What is A Kyruku?
#2 of Encyclopedia Kyruku - 3rd Edition
What is a Kyruku?
Kyruku are a species of both anthropomorphic and quadruped canines, belonging to the genus Vulpes. There exists amongst them many different sub species, all suited to different climates in the species distant past. Kyruku are a hearty and enduring species, and have survived nearly being driven to extinction on two separate occasions. The first, during an extinction level event on their homeworld during the species infancy, and the second during the Tel'vorsa wars, long before the first Kyruku set foot onto Earth as we know it now.
There are lots of Kyruku. They're a very large and widespread species. Over fifty planets in the milky way galaxy are home to them, and their total population is measured in the hundreds of billions. They can be found almost everywhere, and throughout all time periods too! How is this possible as well you ask? Kyruku on the surface are good at playing ignorant to their race's true prowess, and have been well known to adapt to the civilizations of the planets they occupy so as not to disrupt the natural cycle of development and end up with a "Cavemen with nuclear weapons" scenario.
Kyruku also have lots of tails, but despise being referred to as 'Kitsunes', a species that have no relation whatsoever to them. Kyruku are by nature, an arrogant race, and many are considered by outsiders as vain. Their tails are their pride, and a lot can be gathered simply by observing the motions and condition of their tails. Patterned and ordered flicking and wagging is often a sign of a good mood, whereas random or errant twitches can indicate displeasure or negative emotions. Kyruku's tails by biological design all move in synchronization naturally, so any disruption of their pattern is a sign that something is amiss. In the same manner, neat and well groomed tails are often signs of good health, whereas scraggly, messy or patchy tails are signs of poor health or hygiene.
Each Kyruku is born with at least a duo of tails, and more grow at a rate of about one every few years until around the age of twenty, when the rate begins to gradually slow, though it never stops entirely. Thanks to their medical technology, Kyruku have managed to increase their life spans from a short course of eighty or so years to well beyond three hundred. The eldest Kyruku are revered for their knowledge and wisdom, and often have so many tails they require special assistance or devices to bear the extra weight with dignity.
Some Kyruku may elect to stop growing more tails though a simple procedure, where the main tail growth (Which all the others derive from) is cut at certain locations and then chemicals injected to cause a cessation of growth. When a Kyruku is shamed however, or accused of crimes against his kin, species, or state, or defeated in a sanctioned honour duel, the main growth (Or their tails entirely, in extreme cases) is often severed entirely and cauterized, leaving a scarred and knotted stub so that all who see them will know. These members of the species are considered 'outcasts', and few after that point will have anything to do with them.