Species
Quillochs, (Aquapithecus), or dendies, are hybrids of early humans and the unknown Lake species. They are named for their unusual lifecycle, in which they begin as quills in their matriarchs' manes, then hatched as tadpoles in the Lake Sanctimonious.
Matriarchs
Quilloch matriarchs grow to be incredibly large, about 2.2m or 7'5" tall, with bulky frames. They have two sets of eyes, venomous fangs, bright cheek colors, and wide necks with full manes. Their quills are hardened clumps of fur along the back of the neck, which may be rigid or curly depending on hair type. They can live to be approximately 250 years old.
Mundanes
Quilloch mundanes are the most common morph. They average about 1.7m or 5'6" in height with humanlike proportions. They are considered genderless, as they lack the quills in their manes to reproduce, and are essentially 'drones'. They are non-venomous, although they are still poisonous, and many still develop faint colors on their cheeks. A mundane can live to be about 150 years.
Ascension
Ascension is the process of quilloch metamorphosis. Mundanes become matriarchs through contact with the Lake. This begins a lifelong series of physical changes, which are common to all matriarchs, but at different rates depending on the time spent in the Lake.
Tadpoles
Young quillochs hatch from jelly eggs, or quills, sown in the Lake. They are amphibious, preferring the Lake at first, but instinctively seek out land as their lungs strengthen. They start as small as a thumb but grow quickly until they resemble babies.
Timbre
Most matriarchs can read others' emotions in a physical sense. Raw emotions register as a subtle ‘vibration’, like a magnetic field around each person. Emotions each have their own tempo and frequency. Some matriarchs have a better sense for timbre than others. Matriarchs with a good sense of timbre might complain of others' strong emotions, likening anger or anxiety to an unpleasant noise. Others, such as the Viscountess Jarcounce, hone this ability as psychology experts.
Families
Only families headed by a matriarch have a biological relation, since matriarchs are the only quillochs with ability to reproduce. Noble families are typically made up of clones or half-clones, although no quilloch is a true clone. Most have small variations by each generation. Usually, the daughter that looks most like the ancestor is chosen for the next title.
Most other quillochs are made 'on-demand' by the Duchesses, who desposit their 'non-cloning' quills en-masse in the Lake Sanctimonious. They are adopted out by small working communities, where they form large groups they consider their families.
The future 9th Duchess Alabonsé and her sister. Clan Alabonsé is one of the oldest noble families.