Kha

Artwork by Kharajyr Weight: 140lbs - 310lbs Height: 5"2ft - 6"4ft Racial Perks + Lands on Feet: Decreased fall damage + Nightstalker: Active temporary night vision and jump boost Racial Professions + Fishing

The Kharajyr, or simply Kha, is a race of digitigrade humanoid creatures sharing many biological traits with that of felines. They are covered from head to toe in fur with hair colour depending on one of the four subraces: the Kha'Pantera, a black-furred sleek being with a history in mastering the art of stealth; the Kha'Tigrasi, with its fur pattern being that of a tiger's, this Kharajyr is notably the more muscular, broad and tall; the Kha'Cheetrah, the smallest and fastest of the Kha with a light spotted coat; and finally the Kha'Leparda which is the jack of all trades but master of none, being the average on all Kharajyr aspects. The Kharajyr are the creations of the Daemon Metztli, and are the result of many failed experiments when the Daemon combined the being of humanoids with Ocelots - despite this, the Kharajyr as a culture fiercely worship the Daemon as a Goddess.

Subraces

Skin by Adam_Barnett Example of a Male skin

Kha'Leparda

The most generic of the four subraces, the Leparda has not been seen to excel particularly in one specific area, but are more likely to practice in multiple. They are a light brown colour and have many spots covering their fur, or sometimes rings.

Kha'Cheetrah

The Cheetrah is fast and tends to be more golden in colour in contrast to their Leparda kin. They also have spots spread amidst their fur, but find themselves to be far more formidable sprinters, or even climbers. Notable Kha'Cheetrah have mostly been warriors or hunters. However, there has never been a single Kharajyr whose occupation was bound by their subrace alone.

Kha'Pantera

The most intriguing to look at, the Pantera are the only Kharajyr to naturally and normally carry a black or dark fur colour. This Kharajyr is noted for its capabilities in stealth and thievery, considered the best among the subraces.

Kha'Tigrasi

Perhaps the most mighty of all of the Kharajyr, the Tigrasi is known for it's strength in battle and in pride. No other Kharajyr can naturally match the capabilities of a fully fledged arsenal that is the Tigrasi.

Language and Accent

Skin by diamondsoup Example of a Female Skin

Although Kharajyr do have an ancient language, many have forgotten it. Some have relearned it from the sages, but not many. In spite of this, there are still some words that all Kharajyr know: Pronouns

Patta – Father

Munna – Mother

Muuna – Moon mother (Metztli)

Metz’al – Life mate/spouse.

Bunn – Wife

Munn – Husband

Per – Son

Maut – Daughter

Per’ta – Brother

Mau’na – Sister

Courtesy Words

Sa’vi – Hello/Goodbye

Mul’ta – Thank you.

Tra’kul – You’re welcome.

As to the accents of the Kharajyr, they sound out the words very similar to how they are spelled, rather than how they are normally pronounced, and they will often include ‘w’s and double up on ‘u’s in order to give it a more organic and tribal feel. They all speak in third person, addressing themselves by their own names, or an appropriate pronoun. For example, a Kha named Do'Kuta may say, “Do’Kuta dawssa nawt appruv uffa yawr akshuns” (Do’Kuta does not approve of your actions).

Romance

Although this form of courtship and marriage is typically only followed in the wealthier class, that does not prevent lower class Kharajyr from using it, nor does it force upper class Kha to follow it. No Kharajyr is forced to take an oath of solitude, not even the priests and priestesses of the Temple. In fact, all Kharajyr are encouraged to love. Kha are not feral creatures, they have risen above the basic "grow, reproduce, die" instincts. In fact, they have developed intricate tasks to follow these instincts. When a male Kharajyr falls in love, he will court the female with gifts and hunting trophies to show his prowess as a male. If the female shares a smile with him, he will speak to her. After years of conversation and courting, when the two have become intimate friends and have grown into proper adulthood, the male Kharajyr must give a ring to the female's father in order to show that he is suitable to marry her.

If the father likes the work of the male Kharajyr, he will grant them permission to marry, and a wedding will occur similar to that of many other races, containing the oaths and other such rituals. However, it will often also contain a sacrifice captured by the male to show the meaningfulness of the ceremony. To consummate their marriage, it is customary for the newly wed pair to bathe in the waters of the Temple, the sacred pool of Metztli.

There is an aspect of the Kharajyr romance system known as the metz’al. A rough translation of the word would mean "life mate", and that is exactly what it is. Kharajyr are quick to call their mate metz’al, and, if they spot someone destined to be their metz’al, they often identify one another upon first glance.

Kharajyr CAN NOT REPRODUCE WITH DESCENDANTS.

Clothing

The Kharajyr are already blessed from birth with a thick coat of warm fur by Metztli and so do not find clothing particularly important. A Kharajyr will be seen wearing very tribal clothing. A Kharajyr does not wear clothing to keep warm, but only for decorative purposes. Kharajyr clothing is nothing like humanoid clothing, in the way that it is a lot more primal and exotic.

Kharajyr that do not care about their appearance may simply just walk around wearing nothing but a loincloth and if female, a simple chestpiece. This is of course to hide the Kharajyr’s private parts and nothing more(despite the fur the Kharajyr are still modest). However more often than not a Kharajyr will value how it looks and will wish to have decorative clothing, simply because it does not wish to look like everyone else. Kharajyr clothing are made from silks and cloths spun from natural materials found in their jungles or are stitched together with pelts from the animals that are hunted as prey. Kharajyr clothing often won't cover up their entire body, as they will become very hot and agitated. Clothing is mostly always seen to be bright colours, that make attempts to reflect the heat of the sun that beats down upon them. However Kharajyr priests are often seen wearing full body robes, that they require in their service to Metztli. Kharajyr clothing is also usually decorated in jewelry, as this is something the Kharajyr are fond of.

When it comes to armour, the Kharajyr stick to light materials so they may remain agile. Armour is made of mostly leather pelts and from the skins of animals but Kharajyr are also known to craft their armour from a molten mixture of gold bronze. This light and malleable metal allows for swift movement whilst still providing a fair amount of protection for the Kharajyr. Kharajyr armour, if metal, is often embroidered with a large number of chain links in them, so that they do not boil in the sun, but do not have to leave huge open gaps in their protection.

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Written by: diamondsoup

Note: The kharajyr have recently gone through a cultural reform. For more information, see here- [1]