Katta

The Katta people, is a sentient anthropomorphic feline people found within Aelyria.

Abstract​

The katta are an anthropomorphic feline people. Long ago they traveled to Aelyria from their homeland of Kattaria and have settled in the same desert plains of the Dorin. They have formed friendships with some of the Peoples, notably the Elves, but are still considered a rather outlandish sight within the Empire.

History and Origins​

It is thought that the evolution of the Katta happened during the Cyraxian War. As waves of arcanic energy washed over the lands, traveling from what is the present-brightening Isle of the Crown to the lands that would become the Sultanate of Arakmat, caught in this massive surge of power were many felines that lived in the area. Many scholars speculate this was the reason for the shift in the cats and the development of katta.

Their minds developed under the arcane influence that spread across the area. Abstract thoughts and complex emotions manifested. Bodies transformed beneath them. They could take a bipedal stance, freeing their forelegs as the hind legs took on the sole task of movement. This increase in mental functioning and the ability to affect the environment around them was the first step down the road of greater racial growth with the most versatile tool, their claws, at their fingertips.

Physical Appearance​

Katta are humanoid felines, with their size, height, build, and fur coloring changing based on whatever type of Cat their ancestors were, however the common feline ancestry is evident across the entire people. Their bodies are covered in a layer of fur, with facial features similar to that of cats.

Both domestic and wild Katta are seen within the Empire, though the latter is much rarer and inbreeding has become common, diluting the specific racial make-up of the individual types.

Culture and Society​

The majority of katta follow the philosophy of M'Taerowl, the never-ending cycle between life and death. Although many new age believers have taken it up as a belief in the dual nature and purpose of the goddess Carmelya and the god Jalat, it is still much less a Religion as a way of life. From the time that they are drinking their mothers' milk and sense that one of the litter has already passed on, this realization that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.

The language of the katta, known as Kattaoshei, is a complex and subtle one based off of not only the words spoken, but the tone and body language used while conveying the message. It is an elusive language to those not raised to speak it.

Notable Skills and Traits​

Katta Types​

While there are a variety of katta types, there are many katta who are some mix of the various types.

Domestikatta​

Domestikatta is the name for katta Peoples that have an ancestry with cats that had been domesticated before being changed. They evolved with the traits that they see as most important, namely intelligence and the whole array of social charms. While they have adopted several customs from Elves and Humans, they claim that they are as much katta as any. Domestikatta believe that to be a katta is to be able to make masterpieces and share them with the world. Whether it be a sculpture, painting, dance, or play, they strive to create, to express the purpose of life in as many forms as possible to touch the lives as many people as possible.

It must be noted that domestikatta are often the first to start permanent settlements, preferring to create, not toil, to live. They are also dominated by a strong matriarchal society, the eldest female often ruling the extended family groups, creating legacies and maintaining family law.

Detractors of the group claim that domestikatta are too far removed from the world around them to truly be able to call themselves katta. They also claim that domestikatta care too much about things of the mind, and rarely have the power to do anything to change the world around. Allies to the domestikatta often feel that they are charming to be around, and try to influence the society and world through culture and art, not accepting it for how it is nor forcing anything to become something it is not.


Omnicat
Perhaps the most vain of all katta, Omnicats pride themselves on their own beauty, worshipping themselves first over any god, hence their name. Descended from a fluffy white domesticated house Cat of ancient times, the originator species has yet to be precisely determined. Most stand between four to six feet tall, with pure white fur and green eyes. All are strikingly beautiful without exception. They pride themselves excessively on these looks, ignoring their often-poisoned hearts, preferring to look better on the outside than they are on the inside. When an Omnicat enters, they feel it is an insult if everyone is not taken aback by their presence there. They use this ability to dominate the scene by looks alone as much as they dare, even when many across Aelyria have learned not to trust a white-furred katta. They use everything they have to ruthlessly pursue what they want, and Omnicats want it all: power, wealth, and authority.

The vain Omnicats were suppressed in the time of Ancient Kattaria by Lionoids, forced to act as menial laborers or as special pleasures to the warlords. This is something no Omnicat, even to the present time, has yet to forget nor forgive. When the Dorin Occupation began, and all were being enslaved, the Omnicats used their beauty to avoid hard labor and to prevent themselves from being worked to death. They also acted as informants for the Dorin, betraying details of revolts to the overlords, often ending most slave uprisings before they even began. Maintaining this power, they rose to become the new leadership and started the aptly named Omnicat Regime after the end of the Dorin Occupation. It was not until eras after this ascension to power that it was known what they did to gain the trust of the overlords, but by then it was too late, the Omnicats were too deeply entrenched to be removed. Some may call them cruel, but they managed to build up the city of Kyathis and maintain a form of peace for eras on end between the katta sub-species. It is not until recent eras that the Omnicats have been pulled from their thrones in Kyathis, but many still have influence in courts across Aelyria.

The people was heavily influenced by the light-born Elves, thus they often have monogamous relationships of a husband and wife. They practice a form of arranged marriages, trying to selectively breed themselves to become more beautiful with each passing generation. Omnicat females will choose to give birth to one litter in a lifetime if they can help it; they want to prevent as much ruin to their figure as possible. Omnicat kitta are introduced young in life to the intricacies of court politics, to be used by parents as tools, and to learn their own way through the heart of the Great Game, as Omnicats tend to refer to politics. The overall population of Omnicats is quite low when compared to the other Peoples of the katta, but often much steadier in times of distress than most others of the katta kind.


Persettie
Persettie are descendants of domesticated cats kept by many of the early Nairu people. Their fur is often long and a creamy tan color, most having hazel colored eyes. They have narrow faces and slender bodies, and have especially short muzzles, even among felines. They are between five and half to six and half feet tall on average. They are considered among the most intelligent of the katta. It is clear that Persettie are often drawn to pursuits that deal more with intellectual aspects than social or physical. They do possess calculative minds, and are inquisitive scholars in various fields of science and arcana within Aelyria.

In Ancient Kattaria, those Persettie that did not serve as laborers worked as record keepers under the Tigrons in the administration of the fiefdoms, their keen minds helping them remember many things that had transpired. While some felt that they were being treated unfairly, they did what they could to help. During the Dorin Occupation, they saw a potential chance to aid in the katta society that would be created during, and after, the enslavement. They allied with the Omnicats in order to escape hard duties and devote more time to planning. When the Occupation ended and the Omnicat Regime began, they were not set up as councilors to the new leaders as they had been promised. They were instead relegated to control of the katta historical records, many of which had been plundered and destroyed by the dorin overlords. Now, with Lionoid Supremacy in place, Persettie have managed to stay in their position as the scholars and record keepers of the race.

Persettie families are almost human. They have fewer litters, and can subsequently devote more time to each kitta being raised. While few mate for life, many tend to gravitate back to the same partners again and again, creating a continuity among the various litters each parent could potentially have.


Tabbiri
Tabbiri are the descendants of domesticated tabby cats, they range in height between four to five feet tall. The Tabbiri usually have tan, gray, black, or orange fur that often run along their bodies in various stripe patterns, and most commonly have something similar to the shape of the letter 'M' appearing on their foreheads within the patterns. Orange and yellow eyes are predominant among the group. They are known for their silent ability to stay composed in even the most frantic of situations. Servitude under several different forms of governing shaped this inner strength to stand resolute in all circumstances. This has kept them out of the public eye, but that does not mean they have not been busy. Tabbiri can be found everywhere, many wanting the people for the composure they have in everything. From artists, scholars, musicians, even gourmet chefs, they prove their worth in everything they do. Despite this, almost all katta look down upon the Tabbiri, whether domestikatta or wilderkatta. Nevertheless, they stand calm in the face of scorn, and continue in what they want to do.

In the time of Ancient Kattaria, Tabbiri were the lowest class of them all, often being little less than slaves in The Fields. The Dorin Occupation did little to change that, just replacing the leaders for which the Tabbiri toiled. While few in the Omnicat Regime cared for the Tabbiri, they were allowed to do much more than before for they were still domestikatta, and thus worth more than any wilderkatta in the eyes of the Regime. They began progressing in other parts of life, and started to take control of the artistic fields. As they were shown little favoritism by the Omnicat Regime, they have managed to stay secure during the restructuring of the Lionoid Supremacy, and many are encouraged to continue artistic pursuits. Some believe that this is less from a want to create art, and more just a way to create more that can be sold, effectively making their new positions just the same in concept as the ones the people had in Ancient Kattaria.

Tabbiri families are a spread out affair. Fathers and mothers will keep together to raise the litter the two created, providing and caring for their children. Siblings and older litters from either side will often help in the upbringing of the new members of their family. The father will then be replaced by the next lover the mother wishes to take, and the family continues to grow.

Wilderkatta​

The wilderkatta are those katta whose ancestors were the wild cats of Telath, who roamed the lands before being transformed under the wave of arcana energies. Due to the nature of the wild Cat, they are often more individualized than the domestikatta. Among the ethnic divisions of the wilderkatta, they are more willing to do what they want than what anyone else wants. This independence can be seen in all katta, but the wilderkatta are more likely to express it. Only a great cause, or having the might to force them, ever unites the wilderkatta long enough to do something before they break up into their fragments once again.

In the days of Ancient Kattaria, the wilderkatta were the rulers, their physical strength allowing them to subjugate the other katta. This led to a 'might makes right' attitude among most wilderkatta, and is a view that still prevails. As males do tend to be stronger than the females, many wilderkatta, Lionoids in particular, have a patriarchal outlook upon the family. It must be acknowledged that this is not always the case.

Detractors of wilderkatta claim that wilderkatta care only about the physical aspects of something. Never do they care about the cultural or intellectual side of things. Allies state that wilderkatta prefer to handle matters pragmatically. They deal with what they can and leave the rest to be sorted out later.


Jagara
The ancestors of the Jagara are none others than jaguars. The base coat of a Jagara's fur can range from tawny yellow to reddish-brown to even black. They are covered in dark rosettes that are a leftover from the camouflage used by their ancestors. The spots on the neck are generally solid, as are those on the tail. Even black-furred Jagara have these darker spots in their fur, but it takes close scrutiny to notice. They have willowy and clearly toned bodies, emphasizing dexterity and nimbleness over every other physical aspect of their bodies. Their height averages between five to six feet, making them seem like small Pantheri. This suits them quite well, considering how they use their dexterity most often as spies, scouts, or any other profession that requires agility over raw power. They work various fields, and have become known as working for the highest bidder in activities that are highly illegal. Jagara are not well trusted, and tend to keep to themselves when not working.

Jagara served the Lionoids in Ancient Kattaria most often as acrobats or scouts, using their agility and honed stealth Skills in either area. These Skills were further refined during the Dorin Occupation. While rarely working with any of the other groups, Jagara would often sabotage dorin activities, spy on their plans, and generally serve as a nuisance to the dorin overlords. With the Omnicat Regime, Jagara came into their own, often serving Calicori and Persettie in their feud between one another. Most of all, they became powerful tools in Omnicat hands, spying on everyone else, and even assassinating those who caused too much trouble for those in charge. Even in modern times with the return of Lionoid Supremacy, the Jagara still serve the same functions, spying on all, and eliminating those that can cause trouble. Few trust them, but fewer still can deny that Jagara are the best at what they do.

Jagara families are often reclusive, and an extended family is rarely maintained. They are unsociable with all except their own kind, and often join up with two or three separate families. These families form an enclave for a time, teaching and raising the children together, giving them all the education the individual parents believe the various offspring will need. When a child is deemed ready, they are simply told the leave the protection of the enclave and find their own way in the world. It must be noted that Jagara are the most likely to form monogamous relationships with complete fidelity.


Lionoid
Lionoids have evolved from lions, and are sometimes known to others as 'Lionmen' or even 'Liontaurs'. The Lionoids often range in height between five to seven feet tall. Most notably many of the males have manes, similar to that of their ancestors, ranging in colors from gold to tawny, to even brown or red in rare cases. All Lionoids, whether male or female, are husky and lithe, their physique clearly defining them as being among the strongest of individuals. The Lionoids have managed to keep this enormous strength, retaining the most among the whole katta people. This made them the warlords back in Ancient Kattaria, and the leaders once again after the overthrow of the Omnicat Regime.

Lionoids are among the more aggressive of the katta groups, often appearing rude, and even more times downright hostile, giving no apology for their actions. Despite this, they view themselves as protectors of the katta. They are very proud and very stubborn in retaining and reviving the ancient traditions of the people. They simply do not talk to those outside of their warrior castes if it can be helped.

Lionoid family life is best described as being a harem, though it is often thought as a commune style of life. Several females will live and raise their young together, and many have a common male who is the overseer of the household. Those females not nursing young will work to provide for the rest of the commune. The male is often the protector of those in his care, keeping out unwanted visitors. The youngsters of the family are encouraged to leave the commune and find their own style of life as soon as they pass their Hunt. The general friendliness of a Lionoid Pride is not an easy thing to forget, and many will gladly accept the hospitality of a Pride when journeying.


Pantheri
The Pantheri have descended from the Great Panthers of legend. Their fur is usually black, but shades of brown are quite common among the people. They are often muscular and unyielding, matching that of their minds. Height often ranges between five-and-a-half feet tall to just under seven feet. Pantheri will often mate for life, but many are known to still have lovers outside of their partner. Pantheri family units are often militaristic in outlook, with the parents as commanding officers and children ranked in authority by age.

The two species, Pantheri and Great Panther, formed a symbiotic relationship long ago. They are known in many tales, both those of katta and non-katta, as the fabled Clawknights, those Pantheri riding into battle gloriously as on the backs of the Great Panthers. During the time of Ancient Kattaria, the Clawknights acted as an inter-tribal force of elite soldiers, trying to maintain a semblance of accord between the warring Factions.

Just as common as the tales of the Pantheri Clawknights is the renowned resolve of a Pantheri. They have what many describe as an uncanny ability of dedicating themselves to a single task, doing everything necessary to fulfill the action. Their willpower is considered enormous, sometimes becoming all consuming in their actions. Stories from the katta-dorin conflicts reinforces this, with many Pantheri prisoners simply being killed by the dorin instead of being captured. The stories said that no amount of interrogation would ever yield results, and the captured Pantheri would always attempt escape to rejoin the fight.

It is from this singular dedication that Pantheri still resent the dorin, and view any sort of compromise with the canine people as an act of betrayal. Not only a betrayal to the katta, but to the integrity of the individual involved. For this reason, they opposed the Omnicat Regime, viewing all of the leaders as being traitors to their own kind. Their resolve refuses to let them back down, and managed to help restore Lionoid Supremacy and the ways of old. While such changes may be as drastic, Pantheri often work within the system to change what they see as dangerous trends.


Tigron
Tigron are the descendants of tigers, and often stand between five feet to seven feet tall. They usually have fur ranging from rusty-reddish to brown-rusty to orange with black stripes running across, often with a white stomach and chest. Full white Tigrons with grey-blue stripes are rare, and often considered to be blessed. Such individuals are perceived as being the spirit of a great katta from the past returning to the world. These Tigrons are thus given the best in food, clothing, and even first choice of mates. While the Tigrons may have lost the great strength that their wild ancestors held, they still have maintained a shrewd perception of the world. They have a keen eye for minute details, possessing an insight into organizing things to become more efficient. This allows them to excel in many different fields, from being tacticians to administrators. Across Aelyria, they can often be found within the bureaucracy of cities that katta have a presence in, though they have not forgotten their roots, and often participate in friendly contests of skill against worthy competitors of any people.

Lionoids and Tigrons have a close history between each other, with the Tigrons being the equivalent of nobility in the time of Ancient Kattaria. The Tigrons handled the regular administration of the different fiefdoms so that the Lionoids could focus on other issues. During the Dorin Occupation, Tigrons were weakened in power and numbers, and often joined in any slave rebellions. In the Omnicat Regime, Tigrons were reinstated as lesser functionaries of the quickly growing bureaucracy. While many considered it a show of the true value of the group, it is said that the action has weakened the bond between the Tigrons and the Lionoids, casting suspicion between the two groups that many say still has not been repaired in the modern rule of Lionoid Supremacy.

Credit​

Credit goes to Tal K'Pazhawrl