Puko (Poo-ko)
Neko native to the peaks of Kirru, the puko resemble mountain pumas, and are much lighter on their feet then other Neko. Originally nomads traveling to and from various sacred mountains, their territory was recently annexed by the dominant force of Kirru, the Svanti Empire. Many neko have now been moved into permanent settlements, and their sacred mountain, Mt. Sorko, has been crafted into a large city, a hybrid of traditional ideals and newly crafted technology.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Most puko speak Auran as a secondary language, as it is one of the primary languages of Kirru.
Average technological level
The puko are one of the least technologically inclined of all the races of Kirru, with most preferring simple spirituality. However, their integration into the Empire has brought many new technological advancements to the puko, and many younger puko have begun to accept and experiment with the newfound advancements.
Common Dress code
A puko's thick fur helps keep them warm up on the high mountains, and thus they often wear lighter clothes then other deniziens of Kirru. They often prefer simple light robes that are easy to travel with, and a puko always keeps their footwear in high quality to aid them in their mountain leaps.
Art & Architecture
Previously, many puko lived either in simple mountain caves or on small mountaintop villages, but with the annexation of Mt. Sorko and their territory, many have been pushed into newly built and larger scale cities. Many puko have joined with the Empire in an attempt to mix the Empires industrial architecture with the pukos simpler style, and thus juko cities are a strange blend of high rise technology and rural aesthetic.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Whenever possible, the puko prefer to give birth inside of the families Ashen Shrine, so that the spirits of the ancestors many watch over and bless the newborns.
Coming of Age Rites
All puko must travel to the summit of Mt. Sorko at least once in their life, and many make the journey as soon as they come of age. Many fear that with the centralization and many puko permanently moving to the mountain, the significance of the pilgrimage is lessened.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Most puko families cremate their deceased and mix the ashes into large boxes built rooms known as Ashen Shrines. Theses shrines are kept inside the pukos family home, with the names of the pukos ancestors carved into the walls.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Like all neko, the puko value keeping their fur groomed and clean.
Gender Ideals
Male pukos are the dominate sex of puko society. Male pukos are prone to much more aggressive behavior, and thus often become warriors, hunters and protectors. Puko fathers are the absolute head of a household, with females responsible for raising the youth.
Courtship Ideals
Like all neko, female neko's enter annual states of heat, swooning over strong males. Males often partake in races over mountain valleys, and with the move into cities, many puko have now adapted this custom to race in the back alleyways and side streets.
Relationship Ideals
The puko are often guarded and aggressive, having trouble making friends with other races, espically those who work closely with the Svanti Empire. They have strong family bonds, although older sons often clash with their fathers as they become more independent and aggressive. Rarely, older male puko develop a dementia-like disease where they violently attack any child puko, especially their own offspring's.
Major organizations
While technically part of the Svanti Empire, few Puko will willingly work for Imperial forces.
Random Puko Homelands
| % Rolled | Homeland | Trait Gained |
|---|---|---|
| 01-40 | Mountain Village or City | Highlander |
| 41-70 | Valley | Deft Dodger |
| 71-90 | Forest | Spiritual Forester |
| 91-00 | Unusual Homeland | (Roll on Unusual Homeland table) |
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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