Aitectli

= Description and Physiology =

The Aitectli are amphibious Fish humanoids, forever bound to not stray far from water. Their skin needs to be mantained wet and/or slimey for their wellbeing, as their respiration is aided by their skin being very vascularized. This is helped with use of naturally gelly lotions and substances, and the wearing of respiratory aids on one's head, like glass bowls or similar water carrying implements. Aitectli are aided in breating not only by their skin, but also by a dual respiratory system: they have lung cavities like humans, but also sport gills on their neck, ribs and shoulders, which can all be retracted into the body when out of the water to prevent essiccation. During these periods of dryiness, these cavities can also hold a small amount of water for allowing some respiration, although very limited. This system is akin of the ones in arthropods like crabs.

Their stature is around 5'5", with a generally slim build, with spare ecceptions.

Evolving in the liquid enviroment meant a lesser development of muscolature for the purpose of weightbearing, water aiding with boyancy. Which resulted in the forementioned slim built and a lesser ability to carry weight in the form of armor. This resulted in the Aitectli usually wearing only boots and helmets as armor goes, while preferring lighter or no armor alltogether. Gravity also isn't kind to their fins, hair and other soft parts. Since they are usually held aloft by water, they tend to adhere to the body or flop when out of it, and only a few go through the hassle of flexing the extensor muscles that often accompany the fins and ridges, as to give them a more erect shape, as it takes energy to do so.

The Aitectli are one of the most diversified of the Alathra species, with a great deal of personal variability and uniqueness. Many subspecies arose from a basal ancestor, each one perfectly adapeted for a particular habitat. From the black meanders of the deep ocean, with its denizens of bioluminosity and transparency, to the dull colors and frills resembling dead foliage of the swamps, to the vibrant colors of the coral encrusted reefs, every denizens sports on his or her skin the signs of ages of evolution.

Its not uncommon to spot a Aitectli with actual vegetation growing or weaved into tentacles, hair or limbs, sported either as jewlery or clothing. This kind of vegetation must either grow on an individul who never leaves the water for long, or be very resilient to drying, for the more adventurous. The same can be said for corals and anemones, (which are actually animals), eager commensals of their host, and sometimes photosyntetic.

Aitectli evolved a system to walk on land efficienltly but also being able to swim swiftly: their pedal fins are foldable. When swimming, the long surface is unfurled forward and kept semirigid by simple muscolature. When on land, this flap is folded upward against the bridge of the foot, covering it up to the ankle and to the sides. It's the Aitectli version of walking around with curled toetips, unconfortable, but doable and easely gotten used to with exercise. Often soft and confortable straps, or spats, can be tied to the foot to keep the fold in place and allowing for the muscles to relax, while providing support and protection for the underside of the foot and especially for the folded fin, which is innervated. Its important to remember that while humans are used to have their feet callousing over, in the sea there is little use to walking and especially avoided in the sharp reef, so the foot of the Aitectli is not as resilient. Also in this case, regional evolution has a hand in how much this is true, more for the reef and less for the shallow and full of currents water of the swamps, where stabilization using hands and feet are prominent,