The Inland Sphynx (Homopantera terra) is a large sentient of the morphic genus Homopantera, native New Petra. It has a lean, broad-chested body; a proportioned humanoid head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is not sexually dimorphic. The Inland Sphynx lives alone, but socialises.
Etymology The word 'Sphynx' is a Greek corruption of the Egyptian name 'shesepankh', which meant 'living image'.
Taxonomy Homopantera terra is the current designation in use in New Petra. Other species are Homopantera maritimum (Coastal Sphynx), Homopantera androphagon (Manticore) and Homopantera ornata (Lamasu). Some have proposed the alternative name: Homopantera civitas instead of terra.
Description The Inland Sphynx is a lean, broad-chested like-felid with a humanoid head, a reduced neck, and round furred ears. The base of the tail and the area behind the forelimbs are densely feathered.
The fur varies in colour from light buff to silvery grey, yellowish red, and dark brown. The colours of the underparts are generally lighter. Both male and female Inland Sphynx retain spots into adulthood. Feather colours are generally bright, with purples, reds, oranges and metallics being common. Hair ranges from any natural human colour, though is frequently dyed to match the feathers. The tail of all Inland Sphynx ends in a dark, hairy tuft that conceals a hard 'spur' that is formed from the final, fused sections of tail bone.
Its skull is very similar to that of a standard human, though much larger. Faces are frequently oval with pronounced, elevated, and arched eyebrows, large almond-shaped eyes, well-defined cheeks, full lips and a prominent, pointed chin. Males frequently cultivate a beard. Canines are only slightly more developed than a human's, and dentition supports omnivorous eating.
Large paws have fully retractable claws and are notably agile compared to other Homopantera, enabling limited tool use and more elaborate grooming. Instead of a dew claw, they have a thumb, though the size of their digits limits precise actions.
The average Inland Sphynx is approximately 170cm long with a tail length of 80 cm, and a weight of 120 kilos. Females are only slightly smaller than males.
Distribution and habitat The Inland Sphynx is found only in New Petra and does not travel. As of this writing, around fifty individuals are registered with the Bureau of Population.
Behaviour and ecology Inland Sphynx spend much of their time resting; they are inactive for about sixteen hours per day. Although they can be active at any time, their activity generally peaks after noon with a period of socialising, grooming, and then activity in their chosen profession.
While they are solitary amongst their own species they commonly live close by other sentients and have reciprocal arrangements for grooming, entertainment, and health related reasons.
The Inland Sphynx is a generalist omnivore and prefers cooked food. It is a poor hunter unless trained to do so, as it's needs are generally met through the society that it functions in. When it is required to fend for itself, it generally hunts by ambush from a raised platform or tree - it cannot fly, but is capable of fully extending the feathers around it's forelimbs to allow a controlled fall. They prefer small game, rich fruits, and enjoy wine and other fermented substances.
Reproduction is limited and sporadic, resulting in a large egg that requires brooding for 110 days. Inland Sphynx who want to have offspring have access to artificial incubators in New Petra. Cubs are somewhat altricial, despite being born with fur, and must be parented for four years before reaching adult size. They make decent parents despite being generally solitary, cubs receive schooling along side other youth in New Petra.
Morphic ecology notes
All Homopantera are capable of shifting species according to adaptive pressure. The Inland Sphynx is particularly prone to shifting to a Coastal Sphynx body and lifestyle should they engage in any of the following behaviours:
Eating sentients
Engaging in blood sports
Spending time with Coastal Sphynx
Ceasing intellectual pursuits
Engaging in anti-social behaviour
Inland Sphynx can rarely shift to a Lamasu under the following situations:
Eating predators
Developing a martial outlook
Developing an obsession with astronomy and philosophy
Behaving in an ascetic manner
Adhering to a strict set of behavioural rules
Inland Sphynx cannot become Manticores unless they go through a Coastal Sphynx transformation first.
Social notes
Inland Sphynx ornament and decorate themselves when they have the assistance of humans to do so. They maintain themselves neatly, and are frequently in the University District. Those who cannot maintain academic pursuits have the physical strength to do more mundane jobs such as dock workers or pull carts. They generally avoid roles such as scouts or guards to avoid morphic shifting.
Generally occupations chosen by Inland Sphynx include various academic focuses, due to their excellent memory. They favour writing, mathematics, history and stories. They all admire riddles, and can develop obsessive behaviours around them.
Most Inland Sphynx speak several languages, and are gregarious as long as they can return to their own home, alone, and recharge in peace.