The krith are one of Prithvi's sentient species. They are primitive but intelligent cave-dwellers with a simple but well established society. They are warm-blooded, mostly hairless, and hermaphroditic. They are capable of both bipedal and quadrapedal locomotion.

About 97% of krith are born without eyes. They rely instead on echolocation and long whiskers on their chin for navigation. They have six relatively large ears to receive sound from echolocation or foreign sources, though the longest whiskers can read some of the vibrations as well.

Krith are agile climbers. Their hands, toes, and tail tip are lined with setae that help them adhere to most surfaces, much like the toes of a gecko. Unlike geckos, however, krith cannot bend their fingers or toes backward to overcome Van der Waals forces. Instead, the bones of a krith's digits end about half way, where the claw grows, but muscle extends the pads past this. These muscles allow the pads to peel up and backward. This reduces the Van der Waals forces and makes it easier to detach the limb from the surface. The grip provided by the setae is strong enough to sustain the krith's full body weight when hanging by one limb.

Krith are omnivorous, commonly feeding on animals and fungi found in the cave systems. Plants are extremely rare due to the lack of light, and as such are relished as a food item. Their teeth are sharp, conical, and slightly curved for tearing meat, but the top incisors are long and partially flattened to scrape fungi off rock. They also have a large pair of canines on the bottom jaw, though these are primarily for fighting rather than hunting or eating. Food is bitten off in small chunks, which are then swallowed whole.

Krith are both opportunistic and organized hunters. Individuals will often graze or hunt small prey for themselves, but family groups or even entire clans will periodically hunt larger game. On their own, they will often hang from walls and ceilings with one or two limbs, then reach out and grab prey with incredibly quick reflexes. During group hunts, they use basic tools and weapons, traps, and strategy to bring down the prey, which is then shared among the group. Skin, bones, and other remnants are sometimes recycled into tools.

Without eyes, krith rely purely on sound for communication. They have two "languages", one with legitimate vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, the other being more an instinctual series of grunts, clicks, and screeches. The former used when addressing strangers, elders, or the Ixent, and the latter in casual situations or familiar company. Since they cannot show a threat display, krith instead hiss, chatter their teeth, and snap their jaws. Chirps and purrs are used to show affection.

Krith, like many other Prithvian animals, are hermaphroditic. One individual will stimulate the other's erogenous zones until they deposit eggs, usually in a tight crack or pothole, then fertilize them externally. Up to five soft eggs will be laid, and one or two will harden as they grow. The rest are often eaten or left to the cave's other inhabitants. It is possible for one individual to fertilize its own eggs, but this is frowned upon as it muddies the gene pool. Psuedo-sexual stimulation and orgasm do not necessarily lead to oviposition, and are often used as bonding activity in mated pairs or close friends. Stimulation and reproduction between groups of three or more is not uncommon.

Offspring are not self-sufficient upon hatching. Their senses are fully developed, but their muscles and coordination are rarely strong enough to stand or walk. They will remain in the shelter where their eggs were laid until they are able to leave. For several weeks, young have no teeth beyond those used to hatch. The parent will bring them scraps of fungus and meat small enough for them to swallow until their incisors grow in, at which case they will thrive on fungi until the rest of their teeth follow.

Though offspring will generally follow their parent, they are raised by the clan as a whole, each member building a relationship with them. If a parent is killed, missing, or otherwise unable or unwilling to raise offspring, another will adopt them. Adults will carry young on their stomachs while climbing to protect them from predators and on their backs when on the ground to keep them from getting in the way of their legs. The average adult can carry up to three offspring, and they need not be their own.

Krith clans range on average from 20 to over 300 individuals, though smaller roaming bands are not uncommon. All members of the clan share tasks, but those with particular talents are entrusted to teach the young.

Three percent of krith are born with eyes and bioluminescent organs on their head, neck, and tail. The krith call these individuals the Ixent (ish-ent). They believe the Ixent are gifted by the gods with a power inconceivable to most. As such, the Ixent are given the responsibility of leading the group, collective decision-making, and relations between clans. The Ixent's eyes are rudimentary, only able to perceive light and to a lesser extent motion, not color or form. The Ixent use bioluminescent signals as a means of silent communication to which the general population is oblivious, in order to keep peace and avoid being overheard by rival clans. Ixent do not segregate themselves from the rest of the clan, often mingling with them as equals.

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So yeah, here you go, the first sentient Prithvian species. I have more ideas about them bouncing around in my head, but this was getting long enough already so I'll include them at a later date.

If I allow people to make characters of Prithvian species, it will probably be these sentient ones. They're easier to characterize since they function on a near human level, and I've made them with "This is a race, not a specific character in mind" (unlike the eutru and neillun, where the species was developed after the character) so I don't have that extra protectiveness....yet. not saying it's a definite, but -shrug-

I also have more sentient (and non-sentient) species on the way, including desert dwellers, giant cave predators, aquatics, and, believe it or not, herbivores lol.

My scanner does not like these paper dimensions at all.

Krith, Inxent, Prithvi, art © me