Another unused Gondolend concept that I'm repurposing for this setting is the ukasu, a species of island dwarf alioramin tyrannosaur. The ukasu is native to Tlaaktu, an island off the southern coast of Qitai with an indigenous culture inspired in part by various Indonesian and Melanesian peoples. As the island's apex predator the ukasu is both feared and respected by the people of Tlaaktu in much the same way a tiger would be, and is often used to represent such concepts as power, honor, bravery, and the spirits of one's ancestors.
Though those halluces on the male may look deadly, they're actually far too delicate to be used in combat and instead are utilized in high-stepping visual displays intended to woo potential mates and intimidate rivals.
Much like the Yazir, Tlaaktu doesn't factor into the story of Know, O Princess, and in fact the places that story is set in probably don't even know it exists. Chances are pretty good of a future story being set there however, since the island is also home to Suti Rong, a Tlaakti pirate queen whose fleet terrorized the southern coast of Qitai.
...Then again I don't know shit about sailing, so uh...I'd probably have to do some research for that.












