Contained Content © Brandon Dunneman

Skervon
A product of Tatanen Enterprises

* Introduction
Thank you for your interest in the Skervon, a product of Tatanen Enterprises. This handbook will guide you through the general knowledge necessary to own and/or breed this incredible result of advanced genetic engineering.

The Skervon began as the dream of one of our founding members, Alexander Goebel, to create a new designer species of creature to serve as a companion in all imaginable situations, a species with an intelligence comparable to humans with the strength of the animal kingdom. The Skervon is the latest in nearly 400 attempts at success, and by far his crowning achievement.

The species combines the genetics of the serval feline, the common north american striped skunk, the saker falcon, and the human genome sterilized of conflicting characteristics. The genetic markers of each donating parent species were combined in varying amounds for function, temperment, and aesthetics while selectively filtering out generally undesirable traits, creating a fully unique and functional new species!

Tatanen Enterprises would again like to thank you for your interest in its finest product, and expressly wishes you satisfaction with your purchase!

* Features
- Can survive in nearly any climate
- Wide diet, nutrition requirements are minimal
- Self-maintains cleanliness
- Enhanced disease resistance when comparing to contributing species
- Vision unimpaired by darkness, a trait taken from the feline species
- Eagle eye distance sight: able to clearly detect changes and details the size of a small rabbit at ranges of up to 2 miles.
- Capable of sprinting short distances at speeds up to 50mph
- Capable of leaping nearly 15 feet in height from a standing position
- Shares feline trait of always landing on its feet from a fall of any distance
- Excellent for home, business, or property defense
- Trainable
- Capable of learning speech casually by proximity to speakers, and even multiple languages
- Life span averaging 35 years, with developmental physical adulthood reached at 2 years of age
- End consumer models average the intelligence of a 10 year old human at physical adulthood, but continue to learn and mentally mature their entire lives

* Typing
Model typing allows for tight control of the species, limiting the number that may exist at any one time. This prevents the possibility of introduction of a foreign, engineered species into the wild, as well as keeping the value of the product high by limiting supply. Typing of a model is presented in a combination of terms (e.g. Type 0A, Type 3C, etc).

PRIMARY CATEGORIES
-- Type 0:: The origin models. Type 0s are directly engineered, not bred, and have no restrictions on breeding or markings. They are the testing grounds for new features or adjustments to be made. Type 0s are with few exceptions the most intelligent of the species to allow for faster testing, as their genetics are frequently captured and adjusted for future revisions.
-- Type 1:: The full breeder models. Type 1s are a slightly adjusted Type 0 with no restrictions on breeding, but are keyed with specific markings, colorations, and temperments. Type 1s are bred by the company for controlled creation of marketed model Type 2s for distribution.
-- Type 2:: The partial breeder models. Type 2s are identical to Type 1s, but with breeding restrictions in place. This model is released to breeders around the world in order to provide the product to the consumer. In extremely rare cases Type 2s may be released to a private party under contract. Breeding Type 2s produces Type 3s.
-- Type 3:: The end-of-the-line consumer models. Type 3s are infertile, and cannot be used for breeding purposes.

SUBTYPE CATEGORIES
-- Type A:: The general purpose model. Type As are the jack-of-all-trades species that may be used in all situations equally. While not a master of any one particular aspect, they are more than proficient at each. Type As may be used in all situations that the latter models are, and are predispositioned towards looking to their bond person or other nearby person they may recognize and trust for advice in a situation where they are unsure of their role.
-- Type B:: The home companion model. A defining feature of the Type B is their intense protective instinct towards the young of any species, including human children. Type Bs are excellent around children and bond quickly to a family, as well as provide home protection. They are quick to pick up on social cues from their bonded family and add additional members to their recognized family (or remove them) when necessary. They are exceedingly proficient in recognizing human body language, as well as additionally identifying intruders by sight and smell. Type Bs are also commonly used in hospitals or other health care facilities.
-- Type C:: The hunting companion model. Type Cs are leaner and more agile than the other breeds. They bond to a single person and take their cues from that person only, including but not limited to verbal signals, hand signals, or body language. They are also self-driven and adaptable, and if they cannot see their bonded person they will improvise within the orders they were given. During testing, Type Cs showed response efficiency that suggested precognition or telepathy, however further studies returned inconclusive.
-- Type D:: The soldier model. Type Ds are somewhat bulkier and larger than the other breeds, and combine characteristics of the Type B and C models. These models were designed to be used for military application as well as law enforcement and security of corporate production floors and offices. They will bond with a limited number of individuals, but have a greater allowance for persons outside of their bond than a Type C. These models have a more aggressive temperment than their counterparts, and at times may appear paranoid, which only serves to improve the efficiency of their intended role.
-- Type E:: The service model. Type Es are designated as working companions, and are not their own genetic variation, but are handpicked from subtypes B, C, and D based on recognized personality traits. A strong identifying feature of the Type E is the uncanny ability to keep those around them cheerful, encouraging high morale. This is the model commonly found in business of all kinds, assisting their coworkers. They are eager to help, recognize progress, take reward in completing assigned tasks and projects, and have a strong desire to learn anything that may assist those around them. Type Es use a unique typing identification, suffixing in a tertiary format, and are rarely a primary type other than Type 3 (i.e. Type 3A-E, Type 3B-E, Type 3C-E, and Type 3D-E).

* Physical Description
The Skervon body structure is based heavily upon a combination of serval and human traits, leading to a lean form that may function equally well both on its hind legs or all fours. While markings, colorations, and eye color may vary widely (and indeed, range through nearly the entire color spectrum), all Skervons share the same general traits:

- A height/length ranging between 4 and 5 feet, minus the tail
- Males average slightly larger than the females
- A feline-structured head
- Large ears for improved detection by sound as well as heat dissipation
- Sensitive nose for improved detection by smell
- A feathered plumage 'mane'
- Forelimbs shifting from fur to scales just above the elbow
- Hand-paws with large, nonretractable talon-like claws that tip 5 fingers per hand, one of which being an opposable thumb
- A skunk-like tail nearly the length of the body
- Strong digitigrade hind legs capable of sprinting short distances and leaping 3 to 4 times their height
- Hind paws' claws do not retract

Skervons are typically two-toned in general coloration, striped along their necks and backs, and spotted along the sides of their body. Scale coloration of the forelimbs are, with exception for customized designer breeds, always dark grey or black. While their coloration may vary widely as stated previously, certain models may have themes or combinations fitting their subtype. Type A and B models may be found in nearly any combination, Type Cs use muted or dull colors suitable for camouflage, and Type Ds use darker base colors with bright markings and plumage to provide contrast and advertise their presence.

* Temperment
A Skervon's temperment varies depending on subtype, and even from individual to individual, however all are bred with a few key features in mind. All skervons bond to a particular person or persons they recognize as family. These bonds are emotionally strong and encourage obedience and loyalty. They will not hesitate to put themselves in the path of harm to defend their bonded family members should they perceive a threat. Skervons are also curious creatures and will investigate anything that perks their curiosity, given that they are not defying a direct order. To a varying degree based on subtype they all love to learn, and teaching them what is and is not acceptable to do in a given situation is vital for a happy, healthy companion.

* Pricing
Type 0: Not available for sale, not distributed outside headquarters.

Type 1: Not available for sale, distributed to subsidiaries only.

Type 2: Sale requires breeder license, care training, and contract rights per unit pair.
- Breeder License (20 year): $50,000
- Care Training (2 week course): $12,500
- Type 2A Pair: $20,000
- Type 2B Pair: $25,000
- Type 2C Pair: $30,000
- Type 2D Pair: $40,000

Type 3: Standard types available from licensed breeders.

Designer Type 3: Appointments available from headquarters upon request, final price varies depending on requested traits.
- Starting Price: $200,000