Fisi

Afisi (singular fisi) are hyena-like humanoids who live on the savannahs of Notia. They have a tribal culture based on matrilineal clans ruled by a female clan chief.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Afisi mature more quickly than almost any other sapient species, reaching adulthood as young as five. They live to be around thirty years old on average and do not begin to show signs of ageing until the last few years of their lifespan. Juvenile afisi are darker in colouration than adults and lighten as they reach maturity.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Most afisi form matriarchal clans based on matrilineal descent. When a clan chief dies, the leadership typically passes to her oldest daughter. Unlike most sapient species, afisi prefer competition over cooperation, rarely helping to raise each other's young. Instead, they compete for resources to feed their own families.
Fisi society is matriarchal and nepotistic, with all female clan members ranking higher than the most dominant male, and daughters ranking just below their mother. This order is maintained through the weight of tradition, although individual rankings can shift through disputes or even violence.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Most afisi live in Notia, but a few have begun to travel as far north as the southern parts of Mesia and into Dysia.

Average Intelligence

Having only relatively recently evolved sapience, afisi tend to be less intelligent on average compared to most other sapient races.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Fisi names are ungendered, with the same names used for both male and female children. Given names tend to be three to four syllables long, or rarely five. However, afisi rarely share their full name with outsiders. Instead, they go by a shortened name of one to two syllables paired with their clan name. For example, a fisi named Thokozani would introduce herself to a human as Thoko Sarr, with Sarr being the name of her clan. Names tend to end in vowels.

Example Given Names

Alinafe, Chifundo, Chifuniro, Chikondi, Chikumbutso, Chimwemwe, Chisomo, Chiyembekezo, Dalitso, Fatsani, Ganizani, Kondwani, Kumbukani, Limbani, Limbikani, Madalitso, Mavuto, Mayamiko, Mayeso, Mphatso, Mtendere, Pemphero, Pilirani, Tadala, Takondwa, Tamandani, Thokozani, Tiyamike, Yamikani, Zikomo

Example Short Names

Ali, Chifu, Chiku, Chiye, Dali, Dani, Fata, Gani, Kani, Kezo, Komo, Kona, Kondi, Kumbu, Limbi, Lina, Litso, Mada, Mavu, Maya, Miko, Nafe, Niro, Pempe, Pili, Rani, Sani, Tada, Tako, Tama, Thoko, Tiya, Yami, Yembe, Zani, Ziko

Beauty Ideals

Many afisi adorn their fur with paints and dyes in bold primary colours and earth tones. Some clans have traditions of scarification for beauty purposes, deliberately scarring areas of their flesh in patterns that will then be reflected and amplified by their fur growth.

Gender Ideals

Since female afisi tend to be larger and stronger than males, it is the women who do the majority of the hunting and fighting in a fisi clan. Males are expected to be submissive and fawning, while females are more dominant.

Average Technological Level

Many of the tools and equipment used by afisi are looted from the corpses or settlements of their enemies and rivals. This allows them access to weapons, armour and tools of a quality much higher than they can manufacture themselves, and has even stunted their efforts to develop their own traditions of craftsmanship.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The afisi speak several dialects of Hotuba. Hotuba has no written form, but they occasionally use basic pictograms to leave messages for each other, and some afisi have learned to read and write in Common.

Common Taboos

Unlike most cultures, afisi do not have a taboo against cannibalism. They will willingly eat the flesh of other sapients, including their own species. In fact, it is an important part of their culture, as eating the dead is seen as a way of gaining their strength.

Common Myths and Legends

One legend which is commonly told to fisi children is the story of how the afisi came to be. According to the legend, the first afisi were hyenas who ate the flesh of a dead god.

Scientific Name

Crocuta sapiens

Lifespan

30 years

Average Height

7-8 feet

Average Physique

Female afisi tend to be larger and stronger than their male counterparts, closer to eight feet than seven. Even a male fisi, however, is tall compared to a human or elf.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Yellowish-brown fur with dark brown spots.

Related Myths

• How the Afisi Came To Be