Okay, so I've uploaded all of the information in this thread to my Google Drive as a document entitled "Of Capasha and the Kazari"

It's been made shareable so if any of you would like to take a peek, just click on the link above. As of this moment, it's a "living document," meaning that it's prone to edits and updates on the fly. Anyhoo... enjoy as you will.

That's because it's such a creepy place... there's spiders and cobwebs and dust and... Oh mylanta! What is THAT??!!??  Don't step in it! It doesn't look at all safe!

Added/updatesdsome info in the "Notable Regions" post. Also added a blurb concerning kazari dwellings in the "Culture and Society" post.

Assuming any of you are following along, please forgive the "stream of consciousness" style, here. I start refining or cleaning up one part of my notes and, often times, it leads me into other thoughts and considerations that I hadn't considered. Once I get organized enough to create actual Audalis pages, I hope it'll be much more fluid.

Haven't heard from or seen Blackthorn in a bit but, from what I understand, the hurricane kind of just brushed up against Florida and didn't do the damage that was expected (yay!). I assume he'll be back around in short order.

...the last hurrah of summer vacations, I think. That and the end of the fiscal year bunching things up in workppaces. 

I need to get some posts written and articles posted, myself. Just gotta find the time.

...those two humans were there to insure our glory in battle. Nothing more. Nothing less. Let's eat them and absorb their power!  

I'm not crazy, I'm cautious... besides, my mother had me tested.

...Ch'dau is grateful for Davena and Garn's intervention in the party's predicament - they saved our lives, after all, and that's a lot more than nothing. However; he's a bit more than mildly suspicious at the timeliness of said intervention, now, especially given the following:

• They were present in Crandel following our first encounter with the gigglers/shamblers


• Davena did the whole brown-chicken-brown-cow thing with Aranwen, one of our better fighters, just an hour or so before our next encounter with the undead (and everyone knows you're not supposed to boink before a fight... it's not good for the legs...   )


• On top of that, neither her nor Garn were anywhere to be found during said second encounter (no thought given to that at the time, of course, but in retrospect, it seems a tad more convenient, now.)


• As mentioned in post by Davena, herself, she and Garn killed the alleged Priest of D'hurgen in an attempt to disperse the horde he was "controlling."
  
  
  
  • That has Ch'dau thinking that she and Garn weren't all that far away during the entire course of events that led us to encountering the horde/trying to save Kith
  
  
  • Despite their proximity, they waited until the "last possible minute" to intervene (face it, we were ALL gonna die had they not showed up) and, that, in turn, makes Ch'dau wonder as to their motivations in saving us, at all.
  
  
  • Furthermore, Davena claims that she and Garn are "looking to find the source of this evil," but, as mentioned above, circumstances seem to point to this evil might be  looking for them, instead. It seems to follow in their wake, after all (at least from the kazari's perspective).
  
  
  • Also, to go a tad further, Davena and Garn vanished from Crandel before the undead assault on the town and, despite all the stuff our group has been through before encountering the pair again, they weren't any farther ahead of us than they are??? I know there are only two of them as compared to the *counts* six of us but they're obviously more powerful than we are (or, at least on par) soo... ???Aaaand there's that whole "sideways glance at Garn" when she mentions the death of a companion being a difficult thing (not to mention Atharis was our reason to be in Crandel to begin with).
  
  
  
  

Aaaaaanyhoo... just wanted to shed a little light on the kazari's suspicions and their roots 1)for the DMs edification and 2) just in case any of the rest want to question Ch'dau about it in your own posts. He'll freely share his thoughts with any of his compatriots should they ask (and should Davena and Garn be out of earshot when asked). He could be enitrely wrong in his suspicions, of course, and, as such, could be talked out of them depending on who's doing the talking but, in this case, he's taking a page from Kith's "Don't trust anyone" manual.

 “You were supposed to run, my brave Little Kitten,” Ch’dau rumbled to Kith before sitting them both against a tree.

The roguish woman, silent for a moment, scanned the battlefield and a great weariness seemed to overtake her.  She tilted her head back against the tree, hardly able to keep her eyes open; “Me? Run? Yeah f***ing right.” She rolled her head so that she could look up at him with as little effort as possible, “I was the distraction, Big Kitten. You lot were supposed to run. Saving this gods-forsaken world is supposed to be more important than this gorgeous, thieving ass.” Kith grinned, weakly gesturing to the gore covering her from head to toe.

The cat-man snorted out a chuckle at that, his own exhaustion evidenced in the weakness of the sound. “I would have no world if not for that thieving ass,” he chuffed, his head lolling back against the tree trunk and his eyes closing for a moment, “This battle was for you, not the world.” One eye opened as his shaggy head turned in her direction and his ears flicked with mirth; “Besides, kazari do not run... Kh’ur Kithran.”

((OOC: Anything here&hellip)

Kith’s gaze skipped away, again, seeking out the others and brightening a bit when they are all found alive if not altogether uninjured. Her eyes go wide, though, when they fall on Davena and Garn. “Those two,” she sounded almost incredulous, “they’re the ones who came to our aid?”

“It would seem so,” Ch’dau answered, “yes.”

"That is very interesting,” the she-thief continued, “I suppose I should be grateful, and yet …”

“Mmm-hmm,” the kazari murmured his agreement with her unvoiced thought.

After a moment of the pair’s silent contemplation of their ‘benefactors,’ Kith leaned her head back against the tree again and grinned mischievously; “Do you think Aranwen will remember to give her smallclothes back?”

The quip evoked a full-blown laugh from the big cat and he clutched at his ribs from the pain of it. He was still enjoying and hating the chuckle as Gib approached.

Stopping a few feet away, the battle cleric gave a somewhat remorseful shake of his helmeted head as he regarded Kith; “What was about to be done to you... I am sorry for my part in your falling prey to those ghouls. I believe now that the dangers in these woods require a different approach than simple military strategy and will not be suggesting any further scouting missions.”

Ch’dau didn’t attempt to interject anything into Kith’s own reply to the man’s apology, of course. Shortly thereafeter, though, when the priest of Therassor took a moment to see to the kazari’s injuries, Ch’dau clasped the man’s shoulder and offered a nod of reassurance. “You should not apologize for being a warrior, my fiend,” the cat offered, “It is what we do... What we are. Kithran knows this and knows, too, that you are not at any more fault than the rest of us for what happened here. You did well by Therassor, tonight, Kh’ur Gib, and by the rest of us, as well. I am always proud to fight by your side.”

((OOC: Anything or nothing, here… That’s simply an acknowledgement from one warrior to another. Either way, once, Gib has expended whatever treatments he might have on Ch’dau, the kazari will simply thank him and let the priest go on about the rest of his routine as Brom posted.))

For the most part, the party lingered in their recuperation from the battle’s aftermath with their enigmatic rescuers, Davena and Garn, silently waiting in their midst. As Gib was finishing his prayers, though, Aranwen had found her feet well enough to approach the pair and, as such, the others followed suit and gathered a bit closer.

"Your arrival is certainly appreciated," the priest of Therassor acknowledged Davena and Garn as he drew up. "We had feared the worst when we discovered your absence in Crandel. We did our best to confirm that you were safe and alive. It would seem that our concern was hasty."

“Thank you for your care, Brother Moreno,” the platinum haired woman chuckles in answer, “but Garn and I are more than capable of taking care of ourselves.”

Ch’dau offered a chuff as faint as his nod at the nakedness of that statement but said nothing else.

“We should return to the site of Kith's ambush as soon as we are able,” Gib had turned his counsel to Aranwen, “There was one who was a victim to the horde before Kith even arrived and we've left some valuable weapons there that I would like to retrieve…”

Another grunt and nod of concurrence from the Kazari.

“…Perhaps searching the remains of the undead will also reveal some further insight into this horrific puzzle as well.

I'm spent, as I am sure Cedric and Midge are as well, so if we could manage a period of sustainable rest, that too would be appreciated.”

“I assume that you are speaking of the priest of D'hurgen,” Davena interjected at the mention of the other victim, “The one leading this horde of the living dead?  We slew him ourselves in the hopes of dispersing this lot…”

Ch’dau’s ears piqued, then flattened, then piqued again. The tip of his tail twitched and his eyes narrowed as they framed the woman and her petulant partner. To this point, his gratitude for and suspicion of the couple’s intervention had balanced one another. At the woman’s proclamation that, not only had she and Garn killed the man whose screams had provoked Kith’s ill-fated reconnaissance, to begin with, but, also, the implication that she and Garn, then, had likely been close enough, all along to have intervened sooner… The Kazari snorted in an effort to subdue the faint turning of a growl in his chest, exchanged a sidelong glance with Kith… and the scales tipped a bit more to the side of suspicion.

“…As for your equipment and rest,” Davena carried on, “I would suggest that you see to your gear, then let us find a defensible spot to heal and recover your magics.  Agreed?"

“I agree that we should reclaim our weapons,” the kazari chuffed flatly, his arms folding across his chest, “and that, after this, we could all use a rest.” Following that, he forced himself not to address his building suspicions aloud, though, and decided, instead, to simply watch and listen to the pair more closely for the time being…

((OOC: Okay… I’ll cut it off there. Don’t want to get too drawn out with it just yet and, up until mention of “joining forces” Ch’dau won’t have anything to say, anyway. At that point, suspicions aside, he’ll simply look to Aranwen for the khatun’s decision on the proposed partnership. Other than that, he’s ready to go find his blades and a place to rest for a bit.))

We just survived a horde of undead and you're worried about some puny hurricane?

In all seriousness, though, baton down those hatches and stay safe, Blackthorn. Here's hoping it passes you by with little more than a stiff breeze and a refreshing rainshower.

Well, I've certainly enjoyed Ibotta, thus far. Can't say as I rack up the $$$ as quickly as you do but, then, I'm an empty-nester and don't have near the crew under my roof as you do yours.

Will certainly give your review of these other apps a gander as time permits.

Good deal! Just wanted to be sure as I'm all but certain that magical assets and availability play more than a little into strategy.

Ch'dau might think he's indestructible (especially in the throes of battle) but he's also smart enough to realize that he'd likely not be alive to keep fighting were it not for the healing magics of priests, yeah? 

...this is prior to a night's rest, correct? Not to presume that we'll get an entire night, uninterrupted, but, on the off chance that such a miracle happens, will it be enough for our clerics to have their spells restored?

Too bad re: KDX... I was truly hoping that someone would breathe some life into Midge.

Post in the works as I'm able to grab a minute here and there.

You had me right up until you said Ewoks, brother!

All though, I bet those little teddy bears would be a delicious snack for the tiger-folk! Hmmmm... pass the tzatziki sauce!!!

Yeah, Postimus Prime!!!

I'll try and get an update of my own going, today.

Updated the map in the first post... added some outlying islands and a border of sorts. Still a work in progress, but it's coming along.

Wondering, now, if those islands are inhabited in any meaningful way? More Kazari? More Slaa'kar? Giants? Cynocephali? Hmmmm....

I know that song!!! m/,

I'm no Bromern Sal but I do have my moments!

Newly "finished" map of Khanate borders. Gray areas indicate disputed/unclaimed/Slaa'kar territories. White area indicates "The Gathering Place;" a neutral zone where representatives of all khanates gather to discuss socio-political issues. Given the warlike nature of the Kazari, "The Gathering" is just as often a field in which of great battles are fought as much as it is a place for "peaceful discussion."

Edit: It bears noting, again, that the borders of these khanates aren't "fixed" and have a tendency to shrink or expand depending on numerous factors such as war between khanates (or even between clans within khanates), secession of clans, etc. 

I had given some thought to adding as Audalis pages, actually, but wanted to get your approval, first and foremost, and, of course, do some refining of the material I've got already. The maps need some work... more detail, for sure, possibly some additional versions laying out the khanates and their "borders," etc. I'd like to explore a rough history/timeline, at some point, as well, just in case anyone might feel the urge to run a campaign or adventure there at some point... You know, the standard "Eol's off on another stream of consciouness tanget" kind of stuff.

Also, Olan, O' Mighty Master of the Web, what are your thoughts on making the Kazari larger? Existing descriptions put them, on average, as the same height as humans/syls, but given their mass, I can't help but picture them as larger beings... Average height for a male being around 7 feet tall or so as opposed to 6? Whaddya think?

P.S. In the event that any of you other creatively inclined Innmates are reading any of this, I'll say it again; I'd love to hear some input/comments/suggestions from any who might be willing to contribute. *pokenudgejabwinknudge*

A picture I whipped up of Ch'dau shortly after joining the Hidden Corruption game. Fairly representative of a male Kazari, I think; though I imagine that silver is a somewhat rare fur color among the cat-folk.

Spoken

The “spoken” Kazari language is unlike any other on Audalis as, along with vocalizations, there are numerous, subtle, non-verbal aspects which influence and flavor the verbal portions. The way the tail and ears are held or moved in conversation is crucial, as are overall posture and subtleties of body language. What most humanoid species might consider a friendly smile, for example, a kazari might interpret as a threat or challenge of some sort given the baring of teeth and narrowing of eyes that accompany such an expression. Vocalizations in Kazari include, at least, two types of roars – the “true” roar, which is forced through an open mouth, is very loud (can typically be heard up to two miles away) and is sometimes emitted three or four times in succession; the “coughing” roar is shorter and harsher, made with the mouth open and teeth exposed. When tense or stressed, a kazari might also emit a “moan”, a sound similar to a roar but more subdued and made with the mouth partially or completely closed. “Chuffing” is a soft, low frequency snorting sound that might be compared to purring in other feline species and is typically only heard in more friendly situations. Other vocalizations associated with the kazari language can be defined by humanoid races as grunts, woofs, snarls, meaows, hisses, and growls. Given the importance of the ears, tail, and posturing involved in speaking Kazari, there are very few other races who are able to communicate fluently using cat-folks’ tongue. That said, there are a few “words” of kazari that have been successfully interpreted and translated:

• As'nte sa'na - "Thank you very much"


• Babu - “Grandfather”
  
  
  
  • Babu m'kubwa - "Great-grandfather"
  
  
  
  


• Damu kw’a Rrowl - “blood for Rrowl”


• Hajji(n) – pilgrim, traveler, wanderer


• Ho’dari – “strength”


• Ka – “one”


• Kh’ur – “warrior”


• Khan – “leader”, “commander”, “chief” (female variant = Khatun)


• Khr’dun – “shaman” (could also translate as druid, sorcerer, mage, healer, cleric… catch all term for most magic users)


• Ki’ja’kazi – “our life is owed to you”, a life-debt


• Kibibi – “little lady”


• K’mbi ya v’ta - “War Camp”


• K’tomba - “f**king”


• Ku’ende’lea - “Onward”


• Kw’a uw’ndaji - “to the Hunt”


• M’cha’wi m’weu’si - “arcane blacksmith (roughly)”


• M’ke - “my wife”


• M’koba - “rucksack/backpack”


• M'penzi - "(my) love"


• M'rra'fiki = "my friends/clan"


• M’une - “my husband”


• M'sia - "Wise woman"


• M’sha k’to’ka Keziri - “Life from Keziri”


• M’walimu - “Teacher”


• M'ziwa'n'm'pom'be - A Kazari drink; milk, cane liquor (rum), and goat's blood. (On Antaron the goat's blood is usually omitted unless served by a kazari)


• N'do - "Yes"


• N’sa’mehe - “Forgive me”


• N’zuri - “Good”


• Na’ku’penda - “I love you”


• Ni’hs’ma ye’tu - “It is our honor”


• Ny'oka,ya'm'ji - "cursed serpents of the sea" (the Kazari name for Dagots)


• Oyana – “inspiration”


• P’ka m’dogo - “runt/pipsqueak”


• P’moj’a - “Together”


• Pu'nda - "ass"


• Rr’sala – “a calling”


• Rrow – “noble,” “honorable,” “brave”


• Rrow’ka – translates as “bold one” or “brave one” in most languages. It is suspected that, among the cat-folk, it’s more literal translation would be something along the lines of “you honor Rrowl with your words/actions”


• S’firi – “journey”


• Sa’lama – “(one of) peace”


• Sa'wa - "Fine/alright"


• Si’o y’ngu, si’o t’mbili(i) - “not my circus, not my monkeys”


• Si’taku m’jusi - “Go cry to the lizards” (the Kazari equivalent of “call someone who cares&rdquo


• Strakhan – “honored leader” (this is a title reserved for the leader of a khanate on Capasha; female variant = Strakhatun)


• T'mbili - "monkey" (used both as a word for actual monkeys as well as a rather derogatory term for humans)
  
  
  
  • t’mbili m’chana - "monkey-girl"
  
  
  
  


• Tu’li’hsh’miwa - “We have been honored”


• Uj'nga - "s#!t of an elephant"


• Us’ku m’wema - "Good night"


• Uw’ngo - “Lieutenant (roughly)”, “Second in command (more literally)”


• V'dogo - "little, tiny"


• V’tun’gu - “idiot, dumbass”


• V'yo v'yo'te - "whatever"


• Wa’zuri – “conflict/war”


• Ya’kh’ale - “ancient/old one”


• (more to come?)

Written

While there is historical evidence that the Kazari have made use of specific “claw marks” as symbols to mark territories, provide warnings or other information to clan-members, and the like, the Capashan cat-folk have not had a true written language for very long in the grand scheme of things. In fact, it has been only in the last hundred years or so that a true Kazari “script” has come into common use amongst the clans. The basis of the written Kazari language was originally conceived by Khr’dun N’ghali, a shaman of the Notched Ear clan, as she sought a more effective means of communicating complex thoughts to her Khan, who had lost his hearing. The basic script adapted and expanded upon the already common claw mark trail markings and warning symbols, adding more refined variations that were intended to emulate the more subtle aspects of the spoken Kazari language such as the positioning of tails and ears. As it evolved, more symbols were added to represent specific sounds and a system of stringing the symbols together into complex words and sentences was devised.

Religion

The kazari have a small pantheon of deities to which they pay reverence, many of which are considered analogous to other gods worshipped across Audalis. The chief triumvirate of Kazari “gods” are as follows:

• Rrowl – Lord of Battle and the Hunt
  
  
  
  • Given the war-like nature of the Capashan cat-folk, Rrowl is one of if not the most revered gods in Kazari culture. Compared to the pantheons of other races across Audalis, Rrowl is similar to Varigad, an amalgamation of Therassor and Bakloran worshipped by the Vidarak. Many similar aspects of Vilathera, too, can be seen in the worship of Rrowl.
  
  
  • Spheres of influence: War/battle, death, honor, the hunt
  
  
  • Male Kazari tend to honor Rrowl before but not above Keziri
  
  
  
  


• Keziri – Mother of all Kazari
  
  
  
  • Keziri is revered as “The Mother of Us All” among the Kazari and, in fact, it is believed that the name of the race, itself, is in honor of Her. Veneration of Keziri is as prominent as worship of Rrowl among the cat-folk and, among most clans, She is considered the mate of Rrowl. As compared to the deities worshipped by other cultures on Audalis, Keziri can be seen as a combination of Miellyah, Oriana, and Solanis.
  
  
  • Spheres of influence: Love, life, passion, family, fertility, growth
  
  
  • Female Kazari tend to honor Keziri before but not above Rrowl
  
  
  
  


• Khr’a – “the One,” Nature
  
  
  
  • Khr’a isn’t so much a god as it is a concept that embodies all of life and the world in which it exists. While Khr’a isn’t worshipped, per se, it is paid great respect by the Kazari for, without the world and what she provides, the cat-folk wouldn’t exist, at all, nor would they have a place to which they might return after death. Aspects of Khr’a are most similar to those of the churches of Kith-jora, Thadril Anskar, and Cardista.
  
  
  • Spheres of influence: Nature, light, darkness, water/the sea…
  
  
  
  

As revered as the Kazari triumvirate may be, most Kazari hold their own ancestors to be as esteemed (or nearly so) as their "gods." It is their predecessors, after all, who are the primary subjects of tales told under their Kahn/Khatun's ramadas; legends of bravery and honor to which all individual Kazari hold themselves accountable and by which their own "value" is measured.

Afterlife:

The Eternal Hunt - The Kazari believe that, after death, the spirit of the deceased (so long as he/she lived and died with honor and bravery) joins The Eternal Hunt. This belief corresponds with the general Kazari belief that everything has a spirit (Khr'a), including trees, rocks, rivers, and almost every natural entity. This, therefore, leads to the existence of an afterlife. The name  indicates the characteristics of this afterlife tradition: the Eternal Hunt resembles the living world, but with much better weather and animals that are both plentiful and easy to hunt. Additionally, it is believed that, upon joining the Eternal Hunt, a spirit is reunited with or, at least, exists in the presence of their ancestors and their deities.

Magic

The Kazari are a martial people and, as a whole, they tend not to put too much stock or status in magic. In fact, the vast majority of them have rarely given even a passing thought to the very existence of magic and it is exceedingly rare for any of the cat-folk to actually practice its use. Even those that do tend to be practical in the value of it, but that only goes so far; they don’t embrace it in everyday use, they don’t voluntarily seek out magical sources or artifacts, and they don’t have organizations dedicated to its study or practice. Those uncommon Kazari that embrace magic, at all, typically refer to it as “the call of Khr’a” and, more often than not, utilize it in a fashion that emulates the druids of Antaron as opposed to any of that continent’s sorcerers or wizards. Among the clans of Capasha these magic wielding cat-folk are referred to as khr’dun or “shamans” and tend to hold places of esteem in the clan hierarchy as healers and advisors to their khan/khatun.

On Capasha, Kazari societal structure is most easily defined as clan-based. Clans are defined and formed by a group of Kazari united by actual or perceived kinship and/or descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or common ancestor. Clans in kazari society tend to be exogamous, meaning that their members cannot take a mate from within the same clan. Often, a clan is a smaller part of a larger society known as a khanate. Khanates are the major socio-political structure of Kazari culture with their borders being defined by the ranges of individual clans which comprise them and, as a whole, are led/ruled by the strongest clan among them. The very nature of this type of community organization lends itself to the borders of Kazari khanates being far more fluid than the countries and kingdoms found elsewhere on Audalis.

As indicated by the name, khanates are ruled over by a Khan (female alternative – Khatun) which, in other languages on Audalis translates as “commander”, “leader”, “ruler”, “king/queen”, and “chief.” Originally khans headed only minor tribal entities, generally in or near the southern and eastern regions of Capasha. In their early history, the kazari were more nomadic but, as their population grew, they expanded out into neighboring sedentary regions. Their military might progressively proved to be a serious threat to established cultures such as the Slaa’kar and various tribes of barbaric humans that inhabited these areas and, eventually, some of the more powerful kazari clans managed to establish principalities of some importance. One of the more notable and historically significant of these kazari expansions was led by a great warrior called Fa’ur’qan, when he united several smaller clans of his people and marched east into the Marshes of Gabonsaa’a to confront a large army of Slaa’kar which had been ranging into and raiding the denser jungles claimed by the catfolk.

Kazari (catfolk) name generator

Dwellings

The Kazari don’t typically build any sort of permanent structures and, by and large, prefer to live in the open “as Khr’a intended.” This is not to say that the cat-folk of Capasha do not build structures of any sort, however. In fact, ramadas, pavilions, and forges are fairly common sights in most kazari encampments. Ramadas, typically, serve as the center point of most camps and are usually reserved as a place for the khan/khatun to receive/entertain his or her warriors and/or guests. Pavilions, where the kazari are concerned, are simply smaller scale, utilitarian ramadas beneath which their mobile forges, food stores, and such are shielded. On occasion, though, pavilions are erected to serve as shelters for honored elders or clan shamans, nurseries for cubs, or temporary ‘housing’ for guests (particularly non-kazari who place no value on sleeping in the open).

Existing Khanates:

• The Bhak’chu Khanate – Claiming a section of the far northwest region of Capasha and led by Strakhan M’cdu of the Half-Tail Clan, Bhak’chu is one of the smallest khanates on Capasha and is comprised of the ranges of the following three clans:
  
  
  
  • Half-Tail
  
  
  • Far-Eye
  
  
  • Demon Fang
  
  
  
  


• The Ch’mbui Khanate – Dominating a great majority of the southern half of the continent and led by Strakhatun Ll’she of the Night Hunt Clan is the largest Khanate on Capasha, comprised of the ranges of twelve clans:
  
  
  
  • Night Hunt
  
  
  • Twin Claw
  
  
  • Angry Moon
  
  
  • Notched Ear
  
  
  • Swift Foot
  
  
  • Silent Rock
  
  
  • Middle Ear
  
  
  • Black Swamp
  
  
  • Bright River
  
  
  • Lost Brothers
  
  
  • Blooded Maw
  
  
  • Steel Mountain
  
  
  
  


• The Crc’curah Khanate – Bordering the Bhak’chu in the northwest of Capasha and led by Strakhan N’thu’th of the Standing Lightning clan, the Crc’curah is what might be considered an average sized Khanate and is comprised of the ranges of six clans:
  
  
  
  • Standing Lightning
  
  
  • Stalking Ghost
  
  
  • Silver Skull
  
  
  • Twilight Forest
  
  
  • Last Island
  
  
  • Dawn Hunter
  
  
  
  


• The Ghazan Khanate – Claiming borders that lie around the foothills of the volcanic mountain range that stretches along the northeast of Capasha and led by Strakhan Faur’ki of the Cold Ash Clan, the Ghazan is another average sized Khanate encompassing the ranges of the following six clans:
  
  
  
  • Cold Ash
  
  
  • Burned Paw
  
  
  • Molten Boulder
  
  
  • Grave Rage
  
  
  • Lightning Star
  
  
  • Black Claw
  
  
  
  


• The Ji’qi’alar Khanate – With range borders that frame a good portion of extreme southwest Capasha and led by Strakhan T’kei of the Eternal Storm Clan, the Ji’qi’alar is a smallish khanate which encompasses the ranges of four clans:
  
  
  
  • Eternal Storm
  
  
  • Blessed Claw
  
  
  • Blue Hunt
  
  
  • One Fang
  
  
  
  


• The Oy’mroya Khanate – Oy’mroya is another relatively small khanate. Claiming borders in southwestern Capasha and led by Strakhatun N’shas of the Falling Fury Clan, it encompasses the ranges of four clans:
  
  
  
  • Falling Fury
  
  
  • Savage Sword
  
  
  • Half Forest
  
  
  • Salt Paw
  
  
  
  


• The Oyun Khanate – With borders that claim portions of the north-central coast as well as a patch of northern desert lands, Oyun is a small khanate, led by Strakhan Ti’khun of the Nightmare Mouth Clan comprised of only three clans:
  
  
  
  • Nightmare Mouth
  
  
  • Gray Scar
  
  
  • Ebon Claw
  
  
  
  


• The Rr’kai Kh’sar Khanate – It’s dominion flanking the western edge of Capasha’s central mountain range, Rr’kai Kh’sar is a midsized khanate, led by Strakhatun Kiphre of the Hell Thunder Clan, which encompasses the ranges of five clans:
  
  
  
  • Hell Thunder
  
  
  • False Claw
  
  
  • Risen Thunder
  
  
  • Cruel Tooth
  
  
  • Bronze Dagger
  
  
  
  


• The Sha’xath Khanate – Sharing borders with Ji’qi’alar in southern Capasha, and led by Khan Kh’kar of the Broken Ancestor Clan, Sha’xath is comprised of six clans:
  
  
  
  • Broken Ancestor
  
  
  • Twilight Whisper
  
  
  • Free Mouth
  
  
  • First Sea
  
  
  • Shadowed Moon
  
  
  • Bright Star
  
  
  
  

• The Hells Mouth Mountains – A range of highly volcanic mountains on the northeastern coast of the continent


• Khr’a’s Lament – Also known as The Waste, The Lifeless Place, and The Desert of the Singing Sands. Due to the structure of the sand grains and the winds that come in off the coast, the edges, at least, of this desert are constantly "singing" in low, ominous tones. There is a lake with heavy, red waters that lies on the south eastern edge of the desert and is referred to by the kazari as the Bloody Maw. There are as many myths and legends as to why the waters are red as there are kazari clans. Some say the lake collects the blood of those denied the Eternal Hunt, others affirm that is due to the same catastrophic battle that created the Waste, still others see it as being a source of great magic and power. Whatever the belief, whatever the clan, no kazari dares to drink the waters that fill the Bloody Maw. No khanate lays claim to K’hra’s Lament and only a few clans even bother to range its fringes. Some tales speak of lone, mad kazari or even small, “lost” clans inhabiting the desolation that is the desert’s interior but, given the inhospitable nature of the wasted expanse, little credence is given to them.


• The Gabonsa’a Marshes – A broad swath of swamp land in the south and east of Capasha. Home to the largest Slakaar population on the continent. Technically, the Gabonsa’a Marshes are claimed as part of the Ch’mbui khanate’s holdings but given the terrain and the sheer number of Slaa’kar dwelling in the vast swamplands, the place is given a wide berth by most kazari and left to its own devices and/or the whims of the lizard-folk. There is good hunting here, of course, and kazari from the numerous Ch’mbui clans still range here.


• The Rashiikh Wilds – A vast rainforest spotted with mangrove marshlands that stretches along the southern/southeastern coast of Capasha. A great majority of the region known as the Rashiik Wilds is held in claim by the clans of the Ch’mbui Khanate. Some small portion of it is claimed by the ambitious Sha’xath but, given the expanse of the Wilds and the inestimable power of the Ch’mbui clans, that portion is considered but a sliver and, in the end, an easily reclaimable one in the eyes of Strakhatun Ll’she. In times of old, before the rise of the kazari and the bold campaign of Kh’urKhan Fa’ur’qan, the Slaa’kar held dominion here and that is a thing the lizard folk will not or cannot forget. To this day, despite the might of the clans of the Ch’mbui, many Slaa’kar tribes continue to mount incursions into the Rashiik Wilds in attempt to regain holdings long lost to Fa’ur’qan.


• The Thiuri Jungle – Encompassing the entirety of the cape that extends from the southwestern shore of Capasha, the Thiuri Jungle is almost solely the domain of the Ji’qi’alar Khanate. This is notable due to the fact that Ji’qi’alar is one of the smaller khanates on the continent, comprised of only four clans, yet the cape itself represents a sizeable portion of Capasha’s landmass. The Ji’qi’alar’s ability to defend such a sizeable holding is due, in part, to the narrow spit of land, commonly known as Keziri’s Smallclaw, that connects the cape to the larger portion of the continent. Keziri’s Smallclaw provides a natural bottleneck or chokepoint that prevents (or, at least dissuades) other khanates from invading en masse without sacrificing great numbers to do so. Additionally, the bond between the four clans comprising the khanate is and, historically, has been iron-bound. The current Strakhan of the Ji’qi’alar is Khan T’kei of the Eternal Storm clan; however, it is rumored that the young, recently installed, Khatun Kalani of the Blessed Claw has designs on bringing the khanate under her rule.


• The Twilight Forest – This region, located in the northwest of Capasha, is actually named for a fairly small section of forest which begins in the western foothills of the low J’kal’s Jaw Mountains and creeps a third of the way up their flanks. This area, the actual twilight forest, is so named because, regardless of season or time, it is perpetually awash with a strange light that, even on the darkest night, gives these woods a twilight appearance. The clans of the Bhak’chu and Crc’curah khanates revere the place as being the nexus of all magic and, in fact, some of the most powerful shamans in kazari history have their origins connected with the place. To that end, the Bhak’chu and Crc’curah seem locked in an eternal struggle over possession of the Twilight Forest.


• The Kidashi Meadows


• The Gardens of Sh'sabet

((More to come))