Species traits
Swarbies are one of the predatory species that roam the city, though they are highly elusive, and very good at remaining undetected and passing by without being noticed. They are pack animals, with a strict hierarchy.
Each pack consists of around 12 members, typically.

Though aspects of their appearance seem reptilian, they are actually mammals, and more closely related to canines.
Swarbies are always black, as camouflage is an important part of both hunting, and keeping safe. However, their coats tend to fade over time so older members of the pack may be a 'duller' grey-ish black.
They are primarily nocturnal, but will emerge in daylight if they have to.
They are both hunters and scavengers. They are opportunists and will eat whatever they can get, living on an omnivorous diet.

They are physically strong and capable of quick turns of speed when it is needed. They have large, dextrous forepaws with which they can grip things as humans do, and canine like hind paws. They are generally a wiry, lean species though that isn't always apparent as they have thick fur.
They are strongly attracted to anything that glows, sparkles or shines. They have a strong affinity with artificial light, in a similar way to moths, and also seem to be drawn to electricity.

Social Structure
A group of Swarbies is called a 'crew'. There is always a disproportionate amount of males to females in each crew. Many crews have no females at all.
Though it is not the norm, it is entirely possible for a female to be alpha of a crew.

They communicate with one another in high pitched 'woo woo' sounds.
There is little physical fighting within a Swarbie crew, but can be a fair bit of posturing and vocalisations.
They are a species who gives off a menacing front, but in reality will always try and avoid serious physical conflict if possible.
The only time true physical violence ever breaks out is when one member is unhappy with his status and feels he is being taken advantage of. Even then, it is not unusual for this individual to simply leave the crew rather than invoke a battle.

Swarbies are unusual in pack animals in that they will accept outsiders from other crews into their own. Each role within a Swarbie pack needs to be filled, so if a pack loses a member, they need to replace him in order to work as a group, and will take on individuals from other crews.

However, Swarbies do form bonds and friendships with the individuals in their pack, and it is not common for members to leave. Usually, when a Swarbie has found a pack, he is there for life.
Occasionally, he may leave but return later. Swarbies always welcome ex-members back.

In most crew, there are always one or two individuals who do not get along as well as everyone else. For the sake of peace within the crew, they often suppress this dislike and it only seems to surface in already tense situations.
The pack are well aware they need to work together to be successful so they will tolerate situations rather than turn to aggression.


The appearance of each Swarbie varies depending on its status and job within the pack.
They all do a different job, so they all have physical features pertaining to the job they do. As they move up the hierarchy, they develop/evolve new features to aid in their new jobs, and lose the ones they no longer require.

Grelco
The Swarbie featured here is Grelco, she is alpha female of her pack.
She is quite young, but has risen to the top spot due to her tenaciousness and drive. She is an excellent alpha, sorts problems out calmly and without unduly worrying her crew, and knows each member extremely well so never sends them to do jobs beyond their capabilities.
The alpha of any crew is the ultimate Swarbie, and is at the peak of evolution.

The alpha of the crew, whether male or female, will have the largest horns, which are used primarily for display and intimidation, but can be used for self defence.
They also have a long, tufted tail which is used to signal their presence to the other Swarbies in the crew and ensure they can keep the alpha in their sights. Swarbies use their tails in a similar way to wolves; higher ranking individuals have large tails which they will keep held up so everyone can see they are the boss.

Alphas have large ears which they keep held upright, another dominant body language.
All Swarbie, regardless of rank, have large spur-like claws on the back of their front feet. They are capable of making these flash as a way of keeping the crew together in extreme darkness.
Each monster has their own unique colour of glow.

Alphas have a large crest of fur on their neck and feather-like tufts on their elbows and ankles, which again, are for display purposes and to make them appear more intimidating.