I didn't make the tree (ITS REAL! ONLY THE NAME IS FAKE!) or the Jarwols. They are really a type of Egyptian Desert mouse, ( I couldn't remember their real name so I made one up!   I thought the pic. was too cute.)<br/><br/>Red,<br/><br/>The Jarwols aren't sentient, they don't perceive their actions are sense based.  They react to fear, etc. out of instinct.  They can however, speak a limited vocabulary, not unlike some parots and other birds native to Earth.  They are highly intelligent.<br/><br/>The Voracats are native to the planet Novus;however, they are sentient and intelligent, I guess I should have used the word<em>sapient (</em>ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight).  Furthermore, they are not nearly as advanced as any other civilization because they have had no need to be.  They have the homes they desire, the food sources they want (they are the top of the food chain) water, no need for clothing or fancy jewels, etc.<br/>Voracats feel no threat from the humanoid settlers.<br/>They carry their history through a story teller whose job it is to speak the history to all, young and old, during conclave meetings, when cats get together to swap stories, find mates, and share news.  A young story teller begins learning her craft from a very young age, a kitten really, from the head story teller in their conclave.  Story tellers are always females, for they have the best memories, and purest voices.  But also because females always stay with their conclaves, and males go to the conclave of his mate.  They mate for life, and choose their mates at maturity around the age of 15.  Every spring there is a mating conclave where all the eligible cats gather.  Young female cats who have been courting their male loves announce their attended names here to the head of the conclaves.  If there is no disagreement from any head cats, then the two are joined, but if any one head cat disagrees then the young female must "win" her mate in a challenge flight.  The head cat who disagrees names her champion, and the champion and the female wooer, do a battle flight.  A battle flight is spectacular to behold.  Armed with wooden sticks and blunted claws, the cats rise in slow spiraling circles and must stay within paws reach of each other.  To "break circle" or go out of paw's reach is an automatic loss, and the loser is disgraced.  The winner is the one who  is the first to touch the other with either stick or paw three times.<br/>A cat who loses her challenge goes on a ritualistic retreat for a year of training and growth, and if her intended is still free, she may try for him again, or she may try for another.<br/><br/><br/><br/>