Tan

Tan, also called "Tabaxi" are a nomadic group of feline humanoids. Tan are taller than most humans at six to seven feet. Their bodies are slender and covered in spotted or striped fur. Like most felines, Tan have long tails and retractable claws. Tan fur color ranges from light yellow to brownish red. Tan eyes are slit-pupilled and usually green or yellow. Tan are competent swimmers and climbers as well as speedy runners. They have a good sense of balance and an acute sense of smell.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Tamrust Ullah, Tamenna Ahsan, Taljat Farid, Aldjya Kamal, Tayttutt Daoud, Luna Mattar, Tanazârt Hammad, Tingh Awan, Benat Sharif, Thengadh Nasr, Zouara Shaheed, Thiynay Hussein, Laddu Yousef, Mada Hussain, Ghnima Salloum, Tagwilalt Masood, Tudert Samra, Tarounga Latif, Hnata Irani, Fabia Mustafa, Ksou Bacchus, Thati Salik, Tazrzit Rafiq, Tanazârt Momin, Thumer Ben, Metuza Gaber, Menza Rehmann, Tlafulki Hares, Tilleli Zaki, Yarra Dia

Masculine names

Agwillul Karimi, Abelius Dajani, Akatelaji Abbasi, Meslagh Baig, Fergan Hosseini, Dasi Halaby, Aghzu Riaz, Iksin Amara, Betalsa Shariff, Fejjer Rehmann, Gildun Salik, Yellel Sayed, Isul Shahan, Akensus Latif, Asfru Hashim, Ifwin Salek, Intasen Sharif, Mezgeld Kamara, Makurgund Sinai, Masel Farra, Meghraw Zaki, Bersi Begum, Ghaysum Iman, Amassine Muhammad, Jugurthen Baccus, Yam Sabir, Anka Kazmi, Furu Mohiuddin, Banay Masri, Azrur Younes

Culture

Art & Architecture

Tan are excellent masons who take great pride in building fine structures with little need for mortar, though not entirely a form of dry masonry. These perfectly cut square blocks are meant to contrast their chaotic nomadic lifestyle helping to give order to the land, like a parent creates order for the family. This type of masonry is especially important in shrines or honorary structures like temples and tombs where it also signifies a form of reverence for order among the family and community.

Funerary and Memorial customs

In Tan society the dead were heavily revered and those with power or influence were given expensive burials. The bodies are carefully wrapped in thin linen cloth and then painted with ochre. Those with wealth would also be buried with shells of ostrich eggs, jewelry, and weapons. Most bodies were interred in the fetal position with the knees tucked against the chest. The Tan believe that the spirits would linger upon the material plane and could be consulted by priests during dreaming. This is accomplished through a ritual of songs after which the priest would sleep in the cave of the tomb or near the grave, sometimes for consecutive nights until the spirit answered. Recently the Tan have begun building conical tombs of wood, plaster, and earth in communities they live to hold the remains of wealthy families.