Finally showing off two fictional species I've created: Reefinare and Luciens
Reefinare (sometimes known as Gem Eaters) are strange creatures that evolved from wall-scaling apes. They can only feed on a gem-like material growing in caves. In truth, these things come from the superorganism acting as their planet (not that they have any idea, tho). Said gems are highly flammable, which has led to their widespread usage in firearms and as fuel for power plants. Obviously, having their main food-source be used for weapons and industrial development has led to uh... quite a few famines
Their society is the most industrialized compared to the other sentient species on their planet, but they also suffer from a significant class divide and poor labor laws that is currently coming to a head
Pictured here from right to left: - Rusty, part of the miner labor force extracting gems from the underground (a perilous and underpaid task) - Teregade, current Prime Minister of the Commonwealth acting as a centrist force during a turbulent political time - Fides, an old retired business owner who used to specialize in gun production - an extremely odd fellow who's not quite what he seems - Gharn, Fides's young chauffeur with a keen interest in the grotesque
Luciens are feathered mammals that evolved from small, flying creatures to pack hunters before gaining sentience. Their wings cannot permit flight at this stage, but they're often used during courting displays and to intimidate. They are of significant cultural importance, and losing one's wings is considered worse than death (which led to a lot of wing mutilation/removal during religious wars - also used for high status criminals).
They are sexually dimorphic, but only males are referred to differently (the females just being called Luciens). Males are "Crests" - thanks to the collection of feathers on their heads that can puff up similarly to cockatoos. They are smaller than the females and brightly colored. Sadly, due to a number of biological factors, many Crests tend to die during fetal development, which is why they only represent around 40/30% of the population. Most cultures relegate them to breeders and are often discouraged from joining any dangerous professions (notably the army and police force). This attitude has led to most Lucien societies turning matriarchal
Pictured from left to right: -Godblessed (who often goes by Greechioro) is an exiled Lucien and a product of religious oppression - she now works as an assassin in the Commonwealth, and is currently under the employment of Fides -Diel'O'Rel (who often goes by Dier to make his name pronounceable for the Reefinare), is a crest and immigrant to the Commonwealth. He currently works as a shopkeeper and has adapted to Reefinare culture and mannerisms, even if it meant cutting his cultural roots -Karcha, Dier's daughter, pictured at 2 weeks old. She is her father's pride and joy and the first and only child he was able to keep -Ragnar, general during the largest Lucien empire Golden Age - here she is pictured wearing her ceremonial uniform. She ends up being mutilated and exiled for her attempted coup against the Empress of the time
I've got three more sentient species to discuss - but for now, this is all I got
