SUMMARY

Hou-Zi are an uplifted race of primates who had been given intelligence and a physicality greater resembling the descendants via the now deceased Daemon, Metztli. A prototype Beastman that existed prior to the Kharajyr, the Hou-Zi once thrived on the Aos continent of Axios upon the isle of Asul. Per their cultural decline, Hou-Zi have since migrated across the Material Plane via wayfaring or other means and now mostly originate from the province of Cathant in Ai-Zho, or Aeldin. The contemporary Hou-Zi remnants can mostly be divided into three sub-races: The Fei-Zhu, the Laobai-Zhu and the Zhihui-Zhu. Each of these sub-races possess their own physicality, markings and temperaments.

LAOBAI-ZHU [100 Years]

The Laobai-Zhu [singular Laobai-Zi] were the progenitor subrace of the Hou-Zi and are colloquially translated to mean “common folk”. Far more akin to a chimp or standard monkey in appearance, Laobai-Zhu are adorned with coats of brown and black; they stand between 3-5 Feet. The Laobai-Zhu are also highly versatile with their hands and tend to adapt to their surroundings at a far more rapid rate than their counterparts.

Mentally, Laobai-Zhu are extraordinarily social. They tend to be energetic and childish in nature and will frequently display bouts of intense curiosity. If it would suit them as a means of entertainment, Laobai-Zhu would also hold little inhibition in spurring mischief. Because of their inclination towards others, Laobai-Zhu often find fruitful paths as merchants or as simple, wandering adventurers.

FEI-ZHU [150 Years]

The Fei-Zhu [singular Fei-Zi] are, at the moment, the most populous of the Hou-Zi subraces within Cathant. Akin to a Baboon or Mandrill in appearance, Fei-Zhu possess elegant fur coats of Blue, White, or Gold and have intricate and contrasting face colorings; they stand between 5-6 feet. It is because of these elegant markings and coats that the Li-Ren of the province began to revere them as deities. Too do the Fei-Zhu possess uncannily large fangs when they wish to flare them, though these greater offer no advantage in combat.

Mentally, Fei-Zhu tend to be more stoic, stern and prone to bouts of violence. Having been the bulk of a warrior caste within Cathant, Fei-Zhu tend to be very prideful of their legacy and will often engage in hobbies of sports, martial faire or activities involving their culture and history. Through and through they are traditionalist and though it is rare for them to admit it, they can hardly pull themselves away from a nice warm hot spring.

ZHIHUI-ZHU [200 Years]

The Zhihui-Zhu [singular Zhuihui-Zi] tend to be rarer than the other Hou subraces and are by far the largest, both in width and height. Zhihui-Zhu resemble Orangutans and can most easily be identified by their wide and flat faces; they stand between 6-7 feet. The fur coating of the Zhihui-Zhu ranges from hues of orange and red, and will most commonly resemble that of copper or maple-leaf. Too is it fashionable for these Hou to adorn themselves in bright orange beards and a large gut.

Mentally, Zhihui-Zhu are the most passive and by far the most lazy of the Hou-Zi. Often they are a bit slow spoken and will lounge about without a care in the world. That said, behind their slacking demeanor, the Zhuihui-Zhu tend to be the most intelligent of the Hou-Zi by a large margin. They are quick to learn and will often engage in practices of philosophy and art when separated from easy-to-access food. As a result of their gluttonous vice, Zhihui-Zhu are also very receptive to new and intriguing cuisines.

ENHANCED GRIP

Hou-Zi possess an inhuman grip strength whereby it is practically impossible to disarm a Hou-Zi. This ability derives from their primate need to climb trees prior to Metztli’s meddling, and as such it has made them formidably adept in clinging onto ledges, maintaining hold of their weapons, and even restraining prey. In his time, a samurai by the name Jotaro Rogunawa spread the exaggerated legend of fierce Hou-Zi warriors who utilized their grip strength to rip off faces.

SUPERB BALANCE

Hou-Zi retain an extraordinarily sense of balance due to their pre-Metztli ability to swing from tree to tree. Hou-Zi often use their tails as a means of stabilizing themselves should they be at risk of toppling, similar to that of a kangaroo. Though capable of toppling via a well placed tackle, simple concussive attacks are not enough to knock a Hou-Zi from their feet.

PRIMATE DEXTERITY

Hou-Zi are very adept at using their whole body to aid in their labors. More specifically, given their unique ape-like physiology, Hou-Zi are capable of writing, carrying objects, and performing other mundane tasks with their feet and tail, provided neither are inhibited by boots or armor. This enables a Hou-Zi to multitask a great deal when they are able to focus, though will find it impossible to utilize these techniques amidst combat.

REDLINES

⬦ A Hou-Zi’s strength is comparable to a Human across all three sub-races. Legacy Hei-Zhu [Gorillas] are the exception, who possess Orc strength.

⬦ A Hou-Zi’s grip strength will NOT inflict harm beyond a standard grip. This is to say that a pinch will not pierce skin, nor is a Hou-Zi capable of tearing flesh in a fell-swoop. The grip strength of a Hou is intended to be more akin to a clamp that is difficult to remove.

⬦ A Hou-Zi’s sense of balance enables them to withstand concussive forces that would otherwise knock them down, such as is seen with some magic spells and blasting potions. That said, they remain vulnerable to tackling and will still receive the damage from said concussive abilities.

⬦ A Hou-Zi’s ability to manipulate objects with their feet and tail is passive and CANNOT be utilized in combat. Beyond balance, the reasoning is simply that they cannot focus per their engagement.

⬦ A Hou-Zi, given their Lesser Soul, is only capable of learning the MA/FAs of Housemagic, Bardmancy, Kani, Heraldry [Feat] and Seer [Feat]. Feats which do not have prerequisite magic requirements other than those listed are also compatible. NOTE: If the magic is not listed but explicitly includes compatibility with Hou-Zi, it is permissible.
⬦ Hou-Zi cannot reproduce with Legacy Hei-Zhu to produce more. Hou-Zi, in genera,l cannot reproduce or FTB with Descendants (it's bestiality). Just avoid monkey ERP please.

AXIOS

Centuries ago upon the land of Axios, the Daemon Metztli had wandered in search of subjects worthy of experimentation. It was her dream of creating a sentient race comparable to the descendants, akin to Dragur, and so she sought to utilize the beasts of the world. Within the jungles of Asul she discovered a great many creatures, though none so caught her eye as the native Primates. She had taken note that they were humanoid in form, hunted in groups and possessed intelligence superior to that of the standard beast. It was determined that these Primates would serve as her first attempt at uplifting life, and so she endowed the alpha of their troop with great intelligence and a form closely resembling that of the Descendants. Adorning his head with a crown of Jade, Metztli proclaimed Hou-Shen her prophet, and the ruler of the Hou-Zi.

The others of his troop were uplifted by the Awakener, and quickly did they labor to erect the capital of Jing-Taiyun. The Hou-Zi flourished and reveled in the vast wealth they had come to accumulate. Jade was worth its weight in gold and the future seemed just as so. Hou-Shen, in a bid to expand his territory, engaged in a series of wars with the Elven Empire of Malinor. Though initially successful, Hou-Shen would eventually fall in battle and the wound to morale forced the Hou-Zi into retreat. And so ruin and pestilence befell the Hou-Zi.

Metztli, answering the despondent prayers of her people, resurrected Hou-Shen with White fur, Golden eyes and Red Tail. Inspired once again, the Hou of Jing-Taiyun proclaimed Hou-Shen as their Immortal God King, and so the capital began to rebuild and again thrive. For some years Hou-Shen protected his people before initiating the second Elven War. Though it had seemed an advantageous time to attack per the splintering of the Elves, they were quick to unite against the common foe and again Hou-Shen was defeated. Driven back to the Jungles where they had originated, Jing-Taiyun was permitted to exist at the mercy of the Elvish peoples provided that they never expanded again.

True to his word, Hou-Shen renounced war and sought to govern his people as their God-King. Unfortunately, as the years drew on, Hou-Shen could do little to stifle the corruption of his city and his people. With the loss of tributaries and war treasures, the economy of Jing-Taiyun began to falter. Jade became rarer and rarer and the houses within the capital began to plot and scheme against one another. Civil conflict began to spark, and were thus dubbed the “Jade Wars”. These petty squabbles only accelerated the decline of the Hou-Zi, and so foreign did the Hou-Zi seem to Hou-Shen that he left his seat and wandered into the jungle - never to be seen again. Simultaneously did ruin, attributed to Metztli, return as the temples and foundations of the city began to crumble. The Hou-Zi, awakened to their childish bickering, engaged in exodus from the city and too returned to the jungles. 

Metztli deemed her first experiment a failure, and so abandoned them in totality. The capital was returned to the earth. As a result, where once Metztli had been revered as “The Awakener” and mother of the Hou-Zi, the Hou had come to know her as “The Doombringer” and abandoner. From the fall of Jing-Taiyun onwards, Hou-Shen would serve as the deific patron of the Hou-Zi and to he their prayers would be ushered and attributed. Yet still, a sense of doom loomed over the Hou-Zi for they never knew when the ruin of Metztli would befall them again.

CATHANT

Following the conclusion of the Jade Wars and the fall of Jing-Taiyun, a house of warriors known as the Saiya-Zhu departed from Asul. In venturing to Eos by means of will and wayfare, they traversed many continents and briefly settled upon the Emerald Spires of Aevos before moving onto Aeldin. There, they landed upon the south-eastern corner of the continent where they encountered many Elves and Men living as one. Strangely, these people were not nearly as structured as their Axios counterparts.

The locals referred to the landmass as Ai-Zho, and dubbed their own province Cathant. They governed from a city that would be known as Li-Guo, and were subject to the same infighting and disorder that Jing-Taiyun had once suffered. Yet, unlike those of Axios, these locals were mesmerized by the Saiya-Zhu due to their golden fur, colorful faces and many jade ornaments. Misconstrued as Gods, they were treated as such by the population. In having found a new home and subjects to welcome them, the Saiya-Zhu endowed unto the population the name “Li-Ren” and taught them their native tongue of Li-Wen. And so the Saiya-Zhu formed the Golden Kingdom, and it was their hope that they could honor Hou-Shen so magnificently that he might return to them.

The Golden Kingdom quickly gave way to the Golden Empire as it expanded unto the other Eastern Provinces. Dominance of Ai-Zho persisted for many decades as the Golden Empire rapidly stabilized and made tributaries of the conquered. Acting as a beacon for their fellow Hou-Zi, many would come to migrate to Ai-Zho in search of greater prospects and a life similar to what they had in Jing-Taiyun. Alas, fortune was fleeting for the conquered provinces of Oyashima, Huinan and Cunyuan did not see the Golden Empire as benevolently as the Li-Ren.

Multiple rebellions swept the Empire and, eventually in defeat, the Saiya-Zhu would relinquish their domain over the province in favor of a peaceful living. It had been realized that, just as in Axios, the path of conquest was not a path worth pursuing. In following the teachings of Hou-Shen, they too let loose the reins of power and allowed their Li-Ren subjects to forge their destiny. Yet, fortunately, the Li-Ren continued to treat the Hou-Zi with respect, dignity and even reverence. As a result, the Li Empire has given much territory to act as cultural domains for the Hou-Zi to thrive in peace. 

Today, many Hou live as comfortable a life as the wars of Ai-Zho could permit. Many of the great Hou houses have turned to philosophy and art once again as a means of reconciling their violent past. In an attempt to understand their true nature, many have since turned to the art of meditation and - for the more advanced - even Chi. Many have taken up the mantle of monk and within the modern Li Empire, Hou-zi are often treated as an ecclesiastical class given the swathes of philosophers and learned beings that arise from their people.

The demise of Metztli during the Inferi Crisis has also been a boon for the Hou-Zi; though, one can only wonder why a single village vanished amidst her death. Where the Hou had once they had feared her reprisal as a doombringer and abandoner, a sense of relief and liberty has since washed across the Hou. No longer weighed by the prospect of inevitable doom, many Hou have opted to depart from Ai-Zho in search of greater understanding of the world. Some are ambitious, some are curious and some are simply lost. Regardless, their curiosity and desire to explore both the world and themselves has enabled them to adapt to new cultures and ways of life - provided they enjoy it.

LANGUAGE - LI WEN
⬦ Ni’hao - Hello

⬦ Ni’hao’ma - Are you well?

⬦ Shi [Shi’de] - Yes

⬦ Bu [Bu’shi] - No

⬦ Xiexie - Thank You

⬦ Danshi - But

⬦ Bu Hao - No Good

⬦ You’qu - Interesting

⬦ Zaijian - See You Again [Casual]

⬦ Zaihui - Farewell [Formal]

⬦ Hou - Monkey

⬦ Ren - Person

⬦ Huangdi - King

⬦ Nu’wang - Queen

⬦ Shen - God

⬦ Yu - Jade

⬦ Zhu - Tribe

⬦ Caifu - Wealthy

⬦ Xiongdi - Comrade

⬦ Zhanzheng - War

⬦ Shengli - Victory

⬦ Buzha’ng - Minister [Title]

(CA Race Grouping A)

Physical Descriptions

Musin are small, fluffy creatures, characterized by their resemblance to mice. The majority of their body is covered in a thin layer of fur, ranging in colors from tan, brown, black, white, or even mottled. The insides of the ears, hands, feet, and tail are barren. They are much smaller than their Ratiki ancestors, only ranging from 1'8 to 2'6 at the tallest. Their eyes are usually pitch-black, but crimson colorations occur in about 1 in every 10 Musin. Their faces and bodies are softer and cleaner than a rat's. Musin have two large incisors, far larger than the rest of their teeth, at the front of their maxilla.

Anatomy

Musin have lost the dreaded fangs common in the Ratiki, although their incisors still hold a significant edge. Most micefolk gnaw on hardwoods throughout their life to blunt and file down their teeth. A Musin’s tail is shorter and thinner than a Ratiki’s relative to their own weight, although it is still tactile.

A Musin’s senses are more balanced for living above-ground, although they are still sub-par to the other sentient races. Musin have no need to wear goggles above ground, and can see with mediocre distance in the day. Their ears are less powerful than a Ratiki’s, but they do hear higher and lower frequencies much farther than a human’s. They are able to locate the sources of sounds with ease.

A Musin’s diet is completely omnivorous, yet their stomachs are more sensitive than a rat’s. As such, they tend to get sick if they continue to eat undercooked meat. They tend to enjoy the taste of something sweet or crunchy more than a nice, juicy steak. A thick, hard graham cracker smothered in peanut butter will invariably charm even the toughest of Musin, while a filet mignon only warrants a passing glance.

Appearance

Musin closely resemble upright mice of the mus musculus variety, with several human-like features. Their heads and bodies are covered in fur, with significantly less hair appearing around the hands, feet, and tails. Musin heads resemble the head of a mouse. Unlike their cousins the Ratiki, their noses are pointed and less blunt, their tails are thin, their bodies are more slender and their ears are far larger, proportionally.

The height of a Musin ranges from 1’8” (or 50 cm) to 2’6 (or 77 cm). Their tails are as long as they are tall, give or take 3 inches. Healthy Musin weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds. Their eyes can be three colors: Red, pink, or black. The whites of their eyes are visible. Their fur color can be any fur color expressed by mus musculus, or the common house mouse. This includes the fancy mouse variety. This is any combination of two of the following colors: White, grey, orange, brown, black, and tan. For information on exact color limits, visit https://www.afrma.org/fancymice.htm

Musin are far cleaner than their rattish brethren. As a result of wishing to fit in with the modern world, they have taken up bathing and grooming themselves. No longer are they puss-ridden rodents wallowing in their own filth! Musin groom their fur to a silky-smooth state at least twice a day, whether it be with a brush or their own fingers.

Musin men and women are hard to tell apart. Musin women do not have mammaries, or any significant features that separate them from men. They will try to style themselves with makeup or fur trimmings to make them look more feminine or masculine, combined with differing clothing for the race. Females have a different sounding voice than males.

Musin clothing is usually either ill-fitting or shoddy in quality. Given their extreme size difference from all other races, Musin either have to steal children's clothing, or craft their own out of patches and quarters. Rarely is a Musin seen clad in fine cloth! Despite these shortcomings, Musin try to look their best. They are quite fond of bright colors, and will gleefully scavenge any colorful scraps. They will attempt to patchwork their collections into a mosaic of fabric, although it often results in a jumbled, vibrant mess.

Life Cycle

As a result of their cleanliness and gift, Musin live far longer than their Ratiki brethren. Musin live up to 70 years old in good health, with the longest recorded individual living to 78. They look relatively young through the majority of their lives to outsiders, although Musin are able to tell the minute differences between a young adult and an older fellow.

A Musin’s life begins as a young mouse pup, barely larger than an apple. It is blind and weak, yet grows fast. Within a few months the Musin is considered a toddler, and acts like such. Their growth begins to stunt somewhat from here, deviating from the usual path of the short-lived Ratiki. They reach physical maturity at around age 12, and mental maturity around the age of 15, which is when they are considered a young adult. 

Musin usually have a litter of 2-3 children at once, although it is not uncommon for mouselings to die in infancy. Musin are only pregnant for 3 months, and are able to rear new children soon afterwards. However, most Musin try to limit themselves to a few children at a time, so as to prevent a dreaded horde. It is taboo to care for more than 5 children at once.

Only a few key differences make an old Musin look different than a young Musin. Old Musin’s exposed skin, like their paws and tails, grow increasingly paler after the age of 65. By the age of 70, their pink paws and tails have lost most pigment.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Fighting a Musin has been described like stepping on a pigeon- It’s exceedingly hard to land a hit, but once you do, they’re dead. Musin are the weakest of all the sentient races in Almaris, infamously shorter than even the shortest halflings. Unlike the halflings, however, they lack stock or strength, their arms spindly and twiggy. Their only true strength lies in their dexterity. Quick and nimble, a Musin can dodge attacks with ease- running between attacker’s legs, scampering to their sides, jumping to their heads- with acrobatic feats that rival a Hou-zi. Unfortunately, if they miss a dodge.. They’re dead meat. A swing from a small dagger is enough to cause a fatal wound to a Musin, incapacitating them for the majority of the fight. Most Musin choose to flee when necessary, and those who stay and fight are rarely considered ‘brave’- moreso foolish. 

Origin

Musin history is much shrouded in mystery, as they only learned how to write around 100 years ago. However, a general consensus is as follows…

For as long as Ratiki have existed, there have been runts in litters. The ones who were smaller than the others, meeker than the others- not fierce, not fit for battle. Traditionally, they were left to die, abandoned to the harshness of the deep to fend for themselves. Many survived through resourcefulness and cunning, eking out a living by proving themselves to be a valuable enough portion of the horde. Most did not- starving and succumbing to diseases, as their weak stature and high metabolism could not be sustained. Rarely did a runt rise through the ranks, historically working as slaves in the mines or scavengers on the battlefield. Life for a runt was hard- usually living less than mental maturity.

That is, until Musin came.

The Runt Revolt

During the time of the Great Plague, many runts in the Xetrialkian empire were sent to work in the mines for their entire lives. Life was brutal, lives were short, the cruelty exasperated by the pestilence. The Second Great Ratiki war only made life worse. Quotas were up, the caves always filled with the thick smog of coal, suffocating any unfortunate, chained ratmen stuck below.

At the time, the Xetrialkian military was short on numbers and gearing up for war in any way possible- it was a time for promotion, a chance for new recruits to gain their bearings. Among the new recruits was a runt named Musin- A white-furred fellow half the size of the average officer, yet braver than all of them. A previous scout for the scavengers, Musin had acquired a small, shiny dagger from an old civilization- far higher quality of a weapon than anyone in the land. His resourcefulness, dexterity and bravery was enough to warrant giving him the role of Warchief.

As warchief, Musin the Brave had far more freedoms than the rest of his brethren, and was able to see the injustices committed. Despite being a hardened soldier, he still had a heart. He was born in the mines, after all, he could not bear to see his people suffer. He elected several runts as his Foreman beneath him, and many former slaves as grunts.

In the midst of the Battle of Red Vale, when most of the warchiefs were away, Musin fled with his group, and four-hundred runt slaves. They surfaced for the first time, the sun blistering in their eyes.. Or so they’d thought. At the mouth of the cave stood the mighty war-boss Stanqolk Highslayer and his army of two hundred, swords drawn and ready! Insubordination was not tolerated, and no slave had ever escaped the Xetrialkian Empire. Stanqolk was not about to ruin their reputation, and give any miners any new ideas.

The mice and rats fought- their first battle, and hopefully their last, both sides thought. The mice knew they were outmatched, if not outnumbered. None of them had weapons except the soldiers and Musin, daggers at hand. Two foremen and the civilians were tasked with escaping, while Musin and his loyal lieutenants were to give the civilians a chance of escaping, just a sliver of an opening, so that a few may have a better life!

Musin battling Stanqolk, by Rice Minster, Musin artist.

The battle had begun. Musin led the charge, clashing swords with Stanqolk. While Musin had fought larger and nastier foes than the Highslayer, Musin knew he would die here. Stanqolk was his warboss, and Musin had made the folly of giving him a fine, shimmering shortsword he found during his time as a scavenger. They clashed swords for what seemed like hours on end- and probably was. The rest of the rats fought the mouseman’s 40 or so soldiers, fending off the two-hundred from touching their wives and children.

Despite their best efforts, the soldiers quickly succumbed. They were less armed, weaker, and outnumbered by the Ratiki. Some civilians were slaughtered, but most escaped. The defense was a success, and the mousefolk fled into the sunny wilderness. The rats were about to give chase- they were larger and faster after all, until Musin dealt the final blow.

Musin the Brave had slain his opponent in battle, stabbing his blade upwards into Stanqolk’s heart. The rat clutched at his chest, sliding onto the sword in a hunched posture, and reached his dagger around Musin’s shoulder. One quick stab to the spine rendered Musin immobile, and dead. The soldiers looked over at the commotion, the warchiefs and foremen speaking amongst themselves, hushed tones slowly rising in volume. Soon after, a frenzy amongst the Ratiki troops broke out, each side vying to be the new warboss, forgetting about the escaped slaves.

The mice were now free.

Escape from Rat Island

Just as the rats would see when they stepped foot on the surface, the island of Ratiki was barren. The vale was covered in scars- sinkholes from failed tunnels, mounds of rocks and stone from excavated caves, an earth salted after years of pestilence and war. Nevertheless, they ran straight forward. Not even knowing their destination, blinded by the sun, the runts headed east, unsure of their numbers. When they stopped to take a break inside an abandoned cavern, the mice counted. Around a hundred were missing, mostly men, including their brave leader. The mice continued to trek in search of fertile lands for weeks, their metabolism quickly running through their already-thin rations. Two hundred more had died before the mice found a forest.

The forest was small, yet could provide for a few weeks. More importantly, it was near something odd. A large body of liquid, unknown to the creatures of the deep, that stretched on farther than the eye could see. One of the foremen spoke up, informing the runaways of what he knew. Apparently, something called the ‘ocean’ surrounded their world, and beyond that was fertile land. He showed a scrap of paper he stole from the Qhrol to his fellow inmates- blueprints for a device known as a ‘boat’!

For a year, the mice labored, chopping trees with what little they had, gathering rations, and building the fabled ‘boat’. During this time, the foreman became their leader, and was dubbed Crumlin the Sailor. They began to form their first civilization, known as the “Clan of Musin”, with their first culture based around peace and protection for the meek. They adopted a staunch non-aggression policy, instructing to flee and only flee. 

The Musin, as they now called themselves, finished their boat exactly a year after they arrived at the forest. It was a crude vessel, little more than an oblong box caulked together with whatever the Musin could find. Barrels filled with apples for sustenance lined every inch of the boat, with a hundred mice packed together like sardines. The finishing piece of cargo was an odd, black pentagonal box, about half the size of a mousefolk, fastened to the bow of the boat. Musin instructed Crumlin to apply it to the boat at the end, to ‘guide them to new lands’. The ark drifted out to sea as the tattered, colorful sail took the boat wherever the wind pleased.

After days of travelling, a terrible storm hit the boat. Winds pushed the mousemen’s floating coffin through and under the waves, rattling them about and pushing the box forward at enormous speeds. Eventually the box hit exponentially high speeds, and vanished into an orb of purple light. No one was quite sure what happened at the time, but the black artifact crumbled into bits soon after.

New Beginnings

The Musin crashed into eastern Almaris a few years before the Ratiki arrived in Atlas, ready to explore this new and bountiful world. This new continent was covered in trees and fields, more than they had ever seen, full of life and steady ground. The Musin hoisted their ship onto the land, flipped it around, cut a hole in it, and called it their new home. For a few months, nothing happened.

A tall figure lumbered over their shoddy cabins, packed with huddled mice. He was twice as tall as any rat they’d ever seen- around 6’2, with a scruffy, dark grey beard and a furrowed brow. He was clad in leather and cloth of far higher quality than the Musin had ever seen. He had no tail, no paws, no fur, only hair. He awaited for days until the mice finally came out, upon whence he showed that he meant no harm. Surprisingly, they shared a language, and many wary mice began to listen to his stories. His name has long been forgotten, perhaps never told, but he has since been known to Musin as The Giant.

It is unknown what The Giant truly was for the longest time. Whenever asked, he would simply grin and give a joke of an answer with a wave of his hand, giving cryptic and unclear answers. Soon after meeting the Musin, he listened to their tale, seemingly curious as to how they arrived in such a land. Before they could finish their sentences, he cut them off- telling them that he was disappointed in their lack of manners. He instructed them to clean themselves up before he would talk any further, and left.

The next day, The Giant returned. A meeting had been held the previous night, and the general consensus between the Musin were to clean up and let him return. While they could flee again, they desperately needed this wise-man’s help to survive in this new land. The mice cleaned and groomed themselves for the first time in their species, and waited. The Giant was pleased to see them in a slicker form, and took a seat on a log in the middle of the village. He began to speak, lecturing the creatures about the importance of health and hygiene. He let the mice tell a bit more of their story, before cutting them off again. He explained that their dialect was uncouth- hard to understand, simplistic, unlike his. He told the mice he’d teach them the way of his people, how to survive in this land, how to thrive, and how to live better than ever before.

And so, each day, the man came back, teaching generation after generation of Musin how to talk properly, how to dress properly, how to farm, how to read, how to write. Generally, he taught them the culture of the humans, and their history- albeit, in an overly-romanticized fashion. He made it seem as if being like him, being a ‘tall one’, was the greatest thing in the world- no wars, no famine, no mines- only jovial times with instruments and festivals abound. He introduced to them a mish-mash of different ideas over the 50 years he stayed in the village, until they began to act in an ‘acceptable’ manner. The only trait he was unable to remove was their thievery- too kind to punish them for stealing an odd trinket or two, or 'recycling' anything not nailed down.

Finally, he sat down, and listened to their story, although he had already known it at this point. The mice had grown quite fond of him, and all saw him as a sort of father-figure, the protector and savior of the village, second only to Musin himself. He furrowed his brow upon hearing their predicament, humming loudly to himself. He told them he’d help them recover their runtish brethren in the Ratikkan mines, if they promised to take down the Ratiki with them.

The man coughed and wheezed, leaning over on the stump from which he taught. He was greyer, much older than when he first arrived. He explained to the Musin that he did not have much time left, and expressed guilt that he had never told them his story. He let them sit down for his final teaching, one about his own life.

The Giant

The Giant’s tale has been passed down through generations, yet wasn’t written down when it was first spoken. Some details are vague, omitted- yet it generally is recited as such.

A long time ago, far longer than the arrival of the Musin, the Ratikans had explored their ruined island to the fullest, and were digging through their wretched caves. The empire that used to live here had long fallen, already in disarray before the rats were set upon their home island by whatever hell-spawn created them. The only thing left was the kill the last few stragglers and claim the decrepit island as their prize.

The Krothian empire had dug up into the mountainside atop their lairs, seeking out ore and treasure inside the caverns long after the descendants had seemingly fallen. As they approached the mountaintop, however- they hit stone, hard stone. Atop the highest mountain on the Ratikan Island, where no rat had gone before, a wizard’s tower and his haven shot into the sky- the last bastion of hope for the descendants on the Ratikan island.

The Ratiki burst their way in with a flood of men, quickly overwhelming the small community inside. They barricaded the doors, activated all failsafes, and entered their vaults in an attempt to escape. Only three men remained, retrieving their prized artifacts that might aid in their getaway attempt, before the Ratikan war machines busted down the door. Two of the men were shot down instantly by rudimentary thrown spears, and the youngest activated his device, vanishing into thin air. 

The two devices left over were wayfinding devices- solid black stones in a pentagonal shape, pulsing with strange inscriptions and incantations. The Khrolians collected these items, which passed down to their successor states over the many wars. The last device was activated by forcing an intense flow of mana into it by the young man, who was now stuck on the other side of the disc.

Stranded and alone, with everyone he’s ever known murdered by the Ratiki, the young man wandered around Almaris for many decades. The wayfinding device was a one-use artifact, and he could never return without another. He spent many decades eking out a living as a hermit, practicing his magic, biding his time and hoping that one day he could return to his homeland and eradicate the Ratiki.

After nearly half a century, the man encountered what seemed to be Ratiki- but shorter, weaker, more frightened of him. He believed the armies may have invaded his shore, and prepared to annihilate them- but cut short after seeing their terrible condition. He could not bring himself to kill them- they seemed far more timid than those he encountered before, without weapons or fangs to harm.Only a small amount of them were here, seemingly separated from their hyper-aggressive brethren. He figured it may have only been them here, and he might be able to  turn this isolated group against his brethren. And so, he began to interact with the Musin, fashioning himself as the Giant, quickly gathering information about their circumstance and how he can abuse it.

The Departure

The Giant apologized deeply to his friends for his initial misunderstanding and hatred of them, and expressed thanks to their companionship. He informs the Musin that he harbors no ill will, and is now thankful he didn’t slaughter a group of innocents, and is pleased he can spend his final moments with them. He offers to use his last bit of strength to guide them on their mutual quest to rid the world of pestilence and plague. He warns that the Ratiki still have the last wayfinding artifact, and may invade this half of the world soon.

A type of soft light formed around the man, as he gave the mousefolk the last of his strength. He took their existing anatomy and altered it slightly, giving them less children yet longer lives, solidifying their presence as a new race, different from the Ratiki. He told the Musin he would return one day, and to never lose hope- to defeat the evil Ratiki at all costs and remember their promise.

And so, looking far older than the day he arrived, The Giant perished, soon buried beneath the crypts of Crumlin Keep. The mice were sad, confused, but mostly grateful for what they had been given. They aimed to recreate the pristine worlds he had so vividly described before, and create a society out of ‘descendent’ culture.

Over the few hundred years the Musin have lived on Almaris, many forts and villages have risen and fallen. Trying to recreate what they’ve heard in miniature- old medieval keeps out of loose-fitting rock, manors out of old cracked hardwoods, carnival tents out of leftover clothing, all to various degrees of success. When the descendents finally arrived in Almaris, the Musin     were overjoyed to meet them- unaware of the havoc their brethren caused in Atlas.

It is now up to the mercy of the descendents to deal with this vulnerable race, whether to raze this vermin to the ground or to accept them for who they are.

Mental Descriptions

Mentality

Musin have a unique mentality, with many of their characteristics coming from their ancestors- both the Ratiki and regular mice.

The first and most notable thing that occurs in a Musin’s head is an intense and unignorable urge to scavenge that which is around them. Scavenging is the reusing of materials excessively, never letting anything go to waste, even if it isn’t particularly theirs. This instinct can appear in Musin in a wide variety of ways. At the bad end of the spectrum a Musin may become a kleptomaniac for many things- not just a hoarder of gold, but a collector of cloth, food, and much more. They see it as a form of reclamation- no one was using it at the moment, so they might as well. It would be a shame to see it go to waste. At the best end of the spectrum a Musin may simply have an urge to recycle anything they’ve been given, not stealing, but never letting something go to waste if they can help it.

One trait added to the Musin that defines them as a distinct species is their cleanliness. Musin are compulsive cleaners, Combing and brushing themselves comes naturally to them, and is regarded as an enjoyable, soothing activity. It is also of great importance to their health, as dirty mice will quickly wrack up fleas and catch a myriad of diseases, leading to death. Their same sense of cleanliness may or may not apply to their living situations, and Musin homes can either be neat or messy.

Musin all undeniably hate Ratiki. It is nigh-instinctive that the plague-ridden, larger, stockier ratmen are treated with contempt. They do not share this instinctive hatred with any other race or species, however. To a degree, most Musin are slightly fearful of the larger races due to their smaller stature and weaker frame, but this behavior has been shown to be grown out of with enough time and effort.

Musin are curious at heart, always willing to inspect new things and environments. For some Musin, this has developed into a love for adventure. For others, this has developed into a willingness to interact with new and unusual things, a lack of neophobia.

Like most races, Musin are social creatures. They can grow depressed when not around other sentient races, extremely so. Hermit Musin are very far and few between, and do not usually survive for long.

Culture

Musin culture is the antithesis of everything the Ratiki hold dear. It is pacifistic, non-confrontational, and idolizing of the descendants. Never were the Musin taught the horrors of the countless Orenian wars, or even the existence of the Orcs. They try to base their culture out of the old fantasy tales of yore they heard from The Giant.

Musin clothing attempts to mimic descendent clothing to a fantastical and outdated degree. Musin attempt to cobble cloaks and hoods that belong more in a shoddy carnival than an actual peasant house. Their clothes are always made out of recycled material. Examples include scale mail out of painted seashells, gugels out of potato sacks, and capes out of worn blankets.

Musin err towards a peaceful life without physical conflict, due to their small stature and nature. They are prone to fleeing at the slightest sign of danger, scuttling off like a squirrel. Those who are more ill-natured than others still usually never get into a physical altercation, at least not one that requires any degree of strength. While mousefolk are pacifistic, the tales of old The Giant informed them of has instilled the will for adventure into their hearts. They are curious creatures, seeking out ruins and adventure. They idolize the epics they heard about in their youth and frequently wander from the nest, hoping to one day make a title for themselves. In the days before the descendants landed on Almaris, life was much safer, with only boars or bears to worry about. Musin crafted their own tales of glory. Now that real adventure has arrived with the races of man, many adventuring mice are eager to live out the fairy-tales of yore. Sadly, being 2' tall doesn't usually result in an happily ever after, something most Musin still don't understand.

The architecture of the rodent race is very small. It is built to accommodate men their size, and as a result, even halflings have a difficult time squeezing in. Not that a halfling would wish to, anyway- rodent architecture is abhorrently unsafe. With the low amount of knowledge they had received from the Giant, structures built to last are nigh-impossible to construct. Musin attempt to create something much grander than they’re able to practically achieve, to no results. Buildings consist of nailed and glued together wood and stone, painted and dyed to try and look like something one would see in a capital village, in their idealistic minds. However, the end result is often nothing more than a wooden shack with faux waddle and daub crudely slathered on the sides.

Due to the thievery built into their blood by whatever daemon created the Ratiki, Musin have a desire to use things that aren't quite theirs. At the very best, Musin may recycle trash laying around in a dump for their own devices- but at the worst, a gang of Musin will pull off a large, pilfering heist. Musin tend to not steal from other mousefolk nowadays, far more interested in descendant relics- higher-quality goods then their own. And, why not? They have so much stuff!

Overall, the rodent race tends to act polite and subservient to those they see as civilized, willing to do most anything to portray themselves as part of their modern world. Most micefolk are in denial of the true nature of war, simply praying that it will never reach their doorstep again. They speak common with remarkable fluency, almost greater than many descendents, and try to stifle any chittering and squeaking- though they are prone to slip in times of emotion. They try to distinguish themselves from the Ratiki even to this day, staying clean, civilized, and keeping their instincts to a minimum.

Settlements

Due to the lack of engineering skills and knowledge within the Musin clan, buildings tend to not last very long. In fact, Musin could almost be considered a nomadic sorts of people with how often they rebuild- believing that if maybe they just built a few miles up that hill, or a little farther from that lake, that their buildings might weather the elements a few more years. Although most of their attempts fail, a few have met noticeable success, due to sheer luck.

Crumlin Keep

Crumlin Keep, named after Crumlin the Sailor, is a moderately-sized keep located in the heart of Almaris. Constructed of cobble and clay, it is notable for being the oldest-surviving Musin structure to date. Reportedly, it was constructed with the aid of The Giant himself, in an attempt to show Musin the beauty of modern architecture. Day by day, more rocks and pebbles leak out of the cornerstone as kudzu eats away at the foundation. If not for the lightness of the mousefolk, it surely would have collapsed underneath the weight of its inhabitants. While no human has ever set foot inside- quite literally unable to, given it's small stature- the Musin welcome visitors gleefully, proud to show off their only surviving relic. It is located atop a small hill, dubbed 'Grand Mount Musin' by its inhabitants, and is surrounded by a variety of other failed endeavors.

Location: On a mountain in the plains. Should not be anything here, as of time of writing.

Abilities

Musin have a number of abilities that separate them from the other races. 

[All of these are subject to change or removal, if the ST sees fit. I attempted to use my previous knowledge to make them balanced.]

Advanced Hearing

Musin have greater hearing than most races, yet not as good as Ratiki. Loud and sudden noises will startle even the bravest of Musin, causing them to instinctively jump in the air or at least wince. They can allegedly hear things that humans can’t.

    • Musin can hear frequencies from 15 Hz to 20 kHz, and do not lose their ability to hear higher frequencies overtime like humans do. A high-pitched buzzing that may be inaudible to a human is audible to a mouse.

   Sensitive Eyesight

Musin have weaker eyesight than most races, yet they have evolved the ability to see in the sunlight over time. Their vision is normal at night, but hampered during the day.

    • Musin can see at half clarity (24 blocks) during a sunny day, and at 100% clarity during cloudy days or nights (48 blocks)

    • (This is assuming that the default range of sight for humans on LOTC are 48 blocks. This is what I have been told by ST.)

Small Stature

Musin are the most nimble of the races, able to twist, dodge, and run away from attacks with ease. This ability comes from their miniature size, which comes with it’s own downsides. Musin cannot take a hit like a dwarf or human could without being seriously wounded.

    • A minor hit from a dagger turns into a severe or lethal blow on a little Musin. In general, react to being hit as if every wound is serious. If using the roll system, act as if every hit is one layer of severity higher.

    •  A Musin takes to dodging quite well, although more in the sense of nimbleness. They can duck and swerve easily, but due to their small size it takes more time to move out of range

    •  Musin have FAR less strength than any other race. They cannot kill by hacking and cutting with intense muscle power like most, and have to rely on their dexterity. The only weapon a Musin can really truly cause damage with are finesse-based dueling weapons like rapiers- everything else is nigh uneffective.

    General Redlines

    • Musin are not ratfolk. Musin do not speak like skaven, look like skaven, or act like skaven. They are much more proper.

    • Musin will get diseased like Ratfolk if they do not clean themselves, although they are less susceptible to it, similar to an actual human.

    • A Musin’s bite is the only thing that can cause any actual damage, although it is fairly weak, akin to being stabbed with a kitchen knife. It will begin to hurt if not filed down regularly.

    • Musin incisors can not be used to bite through blocks.

    • Due to their small size, Musin cannot wield most weapons or armor. Daggers are shortswords, and shortswords are zweihanders for them.

    • Musin cannot learn several magics, due to their lesser souls. They however can learn the following: Housemagic, Bardmancy, Seer [Feat], Herald of Azdromoth [Feat], Kani, Sorvian Sculpting, Druidism, and Alchemy with all its Feats. They may become Zevnka, Machine Spirits, Ghouls, Darkstalkers, Draugrs, Phantoms, Tree Lords, Epiphytes, and Klones (bodies must be musin to transfer into).

    • Musin cannot FTB. Ever.

    (OOC Purpose)

    This lore is meant to both fill the long-wanted ratfolk lore and provide a successor to the shelved Wonk lore. Now, I know this sounds bad, but hear me out. It attempts to overcome the shortcomings of previous submitted ratfolk and wonk lore. 

    For Ratfolk, it diverges from the meme-tier RP of being a funny, giant rat who speaks in riddles and acts as a general, low-quality antagonist in exchange for a unique and more wholesome approach to the thieving fluffy fellows. It provides more motives and more options rather than ‘killing the man-things’ for players. 

    It attempts to provide a successor to the Wonk lore by bringing back the concept of a cute, short playable race that is highly interested in the descendents. This time, with motives, goals, story and aspirations beyond being Pepe the Frog. 

    I believe this could provide a successor to Hou-zi for those who want to play another native race.

    I believe we can afford another CA as the only group-A unique CA race left is Kha. Ologs are basically just Orcs and share their culture/playerbase so, while I love them, they’re not a unique race. We have room.

    I believe this provides a unique antithesis to the Ratiki that offers a unique experience to anyone wanting to play something cute yet adventurous.

    And, most importantly, they’re cute.

    OOC Notes, Clarifications, and FAQ

I purposely left the information regarding “The Giant” vague, as I do not wish to diverge into the realm of creating new Aenguls or Daemons. He is simply an unnamed beingn, as it is stated there are many of them undocumented, who are subtly using the Musin to rid Ratiki, which is one of his goals. He's probably just a decently-powerful sorcerer.

    I know the world of LOTC is a giant disc but I’ve been informed by some ST that it’s possible to sail around the disc, and that is how we arrived here. Let me know if I need to change this to include portals instead.

    Musin clothing looks similar to what one would see at a cheap renaissance fair, in modern terms. The same with most of their culture- It is an inaccurate, romanticized version of the past.

Bibliography

https://wiki.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Ratiki 

https://wiki.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Ratmen_of_Atlas 

https://wiki.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Daemon

https://wiki.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Aengul 

Art by the wonderful Jerome Jacinto.

Special Thanks

@MonkeNoticfor proofreading.

@Clockyyyyyyyyy for proofreading.

@Kaldwin_ for writing about Ratiki, and helping with concepts.

Calzium for feedback

Countless people in the community for showing interest!

-The Remnant Kha’-

(Artist: Deiv Calviz)

Overview:

The Kharajyr, or Kha’, are a species of anthropomorphic feline creatures that stand upright on a pair of digitigrade legs and bear a long maneuverable tail. An ancient and exotic race, created from two living creatures long ago. Adorned by thick coats of fur and sharpened claws at the tips of their fingers. A race that resembles the largest members of the feline species standing upright just as a human. The species is broken down into four subspecies: Kha’Pantera, Kha’Leparda, Kha’Cheetrah and Kha’Tigrasi. The Kharajyr were first discovered and encountered in the early years of Asulon. They were found completely isolated from the rest of the world on their island with golden beaches and high, jungle trees. The Kha have been travelling alongside the Descendant races as they navigate the realm’s many continents ever since they were found.

The Kharajyr were created by the Daemon, Metztli on a continent known as Khalenwyr. Metzli, the Deamon of Time, created the Kha in her search for a creation of her own. Something that she could call ‘her children’. This homeland was the seat of an empire ruled by the Kha where they once sang around the campfires, but over many centuries of divine punishment, forced migration, and genocide, the once great numbers of the Kha’ now dwindle low, and but a handful of this ancient species and culture now remains. They are but Remnants of an ancient and exotic civilization.

By means unknown to the majority of the Kharajyr, the Daemon Metztli is now deceased, and the rippling effect this has had on the Kharajyr is substantial.

Creation:

During the very early years of Aegis when Aenguls and Daemons roamed the Mortal Planes, and when the Descendant races were first spreading their wings and founding their civilisations, there was an old wive’s tale; a story meant to scare the young to sleep of a monster that would stalk farmsteads and ****** away poorly behaved children in the pitch of night. But like many myths, this one was based on a twisted truth.

The Daemon, Metztli, appeared not like a monster, but instead as a beautifully perfect woman draped in long silks, her alluring visage said to blind any that might behold her for too long. Though surely adored by any gaze that befell her, her intentions were anything but admirable; Metztli was responsible for snatching babes from their cribs for many years, carrying them off to a distant continent, where she may perform dastardly experiments on them.

The intention of Metztli’s cruelty was to form a new breed of perfection. She would attempt to create a species that combined many humanoid and animalistic traits, and she did this by merging the essence of Human children with the native Ocelots of the island she had taken them to. This was a process that took many years and claimed many children’s lives, with a great number of failed, imperfect creations discarded into a prison within her own Immortal Plane, a prison later discovered to be known as the ‘Ordium’.

• Kharajyr, and by extend anyone else, are not aware of the specific process of their own creation, only that it was performed by Metztli.

(The following sections: Ancient History, Ancient Culture, The Turned Trident, Khalenwyr are all information about the race’s past. They are in fact legitimate events but do not pose rules that need to be followed when playing a Kharajyr. They are purely cultural.)

Ancient History:

Kharajyr history is only able to be traced back to the golden age of Khalenwyr, when the first known Tlatlanni (emperor), Tla’Jhaan, ruled over the empire with his Metz’al (wife) Ja’Natayshi. During these early years of the race, they completely dominated all land and life on their tropical continent, and the prosperous reign of Tla’Jhaan sat undisputed for many decades.

However Tla’Jhaan’s hunger for power was endless like a dark pit that could never be filled. He grew jealous of the Daemon that the species worshipped as a Goddess. Consumed by a complex of power, Tla’Jhaan outlawed the worship of their own creator, instead enforcing his own worship in Metztli’s place, believing himself to have achieved the status of living a Goddess. This ruling divided the Kha’ into civil war, with the loyalists of Tla’Jhaan battling the faithful of Metztli.

Metztli was deeply disturbed by the in-fighting of the species she had designed for perfection, and in her divine anger she caused the colossal volcano at the centre of the golden island to erupt, destroying much of Khalenwyr in the fiery blast and submerging what was left in a thick blanket of lifeless ash. In an instant, the glorious empire was vanquished, but still some Kha’ remained.

Metztli had granted her faithful a vision of the coming apocalypse, and they sat prepared to flee when the eruption occurred. Tla’Jhaan attempted to flee in the disaster, but was slain by his own son and the next Tlatlanni, Tla’Xerdun. Xerdun led the remaining Kharajyr to a new island that they may call home; Va’Khajra. Va’Khajra bordered the second explored continent, Asulon, and it was here that their fate became tied with the four Descendant races.

Ancient Culture:

The Kharajyr have historically been a zealous people, obsessive over the worship of their creator, Metztli. In the past, all social, economic and government rulings were considered by what Metztli would desire, and frequently did the Kha’ pay homage and sacrifices to their Mother (Muuna). Across every known Kha’ settlement, a Temple of Metztli was erected, where all manner of festivals and rituals would take place in honour of the Moon, the thing that Kha’ believed represented Metztli herself.

The Kharajyr have historically been ruled by a single leader, distinguished by their white fur. This Kha’ was known as the Tlatlanni (emperor), and this leader was considered a blessed extension of Metztli’s will. Though the Tlatlanni was considered a holy figure, worship of this Kha’ was strictly prohibited under the reformations made by Tla’Xerdun in order to prevent a repeated civil war. The Aelkos (councillors) numbered four, and advised the Tlatlanni on all matters from social structure, to economy, to faith, to war, but it was the Tlatlanni that held ultimate rule.

As part of their many religious laws, Kha’ were bound by rules that were considered heresy to break. Kha’ were not permitted to drink alcohol for it dirtied Metztli’s perfection, Kha’ were not permitted to disrespect or question the Tlatlanni, Aelkos or Metztli herself, Kha’ were not permitted to leave the collective, Kha’ were not permitted to fraternise with non-Kha’, and Kha’ were not permitted to form any ties outside of their nation without express permission of the Tlatlanni.

Though some Kha’ may still adhere to these ancient ways, many generations have passed since their enforcement, and it has now become a way of life existing only as memory, with many new Kharajyr considering these old ways outdated. Some traditions, such as the existence of ‘prides’ (families, though not necessarily directly related) have still persisted across time.

The Turned Trident:

A symbol once upright has since been reversed downward - the Turned Trident is the insignia of the Remnant Kha’. After losing their deep connection to Metztli, and then becoming aware much later of her demise, the once unbreakable faith of the Kharajyr, entirely shattered. Each of its prongs used to represent the combined power of the Tlatlanni, The Aelkos, and The Goddess, but now they are mere homages to memory, worn upon Kha’ clothing as a symbol that their ancient history need not be adhered to, but never forgotten.

It is the new accepted truth by Kha’ that bear the Turned Trident, that their Goddess, Metztli, is most certainly deceased. It is an insignia of woe and mourning, believed by the Kha’ that bear it that only through them does Metztli survive, and it would be a great dishonour to their ancestors and to their dead Goddess to let their origins of faith be muddled by the modern era. The trident does not represent any doctrine or way of life, but is instead a simple sign of deep respect.

The Turned Trident was discovered by Kha’ taking the Lunar Pilgrimage. Pilgrims noticed the once towering statue of Tla’Jhaan, felled, its stone trident buried up-side down into the dirt. This symbol of a fallen way of life was claimed by the Pilgrims, and its use spread back to the Descendant’s continent.

Khalenwyr - The Homeland:

(Artist: dws4me)

Khalenwyr was a paradistical, but small island-continent, inhabited only by the original Kharajyr. Though its biomes varied from sprawling deserts to luscious jungles, all of Khalenwyr was a humid place with great and sudden bouts of monsoon-like rainfall. The tropical isle was scattered with monolithic temples and monuments to their creator; Metztli. At the very centre of Khalenwyr, at the base of the volcano that would one day destroy them, stood the magnificent Temple of the Moon, towering high above the cloud layer, existing as the headquarters of the ruling Tlatlanni and accompanying council of Aelkos.

Though an exact population count was never recorded, it is estimated that thousands of Kharajyr lived peacefully for several centuries on Khalenwyr, divided into larger and smaller settlements, but each fiercely united beneath the Trident-banner of the Tlatlanni, up until the day of the civil war.

Khalenwyr still exists today on Eos, the second Mortal Plane. However, it lay in long abandoned ruin, eerily littered with the petrified corpses of fallen Kha’, made solid in ash, eternally frozen in positions of fear and panic. Though much of the continent was destroyed, Kha’ pilgrims still venture here to pay homage to their lost Goddess.

Biology:

The Kharajyr are divided into four subspecies, each with similar but varying traits that have specific abilities that help them in environments. Kha’ children born of two parents of differing subspecies, will become one or the other at random but never a mixed-version.

Kharajyr can have any eyecolor a feline naturally has, this excludes mutations and genetic anomalies.

All Kha’ share several key traits: They are all particularly agile and all capable of seeing clearly beneath the moon as if it were the sun, though total or near-total darkness still blinds them. They are all also capable of falling from moderate heights without damaging themselves in the process. As well, Kharajyr have a set of retractable claws on each hand.

General Abilities:

-Kharajyr are capable of seeing in the darkness. They still need a lightsource with a minimum light strength comparable to that of the moon at night. Their eyes afterward are capable of reflecting this light several times through their eye, giving them a much better vision at night. However, if they are stuck in an environment where there is no lightsource at all, such as a closed off cave, they won’t be able to see anything. Their eyes can’t enhance light when there is none.

• A Kha can only see when there is a faint lightsource nearby, allowing them to see up to a maximum of 20 blocks in darkness where others could not see further than the actual lightsource.

-Kharajyr are capable and can fall from moderate heights without problems. They could fall from a small house and take minimum damage only and always fall upright. This has its limit and no Kha could perfectly fall from a tower and land gracefully. Any height that can kill another creature will surely kill a Kha as well.

• This rule can only be enforced when you roleplay falling from a specific height where you only take minimal damage. If you fall mechanically or roleplay falling from a height where you would die mechanically speaking, then that is a height large enough to also die in roleplay.

-The Kha have a set of claws on each hand, including their feet a well. They can retract these into their fingers to conceal them, making them look like sharpened fingernails. They can grow to a maximum of 2 inches when fully stretched. These bodily weapons look harmful but can only pierce skin and clothing.

• The claws of Kha have similar strength to that of a large member of the feline species. The claws can only pierce skin and clothing but are not strong enough to go through armor. The claws can possibly break if you attempt to damage armor. A player then needs to do /roll 2. A 1 means your claws break and a 2 means they remain intact. Claws can regrow overtime but take at least a minimum of 3 days before properly healed.

-Kharajyr are particularly prone to the hyperactive effects of sugar. When consumed in large amounts, sugar will dilate the Kha’s pupils to their fullest extent and send them into a sugar-fueled frenzy. This frenzy is not necessarily hostile, but an excessive bout of energy that the Kha’ will need to burn off to make subside.

The Current Mental State : 

All Kha are now all within the same situation. One might be more distraught than the other and might find more trouble finding a place in the world for themselves. Every Kharajyr, since they are a race with small numbers, are now mentally challenged and physically to endure the harsh world they live in. Many of them shall find it difficult to integrate in other cultures due to their exotic origin. They are all searching for a living and a way to set forth the survival of their ancient race. This could be in any way or form. Such as selling wares from their culture on the market or just by simply staying alive. 

As it stands, many Kharajyr live in a state of bittersweet melancholy. They are free from their culture’s reigns of the past but at what cost? Many struggle with their newfound freedom. Some may have worshipped Metztli day and night but are now looking for a new purpose within their life. The other Kha may not have been a great worshipper, yet he is searching for a way for his ancient race to live on for another day. They are conflicted, divided, and some hustle to just get by. But they know they have amazing stories to tell and are part of a great piece of history to this day. As much as their current instinct is to survive, they know very well that they are part of something great, a fallen race. A rich, exotic history has taken hold in their minds and their purpose is to keep it alive. They wish to survive as long as it needs to, to make sure that their piece of history is preserved through time.

(More on Mental State in the section ‘Modern Kha’)

• All Kha, regardless of how strong their connection was to Metztli, share a bond over the death of their creator. They are all aware of who made them and the death of their Muuna (mother)  is what still somewhat binds them all as one, even when divided. Though, it could also be a point of conflict.

Lifecycle: 

All Kharajyr subspecies, regardless of their Descendant counterparts, are subjected to the same lifespan. They can live up to a maximum of 200 years, similar to that of humans.

0-5: Baby/Toddler

A Kharajyr within this stage of life is still young and underdeveloped. It cannot walk or talk until later in this stage, and even then they can only grasp a very basic concept of speech and movement. They can crawl around and make inaudible sounds but these fall in the category of incoherent speech.

• It should be noted that a Kharajyr cannot be played in this life stage as any other character. But the in roleplay present child should be replaced by a roleplay item. A Kharajyr baby/toddler will not make animalistic sounds but more babbling as an actual baby.

5 - 12: Child

When a Kharajyr advances into this stage of life they will be much more aware of their choices and surrounding situations. They will progress like any child would when developing. They, later in this stage, will grow about half their subraces maximum height but never any larger than this. They can be smaller.

12-18: Teenager

As any other Descendant, when advancing to this stage of life they will grow to their ultimate weight and height at the end. They will develop further both physically and mentally as any other teenager would do.

18-150: Adult

A Kharajyr is fully mature physically speaking once they reach the age of 18. They live out the vast majority of their life in this stage where they can embark on their journeys further.

150-200: Elder

When a Kha typically goes over the age of 150, they shall begin showing signs of their elderly stage in life. They will become more fragile and begin displaying various conditions that could weaken them. Their fur coat typically also turns more grey and matted in this stage of life. Kha often die of health complications if they manage to live close to the maximum age of 200, or peacefully pass away in their sleep.

• A Kharajyr cannot live over the maximum age of 200.

• Kha’Pantera:

The Kha’Pantera are coated head to toe in jet-black fur with often very contrasting eye colors. Their fur naturally blends with the cover of night, making them excellent agents of stealth. They can have either extremely slim bodies or can be seen as a more broad-shouldered and muscular variant of themselves. They are accompanied with pretty sharp but effective feline ears on top of their head and a long tail that they use for balance. Most Pantera’s fur coats have a blue hue to them in bright sunlight.

The Kha’ Traditionally, the Kha’Pantera were usually the past nation’s hunters and specially assigned missionaries. This was due to their experience as natural stalkers of the night. Though, it should be noted that this could only be effective in utter darkness and that in bright sunlight, they rather stand out.

The Pantera grows up to between 5”5 and 6”4 feet in height and can weigh anywhere between 140 and 200 pounds. Anywhere below or underneath this weight will be considered unhealthy. The pantera is, aside of its special pelt, considered to be mostly skilled in their agility and balancing this out with their above-average strength. They have advantage in darker areas due to their natural camouflage in the dark.

• The Pantera is considered to be a stronger variant of the Leparda but nothing special in the area of agility and strength.

• Pantera’s are difficult to spot in extreme darkness due to their pelt color. However, they are much easier to spot during daytime or in lit areas, immediately undoing themselves their own camouflage. 

• A pantera’s strength is on par with the peak strength of a human.

• Kha’Leparda:

The Kha’Leparda appear with plain brown, cream or yellow fur, sometimes with black spots. They have a posture very similar to that of humans and their anatomy. They have a set of round ears on top of their heads and a relatively smaller tail compared to the other subraces. They are considered the median of the Kha’ subspecies, dabbling in each of their specific skills without being proficient in one above the others. 

Traditionally, the Kha’Leparda were usually the past nation’s merchants and diplomats. A Leparda however was never restricted by their body however. Where other Kha were classified by their bodily strength and abilities, the Leparda was able to train and go in any direction  they wanted to go. They were more free in this aspect.

The Leparda generally grows in between 5 and 5”10 feet, somewhat similar to an average human. They can weigh anywhere from 120 to 160 pounds for a healthy, normal body. The leparda doesn’t have a specific physical attribute to them as the other three subraces. They do not excel in anything specific but are a good start to go in any direction they choose.

• A Leparda does not excel in anything physically, they are on par with the average human in most physical aspects. They do not possess special abilities that only their subspecies have. However, they still have their general abilities.

• Kha’Cheetrah:

The Kha’Cheetrah are sinewy Kha’ with yellowed or cream-colored fur and an abundance of small black spots. They have an extremely slim body and muscles are barely displayed. They are most notable for their black ‘tear stains’ that run from the corners of their eyes to their maw. Their tails also have black rings at the end instead of spot. These Kharajyr are considered the weakest, but also the most agile, with incredible maneuverability and quick-reflexes making up for their lack of strength.

 Traditionally, the Kha’Cheetrah were the usually past nation’s priests, priestesses and healers. They, in the past, could be seen joining the warrior ranks but not because of their strength, but much rather due to their use for being scouts. The smaller and quicker, the more favorable they were seen. Though, missions at nighttime were saved for their cousins the Pantera.

The Cheetrah normally grows in between 4”6 and 5”4 feet being relatively smaller than other subraces. Due to this, they can weigh anywhere between 80 and 140 pounds. The Cheetrah’s superior reflexes and maneuverability allows them to generally dodge objects coming their way with more ease overall. This has its limits, of course and no matter how fast you react or how fast you move your body, not everything can be dodged. However, they are greatly disadvantaged in a physical fight due to minimal strength. They cannot inflict major damage by raw strength and usually rely on smaller and more complex manoeuvred strategies.

• A Cheetrah excels in maneuvering their body and dodging oncoming objects. However, they cannot dodge projectiles such as arrows naturally just like any other race, or any other object with the equivalent speed of an arrow. A player can leave that up to the luck by doing /roll if they please.

• This ability is not to be powergamed. This ability is not to be used as an excuse to avoid every single attack and remain unscathed in a battle.

• A Cheetrah has minimal strength, equivalent to that of a goblin.

• Kha’Tigrasi:

The Kha’Tigrasi are the tallest and most muscular of the Kha’, bearing orange fur which is overlapped with white patches and black stripes. They stand with broad shoulders, towering over their fellow Kharajyr. Their large, spiked ears stand upright and their tails are accompanied by a white-black stripe pattern. What these Kha’ lack in agility, they make up for in raw strength. They have a much larger face and an extremely powerful set of jaws, which are painted by the intricate pattern on their face.

 Traditionally, the Kha’Tigrasi were usually the past nation’s guards and main warrior force. Sticking out with head and shoulders, they would be able to watch the sea of people to keep watch and protect the peace. These large creatures in their heavy armor, standing perfectly still, was a sight to behold long ago.

The Tigrasi is capable of growing up to heights from 5”10 to 7 feet maximum, being the largest subrace of all. They can become anywhere between 150 to 250 pounds depending on their diet and height. As the strongest Kha subrace, they are capable of wielding immense, raw strength which proves favorable to them in combat. On the other hand, their large posture and muscle mass prevents them from moving as swiftly as their other Kha cousins.

• A Tigrasi’s strength is never able to match that of a full-grown Orc.

-Biological Redlines Summary:

• The Kha’ cannot scale walls beyond what is capable of minecraft mechanics.

• The Kha’ cannot see in heavy or total darkness. They need a faint lightsource to be present to see a maximum of 20 blocks in darkness in roleplay.

• The Kha’s racial abilities are on-par with the Descendant ones, not superior. They must not be powergamed for unfair advantage, and primal prowess in combat is mostly for flavour.

• A Kha’s claws cannot pierce armour of any kind, only pierce skin and clothing.

• The maximum age a Kharajyr may become is 200.

• The Kha’Cheetrah are quick in maneuverability, but may still only run at the speed of an average Kha’/Descendant, and should not be compared to regular cheetahs.

• The Kha’Tigrasi are stronger than a Human, but not as strong as an Orc.

• Kha’ are biologically unable, and OOCly prohibited from breeding with Non-Kha’.

• Kha’s fur colour must be similar to the above mentioned, but can be altered to personal taste. However, Kha’ may not mix the specific traits of subspecies (you can have a strawberry-orange tigrasi, but not a tigrasi with black fur).

• Kha’s sense of hearing matches the average Descendant’s.

• Kha have a stronger sense of smell, but this is purely for flavour, and cannot be used in any way to metagame (finding an object/person’s location, detecting poison in a drink etc).

• Kha’Leonis:

So’Chakal, the First Leonis in Aevos

The Kha’Leonis bears a coat ranging from bright Gold, to the darkest of sun-kissed tans, similar to their Leparda cousins. But, they will never have spots or stripes, and their stature is comparable to that of the Tigrasi, with a similar muscular physiology, only unable to reach their height. Their tail is long, sometimes with a large tuft of thick fur on the end. This subrace has always been known to grow the largest, most impressive manes in Kha society, but such a thing barely compares to the ego the Leonis inhibits: a boon from Metztli, fueled by the great feats of their Leonis ancestors, and inherited through perhaps.. genetic narcissism.

Traditionally, the Kha’Leonis have always been the most narcissistic of the Kharajyr family, not a far cry of the pride of the High Elves. This pretentiousness gives them a distinct courageous, but reckless personality, with the Leonis being known throughout Kharajyr society as a glory-seeking, power-hungry subrace, who would stop at nothing to put themselves in a seat of authority. For this, they were exhumed from Kharakatua long ago, to live on either the outskirts of the declining Empire or the Islands surrounding Khalenwyr, staying there for centuries until now... where they were lead to Aevos in a mass pilgrimage by an unknown guide.

The Leonis typically stands at a height between 5’6 and 6’8, and can weigh up to 250 pounds. Any weight below 140 is considered unhealthy for them, depending on their stature. Just like the Leparda, the Leonis is capable of pursuing any kind of profession they want, but this hardly happens. Their unrealistic confidence and constant need to prove themselves always leads them down a path to power alone, rarely ever reaching their goal of Aelkos anyways. With this eternal battle for self-perfection, the egotistical Leonis too boasts an innate aversion of impurity: almost never pursuing the Dark Arts or “corruptive” magics such as the Void, unless great portions of time were spent convincing them otherwise.

• The courage Kha’Leonis has is to a degree any descendent could exhibit, and is not supernatural like that of a Templar. They are still affected by fear-inducing magic like any other soul-bearing creature would be. This also does not lead to invulnerability or negligence of pain in combat, and could infact cause the opposite, with the Leonis bravely charging into a fight it possibly could not win.
• Though bearing strength comparable to that of a Tigrasi, the “peak” strength of a Leonis is between an Orcs and a Humans, but never above a Tigrasi’s.

Language/dialect:

Though the ancient language known only as Va’Khajrian is now almost entirely lost, with very few, if any Kha’, able to speak it fluently, the basics have persisted across the Kha’s troubled timeline. Kharajyr predominantly speak common, but when referring to themselves, will do so in the third person (e.g. “This one thinks you’re right.” or “[Name] thinks you’re right.”).

The Kha’ often, but not always, have a unique accent, often represented by adding ‘a’s and ‘w’s to words (e.g. “This one thinks you’a right.” or “The walls stand strawng.”). However Kha’ may acquire any accent after spending a duration in a place where it is commonly heard.

Commonly used Va’Khajrian words/phrases:

• Sa’vi = Hello/goodbye

• Mul’ta = Thank you

• Tra’kul = You’re welcome

• Patta = Father

• Munna = Mother

• Metz’al = Married partner

• Per = Son

• Maut = Daughter

• Per’ta = Brother

• Mau’na = Sister

• Players/Kharajyr are not required to speak the accent/dialect, this has become a cultural aspect.

The Lunar Pilgrimage:

Over the centuries of turmoil, Kha’ have gradually scattered, with a great number deciding to take the long journey back to their homeland of Khalenwyr, to seek answers and advice from what remains of the ancient documents and tablets in the vast ruins of shrines and temples. This journey is known as the Lunar Pilgrimage, and is something a Kha’ is not obligated, but encouraged to do at least once in their lifetime.

When completing the Lunar Pilgrimage, a Kha’ may find peace in rediscovering the lost nature of their origins, reconciling with their failure as a species and paying final homage to the original temples of their dead deity. This journey will take some years, depending on the current distance of the continent the Descendant’s reside upon. Though Khalenwyr may be located far away, or even on the opposite Mortal Plane, Kha’ are able to make use of Wayfinder boats to complete the journey to and back.

[ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/161539-a-larger-world-wayfinding/ ]

When new Kha’ appear, unless born of two current Kha’, they have travelled from the ruins of Khalenwyr on return from their long pilgrimage. As such, new Kharajyr will arrive on the current Descendant continent with a deep knowledge of their race’s ancient culture and history, and an awareness of the deceased nature of their Goddess.

• All new Kharajyr, unless a child of two already existing Kha, will officially in rp return from a Lunar Pilgrimage to the current realm. They will carry the then obtained knowledge that their deity is dead.

The Modern Kha’:

Kharajyr in the current Era remain scattered. These Kharajyr hold no mutually shared agenda, their vision lowered from that of the divine, and now to more material sources. Due to their incessant travelling across the world, these Kha’ can appear as tradesmen or caravaneers, collecting and selling on exotic goods, some goods from their own ancient culture, and some from others. Though, some others may have found another place for themselves within another community.

No longer obligated to obey the rules of their past, Kha’ may form whichever bonds they see fit, be that many, or none at all. They also hold no allegiance toward each other due to the lack of a Tlatlanni, unable to be bound together like in the days long gone. Despite this separation, a deep bond still exists between the Kharajyr, built purely on reminiscent melancholy; a shared sensation of grief for their dead Goddess.

Without purpose other than the ones they decide for themselves, the Remnant Kha’ wander the world as symbols of the past, relics of an ancient and outdated culture. By existing, they solidify their memory in history, but the Kha’ would lie to say they did not eagerly await the coming of a white Kharajyr, a Tlatlanni, that may unite them once more.

Purpose:

This is a piece of foundational lore for the Kharajyr as a CA race. It aims to update the expectation and theme of what current Kha’ rp should be, removing outdated lore sections that rely too heavily on close-knit activity, and generally altering the lore to follow events that have happened in-character. Kharajyr are given ultimate freedom on where to take their characters, and new Kharajyr may apply with this current standard in mind to neatly integrate them into this new lore.

This Lore presents the Kharajyr as a ‘fallen race’, and the aim is also to provide the race with more depth and substance to their RP, wandering in vain hope for glory again, reminiscing of the lost empire, praying for a Tlatlanni that will never come. They are displaced creatures, mournful and desperate for purpose.

I want to emphasise that this lore is designed to be open for anybody to be able to jump into, anywhere they want to, while ensuring that a standard of theme and RP is kept. Roleplay is not expected to be centralised, and Kha’ players are encouraged to travel, explore and settle wherever they desire.

General Redlines:

• Applying Kharajyr must create characters that adhere to this lore, meaning that they arrive from a returned pilgrimage from Khalenwyr and understand the depth and loss of their race’s history (unless born of two existing Kharajyr).

• Kharajyr understand that Metztli is dead through vague and abstract texts discovered on the Lunar Pilgrimage, but do not understand the specific nature of how it occurred unless discovered in-character. (A specific group on the server know of Metztli's death in detail through roleplay with Story Team)

• Kharajyr may vary their aesthetic as they wish, but cannot change the fundamental qualities of their subspecies (size, build, fur colour).

• Kharajyr may not dye their fur as a workaround to creating a Tlatlanni - this will specifically defy the theme of the lore.

• Kharajyr must adhere to all sections of this lore, and if evidence is discovered that cherry-picking has been done to create a Kha’ that defies parts, then that particular CA will face ST review (examples are Kha’ with no ties to history and played as a gimmick, or Kha’ created specifically for ““romantic exploits””).

Credits:

• Wretched (Author)

• Chaosgamer (co-auhor)

• Ryloth (Consultation)

• Starryy (Consultation)

• Shvorky (Consultation)

• DrinkPesticide (Consultation)

This is the updated version, it's been improved according to feedback that Squakhawk and Screamingdingo have provided to me and Wretched. If there are any mistakes please let me know :3