Khajiit
Khajiits are humanoids that resemble an upright standing large feline. They have definite cat features: a short muzzle, whiskers, cat ears, vertical pupils, a long, graceful tail, and limbs shaped like those of big cats, with perhaps human-like hands, though large and furred. Their skin is covered in a coat of soft fur of any color and pattern, and their eyes are usually green, blue, yellow or brown. They stand at heights similar to humans, though male khajiits are usually very tall on average. They are equipped with retractable claws that seem to serve infinite purpose. They may have sharp teeth, though the size and sharpness varies with each individuals.
Average Lifespan: 70-90 years Carnivores Pregnancy
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History
Khajiits origins are foggy, as different bloodlines seem to originate from all over Askeron. They once lived peacefully separate from all other beings. They are very tribal by nature, and gathered in colonies or settlements - compact group living together under the order of a Clan Mother. The location and boundary lines of colonies were marked by scratched claw marks on tree trunks. Over time colonies dwindled in number and population due to an illness that struck khajiits worldwide, known as Cateractus.
The first signs of Cateractus was blindness, which happened very gradually. The blindness was not without pain, often experiencing a stinging and burning sensation behind the eyes. There was a hoarse cough and vomiting that proceeded. It was the continuation of decaying eyes that took them, their skull around their eyes slowly caving in causing massive migraines until the pressure was too much and ended them swiftly. Some were immune but most were unfortunate. It wasn't until decades later that a cure was discovered by a Clan Mother named Bianca Kuise and the Khajiit species was saved.
By then, many Khajiits had fled their colonies in an attempt to escape the sickness, spreading themselves far apart from one another and mingling with societies of other kinds. They began embracing kingdoms and pledging themselves to a new era of being. Khajiit colonies that remained were rare and small, taking residency in the wild. As the boundaries of kingdoms spread the colonies often made agreements to live under the laws but to remain in isolation. Many khajiit you meet today, though not officially and actively apart of a colony, will still claim their devotion to an ancestral colony.
The first signs of Cateractus was blindness, which happened very gradually. The blindness was not without pain, often experiencing a stinging and burning sensation behind the eyes. There was a hoarse cough and vomiting that proceeded. It was the continuation of decaying eyes that took them, their skull around their eyes slowly caving in causing massive migraines until the pressure was too much and ended them swiftly. Some were immune but most were unfortunate. It wasn't until decades later that a cure was discovered by a Clan Mother named Bianca Kuise and the Khajiit species was saved.
By then, many Khajiits had fled their colonies in an attempt to escape the sickness, spreading themselves far apart from one another and mingling with societies of other kinds. They began embracing kingdoms and pledging themselves to a new era of being. Khajiit colonies that remained were rare and small, taking residency in the wild. As the boundaries of kingdoms spread the colonies often made agreements to live under the laws but to remain in isolation. Many khajiit you meet today, though not officially and actively apart of a colony, will still claim their devotion to an ancestral colony.
Culture
Bloodlines and Colonies
There are 15 subspecies of khajiit. These subspecies are referred to as Bloodlines, where a khajiit can trace back their lineage. These Bloodlines are as follows:
There are 15 subspecies of khajiit. These subspecies are referred to as Bloodlines, where a khajiit can trace back their lineage. These Bloodlines are as follows:
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Most colonies are dominated by a specific bloodline but that does not necessarily mean they are restricted in that sense. Khajiit colonies may welcome a variety of khajiit, and those that are non-hostile may not be opposed to allowing humanoids of other kinds to take residence with them, temporarily or otherwise, though this is rare.
Colony Hierarchy: Clan Mother & The Mane
Colonies are overseen by a Clan Mother, a female khajiit in a hereditary position. A Clan Mother gives advice and makes suggestions, she may also take claim to all finalized decisions of a colony, though she'll generally take all opinions into consideration. Above that of the Clan Mother is The Mane, a single position of power that oversees several colonies within a region. The Mane is a male descendant with the bloodline of a lion who travels between his colonies. When The Mane is present he may overrule the decisions of The Mother.
Once a year, a ceremony known as The Brutality Provocation, is held at The Mane's birth colony (colony for which he was born). Other male khajiits of a lion bloodline can challenge The Mane. A Tournament is held over a week period and the final winner must duel with The Mane - the champion holds the title of The Mane. To win the opponent must either be knocked unconscious or end in death. Some Manes remain in power for years, decades, while others only serve for a year.
Other positions of power within a single colony are the Clan Sisters. These are sisters of the Clan Mother. They have no real rule but are treated as high nobility due to their tendency to have strong influence over The Mother. A Clan Sister always has the title "Sister" put before her name (ex: Sister Mira). Brothers to The Mother are not given any title (Brother is not put before their name). They are still considered high nobility but their position is much less significant than The Mother or Sisters. Offspring of The Mother are given the title of Daughter or Son in front of their name (ex: Daughter Dia, Son Tritan).
When a litter of khajiit in the ruling family have multiple daughters, it is voted for by the colony who falls next in line. This voting is only done when The Mother dies or chooses to step down.
If a Mother steps down she is then given the title of The Great Mother or The Grand. She has no real power, though her influence to The Mother is significant and she is treated with honor and praise till the end of her days. A Mother can only choose to step down from her rule when she has a daughter who is at least 15 years old.
The Mane, The Mother, Sisters, Daughters, Sons and The Grand are known as The Regal Family.
Aside from the Regal Family, khajiit colonies are not divided in social or economical rank but instead are deemed all equally important.
A Clan Mother is to never be wed. Instead she may have temporary or brief suitors. Suitors serve only one purpose: to impregnate The Mother. Suitors are sought out and chosen by The Mother and while she can, of course, be turned down it is strongly suggested among the colony to accept her proposal. Suitors can be married men, young or old, anyone The Mother feels would provide her with a well rounded child or children. Whoever the suitor is they are not to have any role in raising the child or children. They may be acknowledged as the father but they are relieved of duties and responsibilities to them. The Mother will usually, and is encouraged to, bear children from multiple suitors over her lifetime of ruling.
A Clan Mother is almost obligated to have a sexual relationship with The Mane, so long as he wants it. Again, it is not generally forced but more so strongly suggested it be the right thing to do. It is inappropriate for The Mother to fornicate with a suitor while The Mane is visiting. The Mother is obligated to let The Mane reside with her for the duration of his stay. For this reason The Mane is viewed as the true partner to all Clan Mothers.
Khajiits who have left behind clan life do not acknowledge Mothers or Manes as rulers, but instead look to formalized government among kingdoms.
Piercings
In old Khajiit culture one is awarded an ear piercing when they have accomplished something insurmountable or who have simply gone above and beyond for their colony. The majority of khajiits who sport ear piercings are fierce warriors who have saved lives or risks sacrifice in battle. Others may be medicine healers, harvesters and craftsmen. Piercings are awarded by the Clan Mother. Those who had multiple piercings on both ears were regarded as exceptional members of the colony. Like a medal of honor, piercings were admired, but it did not make any one individual more significant or important than the others.
While this practice still exists within colonies, nowadays khajiits from all over who live within towns and cities of the kingdom get ear piercings (and sometimes nose piercings) for pure aesthetic. For this reason the tradition has less significance.
Catnip
One of the most common profession taken up by khajiits are that of traveling merchants. Many khajiit caravan together across cities to sell rare goods. Most get by selling very elusive drugs. Their most prized drug of choice is Catnip. It's not addictive or illegal but is rather rare and expensive. The drug first causes your senses to kick into overdrive, feeling a rush of energy coarse through the body. The effects are followed by a calming haze, which relaxes the body and muscles.
Catnip is most intense for khajiits but has zero effect on dwarves, gnomes, goblins, or creans. It has a smaller, less intense effect on all other species.
Seers
Colony Hierarchy: Clan Mother & The Mane
Colonies are overseen by a Clan Mother, a female khajiit in a hereditary position. A Clan Mother gives advice and makes suggestions, she may also take claim to all finalized decisions of a colony, though she'll generally take all opinions into consideration. Above that of the Clan Mother is The Mane, a single position of power that oversees several colonies within a region. The Mane is a male descendant with the bloodline of a lion who travels between his colonies. When The Mane is present he may overrule the decisions of The Mother.
Once a year, a ceremony known as The Brutality Provocation, is held at The Mane's birth colony (colony for which he was born). Other male khajiits of a lion bloodline can challenge The Mane. A Tournament is held over a week period and the final winner must duel with The Mane - the champion holds the title of The Mane. To win the opponent must either be knocked unconscious or end in death. Some Manes remain in power for years, decades, while others only serve for a year.
Other positions of power within a single colony are the Clan Sisters. These are sisters of the Clan Mother. They have no real rule but are treated as high nobility due to their tendency to have strong influence over The Mother. A Clan Sister always has the title "Sister" put before her name (ex: Sister Mira). Brothers to The Mother are not given any title (Brother is not put before their name). They are still considered high nobility but their position is much less significant than The Mother or Sisters. Offspring of The Mother are given the title of Daughter or Son in front of their name (ex: Daughter Dia, Son Tritan).
When a litter of khajiit in the ruling family have multiple daughters, it is voted for by the colony who falls next in line. This voting is only done when The Mother dies or chooses to step down.
If a Mother steps down she is then given the title of The Great Mother or The Grand. She has no real power, though her influence to The Mother is significant and she is treated with honor and praise till the end of her days. A Mother can only choose to step down from her rule when she has a daughter who is at least 15 years old.
The Mane, The Mother, Sisters, Daughters, Sons and The Grand are known as The Regal Family.
Aside from the Regal Family, khajiit colonies are not divided in social or economical rank but instead are deemed all equally important.
A Clan Mother is to never be wed. Instead she may have temporary or brief suitors. Suitors serve only one purpose: to impregnate The Mother. Suitors are sought out and chosen by The Mother and while she can, of course, be turned down it is strongly suggested among the colony to accept her proposal. Suitors can be married men, young or old, anyone The Mother feels would provide her with a well rounded child or children. Whoever the suitor is they are not to have any role in raising the child or children. They may be acknowledged as the father but they are relieved of duties and responsibilities to them. The Mother will usually, and is encouraged to, bear children from multiple suitors over her lifetime of ruling.
A Clan Mother is almost obligated to have a sexual relationship with The Mane, so long as he wants it. Again, it is not generally forced but more so strongly suggested it be the right thing to do. It is inappropriate for The Mother to fornicate with a suitor while The Mane is visiting. The Mother is obligated to let The Mane reside with her for the duration of his stay. For this reason The Mane is viewed as the true partner to all Clan Mothers.
Khajiits who have left behind clan life do not acknowledge Mothers or Manes as rulers, but instead look to formalized government among kingdoms.
Piercings
In old Khajiit culture one is awarded an ear piercing when they have accomplished something insurmountable or who have simply gone above and beyond for their colony. The majority of khajiits who sport ear piercings are fierce warriors who have saved lives or risks sacrifice in battle. Others may be medicine healers, harvesters and craftsmen. Piercings are awarded by the Clan Mother. Those who had multiple piercings on both ears were regarded as exceptional members of the colony. Like a medal of honor, piercings were admired, but it did not make any one individual more significant or important than the others.
While this practice still exists within colonies, nowadays khajiits from all over who live within towns and cities of the kingdom get ear piercings (and sometimes nose piercings) for pure aesthetic. For this reason the tradition has less significance.
Catnip
One of the most common profession taken up by khajiits are that of traveling merchants. Many khajiit caravan together across cities to sell rare goods. Most get by selling very elusive drugs. Their most prized drug of choice is Catnip. It's not addictive or illegal but is rather rare and expensive. The drug first causes your senses to kick into overdrive, feeling a rush of energy coarse through the body. The effects are followed by a calming haze, which relaxes the body and muscles.
Catnip is most intense for khajiits but has zero effect on dwarves, gnomes, goblins, or creans. It has a smaller, less intense effect on all other species.
Seers
Common Mixed Breeds
Mithra
(Human/Khajiit)
(Human/Khajiit)
Mithras are a subspecies formed from crossing humans and khajiits. They appear like humans with cat-like eats and a cat tail, which are also the only two parts of the body that has fur. Their skin color varies just as humans do. Their eyes can be any color seen in humans plus the option of yellow.
Some mithras may show no sign of their mixed breed, appearing completely human or completely khajiit, and while this is rare it is possible. In this regard they may choose to avoid any relation to the term 'mithra.' Mithras aren't hugely frowned upon except by discriminatory khajiits and humans. |