Kalauża (Duskmen)

A race of blue-skinned humanoids with fuzzy, pointed ears, native to Laestares. These people possess a culture of religious hierarchy under the Divine Naturalist, their spiritual de facto leader, said to be beneath only the sun god itself, Reajai.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Kalauża, commonly called "Duskmen" by outsiders, are a species of nocturnal humanoids who inhabit the world Laestares, known domestically as Auża. The Kalauża tend to range from 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender physiques. They have large brown eyes, long pointed ears with tufts of moth-like scales along the edges, and gill-like ridges running horizontal on their cheeks that are usually darker in coloration. Their hair has the same color range as humans, but white and grey is also naturally occurring in the general population. Their skin color ranges between many shades of gray, indigo, and violet.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Eklautu Unisex Names: Akeplau, Jakwaia, Ekleiu, Mażnahi, Poażlat, Rukwilan, Okanha, Tsakaumu, Shalauko, Tashalżea, Żeokla, Aumkeo, Taolshuju, Imekana, Kwaikshua, Tlaużon.
N'dasri Unisex Names: Srahali, Vak'dazu, Kanza, Ep'dzes, Zanzevu, Ajivha, M'pezla, Tahazri, Ejara
Teogheq Unisex Names: Aogem, Toatag, Mikava, Veqlai, Eoghakla, Etetveo, Aqdaoma, Ivtalau, Uavin
Zuyanka Male Names: Kasmoro, Oshar, Dwizo, Asagan, Taimirzoi, Ramseito, Darsu, Ekaijan. Zuyanka Female Names: Tweira, Yusaza, Udama, Nyomai, Aipur, Meiju, Pramanu, Atri.
Names are often given by a Sun Priest shortly after birth, but changing names later in life is somewhat common. The Eklautu have no concept of surnames, but some may take on a surname to conform to cultures and bureaucratic systems other than their own.

Major Organizations

From the ashes of the Carcid occupation of Laestares spawned many nations, some with more political recognition than others, each with their own pride in having distinguishing cultures (however warped by Carcid teachings they may be, such as the influences of euxantas). The most successful and influential of the nations, the Eklautu Federation, made its mark on Carcidel after its establishment in 3486 IC after claiming land that held portals to Daşarath, Dathael, and Terra during the 4th Insurrection. Through these portals, alliances were made across the worlds and allowed the Eklautu to successfully hold their newly conquered land. To this day, nationalistic sentiments are heavy with the weight of what was lost and gained during the uprisings, and ethnic and religious conflicts are common.
Neighboring the Eklautu are also the N'dasri, Teogheq, and Zuyanka, who all possess nations of their own along the Duskbound, which is the geographical area along where Laestares is divided between eternal night and day. At the edge of the Duskbound and deeper into the frigid wilds of the night dwells various tribal groups of Duskmen, as well as dangerous beasts. N'dasri, Teogheq, and Zuyanka alike are fairly common in the Eklautu federation, albeit second-class citizens.

Beauty Ideals

The Eklautu Kalauża tend to appreciate very long, thin ears and tall necks. Some Kalauża attach prosthetic hair tufts on the end of their ears to make them appear more majestic. Beards on men are unpopular, as it covers the neck.

Gender Ideals

Though the Kalauża see men and women as embodiments of different ideals and personalities of the spiritual entities they descended from, the Kalauża also acknowledge that men and women are close enough that they were made into the same species because those ideals complemented each other. This is reflected in their society by both genders possessing equal rights, but each tending to stick with professions that match traditional gender roles (men are often soldiers, leaders, inventors, etc, women often being counselors, administrators, advisors, etc).

Relationship Ideals

The Eklautu Kalauża are equally accepting of both monogamy and polygamy outside of marriage, including homosexual relationships. However, their marriage customs dictate that only a single man and woman may be wed. Long term homosexual or polygamous relationships are often disapproved of, but are technically legal even in the event of marriage.

Average Technological Level

Because of frequent trade with Terra and the historical presence of the Carcids, the Kalauża possess advanced magical technology, with many of their cities having regular access to thaetrium. Airships, automatons, communication devices, and so on are parts of everyday life for many Kalauża, though this is less so for the poor.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Eklautu, the language of the people of the same name, is the dominant language of Laestares, and is spoken by most Kalauża across the world.

Common Dress Code

Silk tabards, ponchos, sashes, scarves, and togas are popular, often with warm colors. Design patterns are often circular or elliptical in nature, usually accompanied by stripes.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Eklautu believe all beings to be descendants of different spirits that embodied conflicting archetypes, and that the Kalauża, however different they may seem from one another, were all once united in their core principles. They believe that the impermanence of their own bodies serve as a reminder of change, and serves enlightenment on one's true values and ambitions; that by realizing the self, all Kalauża are realized as well. However peaceful this philosophy may seem, the piousness and overbearing control of the clergy over the Eklautu and other peoples has proven otherwise. Many Kalauża seeking spiritual freedom, especially those who have been convicted of heresy, often immigrate to find better lives beyond Laestares.
A common tradition of Kalauża from most cultures is the use of Oshyo skins. Oshyo are small, black, shrimp-like creatures that live in shallow salt water, and their skin contains an alchemical substance that, when one is consumed by a Kalauża, increases the perceived time length of the user's trance by about 30 minutes. Historically, this has been used extensively to train and reflect, as it is especially important to the Eklautu's cultural ideals of becoming one's best self and living out one's ambitions. Many Eklautu priests and theologians even consider the Oshyo to be the descendants of kindred spirits who sought to grant power to those of great patience and dedication.

Common Taboos

Hypocrisy, indifference, dishonesty and disloyalty to one's self, holding doubt or contempt toward the clergy, nonconformity in religious ideals.

Common Myths and Legends

The Eklautu Kalauża have an animistic viewpoint of the worlds of Carcidel, believing it to once be a battleground of conflicted spirits who ravaged a lifeless wasteland that spanned all the worlds. The sun spirit, Reajai, recognized as an instigator of great change, acknowledged the tribulations of the spirits' eternal conflict. Reajai is seen as the origin of sacrifice itself, for it changed it's being to become the sun, and transformed the remaining spirits into forms that reflect their desires and personalities, yet could know an end; becoming the trees, animals, and every other entity known in Carcidel. Many say this was meant to teach the spirits about change and finality, to be a prelude to The Cessation, which is said to be a true end to all entities; where all the stars consume the planets and fade into nothingness. Many interpretations of the legend have arisen among the Kalauża, although the more superstitious Kalauża tend to have very allegorical viewpoints on the natural world, and often invest in elaborate rituals.

by Nasoupey (me)

Origin/Ancestry

Eklautu, N'dasri, Teogheq, Zuyanka