Important OOC Information
Overview
There is a type of Kharajyr that is known as the "Lincat" (pronounced "LUeen-kuah-te"). The Lincat come to be because of a birth defect that has steadily been growing more and more common in Kha birth mothers, and therefore in some of the Kha children. This birth defect causes the children to come out oddly malformed: with longer snouts and longer, more shaggy fur. What exactly causes this birth defect is unknown, however it has been happening for centuries, since before the four races came to Asulon in the first place. History
There have been several tales and stories of the lincat in the Kha history, however most of them are simply footnotes to the side. It was believed that speaking was the enhanced ability given to this odd sort of subrace, as the Tigrasi had their strength and the Cheetra had their speed. However, there is one story that is recorded as a warning against the Lincat more than any others. Hundreds of years ago, on the Kha island in Asulon, there was a kitten born with a different shape than the others.This kitten was called Jhakir, and while he was often treated differently for his odd appearance, for the most part his appearance did not seem to affect how he was treated by the other Kharajyr, not for the most part any way. He grew up to be a strong Kharajyr.
One odd thing recorded about Jhakir was that he seemed to be quite loved by the Kha, despite his odd appearance, even to the point of being almost worshipped, although none of the Kha would say that they worshipped him, only that he was their good friend, or perhaps a natural leader. This was no uncommon thing, as it does not seem to concern any of the Kharajyr who recited the story, so apparently, something about this defect caused him to have an incredible amount of charisma, to the point of almost being a sort of magic in itself. People did as he asked, and followed him willingly. Later this was called his "bylgymbry" (pronounced "baeae-lu-geaem-bae-raae") and was regarded as a type of black magic natural to the lincat.
As Jhakir grew, however, his mind turned to pride and he looked toward the position of the Tlatlanni. Jhakir yearned for the power to rule the Kharajyr fully, not just in social standing, and in his mind he believed that his odd form was a sign from Metzli that he was meant to become the next ruler, the next breed of Kha, and the newest step in Metzli's perfect ideal. He believed the enhanced charisma of the Lincat was a sign as well.
After some years, this thought became a revolution for the Kharajyr, as Jhakir made an attempt to take the throne from the Tlatlanni, a civil war between the Loyalists who did not succumb to Jhakir's persuasion, and the Rebels who followed him almost blindly. The Loyalists were triumphant however, and managed to capture and execute many of the Rebels, and, eventually, they took Jhakir himself. He was executed and the remainder of his followers dispersed.
For many decades after, a total ban was placed on the Lincats. Any child born with the same form as Jhakir was put to death immediately after birth. This was when they earned the name of "Lincat" which in the ancient language means "cursed". After a Lincat was born in a Kharajyr household, the parents, particularly the mother, would go through a purification ritual for several months to help prevent the next child from being born with the same characteristics. This lasted until the Tlatlanni died, and the next took his place.
The new Tlatlanni had pity for the young mothers and fathers who hated to lose their children. Many of them, including himself, could not even remember the time of Jhakir's rebellion, and few understood just why the elders were so afraid. To put them at ease, the Tlatlanni repealed the ban on the Lincat, and instead replaced it with many rules towards their lives. Since it was believed now that Jhakir's voice was a type of dark magic, the Lincat were not allowed to speak unless ordered to do so by a higher authority. From kitten to adult they would be silent or they would be executed. Some even had their tongues removed by parents at a young age to keep them from speaking. Lincat were not permitted in any form of leadership. They could not lead even a small band of themselves in a meaningless task, to the point that even if they were simple garbage collectors, only a common Kharajyr could be in charge of them. They were also forbidden from joining the priesthood for fear that their black magic might taint the rituals, and sometimes they were not even permitted to join in with the rituals that other non-priest Kharajyr could.
Over the next hundred years a few of the restrictions were repealed. They were allowed in some small forms of leadership, here and there, though it was always a controversy and always caused some fear among some of the elders. There was a place made for them in the temple as silent priests: they were not permitted to learn the magic, and could only assist with basic rituals and sacrifices, and for the most part were glorified bag-carriers, but they appreciated the change. Still, the ban on their voices was never repealed, and to this day they remain silent.
In the more modern day, the Lincat have become more frequent in births than they have been in ancient days. There still remain the same laws, and these are unlike to be repealed since the Lincat cannot speak. However, as their numbers have grown, the Lincat have been able to come together more, and to speak in their own way: through a body language that they have developed over the years. This body language is usually not known among the Kharajyr, as they usually do not care much, though some of the more friendly have learned the language themselves. The Lincat rarely leave the island without other Kharajyr, and have now reached the position where they may have more power, sometimes as bodyguards, and sometimes as assistants, but they still cannot hold positions of high power. Drawbacks and Strengths
The Lincat are a bit different from their Kharajyr brothers and sisters both mentally and physically, and even a little culturally. They generally lack the night vision of the others, but their sense of smell has been enhanced ten fold, allowing them to smell things and people passing that has not happened for days, and sometimes even weeks when the smell is strong enough. Those around the Lincat while they are speaking are generally drawn to them, and it is easy to make friends as they tend to be more friendly than common Kha. They don't share that innate sense of superiority that the other Kha have since they consider themselves defective. The Lincat have begun to typically travel in groups since they have become more common, as a single Lincat can attract unwanted attention, and abuse from other Kharajyr is somewhat commonplace. Another physical factor is that they are often infertile, or nearly so, and even when they do have a child they are usually common Kharajyr. A Kharajyr born from a Lincat is believed to have been 'saved by Metzli" and are often taken from their parents to be raised in a proper Kharajyr home, to the woe of the Lincat. Likewise, Lincat born from Kharajyr are often given away to join the Lincat packs to be raised in silence.
Ways of Worship
While they can now be silent priests in the temple, most Lincat still choose their old way of worship, how their packs would worship before. They developed what they were called "Moon Vigils" which they did every night that the moon was full. They would travel out in their packs and hunt a sacrifice, taking them back into the jungle. There, they would howl songs to Metzli after night fell, and would kill the sacrifice at dawn before returning to their homes. Very rarely were Kharajyr invited to these vigils, as the Lincat feared the discovery that they used their voices at these times. General Appearance
Lincat typically stand at about six feet tall, though some can be taller. They are usually thinner than regular Kharajyr, and even though they might match up in adulthood, usually grow at a slower rate. Their speech comes sooner than other kittens, however, though most do not use it, and if they are raised among other Lincat they will start using hand signs. They are covered in long, shaggy fur, which they often cut to counteract the heat of the jungle, and their fur ranges through many different patterns, sometimes mimicking the patterns of their Kharajyr parents. Colors range from brown to black, though there are occasionally lighter colors, and even multiple colors and patterns. Body Language
Because of the ban on their speech, Lincat speak a language without their voices, using their bodies to supplement. While most Kharajyr do not understand all the signs, there are a few that have become more understood with use. Some of these can mean multiple things depending on the situation, and these different meanings will be separated by "/".
Flicking the ears once - Yes
A half-shrug, where the left shoulder comes up toward the head, then is lowered quickly - No Lowering the ears and baring the teeth - Stop/A firmer way to say no/A signal to let the other know they are irritating. The longer that this is held, the more angry or irritated they are - and the more firmly they mean it.
Tilting the head to the side, exposing the neck - I respect you/A title for someone who is in charge (so to speak)/A salute.
Lowering the ears and tilting the head down - I'm sorry.
A paw on their chest, then raised to the sky - Metzli
Tapping their head - I understand/I know
Tapping their mouth then raising it to the sky - Tlatlanni