Okeri
The girl looked scarred the ears on top of her head were pulled back and she was holding a sun blade in her hand as she turned to them after Glychau ran out of the room. Her eyes seemed to calm down when she saw Aùshe and Nyesi. "Your Kezedfrunch I remember seeing you at De outside of that bar," the girl said as she stood from her stance but not relaxing. "Who are you?" Aùshe asked crossing her arms and trying to be calm. "That doesn't matter right now we need to get out of here before he comes back again," her eyes darted to the faded shadows of the labs and Raga's heart skipped understanding her fear but not being able to say or remember what the danger was. "I saw an elevator down that hall," she nodded her head toward the door, "This way."The Okeri are the nomadic cat people from Miyla who have traveled and lived in all of the worlds. They are one of the Younger Races created after the Dwarves and before the Humans. None live on Earth anymore because of the travel ban to the world created by the Dragons after the Refugee Crisis.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The only Younger shapeshifting race that looks like a Human with cat ears on their heads in addition to ears that look like Human ears on the side of their heads. The other trait that they have that is a giveaway is that they have a tail near their lower backs which comes in various sizes.
Their nails are longer and stronger than normal humans coming to natural points that look like claws. They can retract their nail-like claws to look more human. Their longer claws make it easier to climb. Their eyes are often large and expressive, with slit-shaped pupils that can adapt to different lighting conditions which allows the Okeri to have amazing night vision making them excellent hunters and explorers in low-light.
Biological Traits
Physical Traits
The only other trait they share with the Dragons is the ability to shapeshift except the Okeri turns into cats. However, when in a more Human form they still have their tails and ears. They are easy to spot because of their cat ears on the top of their heads and their tails. Okeri also has human ears on the sides of their head which makes them appear more normal. Their fur when they are in their cat forms is varied from solid colors to multicolored and does affect their patterning when they are in their mortal form. Their tails can be long, short, or stubbed which depends on genetics and personal choice of docking the tail. Some will have their tails docked to show that they committed a crime or broke a taboo. Long tails are preferred and are believed to be more beautiful although some are born with shorter tails. Those born with shorter tails are believed to have been descendants of criminals regardless if that is true or not. Their physical traits do vary from group to group which helps them blend in their environments.Genetics and Reproduction
The race reproduces sexually with a male and a female member of their race and normally reproduces in their mortal forms, not their animal forms. They do this typically through a combination of mating rituals and courtship which is true for ethnic groups such as the Kastal and their sister groups Hininu Nin Ban and Naetteuje Malan. Due to their typical antisocial behavior, they have specific mating seasons which are marked with social gatherings, rituals, and festivals. This is where people who want a partner can come together and meet.
These rituals involve dancing and displays of agility to show physical fitness. They all share gifts which are often jewelry or various artworks. When a pair believes they are compatible they will mate with each other. The pair forms a strong bond where they are fully committed to their partner to the point where both will become hostile if that bond is threatened. The gestation period is short lasting around two to three months.
The kittens that are born to them are often in litters of two to three. They are born with their eyes closed and it takes them two to three weeks for them to open their eyes. The kittens are dependent on their parents for nourishment and care during this early stage.
Growth Rate & Stages
Okeri when they are born and children are called kittens or cubs and they go through rapid physical development during the early stages of their lives. During this time they will start to grow fur and develop their distinct coloring as they age. Children are taught essential skills usually by their parents and sometimes elders. These essential skills are hunting, foraging, and basic crafting. These skills are important for both survival and cultural integration. Adolescence starts when they are sexually mature which starts when they are about ten. This is because the Okeri matures faster than most races.
Adulthood for the Okeri is normally marked when they begin to participate in various communal activities and responsibilities. One of the first things that they will participate in is the mating rituals so they can create their own families and build their own homes. Most will also use the primary skill to aid the rest of their society like becoming craftsmen, weavers, miners, foragers, hunters, warriors, and other such trades.
Due to their active and healthy lifestyles, the Okeri live for a long time considering they are a part of the Younger Races. Those who get too old to do their work well will start guiding and teaching instead of taking leadership roles in their communities. Due to this Elders are highly respected and are often consulted for their knowledge on various topics such as history, tradition, and of course survival skills.
Ecology and Habitats
Much like cats, the Okeri have adapted to live in many different places, however, one of their oldest ethnic groups the Kastal was at home in the chaotic Waves before the Black Wing Flight found the region. When the Dragons and the Nuossa Nualestota Miylian Elder Elves came to that region they enslaved the Kastal people. The Kastal were able to escape so now they don't live in or near the Waves anymore. Most found refuge living in Tuzæksoskī which is controlled by the Golden Wing Flight. This is also the place they fled to from their slavery.
The Hininu Nin Ban are the sister group from the Kastal who were not able to escape. It is believed by the Kastal that the Hininu Nin Ban was taken to Ell Brich by Qaydith the Lord of Slaves. Outside of the Kastal literature, there aren't any references to the Hininu Nin Ban people.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They prefer to eat meat since they often have sharper teeth than the other races. Their culture is primarily hunter and forager so most Okeri are content to live off the land with little interest in cultivation. They do eat plants often with the meats that they cook as side dishes and garnishes.
Behaviour
The Okeri are often aloof however they are fiercely loyal to their families and communities making them one of the most loyal people in Miyla. This makes it ideal for many Slaver people because all they have to do is convince the Okeri to be loyal to them because their faithfulness will make it almost impossible to leave their oppressors.
The Okeri are very family and community-focused and will work together. They are good hunters and are predatory to most creatures that live near their villages.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Typically the Okeri live in small, close-knit communities scattered throughout the forests, plains, and mountains such as The Waves as their preferred place to live. Although the Naetteuje Malan Okeri lives in the coastal region of Akkyong making their home in forests and by the seaside. Regardless of ethnicity, all Okeri prefer to live in isolated and self-sufficient communities relying on their skills and resources for survival. Now some do live in bigger communities with other races in cities but they will still rather be in their quarter.
Within each community, leadership roles are filled by individuals who demonstrate strong leadership qualities, wisdom, and experiences. These positions are not hereditary instead they are earned through merit and respect from the community members. Leaders are, of course, responsible for making decisions that affect the welfare and safety of the group. They represent their communities in negotiations or disputes with other factions.
The Okeri place a strong emphasis on collective responsibility and mutual support. The community works together to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the group. They share tasks and responsibilities such as hunting, gathering, crafting, and defense among community members according to their abilities and strengths.
The jobs of the tribe are divided up by gender roles with males often taking physical tasks and females taking care of nurturing roles. Men often take on tasks such as hunting, gathering, and defending the village. The women on the other hand take care of the young as caregivers, nurturing gardens, and organizing community events.
Facial characteristics
The Okeri have four ears on their heads two cat ears on top of their heads and two on the side of their heads that look like human ears. They have small noses that look cat-like although human. Their sharp teeth are noticeable in contrast to their usually soft lips. The eyes that they usually have are cat-like and are often bigger than that of normal people.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Being nomadic across most of the world they are one of the most spread out peoples because of this many groups have different beliefs, and not much is shared between them. Unlike most races, the Okeri do not need Dragons' scales, feathers, or fur to travel across the worlds. When they shift into their cat forms they can phase to the Naba or the Twilight World, the World Between Worlds. Some believe that this is the world that the Okeri came from. Although the Black Wing Flight has documented that the Kastal Okeri were from The Waves.
The Naetteuje Malan are another group of Okeri that live in the coastal country of Akkyong the territory that is controlled by the Myel Orange Wing Shifter Dragons. These people are secluded and not much is known about them as they rarely leave Akkyong.
The mythical Hininu Nin Ban Okeri were believed to have been brought to Ell Brich by Qaydith the Lord of Slaves. Outside of some documents that the Kastal wrote and the The Word Of Desires which is Qaydith's holy book not much is known about them.
Average Intelligence
The Okeri are known for their tinkering and ministerial skills. They are naturally curious and can become obsessed with topics, stories, and crafting. They are very skilled and knowledgeable in trivial knowledge because of their curiosity and wanting to learn.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Okeri is the only Younger Race that is naturally Telepathic much like the Dragons they can talk to other members of their race with their minds. However, unlike the Dragons, the Okeri can use their telepathic abilities to find out the fears, hopes, and dreams of others regardless of race although this requires training to be good at it.
Their humanoid cat form looks like a Tabaxi or the Khajiit. They look cute and fuzzy with cat ears, a tail, and a long cat-like snoot some have noses that look more human. Their fur can be in any color or coat pattern. In this form, they are faster and can climb up cliffs and trees. They have fur-covered bodies with a wide range of fur colors, including tabby stripes, calico patterns, and solid shades like black, white, or ginger. They can also see in the dark in all of their forms. Their cat form looks like cute little house cats with all of the features.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Okerihi is the base of this race's other languages such as Kasta even though this one is rarely spoken it is known by most Okeri.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Okeri normally form clans and tribes. They name their clans after the region that they live in. Their curiosity is natural and is encouraged in their clans and tribes.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
This race is aloof and does not trust the other races when they interact with them. However, when they warm up to people from other races they can be pleasant traveling companions and lifelong friends.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
200 years
Average Height
They can grow to be as tall as an average human.
Average Physique
They are usually fit because they like to climb, swim, and be active due to their lifestyles, it is rare to find an overweight Okeri. The Okeri are often small in their frames and skinny with toned bodies since they are often active.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The fur that covers their bodies has a wide range of fur colors, including tabby stripes, calico patterns, and solid shades like black, white, or ginger. They also have rarer swirly patterns which is usual but not a big deal to the Okeri. For outsiders, the more swirly patterns are interesting as they are not normal for most cats and make people curious. Those who have enslaved the Okeri in the past find these rare patterns and rare color combinations to be desirable in their Slaves. Their colors and patterns carry over from their humanoid form to their cat forms.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Related Myths
Discovered by
Related Technologies