Cava: Difference between revisions
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'''Cava''' are a species of beaked, {{wp|Paravian}} therapods which are the direct descendants of a member of the {{wp|Dromaeosauridae}} clade of dinosaurs. They are one of many intelligent, sapient [[species]] native to [[Urth]], and are characterised by their striking bird-like appearance featuring shiny black plumage, colourful crest feathers and corvid-like heads. Anatomically modern cava evolved in central [[Aurora]] approximately 2 Mya. They remained isolated on the
(''OOC note: there are several inaccuracies with the picture but its better than the last one'')
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Although highly disputed, evidence from uncovered tools suggests that a community of Cavan and Elven hunter gatherers in modern Staynes may have domesticated and farmed several crops for a brief period of time approximately 500-300 Kya. It is unknown how developed this culture became, how long it lasted or why reversion to hunter-gathering occurred due to the advanced decay of the recovered artefacts. Agriculture was possibly developed a second time approximately 100 Kya, from which tentative evidence of basic metalworking exists at a site in the Axdelian peninsula. However, the onset of glaciation and more extreme climate conditions, expansion of the harsh but ecologically bountiful tundra steppe and the failure of crops likely forced a return to hunter gathering.
Falling temperatures lead to a land bridge forming between Yasteria and Aurora at various points from 200 Kya onwards, leading to cava encountering migrating elves. Whilst there are signs of interspecies violence, there is evidence of prehistoric coexisting communities across many regions of the continent. It is unknown why no Cava migrated northwards into Yasteria during this time. Anatomically modern Humans and [[Orc|Orcs]] arrived during another fall in sea levels 50 Kya, mostly settling in the center and east of the continent respectively. The range of Cava in Aurora remained approximately the same as it had before, however with several other sapient species competing for the carrying capacity of the continent populations in the center and east declined somewhat, whilst the Axdelian peninsula saw very little human or elf inhabitation and thus no significant change. Whilst the land bridge existed, Some Cava migrated north into Yasteria, with small numbers settling along the east coast an up into the Northeastern reaches of the continent. Some continued across the land bridge into [[Novaris]] before rising sea levels closed it off again. Although they settled across the entire continent, as relative latecomers these Novari Cava existed only as relatively small communities, although Western Novaris would host a greater population density.
With the rise of complex civilisation on Aurora, Cava were present all across the continent, although predominantly inhabited the West side, with large populations of elves in the Center and Humans in the East. Over time oppression against Cava in the center of the continent, largely from human-dominated civilisations in [[Staynes]] and the [[Ethaln Plains|Ethaln Plain]], slowly drove migration outwards, towards more tolerant and/or Cavan
==Anatomy==
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The entire body of a Cava save for its forelimbs is covered in thick plumage. The feathers come in a range of colours, black being the most common but white, grey and blue plumage in various patterns also being very frequent phenotypes, and there are numerous random mutations such as leucism. The upper to mid limbs feature several vestigial wing feathers akin to their dromaeosaur ancestors. The back of the head features a crest with two or more plumes of brightly coloured iridescent feathers that strongly reflect UV light. This may have served a role in sexual selection as the strength of the reflectivity is often an indicator of an individual's physical health. Crest feathers can often grow very long, allowing them to be styled. On average Cavan eyesight is better than other sapients, especially in terms of ability to follow movement and UV sensitivity, however they have noticeably poorer contrast detection. Eye colour varies but light blue and silver are the most common. Cava possess a syrinx organ instead of vocal cords which allows for a decent vocal range and even mimicry. Despite this, the lack of lips and teeth does limit the possible sounds they can make with ease which has had major impact on language and cultural development.
Individual Cava are androgynous and have few sexually dimorphic features, and thus without closer inspection it is difficult to discern an individuals sex based on appearance or voice. Eggs only develop when fertilised and the usual clutch size is one, with incubation taking 6 months.
[[Category:Species]]
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