Itiikanai
Spirit Talkers
Who are the Itiikanai?
The Itiikanai are a subculture of the Kraa and Jaylieei subraces of Kavenai. The Itiikanai live in the Itii Mountains and Kanai Caves of Kevanti, two places that are said to be the spiritual center of the Kevari existence.
What makes the Itiikanai special?
The Itiikanai are a hugely faithful group of Kavenai whom dedicate their lives to the care of the dead. It is not only believed, but well documented, that the Itiikanai possess the ability to speak with the spirits of the deceased. Though some outside observers believe this to be mere parlor tricks and clever speechcraft akin to how Humans view psychics, there's not a Kavenai alive or dead that would dare deny the harsh reality of which the Itiikanai live and practice on a daily basis.
Can anyone become an Itiikanai?
The cases of outsiders joining the Itiikanai are so extremely rare, that every one to happen since writing has existed on Kevanti is documented to a frankly excessive level of detail. Everything about the life of that Itiikanai is documented, from where they were born, who their parents were, and how their spirit-talking was first observed to how they died and the things they said from beyond the grave. Most Itiikanai born in the clan do not get that same treatment. It is believed that this is because spirit-talking is a genetic trait, and the Itiikanai are studying it to attempt to learn what causes it and why not every Kavenai can do it.
Can the Itiikanai talk to all spirits or just the spirits of Kavenai?
This is a hotly debated topic among the Kevari Magi Circle. The Itiikanai document their dealings and talks with the spirits to the tiniest detail, leaving nothing to be misinterpreted. There are multiple references to Itiikanai talking with spirits that resembled Ahsi or Yecixĩu or creatures as yet undocumented anywhere else. However, the Magi cannot agree upon whether the Itiikanai are communicating with the spirits of deceased aliens, or simply ones that are asleep. This is mostly up for debate due to several documented cases of Itiisali oddly being affected by, and able to utilize, the Ahsi ability to telepathically communicate.
Do all Itiikanai live in the Itii Mountains and Kanai Caves?
No, not by any stretch of the imagination. Those places are just where their two main settlements are located. Some Itiikanai live in the Magi Schools and teach classes on how to properly address spirits when one comes across them, others live in the cities and work as grief councilors or murder investigators. Itiikanai working with the Church of Itii or the Magi Circle are the only people authorized to preform traditional Kevari funerals, which can be done even without a body, but cannot be done without an Itiikanai speaking with the spirit of the deceased to insure they're actually dead. Because of the Itiikanai, the Kevari are one of the few people who never have to deal with a "missing presumed dead" person showing back up, absolutely not dead in the slightest.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
All Itiikanai given names are considered to be unisex, in accordance with the Kevari tradition of self-gendering, parents are not allowed to "gender" their child at birth, as the Itiikanai have proven many times over that there is no spiritual difference between an "egg-layer" and an "egg-hatcher".
Common Itiikanai given names are usually colors, descriptors, flowers, or the sight the egg-hatcher saw, or event that happened, when the egg hatched. Things like:
Family names
Common Itiikanai family names consist of either the prefix "Itii" which means "spirit" or the root "kan" which means "to talk; to communicate". Some examples include:
Itiipa, Itiikaan, Itiitela, Itiikan, Kaniiti, Kaniri, Kanjay, Kanyee, and Rakan
Culture
Historical figures
Kanaii Rakaitii was the Itiikanai who performed the funeral rites for the first Kevari representative on the Council of Representatives.
Ideals
Courtship Ideals
Most Itiikanai will not date someone who does not believe that spirits are real. As such, it is extremely rare to see an Itiikanai in a relationship with a Human.
Itiikanai courtship rituals include asking spirits for advice on how to impress each other, dancing or singing, buying gifts, and presenting vulnerabilities.
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