs were skeptical about The Promise and they never believed that the human bands had anything to do with Nocturna. Recent events have inspired their colonies somewhat, though they are still wary of what they believe is likely to change. The truth about the bands have put them on edge too, especially since one of their northern outposts in Bridge City is in such close proximity to humans.
Mastiffs go by an elder structure like many other northern bats do. However, elders have to be of strong character and positions are not guaranteed based on age. As a result, eldership in Mastiff or Free-Tailed colonies is official and carries real power rather than just implied power.
Mastiffs or Free-Tails do not hibernate. Staying in the same, general area most of their life, they only travel to find food, establish new colonies, or find warmer climates. When they are about two years of age, Mastiffs may take a mate, and unlike other bats, have a single young in the summer. Courtship is a long, complicated process of both families analyzing the hopeful couple, giving their approval and blessing when they believe the two are ready.
Because of their size and strength in relation to other Northern Bats, Mastiffs act as the disciplined warrior group for their smaller cousins. Having fought against predatory birds and beasts in the past has encouraged Mastiffs to be fierce when they need to be, and as a result, many Mastiffs were ready to take up their claws and fangs when war between the bats and birds was about to occur again AND when the Vampyrum Spectrum made their appearance known. Out of all Northern Bats, Mastiffs are one of the few Northern bats that can hold their own against Vampyrum Spectrum or owls on physical strength and girth alone for at least a little while.
Because of their military history, it is not unusual to find Mastiff bats that can shape and craft rudimentary weapons and armor. Battle tactics and formations are also common knowledge.
Relationship With Other Creatures-
Northern Bats- Mastiffs view their Northern cousins with a mix of kinship and exasperation. Although allies and sometimes fast friends, Mastiffs have a different worldview than other Northern Bats, and see themselves as taking up the mantle of war when their brothers and sisters couldn't fight it themselves. This is a slight point of contention sometimes when the War To Take Back the Sun is brought up, with Mastiffs saying, "You started it to take back the sun, but it was the Mastiff/Free-Tailed clan that really fought it." Recent events have made Mastiffs proud of their tinier kin, but they are wary of how long it will last.
Owls And Other Predatory Birds- Mastiffs and predatory birds in general have always been enemies. Mastiffs fight against the prospect they are to be food for the owls and their allies, and the owls see them Mastiff clan as dangerous upstarts for attempting to rival their military might. Owls can say, "The smaller bats are no threat. They want their sun back, let them have it." For Mastiffs though, owls see them as dangerous rivals attempting to change the natural order of things. Mastiffs know this all too well. There is respect between the two groups. But it is also mixed with contempt and rivalry, and Mastiffs and owls will always see each other as enemies.
Beasts- Mastiffs have little to no relation with beasts. For the ones that are predatory, Mastiffs avoid or fight them as a colony.
Vampyrum Spectrum- Both are bats. Both have military tradition. But Mastiffs see Vampyrum Spectrum as unnatural and as a blight upon the world, perhaps seeing them as "a darker side of the mirror" as it were. Vampyrum are cruel and boast of killing and hunting their kin and prey. Mastiffs see themselves as disciplined and honorable. To use such strength the way Vampyrum do towards prey is bad enough. To dominate your own kind is unforgivable. With recent events, Mastiffs have focused even more on their military training in the event the Vampyrum or something worse rears their ugly head.
Humans- Mastiffs have been no friend nor ally of humans. Although their northern outpost in Bridge City shares a huge population with humans, the Mastiffs were willing to go to war with them when they heard about the bands and their true nature. Recent events have made Mastiffs calmer about sharing living space with humans, but they don't necessarily enjoy sharing the company.
Notable Mastiffs
1. Calliban