Turbahakh

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Turbahakh
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Fauna
Official Name Turbahakh
Common Nicknames Raider Monkey, Suit Monkey
Classification Mammal
Habitat Westwynd
Domesticated Yes
Current Status Uncommon

The appearance of a Turbahakh will often startle non-Asha. With a stark coloration on their noses and rears, and a close connection to the Asha, many of these animals serve as something between a pet and a casual servant, though they retain their own independence which the Asha ensure remains intact. Those in the wild, meanwhile, are in scattered pockets across Westwynd, with their numbers dwindling due to recent warfare in the region, and the sheer fact that they cannot compete any longer with the luxury of their domesticated fellows on the Ashal Islands.

History

The Turbahakh was well known to the ancient Asha, its image common in their artistry; they were a symbol of joy, fun and play. But with the destruction of the Dewamenet Empire, much of the Turbahakh population was either killed off, or brought into Allorn dominion. Already domesticated by the Asha, they proved to be poor pets to the demanding Teledden and Fin’ullen who ruled the Allorn Empire, and while some survived with the enslaved Asha, they were considered to be extinct by around 1000 BC. This was ultimately not correct, as not only did scattered wild populations exist in forgotten corners of Westwynd, a handful of Turbahakh had survived with the free Asha who hid across the same regions, the monkeys still domesticated within their pockets of civilization. When the Cataclysm and Wildering came, and the Allorn Empire fell, the Asha freed themselves for The Great Journey, seeking out a new homeland to call their own. The free Asha emerged to guide their passage, and they found their way to the Ashal Islands, where they soon established the thriving Ashal States, also called the Ashal Kingdoms. With these free Asha joining their brethren came knowledge, technology, faith, but also animals. The Turbahakh were among those transferred to the islands, where they have since flourished and become part of Asha society once more. Their level of intellect meant that, during the early years of Asha settlement, the work of carrying small loads or running messages often fell to them, which they took to with a vigor, so long as there was a reward for the work. As time went on, and Living Metal infrastructure was more firmly established, the harder work fell by the wayside. Still, the Turbahakh have retained the new impression of industrious go-getters, and while not enslaved, can be found running around an Asha home on missions of transporting goods or messages, or out on the streets on similar such missions.

Physical Appearance

The Turbahakh is between two to three feet long, and has a generally light weight, between thirty to sixty-five pounds. The shape of their heads is uniquely un-simian, though they are still monkeys, with an oblong shape featuring a muzzle and prominent nose. Colored a stark red and blue, it stands out from the rest of the more subdued features, with a pair of dark eyes set above the nostrils, two small ears almost entirely hidden behind thick tufts of hair on either size of their face and a prominent but not large mouth. They have a thick neck which connects to a stout body, supported by four thick limbs, each ending in five digit hands or feet. While sometimes found running on all fours, most Turbakakh have learned to support themselves on their legs alone. Their body ends in a short tail. Their entire body is covered in a layer of pale brown-gray fur, though the patches of fur on their face, around their mouths and part of their underbelly are a dark or dirty cream color. Their other points of color are their nose and rears, as the ridge to the nose and the nose itself is red, while a slightly puffed area below it is a seafoam blue. Their rears, meanwhile, are entirely clear of hair, and are known for having a bright red coloration.

Diversity

Turbahakh have stark sexual dimorphism, which helps males and females easily stand out. Males are larger than females, the fur around their faces is often thicker, and the coloration on their nose is pronounced, with the two stark colors standing out. Females meanwhile, are generally smaller, have less hair, and their own colorations are duller, with the blue sometimes so weak it can be hard to see. As a result of these differences, the Turbahakh genders are often given different tasks around a worksite, home, or place of dwelling. Females tend to be messengers, and carry only one or two objects around a home like bottles, while males tend to pull or move heavier materials, and carry trays, or larger items in a home. Their population’s gender numbers are even.

Lifespan and Development

Turbahakh are live-born from their mothers as singular individuals, with twins an uncommon occurrence. Baby Turbahakh have a very thin coat of hair, and lack the face colorations they will have as adults, as a result making gender identification difficult while they are still young. The baby will also cling to the mother during the early weeks, tense about the wider world, and preferring to travel where their mother does. By the third or fourth week, they are more open to dropping off her body and exploring the surrounding area, but quickly return to her side. After three to four months, the babies have grown into proper juveniles, with their facial colors either coming in or remaining muted often based on gender. Young males and females then break away from their parents to gather with others their age, or close to it, forming a new pack in the process. Another three to four months see the animal reach the stage of young adults, and this is when they often start their own families. Turbahakh in the wild can live for a maximum of fifteen years, but those in Asha society live for as much as forty.

Mental Overview

Turbahakh intelligence is one of the key points of discussion when thoughts turn toward an assessment of this animal species. They are one of if not the most highly advanced species of monkey to exist in Aloria, even rivaling some apes like the Silvershale, in the use of tools, problem solving, and advanced communication. Many believe that, prior to their fall, the Asha were responsible for such advanced learning, and certainly today, the modern Asha continue to help guide the Turbahakh in a service capacity, though with an extremely light touch. This connection between the Turbahakh and Asha is also more systemic, as the approach of other Races often sees the Turbahakh flee, or attempt to hide from their pursuer. For this reason, they make poor serving animals for Asha outside of the Islands, and so commonly remain there, though Corsairs have found some success in acclimating them to Races enough to not drop their duties and run away. Despite this high intelligence, the Turbahakh is still an animal. Their society is fierce, and those who cross angry males, even Asha, are liable to be bitten or struck. Females often show their anger in a more subdued fashion, seeing property damage or theft as ways to act out their aggression. They are also omnivores, though they have a great preference for plants and plant produce over meat, which makes up only a small amount of their diet. The treats the Asha commonly feed them are usually a blend of both elements.

Territory and Groupings

The Turbahakh of the wild and those living in Asha society are starkly different in how they organize themselves. While both form packs, the packs of the wild hold no territory and roam across a broad space in a close-knit group. Their packs are also different in that the adults are not commonly abandoned by the young generation, instead forming a pack within a pack which keeps closeby to the adults. The domesticated packs are territorial, setting up in one location, and living there unless forced out by another pack, or by Asha for needs of construction or demolition. Packs under the nominal control of the Asha are still independent, as while most make their way to various spots surrounding their claimed home turf or do small jobs or tasks for the Asha in reward for food, the Turbahakh at night tend to be mischievous and opportunistic, slipping down to snatch unattended food, or make a mess. They are easily driven off, and loath to commit actions that would see their pack expelled from a home structure, as it is also possible for individual Turbahakh to be shunned from the pack for a variety of reasons, including being the source of too many issues. Lone Turbahakh are thus sad figures, often taken in and living with Asha, while in the wild, such loners usually die quite fast, picked off by hunters or beasts. Wild packs are small, numbering between twenty to thirty members, while those in Asha surroundings can go as high as sixty.

Trivia

  • There are rumors of Turbahakh in No Man’s Land who achieve the terrifying size of six feet tall, and who eat only meat rather than the omnivorous diet the species usually enjoys.

Accreditation
Writers fantuinn, HydraLana
Processors HydraLana, WaterDruppel
Last Editor HydraLana on 04/23/2023.

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