Chume'taly

Basic Information

Anatomy

Their hands aren't at all like human hands but look more like animal paws. They have 5 distinct digits and have opposable thumbs, but their fingers and palms have soft pads. They have elongated fingernails that are reminiscent of claws. They aren't as dexterous as the more humanoid races on Keverynn and they don't feel as much through their hands as most. The pads are quite sensitive, particularly to temperature.

Genetics and Reproduction

The gestation period is usually around 4 months for most types and will sometimes be a little longer. Each pregnancy will produce from one to three cubs. The young have an accelerated development, roughly double the growth seen in human children.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Chume'taly can't process alcohol, it's toxic to them. As a recreational beverage they drink a kind of sweetened milk called nejiin.
While they can process vegetation they require their diets to be at least 60% protein to maintain their health. As a general rule the majority of their food is meat and other protein. They'll eat fruit and other things for the flavour rather than necessity.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Each subspecies is divided into four: a high clan, two mid clans, and a low clan. While each clan has its nobles, the high clan comprises the ruling class.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They tend to all live in Me'chu'sholan Province, though some have gone to live elsewhere.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Each type of Chume'taly has two clan names: a high clan and a low clan.

Major Organizations

Dragonlords

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Chume’taly music is mostly percussive in nature, utilizing drums and reed pipes. They are the only species on Keverynn that uses wind chimes as an instrument. They have a form of ancestor veneration and have a great respect for the ancestors. Jewelry is mostly made of polished wood, but metal work shows up on occasion. Such items are a mark of prestige as they must be imported in.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

These vary from type to type, but only slightly. They wear a shade of green that is nearly black as their mourning color. The body is cleaned, prepared, and dressed in finery and laid out on display for three days before being interred at the base of a tree or among a group of trees. It is believed that doing so allows the spirit of the deceased to permeate into the wood. Funeral trees are never cut.
For those with a higher rank, such as a Dragonlord, they are interred in a grove of trees along with their predecessors. Different family groups have their own tree or small group of trees. Some of these are even located in the city. The wealthier members of society have these groves on their property.

History

342 – First chume’taly member of the Sisterhood of Sword and Sorcery 416 – Chume’shera built 477 – First skirmish between Dragonriders and Darkriders 527 – Chume’taly finish building their forest cities 661 – Provinces established 672 – Dragonlords established 722-740 - First Darkrider Incursion 746 - Laphtu is Green Dragonlord 756 – New calendar created by the Chume’taly astronomer He’charn Clan L’trusha and is implemented soon afterwards, replacing the old calendar 1026 – Second Darkrider Incursion 2084-2087 – Third Darkrider incursion 2207 – Iadrish clan T’kern becomes Green Dragonlord 2208 – Rishna is born 2234 – Tithre Chooses Rishna 2238 – Rishna becomes Green Dragonlord 2256 – Fourth Darkrider Incursion

Common Myths and Legends

Unlike the rest of Keverynn, they believe that the sun Deity is female. They also have differing views on the moons.
Sun They believe that she is a lioness named Keverr. She is said to dwell in a palace at the heart of the sun and watches over the world as the sun moves across the sky. It is the Chume’taly belief that they are all descended from Keverr and her mate Morkshu, He of All forms.
Moons The moons aren’t necessarily female according to the Chume’taly and the names are quite different. Ana-Lashan - Ajai’ilef Ana-Turann - Nubai’ilef Ana-Leta - Xarani’ilef
Ajai – dragon Ilef – moon Nubai – wyvern Xarani – fire
Ajai’ilef is protected by Belaref, a female green dragon as opposed to the silver dragon commonly thought as its protector. This is because the Chume’taly are surrounded by green dragons and it makes more sense to them. Vreshtu, a blue wyvern female, guards Nubai’ilef. Translated into the common tongue, Vreshtu means Stormbringer. Pyore is a male elf who guards Xarani’ilef.
Other notable Chume’taly Deities are Amberyl, Orionas, Morkshu, and Nelorenn.

Lifespan

Approximately 37 years. The longest on record is 53 years.

Average Physique

Dafaum  Males – tall and buff, standing at a maximum of 6’0’’ Females – shorter than the males but also leaning towards the buff side of things. They can grow to a max of 5’7’’
Kehua'kmi  Males – 5’8’’ and lean Females – 5’9’’, lean to buff
Fruppa'kmi  Males – 5’9’’, thin Females – 5’7’’, lean, sleek

Noyolu  Males – 5’5’’, slender Females – 5’7’’, slender

Geographic Distribution

• Me’chu’sholan Province

Related Organizations

• Darkriders

Related Ethnicities

• Dafaum
• Fruppa'kmi
• Kehua'kmi
• Noyolu