Skitch

Skitches are large, reptilian beings who stand about 2 to 3 meters tall when fully erect, and mass between 150 and 200 kg when fully grown. Their scaly skin is quite hard, and serves as a natural armor against their predators. Skitches are comfortable moving around on their hind limbs only, but they can move at a much greater pace on all fours, Their arms are have less musculature than their legs, but to a much less significant degree than either Dromeans or humans. Their tail is about a meter long, and is highly flexible. In addition, they have a prominent secondary sexual characteristic - the adult males have large, heavy horns protruding above their eye sockets. Their ancestors may have used them during mating contests, but modern Skitches use them mostly in self-defense. Females have significantly smaller horns. Skitches are partially aquatic, and primarily inhabit the marshes and other wetlands around the northern inland sea that separates the two continents, as well as the waterstreams and lakes of the taiga further to the north. They are omnivorous, and their primary sustenance is fish, small mammals, and several species of underwater plants that they cultivate in and near their communities. Many Skitches also "herd" schools of fish in the lakes and shallow seas of their preferred habitats. A skitch is air-breathing, not amphibious, but can hold their breath for hours at a time. Their homes are built along the waters edge or in the shallows, with places for sleeping above the water level, but most of their life is spent underwater. Their societies range from primitive tribal arrangements to sophisticated city-states with complex social systems. They are able to interact with lumuoles in a similar manner to the Dromeans, and do so primarily by ingestion. Skitches are among the most anthropomorphic of the northern sapient races, and in combat they tend to use weapons that would be familiar to humans, although sized for their massive bulk. Their fighting styles, however, are unique, and incorporate both natural claws and their heavy, flexible tail. A single Skitch is a fearsome opponent for any sapient creature.