Kendani

"You absolutely sure that those ears aren't fake?"
A species of humanoids that adopt traits of various animals that happen to be mammals. These curious beings appear as though they were normal humans, save for the fact they might have dog ears or a tail and all the perks said body parts come with. It is a common belief that the kendani are a result of a strange genetic mutation or an ancient experiment, but nothing has confirmed this theory due to the lack of evidence. This does not, however, mean that they are furries.
Relatively hedonistic, kendani are somewhat impulsive and try to have fun while they still can. This partially stems from the fact that all kendani are afflicted with a genetic mutation known as the feral curse. Upon the mutation's "activation" when the afflicted reaches a specific age (that varies depending on the individual), they begin to slowly transform into a gigantic monster known as a haze beast. The origins of the condition, whether it is a result of unstable DNA or otherwise, is unknown, but the kendani infamously blame selenite for their fate, making them one of the only sentient beings in Sagrea to actively shun its use.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kendani are always human in form, save for their animal traits such as a tail or other details.

Growth Rate & Stages

A kendani's growth rate is similar to that of a human's.

Ecology and Habitats

Kendani are able to live just about anywhere, but mainly reside in the northwestern forests and tundras of Aestus, where all of their settlements reside.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kendani are omnivorous, but they will always lean towards a diet similar to whatever animal they take after. For example, a kendani with the traits of a wolf will be much more carnivorous than one that takes after a rabbit.

Biological Cycle

As kendani grow older, the risk of "activating" the Feral Curse rises. Those that are anywhere between ages 50 through 70 typically have the mutation active. Once the mutation completes, the kendani is violently transformed into a haze beast.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kendani are rather close as a race and treat everyone as a collective family. In a similar vein to Dark Elves, their cities are all individually ruled by a "chief leader" rather than a single person pulling the strings. However, the chieftains still meet together to decide what is best for their people on occasion.

Facial characteristics

Varies by animal.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The kendani live within the northwestern forests and tundras of Aestus. While spotting a kendani outside of this zone is normal, all cities owned by them are located there within Beast's Sanctuary.

Average Intelligence

Kendani tend to be very intelligent when in their prime years and are known for their cunning, especially those who have adopted the traits of a fox. Of course, when the feral curse begins its late stage mutations, their intelligence declines considerably, causing them to become more simple minded and wild.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Any enhanced senses the kendani adopt depend on the animal they visibly share traits with.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Much like the Dark Elves, the kendani borrow names from various cultures around the world. This is because when the race was discovered by the the Sunstone Empire, they were forced to adopt similar naming conventions to identify themselves to the new civilization easily. Apparently, the empire couldn't pronounce their native names very well.

Major Organizations

Beast's Sanctum

Beauty Ideals

Strangely, kendani have few common "ideals" as to what is considered conventionally beautiful. A common trend, however, is that a kendani will typically be attracted to those with the same animal traits.

Courtship Ideals

Courtship for kendani is awfully simple compared to other cultures. Stories in which a kendani will jump into a relationship with someone they're interested in after a brief, but pleasant conversation or a single gift are very common. Of course, this does not mean they will be any less loyal if they continue to stay together.

Relationship Ideals

Given their potentially short lifespans, kendani value the simple things in relationship such as life-long loyalty with an ultimately caring person.

Average Technological Level

Unlike the rest of the world, kendani are adverse to the use of selenite, so their technological level is noticeably less advanced compared to other nations. While they still make use of items that are magical in nature, if it directly involves a selenite crystal, do not expect it to be seen within their cities. The exception to this being communicators, of course.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Euneti. Their native language was killed off long ago when the Sunstone Empire spread across Aestus.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Kendani culture mostly involves paying tribute to the world around them. Ironically, they tend to be somewhat hedonistic at the same time, possibly because of their uncertain lifespans. This has created the stereotype of most kendani being rather impulsive and quick to decide on whatever they want. The sight of a group of friends getting into crazy shenanigans isn't uncommon in Beast's Sanctum, or any other place with one or two fox-people in a clique.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Kendani are usually found praying to the god of their choice once per morning. Most of their cities often throw a large party once a month for the sole sake of having fun, regardless of age. Another, more somber tradition, however, is their official exile of those who are affected by the feral curse. Those that are too far gone in their mutation phases are taken to the dead zone of Aestus, where they will eventually become a haze beast away from civilization.

Common Taboos

The personal usage of selenite outside of very specific conveniences. The kendani believe that selenite plays a part in the reason they all have the feral curse, so they forbid their own kind from using it. They are, however, open to using communicators for the sake of convenience, but this is partially because the selenite crystals within those devices are very small to begin with.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Kendani have nothing against other races and are very open to the idea of friendship or romance with others.
Except dwarves.
Dwarves hate everyone.

Lifespan

50-70 years, depending on when their mutation completes

Average Height

Varies depending on what animal they are.

Average Physique

Varies depending on what animal they are. For example, those that are like foxes or cats will be somewhat slender to maintain agility, while those that are like bears, gorillas, or other large beings will have a much larger build.