Social Structure and Communication
Caribelds, as a new species to the face of the world, are still developing a culture of their own. Each additional generation builds on the foundations laid for them by the one before, and their social structure and culture grows more sophisticated with every successive one. Many things that are apparent and instinctive to other species, like social graces, mores, and practices, are completely foreign to a species that is still so closely rooted in the animalistic genetic soup that they were created from, and these must be learned, taught, and altered to fit their own needs.
Male Caribelds outnumber females three to one, and as such, must compete for the attention of prospective mates should they wish to pass on their genetic material. As female Caribelds are significantly stronger than males, they can certainly afford to be choosy. Most females, rather than taking a single mate, will instead select a group of 3-5 males that they find pleasing. As female Caribelds are incredibly fertile and can have large numbers of children at one time, this many mates is often necessary simply to ensure the successful rearing of young. It takes a village to raise a family- or a harem.
There are also known instances of pairs of females sharing a harem- in some cases these are sisters with a shared interest, two females who could not best one another in the selecting of prospective mates, or simply lovers still ruled by a genetic impulse to reproduce in the same fashion as the rest of their species. Single, unattached Caribelds do exist, as do those who are not compelled to breed, but the majority of these blend in with regular society rather than attempting to fit in with others of their kind.
Many male Caribelds will bond with the other members of the harem, as the female must divide her attention between all of her mates, and does not always (or usually) do so in an equal fashion. Everyone has favorites, and a Caribeld simply does not take naturally to the sort of pretension that would make them pretend otherwise.
Caribelds are capable of speaking many of the same languages as other sentient races, though, due to the structure of their vocal cords and muzzles, often have a growl-like accent. Tone and body posture cue into conversation, as does one’s scent. When not speaking a common tongue, they use barks, shrieks, grumbles, burps, chirps, and whistles to get their point across. Almost every caribeld is a hand-talker, and they can swing their arms quiet enthusiastically without meaning to; this is thought to be a result of their poor eyesight when up close, as gestures become smaller and more nuanced when they speak at around twenty feet apart. Similarly, Caribelds who have lived most of their life with access to vision-correcting devices like eyeglasses, also use smaller and more subtle gestures, and can have a larger range of facial expression.
This acute attunement to tone and body language is a huge boon for Caribelds dealing with other species, as well, granting them an ability pick up on many of the hidden feelings and motives of others, and giving them an edge in negotiating social situations they otherwise have little patience or care for. This makes Caribelds especially shrewd in business, when they set their minds to it.
Male Caribelds outnumber females three to one, and as such, must compete for the attention of prospective mates should they wish to pass on their genetic material. As female Caribelds are significantly stronger than males, they can certainly afford to be choosy. Most females, rather than taking a single mate, will instead select a group of 3-5 males that they find pleasing. As female Caribelds are incredibly fertile and can have large numbers of children at one time, this many mates is often necessary simply to ensure the successful rearing of young. It takes a village to raise a family- or a harem.
There are also known instances of pairs of females sharing a harem- in some cases these are sisters with a shared interest, two females who could not best one another in the selecting of prospective mates, or simply lovers still ruled by a genetic impulse to reproduce in the same fashion as the rest of their species. Single, unattached Caribelds do exist, as do those who are not compelled to breed, but the majority of these blend in with regular society rather than attempting to fit in with others of their kind.
Many male Caribelds will bond with the other members of the harem, as the female must divide her attention between all of her mates, and does not always (or usually) do so in an equal fashion. Everyone has favorites, and a Caribeld simply does not take naturally to the sort of pretension that would make them pretend otherwise.
Caribelds are capable of speaking many of the same languages as other sentient races, though, due to the structure of their vocal cords and muzzles, often have a growl-like accent. Tone and body posture cue into conversation, as does one’s scent. When not speaking a common tongue, they use barks, shrieks, grumbles, burps, chirps, and whistles to get their point across. Almost every caribeld is a hand-talker, and they can swing their arms quiet enthusiastically without meaning to; this is thought to be a result of their poor eyesight when up close, as gestures become smaller and more nuanced when they speak at around twenty feet apart. Similarly, Caribelds who have lived most of their life with access to vision-correcting devices like eyeglasses, also use smaller and more subtle gestures, and can have a larger range of facial expression.
This acute attunement to tone and body language is a huge boon for Caribelds dealing with other species, as well, granting them an ability pick up on many of the hidden feelings and motives of others, and giving them an edge in negotiating social situations they otherwise have little patience or care for. This makes Caribelds especially shrewd in business, when they set their minds to it.