World & Culture
Quatora often prefer to keep to themselves in small villages or towns, where life is peaceful and changes are not too big. Within themselves though, they are very social critters!
While their hooves may seem limiting in their dexterity, they are actually quite capable of using their mouth, tail, and tail wings to maneuver things with surprising precision (this is mostly thanks to the fact that their wings are very, very sturdy). They carry blocks of building material on their backs and can even build quite spectacular things! Preferred building materials include natural resources such as stones, wood, tatch, and mud. Herds that live closer to large cities may incorporate more advanced materials and building techniques, often with the help of other species. With physical strength with a touch of magic, they are quite capable. What they cannot accomplish is often traded, imported by designated caravan groups that traverse both Quatora and other species' residences.
Quatora are a more or less uncommon species, especially in the more heavily populated or multi-species areas - this can illicit stares or even misguided capturing practices by other species. It is not uncommon for the more 'interesting' or beautiful Quatora to be traded off as luxury pets despite their high intelligence and commonplace in society. They are capable of speech but their tongues are not made for sounds that the Common Tongue requires, further lending to their societal disadvantage in less open-minded areas of the world. Despite all of this however they are more than capable of forming partnerships with other species - the larger Quatora can even be recruited as mounts! They are however very resistant to riders - having something on their back makes them want to buck it off, ingrained from self defense reflexes. Rider and Quatora often have to work together for months until they can safely ride and be ridden, regardless of how willing the Quatora is.
They do have a writing system, where their hooves are dipped in ink and maneuvered expertly to create letters (this may seem far-fetched to other species like humans and Mowasi who have opposable thumbs, but think of it this way - they have had hooves all their lives, they're pretty good at using them!). Their hooves give their letters both size and shape. Below is the alphabet of their language, which is a mixture of both phonetic and non-phonetic characters.
While their hooves may seem limiting in their dexterity, they are actually quite capable of using their mouth, tail, and tail wings to maneuver things with surprising precision (this is mostly thanks to the fact that their wings are very, very sturdy). They carry blocks of building material on their backs and can even build quite spectacular things! Preferred building materials include natural resources such as stones, wood, tatch, and mud. Herds that live closer to large cities may incorporate more advanced materials and building techniques, often with the help of other species. With physical strength with a touch of magic, they are quite capable. What they cannot accomplish is often traded, imported by designated caravan groups that traverse both Quatora and other species' residences.
Quatora are a more or less uncommon species, especially in the more heavily populated or multi-species areas - this can illicit stares or even misguided capturing practices by other species. It is not uncommon for the more 'interesting' or beautiful Quatora to be traded off as luxury pets despite their high intelligence and commonplace in society. They are capable of speech but their tongues are not made for sounds that the Common Tongue requires, further lending to their societal disadvantage in less open-minded areas of the world. Despite all of this however they are more than capable of forming partnerships with other species - the larger Quatora can even be recruited as mounts! They are however very resistant to riders - having something on their back makes them want to buck it off, ingrained from self defense reflexes. Rider and Quatora often have to work together for months until they can safely ride and be ridden, regardless of how willing the Quatora is.
They do have a writing system, where their hooves are dipped in ink and maneuvered expertly to create letters (this may seem far-fetched to other species like humans and Mowasi who have opposable thumbs, but think of it this way - they have had hooves all their lives, they're pretty good at using them!). Their hooves give their letters both size and shape. Below is the alphabet of their language, which is a mixture of both phonetic and non-phonetic characters.
Life Cycle
Quatora are intersex, meaning any individual is capable of acting as either the male or female during reporduction. All are capable of carrying offspring.
Foals
Baby Quatora are referred to as "Foals," and are called as such until they hit one year of age (unlike horses, which are called foals until they reach 4 years of age). They have large heads with high foreheads, big butts, comically large ears, and are often knock-kneed. Foals are quite defenseless, lacking both the strength and physical features to offer protection for themselves; the spurs on their hind legs have not yet matured, and little nubs called "Buds" line their tails where the wings will grow in the future. Their only real line of defense is an intrinsic magic camouflage that activates when the body senses danger. This camouflage is quite effective, but only if the Foal stays absolutely still. This inherent camouflage reflex slowly goes away as they reach a year of age.
Injuries to any of the buds can lead to malformation of the wings, or a permanent scar that grows and stretches as they age. Injuries to the hooves are much more tolerated, as they are still relatively soft and quick to heal.
Foals
Baby Quatora are referred to as "Foals," and are called as such until they hit one year of age (unlike horses, which are called foals until they reach 4 years of age). They have large heads with high foreheads, big butts, comically large ears, and are often knock-kneed. Foals are quite defenseless, lacking both the strength and physical features to offer protection for themselves; the spurs on their hind legs have not yet matured, and little nubs called "Buds" line their tails where the wings will grow in the future. Their only real line of defense is an intrinsic magic camouflage that activates when the body senses danger. This camouflage is quite effective, but only if the Foal stays absolutely still. This inherent camouflage reflex slowly goes away as they reach a year of age.
Injuries to any of the buds can lead to malformation of the wings, or a permanent scar that grows and stretches as they age. Injuries to the hooves are much more tolerated, as they are still relatively soft and quick to heal.
Yearlings
Yearlings are Quatora that have reached the age of 1 year, and are generalized as a rambunctious, adventurous bunch. So much so, that the phrase 'You're acting like a Yearling!' means that someone is acting a fool or in a brash way.
Many talk the talk but can't quite yet walk the walk - their bodies have yet to fill in, although many of their adult characteristics have already begun to solidify.At this age, they start to sprout their Spurs - two bony protrusions on the back side of each rear leg, made to be used for self defense by kicking. Their wings have also come in, although they are quite fluffly and not of full size. Markings can also slightly change as they grow older, most typically gaining darker spots compared to their Foal years.
Yearlings generally still stay with their parents, but it's not unheard of for some to band together to find another place to live. This age group is also one with the highest prevalence of injury - many start to spar as a form of play, and their adventures can sometimes get them into a pickle. Any injury to their hooves, horn(s), or wings are permanent at this age and can even cripple a Quatora for the rest of their lives due to incorrect growth as they mature (even more so than a Foal).
Yearlings are Quatora that have reached the age of 1 year, and are generalized as a rambunctious, adventurous bunch. So much so, that the phrase 'You're acting like a Yearling!' means that someone is acting a fool or in a brash way.
Many talk the talk but can't quite yet walk the walk - their bodies have yet to fill in, although many of their adult characteristics have already begun to solidify.At this age, they start to sprout their Spurs - two bony protrusions on the back side of each rear leg, made to be used for self defense by kicking. Their wings have also come in, although they are quite fluffly and not of full size. Markings can also slightly change as they grow older, most typically gaining darker spots compared to their Foal years.
Yearlings generally still stay with their parents, but it's not unheard of for some to band together to find another place to live. This age group is also one with the highest prevalence of injury - many start to spar as a form of play, and their adventures can sometimes get them into a pickle. Any injury to their hooves, horn(s), or wings are permanent at this age and can even cripple a Quatora for the rest of their lives due to incorrect growth as they mature (even more so than a Foal).
Adulthood
Quatora are considered adults once they reach 2 years of age. All of their permanent physical attributes have come in and solidified, and almost no coat change is seen after this point. They typically have lifespans of around 90~100 years, with 150 being the oldest Quatora on record!
Their personalities tend to mellow out and they begin to become more and more separated from their parents; many seek other herds to join, while others choose a more solitary life.
It's not rare for a Quatora to choose to stay with their parents, but more likely than not, it's because they already live in an extended family where it is a form of tradition to stay within one's lineage.
Quatora are considered adults once they reach 2 years of age. All of their permanent physical attributes have come in and solidified, and almost no coat change is seen after this point. They typically have lifespans of around 90~100 years, with 150 being the oldest Quatora on record!
Their personalities tend to mellow out and they begin to become more and more separated from their parents; many seek other herds to join, while others choose a more solitary life.
It's not rare for a Quatora to choose to stay with their parents, but more likely than not, it's because they already live in an extended family where it is a form of tradition to stay within one's lineage.
Relationships
Quatora are of high intelligence, and are capable of understanding the concept of different levels of relationships. Just like humans, they make friends, have crushes, go on dates, and some even marry!
Many of these interactions take place in Herds, a collection of Quatora - whether it's in a village or a caravan, they are tightly knit communities that provide protection in numbers. Many herds are compromised of one or two families numbering anywhere from 5 ~ 20 Quatora. Any group that is larger than 50 is referred to as a Cavalry and are typically related to large towns.
Marriage is a foreign concept that they have internalized, adopted from other species where it is common practice - to them, having a family with or without a vow doesn't make too much of a difference, it is more of a ceremonial thing.
While generally very physically affectionate creatures, the intertwining of tails is considered a behavior that is usually indicative of a bonded pair. In human terms it's kind of like holding hands - while friends can do it too, it's more common for couples and it's often assumed they are indeed a couple. Foals and younger Quatora will also intertwine tails, but it's usually a gesture to comfort each other and is not seen as anything more than that.
Quatora are of high intelligence, and are capable of understanding the concept of different levels of relationships. Just like humans, they make friends, have crushes, go on dates, and some even marry!
Many of these interactions take place in Herds, a collection of Quatora - whether it's in a village or a caravan, they are tightly knit communities that provide protection in numbers. Many herds are compromised of one or two families numbering anywhere from 5 ~ 20 Quatora. Any group that is larger than 50 is referred to as a Cavalry and are typically related to large towns.
Marriage is a foreign concept that they have internalized, adopted from other species where it is common practice - to them, having a family with or without a vow doesn't make too much of a difference, it is more of a ceremonial thing.
While generally very physically affectionate creatures, the intertwining of tails is considered a behavior that is usually indicative of a bonded pair. In human terms it's kind of like holding hands - while friends can do it too, it's more common for couples and it's often assumed they are indeed a couple. Foals and younger Quatora will also intertwine tails, but it's usually a gesture to comfort each other and is not seen as anything more than that.