Post by Missing on Feb 3, 2011 0:22:36 GMT -5
Quick run-through on Gliders 101
Gliders, no matter their color-rank are all around the same size with males being slightly larger. Where all other impressible critters of Pern seem to have size as an indicator of rank, for Gliders it is speed, cleverness, and grace. Only the hide portion of a Glider is colored according to the rank, the fur being whatever color traits would have been passed on genetically by the mother and father. The color ranks are as follows:
- Moon Glider: The Glider version of a Gold or Diamond. Moon Gliders have pale white/silver hides, sometimes with hues of other colors mixed in, but always pale. Moon Gliders are usually caught by Night and Storm Gliders, but it is not unheard of for a Flame or Ground Glider to manage to catch one if he impresses her (or if their bonded have a particularly strong attachment). Moon Gliders can clutch up to 8 eggs at a time.
Mates: First time at 10 months, then every 9-11 months thereafter.
MoonxNight: 1 Moon (rare), 1 Night, 1-2 Storm (1 more commonly), 1-3 Star (1 more commonly), 2-3 Flame (2 more commonly), 2-4 Ground (2 more commonly)
MoonxStorm: 1 Moon (VERY rare), 1 Night (rare), 1 Storm, 1-2 Star (1 more commonly), 1-3 Flame (2 more commonly), 2-4 Ground (2 more commonly)
MoonxFlame: 1 Star (rare), 3-4 Flame (3 more commonly), 3-5 Ground (3 more commonly)
MoonxGround: 1 Star (VERY rare), 2-3 Flame (2 more commonly), 4-6 Ground (5 more commonly) - Night Glider: The highest-ranking male Glider. Night Gliders have dark dark blue to black hides and are rather sneaky/stealthy and quick.
- Storm Glider: Also a male, Storm Gliders have purple to royal blue colored hides. Storm Gliders are stronger than the other varieties.
- Star Glider: The lower ranking female, Star Gliders have pale yellow to gold colored hides. Star gliders are faster than Moon Gliders and tend to be friendlier as well. Star Gliders are caught by any of the male colors with a fair amount of regularity. Star Gliders mate more often, but clutch only a few eggs at a time (6 max).
First
Mates: First time at 7 months, then every 6-7 months thereafter.
StarxNight: 1 Night (rare), 1 Storm, 1-2 Star (1 more commonly), 1-2 Flame (1 more commonly), 1-2 Ground (1 more commonly)
StarxStorm: 1 Storm (rare), 1-2 Star (1 more commonly), 1-2 Flame (1 more commonly), 2-3 Ground (2 more commonly)
StarxFlame: 1 Star (rare), 1-2 Flame (1 more commonly), 2-5 Ground (3 more commonly)
StarXGround: 1 Star (VERY rare), 1 Flame (rare), 2-6 Ground (4 more commonly) - Flame Glider: Another male, Flame Gliders' hides tend to range from red to orange in color, sometimes with streaks of yellow as well. Flame gliders are fast, but "burn out" quickly so if they don't catch a female right away, they usually won't. They can choose to save their burst of speed until later on in a chase though.
- Ground Glider: The last male type, Ground Gliders range from tan to dark brown, sometimes with some greenish tones mixed in. Ground gliders are the very image of "slow and steady wins the race" or at least for however slow a glider can be. They excel at endurance and are quite good at waiting and watching for an opening.
Mating Info:
A mating chase is usually done in jungles, but they can sometimes chase in Weyrs and holds in much the same fashion. A chase starts with the female hiding somewhere and sending out a general "come and get me" to males within a limited radius (normally no bigger than a Hold/Weyr's size). When she feels/sees/hears the males getting close to her she will try to hide in another location without them knowing about it. Once a male spots her she will try and run and throw him off course. Essentially it is a giant game of hide and seek mixed with tag and only the male with the best combined traits can win. While the preferences of the bonded play into the chase in some fashion, a female's main concern is the quality of her clutch and it takes a very strong preference for them to change their minds.
Flame and Ground gliders rarely catch a Moon due to the fact that a Moon is generally too clever for a Flame to catch in a short period of time and will allow a Night/Storm glider to catch her rather than let a Ground be the only one left to do so.
The gestational period for Gliders is 1.5 months, then the eggs harden for about 2 months (the long time is due to the fact that they hatch ready to leave their mother). Gliders hatch about as big as a woman's thumb and grow quickly so they require a good deal of food for this time period. A Glider is considered full grown at 6 months).
Some more info:
-A Glider is Impressed by feeding it at Hatching much like a firelizard, adults can also sometimes be Impressed the same way though it's rare.
-The amount that a Glider clutches has little to do with who catches her (unless she settled due to her bonded's preference) and more to do with the male's ability to catch her. If it was a good chase and not just her allowing one to catch her she has a higher chance of clutching more. Color rank does still affect what kind of Gliders are clutched.
-Glider's eyes change color with emotion the same way a dragon or firelizard's does, the exception being that their eyes are not faceted and they glow. A Glider may dim the glow of their eyes by widening their pupils (something they have conscious control of).
-Gilders have no attacks against Thread and usually find some hole in a mountain/cliff to hide in during Threadfall (probably why they mainly live on Crescent since the jungles are so close to so many mountains).
-Glider eggs are hardened by sands the same way a dragon/firelizard eggs are but even a Star glider will keep close to their clutch to try to protect it, dying to do so if necessary. Moon Gliders almost always have a good number of males helping her in this task, Star Gliders only have the help of those who chased her.
-Gliders hatch basically the sugar-glider equivalent of weaned and able to eat food normally. In fact they are impressed much like a firelizard is via feeding of fruits, nuts, and anything else handy they may like.
-Gliders can move objects telekinetically, which is probably the main reason they have managed to survive in the harsh environment of the Southern Continent. This is also their main defense against Thread besides hiding. They are unable to move anything very large, but they can move smaller objects like a small rock fast enough to be a very painful projectile against a feline, wherry, or even a human if need be. Doing this too much can be tiring for them and they will often "pig out" before Threadfall to build up energy if they are defending a clutch and are unable to take cover. They can also use this ability in conjunction with other Gliders.
-Gliders have tough claws that allow them to burrow at least far enough to get out of Threadfall or to hide their clutches.
-Like firelizards/dragons their hides must be oiled, especially the hide that stretches between their limbs.
-Gliders communicate with their bonded through feelings, emotions, and the occasional picture much like a firelizard does but with a bit more sense than most firelizards are capable of.
-Gliders don't mate for life but once they mate with another Glider they are less likely to settle for a different on unless they no longer think or never thought that the other Glider to be a suitable mate.
Note: these are just the basics and are subject to additions later on.
