EDIT: All of the information found in the psots below can be found in a single document entitled "Of Capasha and the Kazari" found here.

So, for those of you who don't know, I've been playing a Kazari in Olan's Hidden Corruption game for a while, now, and, while the straight up fighter type has never been my go-to character type, I've been enjoying the ever-loving heck out of the character. As I'm wont to do when I find myself enjoying a character this much, I've dug into his homeland, his people, and all things Kazari related in the process. As a whole, RDI's Audalis campaign setting is pretty rich and robust; however, there really wasn't much info on the Kazari homeland aside from a description of the Kazari themselves and a blurb or two about Capasha scattered about in the resources. To that end (and with Olan's blessing) I took it upon myself to flesh out Capasha and the Kazari almost since the moment I jumped into Ch'dau's fuzzy hide.

I've got quite a bit scrawled out but I don't think I'm anywhere NEAR finished. I do have enough, though, that I think I'm ready to start sharing with the Innmate population at large. So, to start, let me kick out a couple of maps I've been tinkering with:

Above is my first, rough attempt at a map of "Capasha Proper"... Not entirely thrilled with this one as it stands but it provided me with a start, anyway. Below is something of a rework/refined image that I started just a day or two ago. I'm liking this version a bit better than the one above but there's still a long way to go.

Sooooo... that's it for the time being, Innmates. I've got plenty more ideas and information to share, though, so, if you're interested, stay tuned to this thread as I plan to update fairly regularly as I get my notes sorted and cleaned up. Questions, comments, and input are always welcome, of course.

Enjoy!

• Location: Capasha is located some 850 miles southeast of Coria’s southern coast, across Iirlastor Bay, and beyond the Titan’s Walk Reefs.
• Size: Compared to Antaron, Capasha is a small island continent with the entirety of its landmass covering only 4.4 million km² (1.7 million sq mi) as compared to Antaron’s 44,579,000 km² (17,212,000 sq mi)
• Ecology:
  
  • Trees: Capasha is heavily forested. A good portion of the continent is given over to various types of forest biomes such as tropical rainforests, moist and dry deciduous forests, and coniferous forests in the few mountainous areas. Common trees in the various ranges include sal, teak, pine, fir, spruce, cedar, larch and cypress. Also, babul or thorny acacia trees are not uncommon in certain regions.
  • Other flora: Aside from trees, a wide variety of flora, including bamboos, hibiscus, lotus, various swamp/marsh grasses, and the like can be found on Capasha.
  • Wildlife/Fauna: Various species of deer and buffalo, rhinocerous, and elephants, are common across Capasha. A number of other mammals, too, are easily found in various regions; these include several types of primate (monkeys, langurs, macaques). Wolves, jackals, and other wild canines are not uncommon. Reptilian and amphibian life also has a good representation amongst the varying species of snakes, salamanders, toads, and lizards to be found on the continent.
• Sentient Species: The Kazari, of course, are the dominant force on Capasha, they are not the only sentient species to inhabit the continent.
  
  • Slaa'kar: There are numerous tribes of these lizard-folk on Capasha. They typically tend to populate areas of the continent where swamps and marshes are prevalent but can also be found inhabiting some of Capasha's outlying islands (not yet pictured on the maps) and, on occassion, may try to expand their territories into Kazari controlled jungles and forests. In terms of population, Capashan Slaa'kar (or Sleeth) outnumber the Kazari but those numbers have yet to have any bearing on their being the dominant force.
  • Humans: There are humans on Capasha but, as compared to those on Antaron, they aren't nearly as advanced (technologically, magically, or otherwise) as their Antronian counterparts. In fact, Capashan humans (typically referred to as monkeys by both the Kazari and Slaa'kar) are possibly best described as "cavemen." In order to avoid the Kazari and Slaa'kar, they tend to keep to the higher reaches of Capasha's mountains where they live in small clusters, either in caves or small, sheltered "villages" of makeshift tents and huts.
  • Other: There are no other races of sentients indigenous to Capasha. Aside from the more feral humans mentioned above, there is no representation of other humanoid species common to places like Antaron (i.e. Sylvari, Cidals, Khordaldrum, etc). That said, there have been rumors (or myths, if you prefer) that Capasha has been visited (voluntarily or otherwise) by intelligent beings from other lands.

((More to come))

• 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))

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

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.

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.

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.

We will have to convert this stuff to actual Audalis pages.  Most everything here has been discussed in depth, and can absolutely be considered canon.

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*

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. 

You do good work, sir.

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

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....

Insect people! Miniature dinosaurs! Ewoks!

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!!!