Islamadon

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]