Cave Florans

[b]Cave Florans: Overview[/b]
Cave Florans are a subspecies of Floran, known for their adaptations to subterranean life. Through a process of evolution and natural selection, Cave Florans have evolved to be better suited for surviving underground, as both prey and predator.

Lore

History
Cave Florans are a subspecies of Floran that have evolved and adapted to subterranean life through natural selection and evolution. Cave Florans evolved on their home planet from a group of Florans that, long ago, retreated into caves after their tribes were near hunted to extinction by the much more well adapted predators that roamed the surface of the planet. Over a very long period of time, this group of Florans evolved into what are now the Cave Florans through natural selection. Through this long process of evolution, they have also picked up their own culture, customs, traditions and political systems. Because of this, most have completely forgotten their tribes of origin, and it has had little influence on how their ways of life have developed to what they are currently. They currently exist in two distinct types, Surface Cave Florans and Deep Cave Florans, each with their own roles in society. Cave Florans generally prefer to stay on their home planet, but some have ventured off out of the caves into parts unknown, and for various personal reasons, either to experience things away from the cave, or simply move past their reclusive ways and explore the rest of the galaxy.

Science

Biology: Cave Florans are biologically similar to typical Florans, with various adaptations. Overall, both Sruface and Deep Cave Florans are very short, growing to a maximum of 5 feet tall, and have a greater ability to see in the dark through a tapetum lucidum located just in front of the retina, reflecting light back through the retina. Deep Cave Florans have a more pale color skin that would be an almost off white, and have bright bioluminescent foliage, while Surface Cave Florans would have skin that would be closer to a light brown, and foliage that would be colors similar to that of fall leaves. Deep Cave Florans have a slightly thinker and smoother skin, adapted to be more resilient to injury that could be caused by falling rocks or debris. Surface Cave Florans would have a slightly thinner and rough skin. Cave Floran strength is roughly on par with your average Floran, however where this strength is distributed through their bodies varies between Surface and Deep Cave Florans. Surface Cave Florans would have equal distribution of strength to their lower and upper body to wield light weapons, and be fast enough to catch most prey. Deep Cave Florans would have more strength directed towards their legs to outrun possible predators, and would be able to run faster than their Surface dwelling counterparts. Overall, both Surface and Deep Cave Florans are very agile, with less upper body strength as a trade off for their better speed and agility. Overall, the average, fastest running speed for a Deep Cave Floran would be about 20 MPH, with their average speed being more around 16 MPH. Surface Cave Florans would not be too far off, running at an average of 14 to 18 MPH. Cave Florans would also have small glands beneath their foliage, that would be able to release spores for both reproduction and self defense. When a Deep Cave Floran is startled by possible predators, they may release a small cloud of somewhat toxic spores over about a two meter area. These spores would cause symptoms similar to inhalation of tear gas, and would cause a burning sensation through the respiratory organs and the eyes of most organic species, and possibly cause inflamation. Cave Florans would be immune to this, through natural and acquired tolerance. As stated, these glands can release spores that are also used for reproduction, and are used exclusively for reproduction in Surface Cave Florans, without the ability to use spores as a defense mechanism. "Male" Cave Florans have the ability to make use of these secondary reproductive spores and release them into the air, while "females" have an organ beneath their foliage to receive these spores, and fertilize a "pod" of sorts, which will grow to about the size of a grapefruit before the pod would open, with an infant Cave Floran inside. When the pod is opened, the female will care for the infant until it reaches the age of eighteen (similar to humans). After being born, a Cave Floran will develop into either a Surface Cave Floran or a Deep Cave Floran, depending apon which spores were used in reproduction. Cave Florans would be able to store more water for longer periods of time than regular Florans, and have little need for sunlight. Most nutrients would be obtained through food, or mineral rich water found in the caves. Cave Florans are carnivorous, and Surface Cave Florans hunt frequently during the night to bring food for both themselves and the deeper dwelling Deep Cave Florans.

Technology: Cave Floran technology is very primitive, and similarly to Florans, most of their technology is either scavenged or reverse engineered. Due to their reclusive nature, not many make use of their space travel technology unless they decide to set off from the caves. For weapons, most Cave Florans make use of throwable knives or spears, dipped in any variety of toxic substances. Cave Floran hunters see agility as their form of defense, and therefore, rarely, if ever, wear any kind of armor. Often times, Deep Cave Florans wear brighter colored clothing made from a thin, delicate sort of cloth, while Surface Cave Florans wear clothing made of a thicker, leather textured substance.

Culture
Society: Cave Floran society can be seen as one large tribe, divided into the Surface and Deep Cave Florans. Deep Cave Florans would be considered nobility and royalty, while Surface Cave Florans would be scavengers, builders and hunters. Overall, the tribal structure and their customs are generally similar to that of average Florans, with their own customs and traditions. Some celebratory festivals would be held for various events, such as the birth of a new member of royalty, or to celebrate a good hunt. Any Deep Cave Floran born into the royal family is considered royalty, while those not born into the royal family are considered nobility. The Surface Cave Florans are widely considered commoners, with the exception of those born into the royal family, whom will still fill their roles as hunters, builders or scavengers, but at the same time be considered high nobility. In terms of living, Surface Cave Florans would live closer to the entrance of their tribe's cave, while Deep Cave Florans would live farther underground.

Politics: As stated, Cave Floran society is ruled by a royal family, and one must be born into it as a Deep Cave Floran to have any influence among the tribe. Nobles generally live a more comfortable life alongside Royalty, while Surface Cave Florans born outside of the royal family would spend most of their time building, hunting and scavenging, and live more towards the surface. Deep Cave Florans are less aggressive than their Surface Cave Floran counterparts, as they do not hunt, and could be seen as following the philosophy of "the pen is mightier than the sword". However, Surface Cave Florans, being hunters, are about as aggressive as regular tribal Florans, possibly even moreso.

Traditions: Cave Florans have a number of tribal traditions, similar to that of their Floran ancestors. While not exactly the same, they share some general similarities. Certain holidays and festivals are held to celebrate important events.

Music: While music is not a large portion of Cave Floran culture, Surface Cave Florans would have a tradition of singing while building or doing various kinds of work for themselves or nobility, with the exception of while they are hunting or scavenging.

Physical Description: They bear large resemblance to average Florans, but are shorter, with brighter coloration and Deep Cave Florans with bioluminescent foliage and pale white skin. Surface Cave Florans would have either an off white color or light shade of various other colors for their skin, with their foliage bearing resemblance to fall leaves.