Kaern

Kaern are the youngest of all Fey species. While many of the known Fey have existed for generations within The Mysts, the Kaern have only existed for around 120 years, and only have 4 generations so far. When the Mystfall occurred and the First Contact Wars broke out, the Fey first encountered the human’s Psychic abilities. This ability, combined with the Human's superior numbers put the Fey at a massive disadvantage. Without much time to form proper counter strategies, Faerie took a desperate and drastic measure. Using her powers, she wove a new species of Fey into being. These Fey were the Kaern.

The Kaern are a cat-like people, wide eyed and curious in the world they now found themselves in. The Kaern had several specialties that made them the perfect counter to the humans psychic. Firstly the Kaern had a natural knack for psychic themselves. They instinctively understood its inner workings, meaning a Kaern could spot a psychic on the battlefield, and report back to their commanders about what to expect. Additionally their cat-like features made them incredibly deadly in combat. They have fast cat-like reflexes, their soft paws and agile frames made them exceptional at running through the woods and camps unseen, and their retractable claws are a deadly weapon. Many unsuspecting human psychics found their end at the claws of Faerie's newest children.

It is known that many of the other Fey were deeply uncomfortable the day Faerie brought the Kaern to them. The Fey knew that Fairy had created them all, so the idea of her creating a new Fey was not unheard of, but it was not something that had done for centuries. Additionally, Faerie created them to help win the First Contact Wars. To many, this was seen as a slight. Did Faerie not belive they could win the war themselves? Had she so little faith in her children that she had to create a new one to ‘save’ them? Because of this, the Kaern had a rocky beginning to their relationship with their older siblings. For many of the longer lived Fey, this wound has yet to heal.

However, the war did not last forever. When peace was brought about, the Kaerns' duty had been fulfilled… but what now? Where did the Kaern fit in the world? The other Fey had not fully accepted them, and the humans still saw them as weapons. Fairy gave to the Kaern a home in The Mysts as reward for their service: The Prydelands. Along with this, Faerie created one True Fey Kaern, the leader of the All-Pryde. They would act as protector and guardian of the mortal kaern in the Mysts, keeping them safe from the dangers of the plane and the grasping hands of the power hungry Fey Courts. This did not satisfy the Kaern - they believed they must have some place in this world, some meaning beyond being weapons. In search of that answer, many Kaern have set out into the planes to find a place they belong.

Looking like a Kaern
Kaern are recognized in game by their cat-like features, ears, and tail. Kaern can come in any colour scheme - most have more natural, cat-like colours to blend into the forests of the Material Plane, but some more Myst-touched Kaern can have unnatural and bright colours. Leather armour is common for Kaern, as it allows them to be stealthy but still protected. Their clothing takes influence from both Fey and Human sensibilities. Kaern that are part of a pryde with heraldry and pryde colours wear the colours of that pryde when they can.

Kaern who have been ousted from a pryde or broken an oath carry their sin in the form of a notch on their ear. This notifies other Kaern that they may not be trustworthy. Multiple notches indicate a Kaern who has broken multiple oaths, and likely will be an outsider for the rest of their life.

Sounding like a Kaern
Kaern have their own language, and that language ties into their naming scheme. They mostly speak common, but they sprinkle their own words into conversation. The Kaern language tends towards shh, rra, tah, and ni sounds. The language is flowy. Younger Kaern may not know the language as well, but there are efforts by some to keep the language alive.

an (AHN): near

ari (AHH-ree): you (singular)

ari’le (AH-ree-LEE): you (plural)/group

at (AHT): to

boku (BOW-koo): kiss

do (DOH): for

fa (FAH): jump(s)(ing)

ga (GAH): away

grikah (GREE-kah): kill

os’grikah (oss-GREE-kah): kill it

hai (HI): go/walk/run

iri (EYE-ree): I/me/my/mine

iri’le (EYE-ree-lee): I (plural)

iri’yaku (EYE-ree-yah-KOO): I vow/I oath

iro (EYE-roh): our

jit’ar (JEE-tahr): essence

jit’ru (JEE-troo): void

ka (KAH): sky

kage (KAH-gay): shadow

ka’la (KAH-lah): fly

keno (KEE-no): climb

krun (KROON): temple/church

kuta (KOO-tah): steel

la (LA): wing(s)

laou (LAOH): down

lus (LOOS): from

miz (MEEZ): water

miza (MEE-zah): river

mizo (MEE-zoh): ocean, lake

mizur (MEE-zer): swim

mri (MREE): good

mri’fao (mree-FAOH): goodnight

mri’tanno (mree-TAN-oh): good day

nayo (NI-oh): help

ness (NESS): house/home

nre (NREE): heart

nre’fa (NREE-fah): dancing

o (OH): superior/good

os (OHS): inferior

o’su (OH-soo): elders

os’su (AH-soo): friend

oz iri’le (ahz-EER-ee-lee): the kaern race

rassar (ra-SAR): gift

ri (REE): in

ri’raum (REE-RAH-oom): inside

raum (RAH-oom): space/area/place

sash (SASH): far

senko (SEHN-ko): trouble

sha (SHAH) - of, from

shingai (SHIN-guy): terror

sho (SHOH): thank(s)

sho’ari’le (SHOH-ah-REE-lee): thank you all (group/plural)

sho’ka (SHOH-kah): thank heaven

sho’Ky (SHOH-kai): thank Goddess

su (SOO): family

surmu (ser-MOO): sleep

surmi (ser-MEE): dream

surke (ser-KAY): lie down

surri (ser-REE): earth

surta (ser-TAH): crawl

ton (TAHN): the inn, gathering place

tou (TOH): sit

ur (OOR): out

ur’raum (oor-RAH-oom): outside

ves (VEZ): fire

vess (VESS): pet(s)

yaku (yah-KOO): promise, vow, oath

zel’ (ZELLE): acceptable other, used as a prefix to the name of a friend who is not kaern

Kaern Names
Kearn’s don’t traditionally have last names, instead taking on the name of their pryde, or current home as their last name. They also take on the name "Sha" as a sort of middle name, with "Sha" meaning "of" or "from". It is not atypical for a Kaern on the run or who is in hiding to take up the name All-Pryde in an effort to hide their status.

Examples:


 * Alexandra Sha’Carreg Wynn (Where Carreg Wynn is the Kaern's home)
 * O'Grikah Sha’AllPryde (Where AllPryde is the Pryde name)
 * Nre'fa Surmi Sha'Ton Os'su (Where Ton Os'su is the Pryde name)

Birth and Childhood
Being the newest of the Fey, the Kaern are still trying to find their way in the world. They do not yet feel truly welcome among the Fey, and they were created to make war with the Humans. As such, Kaern prydes are very close knit groups. To the Kaern, the protection and prosperity of their prydes is one, if not the most important of tasks. Infant Kaern (Kits) are guarded by all members of the pryde until they are old enough to take on responsibilities.

Once Kaern children are capable of helping with chores, they are assigned to some within the Pryde. Kaern children will eventually take full responsibilities of these chores with time. All Kaern help with the responsibility of maintaining the pryde. Additionally, Kearn begin training to hunt, craft, and provide for their pryde at a young age.

There is a generational divide beginning to form within Kaern society. Many current Kaern elders were born just after the First Contact War, with their parents being the first of their species. As such, they were raised by Kaern who were created to fight. Because of this, the elder generation has a focus on practicality and training for battle. However the newest generation is born in a time completely removed from that war. As such, the younger generation is looking to discover new paths in art, exploration, and adventure. This divide in values is the cause of much tension between these generations. Current Kaern are either third or fourth generation.

Love and Marriage
Connection and family are top priority to Kaern. Family can be those you are born to, or those you have chosen - whichever you stay with, neither is seen as better than the other. As long as you have chosen to devote yourself to a pryde, that devotion is respected.

Prydes can be anywhere between three members to the all-encompassing numbers of the All-Pryde. Prydes are usually headed by a Prydeleader, a title given to one who is respected for leadership and good decision-making. This is because Kaern are very hierarchical due to the lasting affects of being raised as military, and give positions of power to those they would not mind taking orders from.

Devotion is the centre of all Kaern romantic relationships. Though they do not have typical marriage, Kaern who are in love will often exchange vows of devotion to each other. This does not necessarily mean exclusivity, but often does. These devotion oaths are the basis of what the relationship will be like. Oath examples could be “I vow to protect you with my life” or “I vow to raise children with you” or “I vow to to be an exciting mate until we decide to part”. Because these oaths are so important, they are only given out when a Kaern is extremely certain, and they require the blessing of the Prydeleader. Otherwise, mates and partners are considered more of a free time activity that eventually break off.

The O'Yaku
Kaern can choose to take on a role known as the O’Yaku (lit. superior oath). Kaern who take this oath give the following vow specifically to one individual known to them as their Iri’nre’o (lit. my superior heart). This individual is usually a Prydeleader, though not always. Being an O’Yaku is a position of great honour, and this oath is not taken lightly. The official vow is as follows:"“Iri’yaku (I vow) to stay by your side, to take your words as law, and to be your right hand. Iri’yaku (I vow) your orders are mine to carry out, my claws are yours to direct, and I will give my entire life to you, ______ (full name), Iri’Nre’O (my superior heart). Iro’Nre An (Our hearts are near).”"This oath is one of loyalty for life. Breakers of the oath of the O’Yaku are met with a death, followed by ear notching upon their return, and banishment. O’Yaku take on the role of something like a knight or retainer to a powerful person, choosing to give up their free will for the honourable position. They are considered the most trusted companion to those they are devoted to, either romantically or platonically. Their words hold the weight of their Iri’Nre’O.

O’Yaku are given respect and honour in life, as it is a position that Kaern believe continues into the Land Beyond. If the O’Yaku’s Iri’Nre’O dies permanently, they are freed from their devotion temporarily, knowing they will meet and resume it in the Land Beyond. As well, the Iri’Nre’O can voluntarily release the O’Yaku from their oath, but must give them the reason for it. This is done in private, as their oath and relationship is quite intimate, then announced later to the rest of the pryde.

Work and Play
Kaern culture doesn’t spare much time for play. Until after the First Contact War, a Kaern was valued only so far as they were effective in combat. Because of this, older Kaern tend to be practical, and spend most of their time focusing on training and working for the pryde. Third and Fourth generation Kaern were raised on this principle as well, but take to it with a grain of salt.

This doesn’t mean that Kaern don’t take time to relax. There is nothing a Kaern loves more than a long nap in the warmth of the sun. It is not uncommon for younger Kaern to shirk their duties to go enjoy a good rest. On particularly temperate days, even the elders can’t help but sneak off for a few moments.

As beings new to the world, Kaern approach things with a natural curiosity. When a Kaern becomes interested in something, their entire attention will be drawn towards it. What is it? What does it do? What happens if I poke it like this? All these questions and more will swim around the Kaerns mind, and until they are satisfied, and the Kaern will be hard pressed to pull themselves away. This curiosity will often lead Kaern into troublesome situations.

Younger Kaern take an interest in arts and culture, as there wasn't a chance to develop these things during the war. Older Kaern think these things are frivolous and contribute little to a Pryde.

War and Politics
Kaern are the most recently created child of Faerie. They were created soon after the event known as Mystfall.

When the aspect of the Kaern was made it was within the fires of war to fulfil a specific goal: To counteract the human psychics during the First Contact Wars. The Faerie aspect of the Kaern was immensely powerful and could commune with the heavily psychic Conthestani Stones.

Politically, Kaern are not as integrated in Fey society as other more established species because of the lack of involvement in Court and Myst politics; they tend to be more insular, and this occasionally leads to infighting between prydes.

Prydes are formed when a group shares similar, important values with each other. The people within a pryde do not necessarily need to be Kaern, but there should be at least one. Typically, Kaern value loyalty, trust and devotion to each other or a goal. Becoming part of a pryde always entails some kind of oath, and a celebration. Occasionally a Kaern will decide an existing, non-Kaern group is their pryde, as they find themselves devoted to that group. Then, the Kaern will ask a person they truly respect to be their Pryde leader. Prydes usually have their own unique heradly and colour scheme.

After the war, Fairy created a place in the Mysts for the Kaern known as the Prydelands. The Prydelands are the home of the All-Pryde, and due to the Kaerns new status within the Mysts, it is neutral and separate from the Fey Courts. This however, is not from lack of trying; the courts are always scheming to seize the prydelands under their banners. Thus it is incredibly unwise to talk court politics while in the Prydelands.

The All Pryde
The All-Pryde is the Pryde that exists within the Mysts, in the Prydelands. This Pryde is headed by the single true Fae Kaern that Faerie created during the war. While Kaern can venture out into the world to find a pryde, all Kaern are considered part of The All-Pryde, and are greeted as family should they choose to venture there. Thus all Kearn may refer to themselves as “Sha'AllPryde”. The colours of the AllPryde are purple white and yellow, and the symbol is a Kaern with a purple psychic eye above their head.

Crime and Punishment
Kaern do not follow any unified system of laws. Instead each Pryde will set its own rules and laws. The Prydeleader will decide what is best, and what is needed for the safety of their Pryde. Kaern pryde rules focus mostly on the safety and prosperity of their pryde. Rules for who does what chores, rules for handling disputes between members, and rules for handling outsiders, etc.

When a Kaern breaks one of the rules set by the prydeleader, they will be subject to the prydes' judgment. The Prydes judgment is an opportunity for everyone to come forward and state evidence and opinions on the events that occurred. While everyone in the pryde will have a say, ultimately it will be up to the Prydeleader to make the final decision on what should be done.

In most cases Kaerns punishment will be little more than a slap on the wrist. But in some severe cases, such as murder, a harsher punishment will be enacted. The greatest punishment a Kaern can face is to be stripped of their pryde name, given a notch on their ear, and banished. These Kaern have lost their place in the world, and are forced to hunt for a new one.

These laws only apply to members of the pryde, however. If an outsider harms the pryde or one of its members, there is no place they can hide from the Kaerns retribution.

Death and Burial
Kaern were born into war. As such, they view death in a very practical light. To Kaern, death is something that happens. It is not a matter to focus on. As such, Kaern have minimal rituals surrounding death, and instead focus on those still living. However, if given the opportunity, Kaern will retrieve the bodies of their fallen prydemates, and ensure they are buried or cremated with respect.

Kaern do however come together to assist the family members or Pryde of the fallen. If their was an elderly dependent, or a child left behind, another member of the pack will step in to help. If the person who fell was the primary hunter for a family, others will share a portion of their food with the family. Death occurs, and when it does the Kaern band together to help the living.

When a Prydeleader dies and does not come back, the pryde goes through a short mourning period before they advocate for another Prydeleader to take their place.