Therian's - A Case Study

Macropus Giganteus (Eastern Grey Kangaroo)

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

14^th April, 2023

All Rights Reserved.

*Authors Notes : This is more an idea, to standardise their kind in any tales I write about these fictional creatures, to ensure conformity within the universe in which they inhabit - aka, my imagination. It is in no way meant to be a definitive document, just how I personally envision them, their attitudes, appearances and mannerisms.

Therian's aren't specifically limited to a specific species. For sake of simplicity, I shall break them down to the common most I personally frequently reference is my literary works.

Part Two - Various Species of Therian

Macropus Giganteus (Eastern Grey Kangaroo)

In Australia, these are the predominant species of Therian's. Whilst not as widespread or numerous as those of their US Odocoileus virginianus (Whitetail Deer), they are in surprisingly healthy numbers.

Predominantly predisposed to light to moderate woodlands, or open fields, the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is indistinguishable from their feral cousins. This is predominantly to blend in and not draw attention to themselves. From their size and weight, through to their identical fur marking and colouration, beyond a few feet you would have no idea that they are indeed not feral Eastern Grey Kangaroo's.

Amongst their kind, the Pure Blood are born to both Therian Buck and Doe. From adolescence, the young Therian can switch between his or her Feral form (preferred form), or that of human. Unlike the Odocoileus virginianus (Whitetail Deer)species, they do not have an anthropomorphic form, as their paws naturally allow them to somewhat clumsily manipulate objects, hold them and so on.

Sociology

These Therian's are generally quiet, gentle of spirit and nature. However, can become quite agitated or even outright aggressive if threatened or cornered. Usually, they will seek to flee from predators or those who will seek them harm – however – if cornered and unable to escape, even the Doe's will fight with teeth, paws and hind claws.

They can consist of one buck and a few does, right through to large mobs of 30 or more members, as out of the entire Therian Kangaroo's, their gregarious nature causes them to bond to each other. When weaned, the young males are strongly encouraged – by their mothers and if necessary, the dominant buck, to leave, whilst the Doe joeys remain with their mothers.

Doe's will not willingly accept another Therian Doe's joey – actively avoiding such contact, or if Joey persists, they will slap its ears and growl at it. An orphaned Joey through whatever means – if not weaned – will not survive alone without outside interference.

It is said, amongst their kind, that some humans, will adopt an orphaned Joey, protect it and raise it – however such offspring, when they become adults, usually leave their surrogate parent, driven to return to their own kind. Such are viewed with suspicion and mistrust amongst their kind.

Exceptionally rare cases, are the Therian orphaned Joey bonds to its surrogate parent and will not, willingly, part from them – other Therian Kangaroo's will seek out such an unusual Joey, and watch it closely for many years, to ensure the safety of the human parent and the well being of the Therian itself.

If said orphan turns dark – then Therian Kangaroo's will have no hesitation to kill said offspring, usually, by their preferred method, which is termination with a single bullet.

If said orphan is mistreated or abused, Therian Kangaroo's will forcibly kidnap said orphan from humans and bring it back to their own kind. In exceptional cases, the human is removed – their remains never found, nor do those Therian's responsible, ever speak of it.

Very few humans have managed to form long-term bonds with these creatures, but those who have either done the Therian's a great service (such as saving their life, rescuing a joey, when they themselves, could not or something similar).

Extremely few, are granted access to their mob, treated with kindness and respect. Even a dominant male will be placid and gentle with them. They are treated as one of the mob itself, permitted to play with the Joeys and even cuddle them. However, they are watched at all times, and the slightest hint of wrong-doing, they will be banished and forbidden to return.

Those who break their word to a Therian Kangaroo – are forever branded as untrustworthy and they'll never be forgiven for their trespasses with that mob.

Other mob's will be wary of such, but not openly aggressive, until human has proven otherwise.

As Kangaroos, they know their preferred forest homelands intimately, often remaining in their feral like forms so as to watch those who trespass and judge them according to their actions. Most times, they will be led away by one in its human form, who will take them to safety (if they're lost, for example).

Those who come to harm and hunt these creatures – instead – will find they scatter in all directions, pregnant Doe's often abandoning their joeys, who know to hide and not move, whence their mothers will return when safe to do so.

Hunter's will find themselves stalking one kangaroo – the others of the mob having moved in to flank the unsuspecting hunter. Such encounters – never end well for unwary humans...

Whilst for the most part, they are kind, gentle, sweet natured creatures, they're not afraid to fight even to the death against a valid threat, using either their natural weaponry (be that their sharp teeth, claws, or most frightening of all – the long, middle toe talon, capable of tearing a human open from throat to groin and disembowelling them.

In their human form, they prefer to use single shot rifles, a few, have access to military grade rifles with devastating effect. They often use nickel plated rounds and shoot for the head or the heart, to minimise trauma to their victim.

A small percentage of them have forsaken their oaths and promises and have turned dark and evil. These ones actively hunt and consume humans, who they view as sport and playthings - subjecting their captured humans to all kinds of horrific physical and emotional torture, before finally growing bored with them or just hungry.

Those who have turned are actively hunted by any member of that species, who will show them no mercy. They will kill them as quickly and compassionately as they can, usually, well out of range of where humans may discover this.

 It is common amongst these, and other Therian types, if one of their own betrays or breaks the 'rules' - depending on severity - they will be punished accordingly.  One who has -shattered- the rules - they will be held down and a 'notch' bitten in either left or right ear.

 Any Therian who see's one with a 'notched ear' will -never-, ever, aid or assist such a one, irregardless of how 'dire' the situation, as they are banished/shunned by any Therian, who has the 'genetic memory' of such a punishment imprinted in their minds from birth.

 Nothing, short of death itself, will ever 'undo' the stigma of being banished from the so marked Therian.

Physiology

In their feral forms, they are perfectly indistinct to their wild relatives. They are unmistakable in colouration, markings, appearance and musculature. It is only if very closely examined via the mouth or bodily fluids can the differences be noted. Naturally, a Therian will not submit to a Veterinary check for fear of revealing their true selves.

In human form, they are of slightly over-average height, thinner than most humans and have an introverted nature. Whilst they vary in emotional state and temperament, like any creature, for the most part, they pass amongst humanity without anyone being the wiser.

Sexuality

Impregnation is extremely rare between a human male and a Eastern Grey Kangaroo Therian. Many will not consider even entertaining the thought of such a coupling - whilst some, very rarely, do consider this - and even fewer again openly court a human male.  Most Doe's will not submit, those who - do - are usually heavily looked down upon ny their relatives and others in their mob.  Most does prefer to breed to the strongest, most dominant of their own males who rules their mobs.

Some male's, usually young and some more frustrated mature Buck's, do openly seek out human women for courtship and mating, as their options inside their mob is extremely improbable.

Dominant males and challengers, often fight for mating rights – they fight in their feral forms, and as such, some fights have been known to cause significant injury or even possible death. Most times, the loser of this battle will crouch and cough in submission, then be chased out of said mob's home territory. A dominant Buck can expect his rule to last up to ten years, before he will be forced out by a rival.

As most breeding occurs all year round, there is not specific breeding seasons. A Therian Doe remains in her feral form, from mating through to weaning of her offspring. When it is first born, the Joey is blind, hairless and helpless – climbing up through her fur to the pouch, where it will spend the next few months in further development.

Many Therian joeys are lost during this time – either slipping whilst climbing, or failing to find their mothers teat in time or other variables. A doe who loses her joey, will come back into heat again in as little as two weeks.

When the Joey is old enough, a Doe will forcibly evict her offspring from the pouch for a few moments – this out of pouch time becomes longer and longer, until said Joey is outside her pouch and whilst still nursing – will not be permitted to re-enter. Usually, this is because the doe has already given birth to another joey.

As a general rule, one dominant Alpha Buck rules the entire mob over which he has dominion. Everyone is expected to crouch and cough in submission to his presence, or risk his anger.

Males mature at three human years of age, whilst females mature more slowly at seven human years.

Most Buck's never get a chance to breed – a few non-dominant ones might manage to breed with a receptive Doe, if she's caught out alone, or accepting towards him, but the vast majority do not.

Females do not, as a general rule, breed until their sixth year – some dominant Buck's – have been known to force their attentions on Doe's as young as two – often with unpleasant results for the terrified doe.

Whilst males can produce viable sperm in any form, females can only conceive in their feral-like forms, for which they shall remain until the birth of their Joey, which are born exactly like their wild counterparts.

Societal Structure

All mob's are ruled over by the strongest, most dominant male. His rule is law and as such, he holds absolute dominion until his death, or deposed by a rival Buck. Doe's in the mob, or born to it, will stay, adolescent, young males, are driven out by the dominant male, as he views them as potential competition for the breeding does.

Dietary

Most are omnivorous, eating berries, leaves, grains and other plants in their animal forms, indistinguishable from their 'feral' cousins and close relatives.

If necessary, some Mob's keep very small small herds of goats and sheep and are slaughtered when necessary, when the need for meat is required.

They can eat any human food, they prefer rare steak, salads and vegetables, in their human-guise.

Predation

Their Joey's are only protected by their mother – no other Doe will assist, but if the mob itself is threatened, all adults will fight to protect themselves.

However, their greatest threat, comes not from wild animals, but a group of humans who centuries ago, discovered these 'beasts' as they refer to them and have made it their personal mission to hunt down and annihilate the entire Therian race, be they Buck, Doe or even Joey.

Due to less numbers in the wild, than their Deer cousins in the US, the hunter's do not truly perceive these Therian's as too much of a threat. However, they regularly conduct culling of the Therian Kangaroo's – who if they can, scatter to the four winds if they get the slightest of hints their sworn enemies are coming.

A blood-feud has existed between the Therian's and the 'Hunters' as they Therian's refer to them, for over a thousand years. Once, the Therian's did prey on humanity, but for the past eight hundred years, they put their savage, cruel and predatory nature behind them.

Whilst they can kill humans, it is only for self-preservation of themselves and their offspring (only as a last measure, once methods to drive away the humans have failed), but they will show no mercy to the humans who have allied themselves to the 'Hunters' who seek their annihilation.

Some humans hunt the Therian Kangaroo's, seeing them, and mistakenly believing, they are feral kangaroo's – if one is taken by a Roo shooting hunter, word is spread quickly, and neither hunter nor his vehicle is ever seen again...