Post by Varos Talantos on Mar 5, 2012 23:05:53 GMT -5
Stinging Keesh
Stinging Keesh are (obviously) named for their stinger. There was at one time, another, stingerless breed of Keesh. Because of this, the adjective was placed in front of the word Keesh to differentiate between the two. The Keesh, however, have been hunted to extinction by their more dangerous counterparts.
Stinging Keesh have 24 eyes, 12 to either side. Because of this, they are nocturnal, resting in their caverns during the day to avoid the light. Interestingly, each pair of eyes a Stinging Keesh possesses sees in a different sort of vision. These remarkable, lethal creatures are able to sort out the different sorts of vision and location of the eyes instantly (proof that these are an intelligent species). Many think that Stinging Keesh reside in caverns strictly for the purpose of limited light. In actuality, the Stinging Keesh also recognize it's defensive capabilities, the ability to have possessions that it offers, decreased temperature (Stinging Keesh can not sweat and their bodies hold heat well), and that if prey walk by, the Stinging Keesh can leap out quickly and take it by complete surprise (allowing them to get rare sustenance even if it is day).
Stinging Keesh have elongated, crocodile-like snouts with numerous teeth and even an overbite similar to a crocodile. Their exoskeleton is composed of overlapping plates that run the length of their curved body all the way to their "stinger" (which is actually solid chitin and used for piercing, not stinging). They possess 10 long, need-like legs that they can use not only as legs but as weapons and tools. The front leg on either side is held in a fashion akin to a praying mantis' hooks and are kept as clean as possible by the Stinging Keesh and are used strictly for eating.
Stinging Keesh are lone creatures, each finding their own cavern to occupy until a male impregnates a female. In this case, a Stinging Keesh will incredibly move all of his treasures and belongings from his cave to a seperate part of the female's cave and remain there for the three month pregnancy. After the young Stinging Keesh is born, the father will return to his abode with his treasures except one that he leaves behind for it's offspring. This is thought to be a gesture similar to Humans' tendency to give a special pen, gun, hat, or other item to their offspring as a symbol of adulthood. The newborn Stinging Keesh will remain with it's mother for a one-week period of observance and then be forced to leave and find it's own dwelling.
Stinging Keesh are possessive and more than happy to eradicate anything that dares touch their belongings or enter their abode unwanted. They are a highly intelligent species and have been known to actually set up traps in front of and near to their home and check them all at night before hunting. Further proving their intelligence, they seem to have ethics and morals due to a few select Stinging Keesh that restrict themselves to a vegetarian diet in place of an omnivorous one.
Stinging Keesh have a complex communication system composed of miniscule movements and temperature changes so fine that only Stinging Keesh themselves can fully comprehend the language. When a pair of Stinging Keesh should cross paths, they greet one another by waving their stingers rapidly back and forth in a small line. This is a product of the days when there were still Keesh and was done to distinguish friend from foe quickly and easily.
There have been four or five Stinging Keesh that have confronted the Gods in attempts to communicate but only one Stinging Keesh has learned to successfully communicate with other species. The verbal part of his name is "Crkikgukiktukriktuk", though the less patient simply call him "Crik". He still resides in the plains just northwest of the rear gate of Shangri-La.
Note: As has been stated, the Stinging Kreesh are an intelligent species whose more intelligent members even develop morals and ethics. However, this is atypical and most Stinging Kreesh are aggressive and care little for the welfare of others. One should be careful if spotted by a Stinging Kreesh.
