YOKENEKO
Felis Sapiens are a felid humanoid species native to what is now the Kegawa District of the Jade Empire of Ingen. First recorded as migrating to the Shogunate in the late 17th century, their total population today is less than a million.
DESCRIPTIONAffected by the Curse of Light that also produced the Yokari, the Yokeneko were originally a variety of subspecies, but are now of uniform appearance. Approximately 4-5 feet tall, and weighing 70 lbs on average, although some individuals can grow to nearly double this size, they are a mammalian bipedal species with patterned black fur and grey eyes. They have a glowing orb known as an onibi at the tip of their tail and are highly photodependent. In the absence of visible light they weaken and can even die.
Their paws have opposable digits but these are less flexible than other species', a weakness which is partially resposible for their lack of technological advancement prior to contact with southern explorers. They exhibit little sexual dimorphism, with females being 5-10% smaller on average. |
HISTORY
Their precursor species, the felidaens evolved in the lands that would eventually become the Katasian Ryk. Although they developed a region of modest city-states with up to five thousand inhabitants each, and developed a healthy trade, agricultural and monolithic architectural tradition throughout the jungles of eastern Katasia, they failed to develop into full nation-states in the wider sense of the term. Unlike the other species of Laptev, they did not discover practical metallurgy until the 17th century when it was introduced to them by Alejandran explorers.
Alejandran missionaires introduced non-logographic written language, the Petrine faith, and other concepts such as trial by jury, fiat currency and metallurgy. Over the following centuries, felidaens spread across Laptev, settling in particular in San Alejandro, Ingen and Katasia.
In the 25th century, the events of Deep Harvest saw the devastation of Katasia, the felidaen homeland, by the Merger and the evacuation of the general population by the Katasian Ryk. The region was annexed by the Jade Empire, but only slim strips of coastline along the east and a few mountain border settlements remained inhabited.
In 2486 AT they were affected by the Curse of Light, which transformed the species into Yokenko.
Alejandran missionaires introduced non-logographic written language, the Petrine faith, and other concepts such as trial by jury, fiat currency and metallurgy. Over the following centuries, felidaens spread across Laptev, settling in particular in San Alejandro, Ingen and Katasia.
In the 25th century, the events of Deep Harvest saw the devastation of Katasia, the felidaen homeland, by the Merger and the evacuation of the general population by the Katasian Ryk. The region was annexed by the Jade Empire, but only slim strips of coastline along the east and a few mountain border settlements remained inhabited.
In 2486 AT they were affected by the Curse of Light, which transformed the species into Yokenko.
CULTURE
Yokenko typically speak Alejandran or Ingenious, and their culture shows strong influences of their heritage, particularly in their speech, naming conventions and culinary and artistic tastes.Prior to the arrival of Alejandran missionaries in the 17th Century AT, the felidaens worshipped a pantheon of deities led by Tezcatlipoca, the Smoking Mirror, and practiced live sacrifices as part of their ritualistic belief system. Attempts at conversion occurred over a process of centuries, with some now following either the Petrine faith or followers of Jade Shinto. The events of the Curse of Light, however, spurred a revival of belief in the ancient felidaen deities.
Although many Yokeneko have integrated to the overarching Jade culture, traditionally Yokeneko speak a dialect of Alejandran and exhibit traces of Alejandran colonial style in their clothing, architecture and cuisine. They wear loose, ruffled clothing and wide hats to deal with the heat and humidity of their preferred environments, and their buildings are often low and wide adobes with plaster walls, rooftop terraces, and wooden framework. They still build in the megalithic pre-colonial style for larger buildings and, much like the rest of the Jade Empire, include plants and water features organically in their buildings.
Although many Yokeneko have integrated to the overarching Jade culture, traditionally Yokeneko speak a dialect of Alejandran and exhibit traces of Alejandran colonial style in their clothing, architecture and cuisine. They wear loose, ruffled clothing and wide hats to deal with the heat and humidity of their preferred environments, and their buildings are often low and wide adobes with plaster walls, rooftop terraces, and wooden framework. They still build in the megalithic pre-colonial style for larger buildings and, much like the rest of the Jade Empire, include plants and water features organically in their buildings.