This essay can also be found on my tumblr.

Please note that, while I am a member of this species, I did have to do research for specific terminology relating to the more scientific aspects of this discussion as I did not know them off of the top of my head! Warning for this whole essay, I discuss sex and reproduction! While it’s in scientific terms, I understand that discussions of these topics can make people uncomfortable! If you wish to read the essay but don’t want the biology talk, you can go visit the version of this essay on my Tumblr where I hide the scientific discussion under the cut.

Also, every new word used in this document was constructed from either latin or greek roots following human scientific naming convention. I have not begun to reconstruct my species language yet, or else I would be using those words.

OUR BIOLOGY

We as a species are divided into a Quadripartite Sex System, meaning we have four sexes, and as such, four ‘binary’ gender identities. While we as a species do acknowledge that gender is different from sex much in the way humans do, I will not be touching on that until later.

Our sexes are divided as such, Primel, Sendel, Tiercel, and Quarnel. At least, these would be the appropriate names for them using the same linguistic base as ‘Tiercel’. You could also more roughly call them first, second, third, and fourth sex, though this implies a ranking and superiority scale that I’m not particularly fond of. In addition to our Quadripartite sex system, we have a triploid chromosomal distribution, meaning that we have groups of three chromosomes that determine our sex unlike the two that most earthly animals have. While we do call ours W and Z (not unlike earth birds), they are arranged in groups WWW, WWZ, WZZ, and ZZZ.

Our species does also have intersex individuals, but for simplicity’s sake and because there are numerous variations for how an intersex individual can present, I will not be listing them here.

Reproduction for our species requires a minimum of three individuals to participate, as we produce Haploid reproductive cells, meaning that each reproductive cell only carries one chromosome necessary. Because of this, we have adapted to be incredibly social with one another, and often live in large pods. Within our culture, what humans would consider ‘polyamory’ is the norm, with marriage not being a concept we participate in or understand (I still do not understand it to an extent).

In simplest terms, or rather in ‘human’ terms, our sexes are as follows.

Primel [WWW] – Closest to what humans would consider ‘male’. Smaller, Higher pitched, Brighter, and has more patterns.

Sendel [WZZ] – Closest to what humans would consider ‘female’, though they do not carry the eggs internally. Larger, Lower pitched, Duller with less patterns.

Tiercel [WWZ] – The sex that does the actual carrying and produces the third haploid cell. Larger, Brighter, Lower pitched, and has more patterns.

Quarnel [ZZZ] – Shifts primary sex characteristics depending on the situation, generally smaller, duller, higher pitched, and has less patterns. Only consistent defining trait is extra pelvic fins.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?

I’m a Tiercel, which is also used as a societal title as all of our sex ‘names’ are. These titles aren’t sex tied though, and rather change with gender [like how in humans ‘Sir’ is a masculine title and ‘Ma’am’ is a feminine title applied to people based on gender rather than sex]. We do have alternative titles, like Nul/Nihl or Drake for nonquad (non-quadripartite, similar to human nonbinary) or agendered individuals (or any individual seeking a neutral title), or some folks who refuse to go by a title and rather go by their name only.

So for demonstration’s sake, my name is Green (or rather translates to it, both my Draconic Name and the one I have chosen for human society), and my title is Tiercel. Therefore everyone calls me Tiercel Green or simply ‘Tiercel’. This is also why I say if we’re friends you’re allowed to call me Green!

Because my draconic sex is Tiercel, which could be thought of as an even combination of ‘male’ and ‘female’, this lack of concrete binary has eked its way into how I present myself in human society. I’m Transmasculine, which is a nonbinary trans identity where someone presents in a masculine way, and I do think this is because I’m a Tiercel! I feel comfortable with masculine terms and neutral terms due to my apparent ‘inherent’ neutrality (from a human perspective). I’m not entirely sure of how to describe it, but my draconic identity lines up with the one I present with in human society, which I think is fairly cool!

A term I have seen for it and one I actively use is Feragenus. Feragenus is defined as “A gender identity that is affected by one’s nonhumanity — in a way that makes you feel male/female (usually of your theriotype), but not like a man/woman. — e.g., you wouldn’t call a male deer a man, or a female fox a woman — you’d probably use buck/vixen, or just male/female. Feragenus entities feels this animalistic version of gender represents them, and their nonhuman identity, better.” And I think this fits my feelings on my gender presentation very well! I am a Tiercel, you would not call a Tiercel ‘Masc’ as it doesn’t apply. You would not call a Primel a man or a Sendel a woman either, as those are incorrect terms. In a way, Man and Woman are actually Xenogenders from a draconic perspective! At least from my draconic perspective.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU?

It doesn’t! Not really anyways, unless you’ve suddenly realized you’re my species, and in that case, welcome! All I ask is that you refer to me as Tiercel more often than you do Man or Sir, even if I don’t mind those terms!

WARNING!! ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC REPRODUCTION TALK BEGINS HERE!! DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH SCIENTIFIC DISCUSSIONS OF SEX AND REPRODUCTION. GO TO THE VERSION ON MY TUMBLR INSTEAD IT'S LINKED ATT HE TOP OF THIS PAGE.

Getting a little more into specifics here! This section will not contain my personal musings on my gender, but will delve a small amount into misceverse stuff because we do have mating seasons and dynamics and whatnot.

SEXES

Primel [WWW] – They (typically) possess the primary sex characteristics of a penis and testes, as well as the secondary sex characteristics of a smaller size, higher call/voice, more vibrant colors, and decorative patterns present on their wings and tail. Primels produce Sperm as their haploid reproductive cell.

Sendel [WZZ] – They (typically) possess the primary sex characteristics of an ovipositor and internal ovaries, as well as the secondary sex characteristics of a larger size, deeper call/voice, duller colors, and a lack of patterns present on their wings and tail. Sendels produce Eggs as their haploid reproductive cell.

Tiercel [WWZ] – They (typically) possess the primary sex characteristics of a uterus/womb pouch accessed via an external opening, a cloaca accessed via a secondary external opening, and testes-adjacent glands, as well as the secondary sex characteristics of a larger size and deeper call/voice (more similar to sendels), and vibrant colors and patterns (more similar to Primels). Tiercels produce Bedu as their haploid reproductive cell. (This one is me!)

Quarnel [ZZZ] – A unique case, Quarnels possess the ability to ‘shift’ or ‘change’ their sexual presentation depending on what the situation calls for, somewhat like how fish will change sex if there are few to no members of that sex in the area. Their primary sex characteristics are in flux and can become the primary sex characteristics of either Primels, Sendels, or Tiercels, and they can produce Sperm, Eggs, or Bedu as the situation calls for. They tend to have the secondary sex characteristics of a smaller size, higher call/voice, duller colors, and less patterning, though these are not consistent. The one consistent feature of Quarnels is an extra set of mobile pelvic fins used for grasping.

MATING PERIODS

We have a twice-yearly mating cycle with occasional rises and slumps in our urges to mate between these two points. Our first mating season falls in the spring, and our second mating season falls in the autumn. These seasons often last for one to two months before falling away for us to lay, watch over, and take care of our egg clutches/new whelps when they hatch.

During mating season, we experience an increased urge to reproduce and begin mate-seeking behavior. This comes in the form of flirting, courting, gift giving, casual hookups, and other presentations of affection. Importantly, we often seek two or more mates given the way our reproduction works, but if we are not looking to care for children, we’ll often only seek one mate (which is my personal preference). When mating season culminates (either in a successful clutch or simply having a fun time) we either choose to remain with our mates as partners, or split to help communally raise the new whelps.

Between mating seasons we do occasionally experience spikes in mating urge, but given that we do not have a menstrual cycle and cannot produce whelps outside of mating season, these are much less intense than our mating season and do not result in children.

HOW DOES THIS PERTAIN TO MISCIVERSE

My Miscecanis verse, Miscedraconis, is structured to resemble my species natural mating urges. Misceverse terminology is simply a much easier way for me to explain what comes naturally to me as a dragon. I am a dragon, therefore I identify with Miscedraconis, and all of my dynamics fall under a draconic umbrella.

CONCLUSION

This was mostly just for fun and because I happen to understand an odd amount about my species particular biology. I hope you enjoyed reading!

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