Koshmin
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid, however one key difference is their digitigrade legs and tail.
Biological Traits
Koshmin are a unique race in that they are incredibly varied in the forms they are born in. They have been many reported subspecies, some being humanoid in shape and others being almost identical in shape and appearance to a regular house cat. The form the Koshmin take are as varied as the people are, and it is still an utter mystery not only of their origins but also of how their race can be so diverse. However before going into the different known sub-species, there are some common traits among them all: all have feline like features (though the degree they are shown varies), they have senses similar to a cat, and they have claws that can be used as weapons. With that said, the different subspecies are:
- Polshu: These Koshmin are the most similar to humans in appearance, having the least amount of fur that only shows upon their arms, legs, and around their neck. Besides having feline ears, eyes, and a tail, they are physically speaking similar to a baseline human. They are one of the more common subspecies of Koshmin that can be encountered. Due to their resemblance to humans, they typically put face paint on their faces in patterns that resemble feline features.
- Casuth: Casuth are by far the most common form of Koshmin to walk the world. While they are similar in height to the Polshu, the Casuth are much more cat like in appearance with their high set ears and feline facial features. They also have a tail and digitigrade legs, and possess claws to use as weapons or as tools. They are incredibly agile and as stated before are the most widespread of their kind.
- Dathai-Ro: Resembling Jaguars, the Dathai-Ro possess a greater stature and strength over their Casuth cousins. Said to embody the wild spirt of the jungles, they are some of the toughest of their kind, while also being adept at sneaking around places.
- Sagihat: Physically resembling Casuth, the Sagihat are a more forest dwelling sub species that are said to embody some trace form of fey like energy in them. This means that they are excellent druids and spellcasters, and seek to be in harmony with the natural world and all its living beings.
- Rahmar: While similar in appearance to legends of "tiger men" in old Al-Hinoso tales, the Rahmar are an entirely different species than these demonic creatures. Resembling tigers, they are the tallest of the Koshmin, at around 7-8ft tall, and also the strongest. They are known as fierce warriors and loyal protectors, and are known to let out terrifying roars.
- Rafira: By far the rarest of their kind to be encountered outside of their mythical homeland, the Rafira are strange in that instead of a humanoid shape, they are effectively a regular housecat. However they are fully sentient like the rest of their kind, as well as being capable of speech, and make up for their small size and lack of thumbs with a truly shocking trait: they are wells of almost completely stable magic. This is the only example of relatively safe arcane spellcasting in the world, meaning that many wizards seek them out, but few are ever found.
Genetics and Reproduction
Koshmin reproduce sexually, with a gestation period of about 6 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Koshmin mature at around the same rate as humans
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Supposedly hailing from a great island in the sky, the Koshmin have spread largely across the world, with large tribes being found in Ustaria to Ashenfeld, and smaller tribes scattered across the world. They supposedly hail from a floating island high above the clouds named "Nowhyere", the exact location of which is unknown. However some theories place it above the lands of Ustaria.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Koshmin share senses similar to other feline species, meaning they have excellent eyesight compared to typical humans
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The naming structure of the Koshmin strangely enough shares some similarities with two other languages: namely a strange combination of the Tajiric and Rustil languages. The reason for this is unknown, but it has also been observed that some (but not all) Koshmin have a prefix before their name. This prefix can be for example: Do, meaning a skilled warrior.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Nurin is the common tongue among the vast Koshmin race, and while its easy for them to speak it, it can be difficult but not impossible for an outsider of a different species to learn how to speak the tongue. However it should be noted that the Koshmin have a strange..."accent" is the best word. Due to cultural reasons pertaining to their beliefs of the wholeness of their race, while they are perfectly capable of speaking in first person, many instead speak in the third person. For example, instead of saying "I" they might say "this one". It means the same ting in the end, signaling out themselves from a group, but it can cause some confusion with foreigners. Though again, they are perfectly capable of speaking in the first person, its just they are more used to speaking in the third back in their homeland.
Common Dress Code
Their homeland supposedly has some of the most rare and beautiful silk and fabrics that even make the rich lands of Catai jealous. As such, traditonal Koshmin dress is very colorful and fancy looking, which can make it quite useful to draw in crowds of foreigners to barter with. However they aren't stupid, and will also wear whatever clothing style best fits the terrain they are in at the time.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The culture of the Koshmin is a largely nomadic way of life, with family traveling together in caravans across the land. While this opens them up to great danger, it also helps feed their curious nature. However while nomadic, it is said that upon the island of Nowhyere there are some established cities scattered around. Having said that, some Koshmin have commented that this way of life is largely inspired by the wind and the moon, seeing as how they always move in great cycles, so too does the Koshmin. They value the journey of life and so wish to embrace the many sensations that it has to offer. Due to their closeness together, Koshmin are raised from birth to value and cherish how close one another in their caravan tribes are, and they feel as if they can experience the world through their families and friends eyes as well as their own.
History
Regrettably, there is little physical evidence as to the origin of the Koshmin people. Their origins they claim lie up in the sky, for they hail from a mythical floating island far above the clouds, named Nowhyere. This "Nowhyere" is hidden from all outsiders, and those Koshmin outside their homeland rarely speak of its location. Supposedly they were born of the great spirts of the wind and the moon, with these concepts forming important parts of their culture. They hold that their creators birthed them into this world so as to give them a chance to grow away from the horrible realities of the rest of the world, to grow uncorrupted by the barbarities of Tertara. However, in the end their creator could not contain the ever curious nature of their children, and so eventually gave them the means to travel to the world beyond. The first reported contact was in the lands of Ustaria, in which shortly after many of their kind took to traveling around the local area and then the wider world. Since than they have formed numerous nomadic caravans, often as traveling merchants, to explore the world that their curious nature drives them to explore.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Koshmin are viewed as a strange people, and there is largely still some confusion as to what they are in general. Most of the time people will run into them as part of traveling merchant caravans, where they barter with goods from their homeland with others for supplies and other trinkets. There is a stereotype of them being untrustworthy thieves and liars, and while yes they can be found in the business of thievery and racketeering, like any stereotype it is but a gross exaggeration. While they are certainly strange, there is no one positive or negative opinion the wider world has on the Koshmin, only that they are some of the most mysterious people walking around today, as well as one of the youngest, having only been discovered roughly around the year 3250EC
Lifespan
Vary greatly, ranging from about 80-400 years
Average Height
Varies depending on subspecies:
Polshu: Around 5ft tall
Casuth: 5ft tall, rarely taller than that
Dathai-Ro: 5-6ft tall
Sagihat: 3-4ft tall
Rahmar: 7-8ft tall
Rafira: 1ft tall, around the same height as a typical housecat
Average Physique
Varies by Subrace
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Varies depending on the subrace they belong to.
