Physical Description and Geographic Location-
Located on the Eastern Plains region and Southern Coasts of Shontari.
- Stature and Build: Fenlir Tabaxi are slightly smaller but more muscular than their traditional counterparts, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on physical strength. They have a sturdy and athletic build, with broad shoulders and powerful limbs adapted for long-distance running and mounted combat.
- Fur and Coat Patterns: Their fur tends to be thicker and more rugged, suited for life on the open plains and in harsh weather conditions. The coloration of their coats varies widely, ranging from earthy tones like tan, brown, and gray to more vibrant shades of orange, gold, and amber. Their coats often feature intricate patterns and markings, resembling the patterns of the grasslands and savannas where they roam.
- Tail Length and Structure: Unlike traditional Tabaxi, whose tails are long and slender, Fenlir Tabaxi have shorter, more robust tails that provide them with balance and agility while riding their cheetah mounts. Their tails are often adorned with decorative ornaments or braids, symbolizing their status and identity within their tribe.
- Claws and Teeth: Fenlir Tabaxi possess retractable claws and sharp teeth, which they use for hunting, climbing, and self-defense. Their claws are strong and durable, capable of gripping the reins of their mounts or wielding weapons with deadly precision. Despite their predatory nature, Fenlir Tabaxi are known for their keen intellect and diplomatic skills, making them formidable warriors and skilled negotiators on the battlefield and in diplomacy.
- Facial Features: Fenlir Tabaxi have distinct facial features, with broad muzzles, tufted ears, and piercing eyes that reflect their keen senses and predatory instincts. Their eyes come in a variety of colors, including amber, green, and gold, and are known for their intense and penetrating gaze.
Gods-
The Fenlir tabaxi have a reverence for the neutral pantheon, as well as considering nature itself as sacred, but have a special reverence for
The Guide , the Tide, and
The Servant .
Cultural Aspects-
- Nomadic Lifestyle: The Fenlir tribes are nomadic, traversing the vast grasslands of the Shotari Plains with their herds of Cheetah mounts. They live in portable yurts made from felt and hide, allowing them to quickly set up camp wherever they roam. Their lifestyle revolves around following the seasonal migrations of their prey and ensuring the well-being of their cheetah companions.
- Cheetah Bonding Rituals: From a young age, Fenlir Tabaxi form a deep bond with their cheetahs through sacred bonding rituals passed down through generations. These rituals involve intricate ceremonies and rites of passage, strengthening the bond between rider and mount and imbuing them with a shared sense of purpose and destiny.
- Mastery of Archery: The Fenlir tribes are renowned for their mastery of archery, a skill honed through years of hunting on the open plains. Mounted archery is a central aspect of Fenlir warfare, with riders wielding composite bows from the backs of their swift cheetahs to devastating effect. Archery competitions and contests are held regularly among the tribes to showcase their prowess and skill.
- Code of Honor and Hospitality: Despite their fierce reputation in battle, the Fenlir tribes adhere to a strict code of honor and hospitality. They believe in treating guests with respect and kindness, offering food, shelter, and protection to travelers in need. Hospitality is considered a sacred duty among the tribes, and breaking this code is seen as a grave dishonor.
- Spiritual Connection to Nature: The Fenlir tribes have a deep spiritual connection to the natural world, viewing the Shotari Plains and its inhabitants as sacred and worthy of reverence. They worship the spirits of the land and the sky, performing rituals and ceremonies to honor and appease them. Shamans and spiritual leaders play a vital role in Fenlir society, acting as intermediaries between the tribes and the spirit world.
- Celebration of Heritage: Despite their nomadic lifestyle, the Fenlir tribes take great pride in their cultural heritage and ancestry. They celebrate their history and traditions through storytelling, music, dance, and art, passing down oral histories and legends from generation to generation. Festivals and gatherings are held regularly to commemorate important events and honor the achievements of their ancestors. This is one of the few times that diffrent tribes will gather together for these massive celebrations of culture in ansestral grounds.
Major Tribes-
Khanate of the Golden Steppe
- Mostly located in the Eastern Plains, the largest and most unified of the Tribes
- The Khanate of the Golden Steppe is known for its adherence to traditional nomadic customs and its unwavering commitment to the old ways. Led by a wise and respected Khan, they roam the vast grasslands of the Shotari Plains with their herds of Cheetah, following ancient migratory routes and upholding the sacred bond between rider and mount.
- Their belief system is deeply rooted in animism and shamanism, with a strong emphasis on honoring the spirits of nature and the ancestors. They believe in living in harmony with the land and view the Shotari Plains as a sacred realm that must be protected and preserved for future generations.
- The Khanate values strength, courage, and loyalty above all else, and they pride themselves on their fierce independence and self-sufficiency. They are wary of outsiders and maintain a strict policy of neutrality in the conflicts that plague the region, preferring to focus on the well-being of their own tribe.
- Take a great amount of pride that the Great Khan Windwalker was origionally of thier tribe.
The City-States of Mowgon:
- Mowgon is a bustling metropolis located along the southern coast of the Shotari Plains, founded by a splinter group of Fenlir Tabaxi who chose to abandon the nomadic lifestyle in favor of settling in one place. They have embraced the trappings of civilization, building grand palaces, markets, and temples within the city walls.
- Unlike the Khanate, Mowgon is a melting pot of cultures and beliefs, with Fenlir, Roma dwarves, Herdics, and other races living side by side in relative harmony. The city-state is ruled by a council of elders from different tribes and backgrounds, each representing their own interests and constituencies.
- Mowgon is known for its thriving trade networks, vibrant cultural scene, and diverse population. While they maintain ties with their nomadic brethren, they have adopted a more cosmopolitan worldview, embracing new ideas and technologies from across the continent.
- In recent decades, a small colection of other Fenlirian cities have sprung up nearby Mewgon along the coast, as trade thrives with the other nations of th eocntinent.
The Celestial Confederation:
- Primarily located in the North Eastern Regions
- The Celestial Confederation is a loose confederacy of smaller tribes that venerate the celestial bodies and the forces of the heavens. They believe that the movements of the stars and planets hold the key to understanding the world and shaping their destiny. Each tribe within the confederation is associated with a specific celestial body, such as the sun, moon, or stars.
- The tribes of the Celestial Confederation are renowned for their mastery of celestial magic and astrology, using their knowledge to predict the future, guide their decisions, and communicate with the divine. They often hold elaborate rituals and ceremonies under the open sky, seeking guidance and blessings from the celestial powers.
- While the Celestial Confederation shares a common belief in the importance of celestial forces, they are divided by internal rivalries and power struggles. Each tribe believes that their chosen celestial body is the most powerful and deserving of reverence, leading to occasional conflicts and tensions within the confederation.
History-
- Ancient Origins: The Fenlir Tabaxi trace their origins to the vast grasslands of the Shotari Plains, where they lived in harmony with nature as nomadic tribes. For centuries, they roamed the plains, hunting the abundant wildlife and living off the land.
- Life Under the Dominion of Dragons: The peaceful existence of the Fenlir tribes was shattered when dragons descended upon the Shotari Plains, asserting their dominance over the land and its inhabitants along with the rest of the continent. Forced into servitude and oppression, the Fenlir Tabaxi endured centuries of hardship and suffering under draconic rule, their once-proud culture and traditions suppressed by their draconic overlords.
- Rise of Great Khan Temujin Windwalker: Amidst the darkness of draconic tyranny, a legendary figure emerged to unite the fractured tribes and lead them in rebellion against their oppressors. Great Khan Temujin Windwalker, a visionary leader and skilled warrior, rallied the Fenlir tribes under a single banner.
- Rebellion: Inspired by Great Khan Temujin's leadership and bravery, the Fenlir Tabaxi joined forces with other races and factions, led by the Great Khan and other mebers of the legendary "15", to overthrow the dragons and reclaim their freedom. Together, they waged a long and bloody war against their draconic overlords, culminating in a decisive victory that shattered the dragons' hold over the continent.
- Disappearance of Great Khan Temujin: With the defeat of the dragons, Great Khan Temujin Windwalker vanished without a trace, leaving behind a legacy of unity and defiance that would echo through the ages. Without his leadership, the Fenlir tribes fell back into disunion, their once-united alliance fracturing into rival factions and warring clans.
- Modern Day Disunity: In the modern day, the Fenlir tribes remain divided and scattered across the Shotari Plains, each pursuing their own interests and agendas. While some tribes continue to uphold the traditions of their ancestors, others have embraced new ways of life, settling in cities or forging alliances with outside powers. Yet, despite their differences, the spirit of unity and resilience instilled by Great Khan Temujin Windwalker lives on in the hearts of the Fenlir Tabaxi, inspiring hope for a brighter future amidst the chaos of the present.
Other Notes-
