Varhani
The forests and coasts of Kemesh are the home of the excultid people called the varhani.
Appearance
Varhani stand 1.2 to 1.6 meters on average with females slightly larger than males. They have small, smooth scales of that are shades of brown, some with striped patterns. Their ventral side is lighter brown to dark yellow. They are labians, with the flatter, beakless faces surrounded with wide, thin, flexible labial scales distictive to that genus.
Their heads are plumed with a mane of feathers that extends partially down the upper half of their backs. Male manes are usually thicker, more erect and colorful. Female mains tend to be longer, finer and more flowing. The color of their plumage varies by ethnicity. Varhani possess small, black chin and jaw spikes. They have large, upright, pointed ears. Most of their front teeth are small and sharp. Their back teeth are molars built for shredding. Varhani hands and feet both have long digits and short, black claws. Their large eyes have vertical pupils and are highly reflective, with iridescent irises that come in a range of colors, gold, green and silver being most common.
Physiology
Varhani are obligate carnivores. Their primary diet varies on habitat, but generally includes birds, reptiles, keratoplexans, fish, megarthropods, and insects. They will eat cooked or preserved flesh, but normally prefer it raw and must have a certain amount of raw meat in order to remain healthy. No ship with varhani sailors on board need worry about a rat problem.
Like all labian excultids, varhani females are egg layers. Varhani lay one to two eggs approximately once a decade. These eggs are oblong and 30 centimeters long. Their shells are speckled and are shades of brown or green. Once an egg is laid, it is the responsibility of all of its relatives, male and female. They take turns keeping it incubated and while incubating, produce a purring hum that is believed to keep the embryo healthy. The smell of the egg and hormones produced by the nesting mother triggers the swelling of liguro glands in nearby adults and once hatched, these adults are able to feed the young the rich, milk-like excretion.
Adapted to the equatorial climate of Kemesh, varhani do not thrive in cold, gloomy weather. In order to remain healthy, varhani who travel far north must remain warm and consume more fresh meat, particularly organ meat and bone marrow.
Way of Life
Traditionally, most varhani are hunters-gatherers and fishers. They hunt with bows, bolos, slings, spears and blow darts, and make heavy use of paralytic and hemorragic poisons. They also have no qualms using poisons in warfare. They themselves are largely immune to poisons and venoms. They also have a strong tolerance for decaying meat and can consume it with little adverse effect.
Most varhani communities reside in the vast rainforests of Kemesh, which extend through most of the eastern half of the continent. However there are many communities that live on the coasts, particularly among mangrove forests and river deltas. Then there are the tribes that roam the grassy western plains of Nukuroa.
Since the beginning of colonization by Kalmasan humans in the east, then later Kahala'i hakanu incursions in the west, conflicts have been frequent between the native varhani and these explorers and colonists. Violence erupts due to territorial invasion and the exploitation of resources, particularly forestry, mining as well as poaching on tribal hunting grounds.
More established settlements have arrangements with some of the nearer tribes, particularly the Chir'kualu, receiving foresting and mining rights in exchange for provisions, including food and goods such as metal implements and jewelry as well as rum and corn whiskey, which they love. The large, powerful livers that help make them highly resistant to venoms also protect them from alcohol poisoning.
Some varhani, particularly young men, are drawn to the colonial settlements and seek to explore. They live on the outskirts of port towns in what are called 'Varhi Towns', working odd jobs until they learn enough of the trade tongue to win a place on a ship. They are highly prized as seamen by captains for their surefootedness and quickness.
These varhi towns first sprung up in the Guryar provincial capital, Port Ayenkar. Over the years, the Port Ayenkar varhi town has continued to sprawl and grow larger. Others have sprung up in secondary Guryar ports as well.
Over the years, some varhani, grown sophisticated and seeking more from life than that of a simple sailor or porter, have taken up other skilled trades as well as becoming merchants or captains. Their quick, difficult languages and racial trust for each other gives them certain advantages, especially in the smuggling line.
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