The Thirapsi

A Revision of Academy Materials Concerning the Thirapsi, Part 1

by Tess Gardelin, Daemedran Academy Scholar and instructor on racial anatomy and culture

The elusive thirapsi are thought to be Solitude’s most recently established arrivals. And although they have only been around for a few hundred years or so, they appear to have spread to every corner of the known world. The Academy first became aware of them over two centuries ago, when a family group traveled through Daemedra. Their appearance caused a bit of a stir amongst my predecessors, due largely to their strange and unique anatomy. As such, a multitude of papers were written based on this first interaction and on rumors gathered from the east, their apparent point of origin in Solitude. 

However, it has become obvious that these first impressions were woefully lacking in accuracy and embarrassingly insufficient to do justice to this species. Few people of other races have ever met a thirapsi as they tend to stay away from cities and other settlements, preferring to live nomadic lives in Solitude’s deep wilderness. Because of this, much of what is “known” is based mostly on rumor and the previously mentioned historical documents. This paper is one of two documents intended to amend many centuries-old misconceptions and replace outdated Academy lecture material on the subject.

To begin with, let me make clear that the thirapsi are a race unlike any other, resembling a streamlined combination of bird, lizard and mammal. When they first appeared, no one knew what to make of them. At first glance they might be compared to eyra, as they share a similar size and weasel-like body structure. They also have some similarities to siska, and many scholars theorized them to perhaps be a dwarf-subspecies of some sort. However, both of these comparisons are so off-base it's practically laughable. As a keen student may remember from my entry racial anatomy class, eyra are classified as mammals, along with humans, elfkin, kobolds and many other of Solitude’s races. Siska, on the other hand, are reptiles, like dragons and tritons. Thirapsi as we now understand, are neither mammalian nor reptilian. They exist in a classification all of their own, though they do share anatomical similarities with both. 

Though eyra-sized, thirapsi have much longer, stronger limbs, and hands which bear small, retractable claws. Their tails are also thicker and more flexible, and sport a cluster of spines at the tip. These spines are coated in a waxy poison capable of numbing flesh and muscles. Their bodies are covered in fine, fur-like feathers of varying shades of green, while they sport a crest of longer feathers on their heads whose color can vary by individual. Their heads, which are also covered in fine feathers, are shaped much like that of a lizard. Their snout and jaws are long and broad, with three curved fangs poking out over their lower lips on either side. Thirapsi feathers are perhaps their most fascinating exterior feature. They have not only the ability to change color at will, but to rapidly change in structure as well. This allows thirapsi to quickly adapt to a wide range of temperatures, swim and dive more easily, and even slow their descent when falling from height.

Thirapsi interior organs are similar to those of mammals and reptiles, however their mode of birth is a blend of the two. It seems that infant thirapsi are at first encased in a leathery eggshell with the mother’s womb. However, shortly before birth, they emerge from the eggs and are born live. The mother passes the eggshell along with the infant. Equally strange is thirapsi musculature. Their muscles and some other tissues demonstrate an elastic quality previously unobserved in any other sentient species. The closest analogue I have been able to determine is the leg muscles of grasshoppers, though that comparison is more in regards to function than structure.

And speaking of function, their feathers, body structure, and unique musculature enable thirapsi to outstip any other race in terms of agility, flexibility and overall mobility. Though they are not particularly strong, thirapsi can accomplish incredible acrobatic and athletic feats that other races cannot. They can climb twice as fast as an eyra, leap further than an elfkin in battle-trance, swim with greater agility than a siska, and survive a fall from heights that would kill any of these others.

When I submitted a draft of this paper to various colleagues at the Academy, a friend of mine in the military wing made a comment worth mentioning. He believed that with all these physical adaptations, thirapsi would be perfectly suited as stealth reconnaissance or even assassins. And while that may be a reasonable supposition, it flies in the face of truth. Thirapsi are in fact amongst the most peaceful races to ever inhabit Solitude. Though they count warriors among their numbers, I have never heard an account of one of them fighting for any reason but self-defense, or defense of family or friends. Indeed, seeing as thirapsi have no form of centralized government or other leadership, they also never form armies or go to war. Their impressively adaptable bodies are instead used to complement their adventurous spirits and nomadic lifestyles. Their family groups and hidden drays can be found in the driest deserts and the coldest mountains - from tropical jungles to verdant grasslands. Wherever they go, thirapsi - and their unique and wonderful anatomy - conquer any challenge Solitude throws their way. Ah, but now I stray into the territory of this document's second half.

Read on to learn Professor Artula’s findings on the basics of thirapsi history and culture. If any aspiring physicians or scholars wish to learn more in my area of expertise, they can find me in my office between lectures and I shall be happy to elaborate.

- Tess

other materials

A Revision of Academy Materials Concerning the Thirapsi, Part 2