Kori (Koh-Ree)

The Kori are a race of fox-like humanoids native to the continent of Xuria. Among the native inhabitants of Xuria, the Kori possess the strongest connection to the flow of Magic that permeates the world, and are believed to have some connection to the Fae Realm in their origins (either having been exposed to its magic, or having originated there). While some would consider them to be mischievious tricksters, those who've earned their trust know them as a people with a deep love of life, as well as a good story.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Kori have a humanoid body covered in fur, two arms and two digitigrade legs, hands with four fingers and a thumb each, four toed paws for feet, and a large bushy tail.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kori give birth to live young, with pregnancies lasting around 8 months on average.

Growth Rate & Stages

Infant: 0-2
Child: 3-11
Adolescence: 12-17
Young adult: 18-23
Adulthood: 24-49
Elder: 50+

Ecology and Habitats

While the Kori live in a variety of environments, they typically preffer to live in temperate environments, most commonly near forests and rivers.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Kori are omnivorous, with their diets consisting of meats, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Additional Information

Social Structure

While Kori society is largely decentralised (with each community effectively being self-governing), there still exists some societal organisation in the form of 13 "Clans". Each of these clans are themed around a particular element, and are focused on certain roles within Kori society. While many of these clans can be found in specific regions of Xuria, it's not uncommon to see communities consisting of members of multiple different clans living alongside one another, and a Kori can often switch over to a different clan from their birth clan if they feel their talents would be a better fit there.

Fire: The most common and widespread of the 13 clans, the Fire Clan makes up the common citizens and warriors of the Kori.
Earth: The Kori of the Earth Clan make up the majority of the smiths of Kori society, and are the only ones with the knowledge and skill needed to extract and forge Spirit Steel (the Xurian equivalent of Ithyrian Silver), a secret they pass down only along family lines.
Wind: Consisting largely of merchants, and messengers, and explorers, the Kori of the Wind Clan travel extensively throughout the lands of the Kori, and the most likely to be seen beyond their homeland.
Forest: Often found living in the remote forests of Xuria, the Kori of the Forest Clan are typically hunters, Druids, and mask carvers.
River: Typically found living near large rivers, the Kori of the River Clan are typically found working as farmers and traders, and are responsible for facilitating trade between the Ocean Clan and the inland clans.
Ocean: Commonly found living along Xurias coastal regions, the Kori of the Ocean Clan are the most skilled fishers and sailors among the Kori.
Lightning: Commonly found living in Xurias subtropical forests, the Kori of the Lightning Clan have shown a certain knack for working with Magitech, and are believed to have been responsible for constructing the ancient Aether powered ruins found scattered throughout Xuria.
Light: Kori belonging to the Light Clan typically serve as the spiritual leaders of their people.
Shadow: The most reclusive of the clans (often living in extremely remote areas), the Kori of the Shadow Clan often serve as spies and assassins for their people.
Mountain: Typically found living among the more mountainous regions of Xuria, the Kori of the Mountain Clan are renowned for being hardy survivalists and fierce warriors, often being the first line of defence against the neighbouring Bar'khun tribes in the area.
Spirit: With a strong focus on studying magic, the Spirit Clan is responsible for producing many scholars and mages among the Kori.
Time: One of the most enigmatic of the 13 clans, the Kori of the Time Clan currently focus their efforts on preserving the history and traditions of their people, though it's said that they may have had the ability to see into the past, as well as glimpse possible futures.
Sound: Commonly found travelling between Kori settlements, the Kori of the Sound Clan are the musicians, storytellers, and performers of their people.

Facial characteristics

The Kori have a fox-like head with a long, narrow muzzle and large pointed ears, and have eye colours in various shades of blue, green, and amber. Additionally, most Kori have various natural facial markings, with a raccoon-like "mask" being the most common type.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While they can sometimes be seen in other parts of the worl, the Kori can most commonly be found throughout Xuria.

Average Intelligence

The Reshari have average intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Kori have a keen sense of hearing and smell. Additionally, the Kori have a strong affinity for fire and illusion magics among their mage populations, and are capable of using a unique minor magical technique known as "Fox/Spirit Fire" that's available to even most non-mages. Perhaps as a result of their affinity for fire magic, the fur of the Kori has also been noted to be slightly fire-resistant.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Male: Kei, Nahiko, Haru, Sota, Dai, Atsu, Rikao, Takumi, Yuchi, Ohiro
Female: Ebari, Rin, Ai, Kizumi, Hazuko, Yuki, Miwa, Tenai, Otsune, Nayu

Beauty Ideals

The Kori consider clean, sleek fur, a slender physique, and creativity to be attractive traits in a prospective mate.

Gender Ideals

While it's generally expected that women take on the role of caregivers while men take on the roles of protectors and providers, there are exceptions.

Courtship Ideals

While either gender can court the other, it's most commonly the male who does so. Among the Kori, courtship consists of the couple each carving a half-mask representing their partner, followed by a ceremeony where the two halves are combined into a single "Wedding Mask", meant to represent their union.

Relationship Ideals

The Kori are generally monogamous, and children are often raised by the parent of the same sex.

Average Technological Level

The Kori have access to the knowledge and tools needed to establish and maintain their communities in a variety of environments, including forests, coastlines, riverlands, and mountains. Additionally, the Kori of the Lightning Clan are believed to have created many of the old, Aether powered ruins that can be found throughout Xuria, and while the knowledge behind their construction has long been lost, Kori belonging to the Lightning Clan still possess a certain apptitudde for working with Aether-powered technologies, such as Magitech.

Common Etiquette Rules

The Kori value loyalty, particularly among their community. Additionally, showing ones uncovered face is considered to be improper, with only close family and loved ones being exempt from this.

Common Dress Code

While there are variations depending on the environment, Kori clothing is typically lightweight to allow for ease of movement.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Perhaps as a result of their supposed connection to the Fae Realm, the Kori are a very free spirited people with a deep love of life. This is best seen in in their love of creative pursuits, with storytelling in particular being a highly popular pasttime. Thanks to their love of travelling (mostly for the purpose of seeking out new experiences), a number of these creative traditions have been adopted by some of the neighbouring peoples surrounding the Kori, and the Kori have likewise integrated found plenty of outside inspiration to influence their own creative pursuits.

One of the best known aspects of Kori culture is the importance they place on their masks. Every Kori possesses a wooden mask, each with a unique design that reflects aspects of their owner, such as personality traits, family history, the clan they belong to, and the role they play in their community. With so much meaning associated with them, a Kori's mask is considered to be their most valuable possession, with them doing whatever they can to ensure it isn't lost or damaged.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

While the Kori are currently on neutral relations with the Tai people, there have been instances in the past where the two have been at odds with one another.

Lifespan

100 years

Average Height

Male: 5'8" Female: 5'4"

Average Weight

Male: 71kg Female: 62kg

Average Physique

Slim to somewhat lean

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The most common fur colourings seen among the Kori include reds, whites, greys, browns, and blacks, often in complimentary mixes.