Chikiosa
The Chikiosa are a race of anthropoidal mammals that are most known for following a particular code of honor.
Standing just a little shorter than your average human, they are a lithe and dexterous race. Their legs are digitigrade, giving them a level of personal mobility that most other species can't match. Which is good, considering their strength quotient is very much on the low side. They won't be winning contests of muscle, unless they start wrestling with an Ubit. Their most striking feature is the pair of antlers that grow close to the skull, creating a sort of natural crown.
Born on the planet Yurikalei , a beautiful garden world that allowed their society to develop in relative peace, their early history is earmarked by tribal living with relatively small contact between the tribes. Peaceful as it was, the idea of a solid, overarching government developed a lot later than in most societies. For much of their history, the Chikiosa lived in tightly knit communities that were, at best, similar to a city-state in size. While these villages, towns, and cities did start to conglomerate together at the start of the Chikiosa's iron age, due to alliance or conquest, the real conquest was done by a single individual.
While their name and personal details are lost to time, or erased by the individual themselves if some theories are to be believed, they are known simply by the products of their work. A script known as The Ijigu .
While there is a whole story attached to its introduction and implementation, it all boils down to the ancient tome guiding the creation of a sort of 'warrior caste' within Chikiosan society. Their school of thought soon growing so popular that it became ubiquitous. Skilled, efficient, but most importantly principled, this new class provided a sort of moral backbone to the species. Regardless of who they worked for or the form of the government at the time the Kasjo, as they became to be known, developed a reputation for maintaining their own stance on matters, and fighting for it should it become necessary.
The epitome of the 'warrior poet', their script instructs them in a school of thought and martial technique both.
With a reputation like that, you might think that their code was something easily defined. A set of bullet points for them to adhere to, like a police force. Nothing like that is found between the covers of the Ijigu. It is closer to a spiritual guide. The lessons of a teacher, placed before a student to accept. Were two individuals to think about the same contents of the Ijigu, completely separate from each other, they might come to completely different conclusions. And both are equally correct.
Against the modern backdrop, the Kasjo have nurtured a reputation as honorable mercenaries. Traveling planet to planet in search of work and those in need, like some sort of Aethernet broadcast. Of course, each one has a different opinion on what the 'right' course of action is, so it can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some take it upon themselves to train the locals to defend themselves from raiders. Others decide that a frontier town's protection falls solely upon their shoulders and their group, however small, stands as a bulwark against the chaos. Where ever the Kasjo go, grateful civilians are usually left in their wake. Usually.
This has had an unintended side effect, however, of spreading the military assets of the Chikiosa over an impossible distance. A fraction of the trained Kasjo, let alone veterans of the order, remain in kasjo space. Most will, however, return if called by their home-world but the time it will take for them all to gather is a strategic deathblow to any defense the Chikiosa might have to undertake. As such, large militias have been constructed, often under the command of planetary governors or regional officials. A move that has created tension between the government and the kasjo.
Standing just a little shorter than your average human, they are a lithe and dexterous race. Their legs are digitigrade, giving them a level of personal mobility that most other species can't match. Which is good, considering their strength quotient is very much on the low side. They won't be winning contests of muscle, unless they start wrestling with an Ubit. Their most striking feature is the pair of antlers that grow close to the skull, creating a sort of natural crown.
Born on the planet Yurikalei , a beautiful garden world that allowed their society to develop in relative peace, their early history is earmarked by tribal living with relatively small contact between the tribes. Peaceful as it was, the idea of a solid, overarching government developed a lot later than in most societies. For much of their history, the Chikiosa lived in tightly knit communities that were, at best, similar to a city-state in size. While these villages, towns, and cities did start to conglomerate together at the start of the Chikiosa's iron age, due to alliance or conquest, the real conquest was done by a single individual.
While their name and personal details are lost to time, or erased by the individual themselves if some theories are to be believed, they are known simply by the products of their work. A script known as The Ijigu .
While there is a whole story attached to its introduction and implementation, it all boils down to the ancient tome guiding the creation of a sort of 'warrior caste' within Chikiosan society. Their school of thought soon growing so popular that it became ubiquitous. Skilled, efficient, but most importantly principled, this new class provided a sort of moral backbone to the species. Regardless of who they worked for or the form of the government at the time the Kasjo, as they became to be known, developed a reputation for maintaining their own stance on matters, and fighting for it should it become necessary.
The epitome of the 'warrior poet', their script instructs them in a school of thought and martial technique both.
With a reputation like that, you might think that their code was something easily defined. A set of bullet points for them to adhere to, like a police force. Nothing like that is found between the covers of the Ijigu. It is closer to a spiritual guide. The lessons of a teacher, placed before a student to accept. Were two individuals to think about the same contents of the Ijigu, completely separate from each other, they might come to completely different conclusions. And both are equally correct.
Against the modern backdrop, the Kasjo have nurtured a reputation as honorable mercenaries. Traveling planet to planet in search of work and those in need, like some sort of Aethernet broadcast. Of course, each one has a different opinion on what the 'right' course of action is, so it can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some take it upon themselves to train the locals to defend themselves from raiders. Others decide that a frontier town's protection falls solely upon their shoulders and their group, however small, stands as a bulwark against the chaos. Where ever the Kasjo go, grateful civilians are usually left in their wake. Usually.
This has had an unintended side effect, however, of spreading the military assets of the Chikiosa over an impossible distance. A fraction of the trained Kasjo, let alone veterans of the order, remain in kasjo space. Most will, however, return if called by their home-world but the time it will take for them all to gather is a strategic deathblow to any defense the Chikiosa might have to undertake. As such, large militias have been constructed, often under the command of planetary governors or regional officials. A move that has created tension between the government and the kasjo.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Anthropoidal with digitigrade legs, they have slightly more muscle development below the waist leading to high top speeds and great dexterity.
The foot separates into into three toes that support most of the bodies weight.
Genetics and Reproduction
An expectant mother might produce two young at most, with her children gestating for about ten months.
Growth Rate & Stages
It takes about 20 years for the Chikiosa to reach both physical and mental maturity.
Ecology and Habitats
Preferring the forests of their native planet, they like to keep as much of the local nature intact as possible. Preferring natural flora and vistas to mortal-made statues and the like.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Largely herbivorous, they consume large amounts of fruits and tubers. They are not completely vegetarian, however, and consume a portion of meat as well.
Additional Information
Social Structure
As previously mentioned, the Chikiosa have a flexible semi-caste system.
At the top is a general nobility, made up of ancient families and rich merchants. Essentially anyone who can afford to be there, can be.
Below that is the Kasjo, who's financial status is irrelevant, but socially are above everyone else.
At the 'bottom' is a catch-all peasantry. Antone who can't fit into the top two layers falls into this one.
Facial characteristics
A flat nose and narrow face. Most notably the antlers that have a habit of growing into a sort of crown around the skull. Some even grow so far around that they can touch and fuse together if not ground down every once in awhile.
The face on the whole tends to be thin, with high cheekbones.
Eyes are wide and full. Doe-eyed if you will.
Average Intelligence
98 IQ
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Hearing is above average, while sight is average. They have a relatively keen sense of smell due to an evolutionary left over, but they won't be tracking people through the woods with it any time soon.
Scientific Name
Celeri Cervum
Origin/Ancestry
Blossomhair, Springhair, Winterhair
Lifespan
95 years
Average Height
6 feet 5 inches
Average Weight
145 pounds
Average Physique
Thin and athletic.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The Chikiosa have a relatively pale complexion, closer to ivory than tan.
The species can be separated into three different races, being the Blossomhair, Springhair, and Winterhair. While their hair is universally white at the base, the tips shift into more vibrant colors depending on where they live on Yurikalei.
The Springhairs are the most common, with their hair transitioning to a soft orange, similar to a yellow-star sunset.
The Winterhairs developed in the northern and southern reaches of the planet, and their hair transitions to a deep blue like that of a frozen lake.
The Blossomhairs were born in specific regions of Yurikale and held a religious importance to the Chikiosa for much of their ancient history. Tending to be smaller and slighter than the rest of their species. Their hair transitions from white to a light pink-ish red.
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