Ka-Tar

Nevurdul's True Natives

The Ka-Tar are a mainly-tribal race that inhabits Nevurdul. Many of them work in close-knit tribes in the central plains. Others live in settlements, either by choice, or for lack of better options. They are a territorial, cautious people, but it's because of this they are the most independent inhabitants on the island.

Physiology

Ka-Tar are essentially feline humans. They tend to have lean, muscular bodies covered in fur. This fur comes in a variety of colors, which seem to be passed down genetically. The length of the fur is also based on genetics. Ka-Tar have pointed, feline ears atop their heads, and long tails. Their eyes are narrow and slit-pupiled. Every Ka-Tar has retractable claws in their hands.

History

General

For centuries, the Ka-Tar have lived on Nevurdul. Predating any history book, and possibly even the ancient Cepharrians, there have been signs of their presence.

After the founding of Remington Kingdom, as well as other settlements, the Ka-Tar began to migrate toward Nevurdul's less-inhabited central plains. Many tribes that settled here continued to grow and expand into small networks amongst each other, where they continue to thrive to this day.

Ka-Tish

In Ka-Tish culture, their history stretches back thousands of years to a time when the world had been decimated. They believe the world has gone through the same cycle over and over again, from the founding of civilizations, to the advancements of technology, to the inevitable wars, and finally, to the destruction of itself. A continuous, never-ending cycle.

After yet another of these cycles, through the will of the land itself, a being was given a body made from the ash of war and given life from the fire of the scorched earth. This being would be known as the first of their kind, named Ka-Tar.

Over the years, more of their kind would rise from the ashes and begin to heal the land of that which tainted it. In order to keep them from advancing too far and becoming what they oppose, the Ka-Tar were destined to bear female children rarely. They became guardian sworn to protect the land. Not only that, but they would work to preserve the land and prevent civilization from advancing to the point of extinction once more.

Culture

Lifestyle

Homes:

Ka-Tish tribes are a common sight in Nevurdul's plains. Each tribe houses anywhere from a dozen to just shy of 100. The homes are made from living trees, which the Ka-Tar use as a foundation. They bend the branches down to create a dome-like shape and, using cured leather, mud, and straw to create the roofs and walls. Tribes vary wildly on what sorts of building it has, but generally each tribe will have a community building for meetings, and a building for the Chief to meet with his advisors.

Hunting:

While on the surface Ka-Tar seem savage and uncultured, they are actually very knowledgeable of and respectful to the flora and fauna around them. Ka-Tar avoid overhunting, and actively work to keep the ecosystem working well. They don't create farms in their territory; rather, they locate where a crop is naturally growing and nurture that location instead.

When hunting, the Ka-Tar never go alone. Hunting parties typically consist of 5-10 people; always male. This pack is led by the Pack Leader. This rank is given out by Chiefs and Elders to those who have shown exceptional skills in leadership and strategy. It's understood that Pack Leaders bear the responsibility of the hunters who travel with them, and thus are expected to die protecting the pack. If a Pack Leader returns home without their pack, they will surely be exiled.

Ka-Tar use weapons made out of wood and bone. They often use spears, bows, and knives. The Ka-Tar tend to avoid wielding weapons they did not create. Weapons and armor of fallen adventurers that Ka-Tar find are regarded as trash, and thus disposed of.

Trade:

The strength of the tribe relies on its people. The Ka-Tar do not allow pride to prevent them from getting what they need. Many of the tribes in the central plains have engaged in trade with one another. Whether it be food, material, or even people, it's common to see tribes in good graces with one another. At the very least, even if some tribes disagree with one another's methods, it's common practice to trade children at a young age. This is in an effort to cleanse the gene pool, and avoid incestual relations. Apart from that, the Ka-Tar often disregard blood relations altogether. Any member of the tribe is considered family as much as any blood relative.

Women:

Ka-Tar women are much rarer than men; somewhere between 10-20%. As such, they are seen as highly valuable and to be protected at all cost, so as to preserve and continue the tribe. The women are not allowed to hunt, fight, or even step foot outside of the tribe's territory without a full pack accompanying them. Ka-Tish women don't take offense to this, however. Most understand that they have just as much, if not more, responsibility than the men, and they are much more pivotal to the tribe's success. Women will often build shelters, cook meals, look after children, and other responsibilities that focus on looking after the tribe from home.

Leadership

Ka-Tish tribes are ruled over by a single leader, called a Chief. The Chief is always male, and is chosen based on set parameters, all of which vary from tribe to tribe. Once of Chief is chosen, he is in charge of organizing hunting parties, keeping up good relations with other tribes, being aware of potential hazards, being a source of morale, and many, many other duties. A Chief will stay in their position unless one of three conditions are met: he dies, the tribe collectively does not acknowledge him as Chief, or if he steps down voluntarily. In any of these situations, the same procedure for that tribe comes into play to decide a new Chief.

The Chief's wife also shares many of the responsibilities of the Chief himself. It's not required for a Chief to have a wife, but it is quite common. The Chief's wife is seen as an equal to the Chief in rank, and bears many of the same responsibilities. In addition, she is in charge of looking after the other women in the tribe, and ensuring their population remains large and diverse.

If a Chief has remained in power for many years and was respected by the tribe during that time, they may become an Elder, if they wish. Elders are a collection of the most experienced members of the tribe, who still wish to contribute to its success. They act as a counsel of advisors to the Chief, offering suggestions and advice. Pack Leaders and other highly-respected contributors to the tribe will often become Elders, as well.

Customs

Disposing of the Dead:

Ka-Tar have stayed true to many of their traditions over the years. At the time of death, whether natural or unnatural, Ka-Tar always burn the body to ash. They believe that a corpse acts as a prison for the soul, trapping it. Burning the body acts as a way of freeing the soul. It's not uncommon for some less territorial tribes to simply burn the bodies of non-Ka-Tar when they see them.

Once burned to ash, those ashes are mixed with several herbs and planted in the ground. The mixture provides nutrients for a sapling, which will one day grow into a tree. It is believed that these trees hold a piece of the deceased. All Ka-Tish tribes will have what is effectively a "tree graveyard", which is the most sacred and precious part of the tribe. Many tribes who have survived for many generations will have what is large clusters of trees; each one representing a fallen Ka-Tar.

Once planted and grown, the goal then is to allow the tree to die naturally. This releases the last piece of the deceased's soul, and allows them to be reborn as a person once again. If the tree is destroyed through unnatural means, such as burning it down or ripping it from the soil, it is believed that this kills the soul, so it will never again inhabit their world. Destroying one of these trees is considered the most heinous of crimes, and is punishable by death.

Root Binding:

When a Ka-Tar woman turns 12, it is considered her time to be bound to a male for the rest of their lives. This ceremony is called a Root Binding. First, the woman and her birth mother craft a ceremonial garment, made from the leaves of her ancestors' trees. Next, some of those same leaves are boiled in a pot of water, along with a twisted, gnarled root. The way the male is chosen varies based on tribe. Some base it off who has the best genetics, who has accomplished the most, or some even allow the woman to decide. But the male is always a member of a different tribe.

The pair are walked to the center of the tribe, surrounded by both families. Both the man and woman hold hands with one another, keeping their arms out in front. The woman's father then takes the root, now softened from the boiling water, and wraps it around their wrists, creating a twist that looks like an eight. Both individuals then recite some sacred words while the root hardens, where it is then removed and given to the woman's mother, as it is then her responsibility to keep her daughter faithful to the male. The woman and man then drink from the boiled water, forever binding them to one another. Once this ritual has been complete, the male officially becomes a member of the woman's tribe.

Notable Ka-Tar

• Sasha Densharr
• Sikvala "Sidge" Tekeshh
• Osho Densharr
• Yassen Densharr
• Cur Tekeshh
• Tashar Densharr
• Nadia Densharr
• Dimo Densharr
• Toma Densharr
• Skor Densharr
• Nikar & Namar Densharr
• Ryka
• Namid

Trivia

• Ka-Tar Trivia goes here.

Lifespan: 80-100 years
Creature Type: Humanoid
Languages: Common, Ka-Tish