Kalka'shar

The Kalka'shar (IPA: /kalkaʔʃar/) are a race of beings native to Ka'shar, and one of the main participants in the Great Wars. Their name comes from their name for their world: Ka'shar, literally meaning "fire home".

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kalka'shar can embody two primary forms. Their first and natural form consists of a humanoid figure of pure flame, underneath which a blue, gaseous form is visible especially at the face, which appears ghost like and completely gaseous with basic human features (mouth, nose, and blank, pupil-less eyes). The flame of a Kalka'shar can be any colour, but primarily encompassed shades of white, red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, green and black. These colours were said to represent the strength of the Kalka'shar's power -- white, for example, was considered to show an extremely powerful individual, usually one who has lived a long time and grown in strength to reach full potential.
The second form they can embody is a flesh-and-blood form, similar to humans. Characteristic of this form is brightly coloured hair, matching the colour of the Kalka'shar's flame. Their hair will often spark and ignite in reaction to strong emotion, particularly anger.

Genetics and Reproduction

Full-blooded Kalka’shar are born without physical sex – they will be born without genitals and be completely androgynous until their mental gender is apparent; usually anywhere between 150 and 400 years old.
Reproduction, thus, does not rely on physical gender, and physical gender can change at any time in the Kalka’shar’s life. If a child is borne partially of a species who develop physical gender from birth, it is a gamble as to whether or not their physical gender is changeable, and this is one of many reasons crossbreeding is a taboo subject.
Sex, therefore, is widely considered something purely for pleasure -- though it may aid in making the deep personal connection required for reproduction, it is not a requirement and many do not partake in it at all. It was not uncommon for Kalka'shar to participate in group or casual sex with people outside of their relationships, and some partook in sex-based ritual to honour the Parent Gods.

Growth Rate & Stages

Kalka'shar life expectancy is on average the equivalent of two and a half thousand years. They age steadily through to adulthood in about 750 years. From there on the aging process slows considerably, becoming middle aged by the time they reach 1800 years. From here on the aging process accelerates considerably, and by the time they reach the end of their natural lifespan they will have the appearence of an elderly. In this time it is not unusual for the hair and flame to turn either black or white, denoting a weaker or stronger flame. The Kalka'shar believe that the hair growing white is also a sign of great wisdom, and black hair is a sign of ignorance.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Not only used to change their body, the Kalka'shar can use their regenerative ability to recover from fatal injury. During this process, a healing energy will travel through their bodies and 'clean out' any injury or illness; then releasing from the mouth as a toxic smoke which will soon dissipate. If another fatality is received during this healing process, they will not recover. The toxic smoke will corrupt and drain a person's life on contact, leaving the point of contact withered, almost like a severe burn. Extended contact or inhaling the smoke will result in death.
The Kalka'shar also have the abilities of pyrokinesis and telepathy in both of their forms, as well as high levels of vocal manipulation which allows them to hypnotise and even harm other beings. When in their natural form they also have limited telekinetic ability, and flight.
Many Kalka'shar also grow into specific talents, known as their Calling, which is believed to be a Gods-given gift to them. This is usually a speciality in a creative field (such as Enchantment or Smithing) or skills such as Healing.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

The Kalka'shar generally have at least two names – their Ra, and their Ra'aan. While they can have more than one ra (generally the name they were given at birth is amongst these), they will generally only have one ra'aan – their God-Name, the one deemed closest to their hearts, which the Gods themselves granted them.
While some (especially Para’ka) may choose to give out their ra’aan at will, many keep it close to them until they are ready to tell people. To ask someone their name in Kalka’shar is more like asking “what do I call you?”
The answer may be their ra’aan. It may not be. Either way it is considered extremely rude to ask a person’s ra’aan, and it is customary to wait until they reveal that part of themself to you.

Relationship Ideals

Worshipping a God of Love meant The Kalka'shar value love in all its forms, and this makes up an important chunk of their culture. Platonic love is considered almost as important as romantic, and romantic love is a sacred thing -- so sacred, in fact, that the very act of marrying someone who the individual was not 'destined' to be with is considered greatly taboo. This is because of the Lifemate bond -- the spiritual, physical and mental bond which occurrs in some Kalka'shar that renders them literally inseperable. While acceptable to be in a relationship with one who is not your Lifemate, the act of marrying that person is greatly frowned upon and only truly seen in Royalty, whose need for heirs often override the taboo.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Music

Music and sound is ingrained into Kalka'shar society. Communication is primarily achieved through inflection, tone of voice and sing-song noises alongside the words they use, and music is considered a sacred tool. Songs are passed down from generation to generation but never recorded, as they believe the imperfection of each re-telling is what keeps it unique and powerful.
The Kalka'shar value song so much, in fact, that their words for "story" and "song" are the same. A person's history, their personality, and the things that make them unique and special as people are all referred to collectively as their "song".

Family and Children

The Kalka'shar worship three of their five Gods as child-gods, believing that the embodiment of purity and sacredness lay in children. They are new life, still seeing the world through eyes yet untainted, and they will one day carve the shape of the future. As such, children and families are greatly valued -- anyone found deliberately mistreating their child will be shunned, and their child passed on to a more worthy family.

Common Taboos

The most major taboo within Kalka'shar culture is crossbreeding. Part of the reason for this is the sacredness of children. Not only is there a possibility of their choice of gender expression being taken from them, but stillbirths and complications are common among children of two species. A mother losing their child is deeply shameful, and they are expected to mourn and carry that shame until the Gods bless them with another, healthy child.

History

The Kalka'shar are said to be the first species to reside upon their world, though other sapient species contest that claim. Little is known of their distant history, but it is known that they could only assume their elemental form. It is said that when new species began to grow and appear among the fields and marshes, the elemental species longed for the company of another people. They descended from the skies to the ground, begging these new species to teach them their form. Over time, they did adapt and learn to shift (though their forms at first were grotesque and difficult to maintain), and took their place within the land on their once-lonely world.
Slowly, they learned to build homes and towns, to farm and craft, and eventually to create instruments they could use in their music; that which was so important to them. The once chaotic civilisation had become organised and hierarchical, developing a royal family who resided in their great city: Estofel.

Lifespan

2500 years

Related Myths

• Elant'il