Case Study On Allar Behavior

This is not an official thread, but more of an unofficial thread by "me", to investigate/theorize/pin down what I think are viable social behavioral norms for the Allar, largely in context of each other, but mostly in the context of a Cro-Allar. There will be some common trends and norms, but also unique behavioral patterns for just Cro-Allar, because I don't really play any other. None of these are enforced, after all, they are just a personal take. I intend to try and use as many as I can, and it would be cool it others did too, but the content is all up to the appraisal of the reader. Who knows, maybe some other people also feel inspired to write something similar for their own/other race(s).

It is important to distinguish that Allar are reptiles (in a way), and while they largely have the same humanoid physiology internally (to avoid complications) there are some really obvious differences between Allar and regular Ailor. Let's pin some down first so we get a clear list of points to adapt behavioral patterns to:

• Allar claws are very sharp, even more so for the Cro-Allar. Soft touch with claws is almost impossible, and simple things like finger snapping even less so because of the presence of these claws.
• Allar don't have lips, at least not as prominently as the Ailor do. They still have some form of lips otherwise language would be practically impossible and mostly gutteral or not understandable, but the lack of clear and thicker lips makes some signs of affection like kissing impossible.
• Allar have a really long tongue. It can probably stick quite far out of their mouth, which adds additional means for body language.
• Allar have non-plantigrade legs, which makes some actions like dancing very difficult.
• Allar have horns, at least most of them do, and the ones that don't have long snouts. In general long snouts come with their own problems.
• Allar have scales which makes natural soft touch more difficult for them to feel, due to the thickness of these scales. It would probably mean Allar have much rougher social interactions because the physical sensation is dulled.

With those points established, I will make a stab at general social behavior first, and again, mostly from the perspective of the Cro-Allar. The hierarchy of the Allar is based on the control of the Cro-Allar, and from their control, a very much dominance based culture exists. Essentially, each Cro-Allar also is in a perpetual competition with other Cro-Allar around them to be seen as more dominant.

• From the top, Cro-Allar are in perpetual competition with one another, even mates or lovers. They might be very fond of each other, but in public, their personal relation often does not matter and neither partner can stand being seen as inferior to the other. It's kind of why so many Hollywood couples break up, and why so many Cro-Allar pairs run into trouble eventually, when one eclipses the other.
  • It should be noted that while most Allar respect the concept of "Larger Allar is dominant Allar" this isn't the case for the Cro and Sa-Allar. These two species have an inherently competitive atmosphere with one another, and smaller more lean Cro still seek competition from larger more bulky Cro purely for the sake of establishing boundaries. Each Cro always seeks to establish boundaries with another Cro before a state of normality between them is created. This boundary seeking is often a case of exploration where a Cro will back down, and where one will aggressive take a stand to mark their territory. This territory is not literal, it's a figure of speech. For example, a Cro may care dearly about an Allar hatchery, and choose to be incredibly territorial about it towards another Cro, but choose not to compete with said Cro over the drinking bar, and even be prepared to defer to them in this area. Once Cro know each others boundaries, their relation normalizes into a somewhat less aggressive and testy case, but they might always seek competition from one another until a very clear order of dominance is established.
  • Speaking of dominance, some of the Allar races have different ways of showing deference.
    • Al-Allar are the only species that look down at the ground and show deference and respect that way. Another telltale sign for Al-Allar is physically trembling. Allar do not tremble in fear, in fact there is no physical need for them to do so, but trembling is seen as a cultural show of respect.
    • Sa-Allar, Cro-Allar and Mu-Allar tilt their snout up at a rough 45 degree angle to show respect, though never directly at someone. A Mu-Allar may for example be shorter than a Cro and accidently look up at them while showing deference. In such a case they would point their snout elsewhere to avoid eye contact during a deference showcase. Zu Allar place their hands on their shoulders, crossing their arms on their chest in the process before taking a slight bow. This is mostly because Zu-Allar can become disoriented from rapidly looking up or down depending on the situation. Es-Allar don't show deference at all. One furthermore does not actually show body language deference to an Es-Allar by looking anywhere, merely with words. Looking up while near an Es-Allar is actually considered an insult to their height.

Allar intimacy is difficult to translate because their bodies aren't exactly made for it and in many ways complicate traditional means known among Ailor:

• Among Allar, when normally an Ailor would attempt to kiss another Ailor, an Allar might use the inside of the palm of their hand to gently stroke the underside of the jawline of another Allar. This is (usually) done carefully by bending the fingers away from the jawline to curl the claws away from touching something. If an Allar rejects this gesture on the receiving end, they bare their teeth. If they approve of the gesture however, they let out a small growling noise.
  • There are some variations to this. Among Cro and Mu Allar, it is sometimes custom to not bend the claws away and let them gently scrape or even scratch at the scales and teeth of the other Cro or Mu-Allar. This is a very specific act where the Allar in question seeks to show romantic interest, but with a strong domineering perspective in mind as if to say "you don't have a choice in the matter". If someone objects to this act, a fight usually follows.
  • It is very unusual to return the gesture after it has been performed on someone. Unlike with Ailor where the actual is mutual, among Allar it is a one way action where the Allar still consider it a mutual gesture.
• Close personal contact among Cro-Allar is often dangerous. Cro-Allar are heavy, sharp and temperamental, though they have their own unique ways of spending time with other Cro-Allar that shows a level of friendship and in some cases even intimacy.
  • Among close Cro-Allar, finger painting patterns and war dyes on the body of another Cro-Allar is seen as both a deferential action as well as something that is bordering between intimacy and friendship. Decorating another Cro-Allar is seen as showing particular care for that Cro, because Cro prize their appearance greatly.
  • Among friendly Cro-Allar, sharing food is a great act of friendship. Sometimes, if deference is necessary, one Cro-Allar will take the meat halfway into its mouth, while the other shreds at it with their jaws. This is not intimate in any way, but rather just a show of deference, as if in a hunt, where one Cro holds the prey down and lets the other eat first.
  • Among Cro, clicking and scraping claws like scissors which produces both a clicking and scratching noise, is seen as a territorial joust. It's kind of like a test of aggression between both of them (or one of them) to say that they will not back down from a challenge. Most Cro-Allar aren't even physically aware of the act and may engage in it during very normal and casual conversations without any underlying intention or hidden meaning. Other Allar usually know to avoid the close proximity between two Allar when both are clicking their claws however, as when both respond the claw clicking, it might result in a fight. There is no real deference to not returning the claw clicking however. Claw clicking is more of a mockery and taunting than anything.
  • Sa-Allar and Al-Allar in particular love making flower wreaths for each other, though Sa-Allar usually just love receiving them.
  • Sending gifts to Cro-Allar like jewelry without any explicit request to do so is seen as an insult. Cro-Allar believe that sending gifts without the need to do so insults their styling.
  • Es-Allar have no real form of showing affection or kindness.
  • Cro, Sa and Mu Allar engage in a very violent (to outsiders) courtship process that decides the dominant partner in a relation. Both females and males can become the dominant partner in a relation through a process which involves shredding or attacking the tail of the other partner. Usually this involves one partner commencing the act by clawing at the tail of the other, which then usually devolves into a struggle or wrestle, where biting in the neck and or arms is also possible. While this can be painful, the Allar experience a rush of adrenaline from it, and it helps them establish the physical dominant partner, while any injuries are usually healed back within days or weeks, even in the case of full dismemberment or loss of tail.

Allar are capable of producing a number of vocalized expressions that Ailor cannot:

• Shrill shrieking is a call for help. This is often short, high pitch and very loud.
• Gutteral scraping is a sound similar to Raptor calls. These are mostly done by Mu-Allar, and are a call to arms for other Mu or Sa or Cro to come and fight. These calls often also precede a Mu versus Mu fight.
• Low gutteral growling is a sign of irritation or testyness. It is usually done if during a conversation someone says something that is not appreciated.
• Extreme contention among Allar is produced usually only when waterborne, and not audible for Ailor due to the low frequency. The sound produces a strong rippling effect in water however, which can be heard further in a body of water than normal voices could. It is often said that water that reacts to this frequency has the appearance of dancing, being wind still at the surface yet rippling in perfect symmetry around the Allar in question.
• Allar don't have sweat glands and reduce heat through the mouth and tongue. Allar don't normally need to relieve heat because they are used to hot climates, but much like Ailor when their head turns red when feeling "excited" will pant like a dog to get rid of additional heat produced by excitement. Allar don't blush.

Some further notes:

• Allar, especially Sa-Allar share a cultural notion with the Url where yanking at the horns of any other Allar is seen as playful, not necessarily a greeting but more a playful gesture of fondness of a person. Al-Allar, while done on them, often get very uncomfortable with this gesture, but this is part of the game for Sa-Allar.
• Zu-Allar when conflicting about ideas and opinions might head-joust. In this act, they stand away from each other, charge at each other and crash their skulls into each other. Usually if one bounces off and falls onto the floor, this means they have lost the argument. If however both hit and stay, they cross both arms in an attempt to push the other back to gain dominance and thus win the argument.
• When Allar get bored, they just hang their tongue out their mouth. Sa-Allar have a cultural niche unique to them where they try and grab said tongue from another Allar if they see one and try to pull it. The other Allar often grows annoyed, and then it becomes a game of cat and mouse.
• Allar, while maintaining a sense of deference and dominance among their own sub species, have no such behavior within the hierarchy. While a Sa-Allar might challenge another one to being the "nicest" or "bestest" bodyguard of the Cro, they would never try and test a Cro for dominance, since their deference is implied in the hierarchy.
• Cro when in an argument might frequently scratch at the snouts of each other. This usually leaves gashes, but they tend to heal over fine because of Allar healing without even leaving a scar. These slashes are never an actual fight, but an expression of strong emotional charge, though they might become a fight in case the other Cro takes offence to the emotion.

Others are welcome to comment for more ideas below.