Dekarti (Deh-Kart-ee)

The Dekarti are a race of humanoids that possess a variety of bestial traits. They wildly resemble Humans in terms of appearance, with a few monstrous attributes ranging from tails, to teeth, to claws. They are also often called Wildfolk or Beastkin, due to sharing a few curious traits reminiscent to animals or wild beasts.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Dekarti people possess a body that's not too dissimilar from humans. Bipedal, two arms. The exception to this is their monstrous traits; which can vary from each Dekarti. This is typically dependent on the traits of their parents, though 'Purebloods' born from parents that possess similar traits will always create another 'Pureblood'. 
'Mutts' possess a mixture of animalistic traits; but only ever display two to three different traits based upon their heritage.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dekarti are all omnivorous, though meat is a very important part of their diet. All Beastkin possess very pronounced canines designed for clamping and tearing into meat.

Riverside Fishing

The Dekarti people have always fished from the Lonely River; a vast stream that runs through a majority of the west-central desert. While the cities along the coast do practice saltwater fishing, it's nowhere near to the same extent as freshwater fishing. 

Farming & Agriculture

In terms of crops, most farms are built alongside the coast of the river. The Dekarti are generally fond of using the unique spices that can be found throughout their home; most notably Frost Mint and Heartleaf; Frostmint is a unique spice that thrives in heated areas, and is known to sap away the warmth as an energy source. This creates a unique, frigid and cooling effect in the plant, which can be crushed up to chill or cool products.
Frost Tea is very commonly made from this; by crushing and steeping water in the mint, it causes a chilled beverage that tastes crisp and fresh so long as the leaves are strained in time. It's a common drink used by travelers to deal with the oppressive heat.
Heartleaf is also grown as a sweetener; similar to Frostmint, it can be crushed up to produce a unique spicy-sweet taste. It is named so for the heart-shaped, flush-red leaves that the herb produces. Heartleaf is also important due to its ability to heal wounds when prepared through Alchemy; making it a very important product for producing Dekarti health potions.
Eggfruit is a very common fruit found within Dekarth; it's a unique fruit that forms a dense, hard shell that cracks when enough pressure is given. It is difficult to harvest due to the fruit being designed to crack open once it falls, but it produces a unique, almost savory taste when cracked open to expose the gel-like insides.
Other common plants in Dekarth include grapes, citrus, and melons.

Livestock

Silkies are a very common animal found in Dekarth; they're massive, flightless birds that are known for growing very thick plumage that can be refined and used as a soft silk or even be used as a textile. This silk is also unique due to its insulating properties. Silkies are among the few warm-blooded animals that are found in Dekarth, outside of Dekarti. This is because they regulate their body temperature through Frost Mint; grazing upon the crop, their soft, usually bushy plumage is capable of keeping the heat from reaching their otherwise cool body.
Silkies are also favored for the massive eggs they lay, and make decent beasts of burden due to their massive size, but are otherwise notoriously stubborn. They are very flighty due to being prey animals, and are quick to kick or jump to grow hostile at the smallest perceived threat.
While Silkies arent raised for their meat, the Dekarti do have a staple animal that's often kept within small cages. Takla lizards are a small reptile that grows to roughly the size of a grown man's hand. They're small enough to keep confined in large numbers, but large enough to be farmed frequently. Often called 'Tumble Lizards', Takla are covered in heavy scales that they can use to curl into a defensive ball.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This wildly depends on each Dekarti, though an important thing to note is their keener senses of smell and hearing. Many Beastkin have better hearing or smelling than they do sight.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Dekarti have traditional first and last names; with last names owing to a specific family. In Perosian times, the last name was specifically dedicated to the Clan, though this has long since dwindled and grown archaic due to most clans dissolving under one rule. Some clan names still live to this day in nobility, such as Tehran, Ashim, and Hesslar.
Male: Esmail, Kuorosh, Morteza, Darzi, Abdolreza, Arash, Attaran
Female: Samira, Ananta, Azandi, Dalar, Shirin, Roshin, Jamila, Amara
Last Names: Tehran, Hesslar, Macar, Vass, Ghizza, Zamain, Ashim, Noora, Kader
Title Names: Title names are granted to those that have earned merit in a certain way. It is used to formally refer to somebody above you, and is placed directly before the last name. Ra and Mutara for example, are the most well known titles.
For example. If Azandi Ashim was a Ra, her full name would be Azandi Ra-Ashim. If she was the Mutara, it'd be Azandi Mutara-Ashim.
Grain is used as a last name for anyone that's a slave within Dekarth. If Azandi was a slave, for example, she'd simply be known as 'Azandi Grain'

Major Organizations

Dawn's Dervish: Though the Grains of Dekarth are often treated as second class citizens at best, a well-known Church organization formed within Olziir shortly after the take over of Dalar Ra-Vass. Despite being slaves, the Grains still finding faith in Amelia  formed the Dawn's Dervish; an organization that swears in a life of austerity as a means to show their faith to the Bright Queen. Small militant groups are formed amidst the Dervish, defending the Grains and providing them the basic means of living so long as they continue keeping faithful to their Goddess.
The Spears of Hesslar: A handpicked group of well-known generals.

Beauty Ideals

Beauty and elegance are important to the Dekarti people. Though warfare is viewed as a sacred duty that every man and woman must undertake in order to prove themselves, a certain flourish is always encouraged even on the battlefield, so's to garner the admiration and respect of one's own prowess. 
In general; Dekarti are very fond of clothing that remains revealing even on the field of battle, due to the agility, flexibility, and comfort it provides when battling beneath the blazing sun. Outside of battle, the Dekarti are not shy of exposing their bodies. Scant clothing is common; and it's rare for them to wear any coverings at the belly or lower legs. 
Scars and various markings are actually favored by Dekarti people; and it's a very common practice for them to trace old wounds with black ink or tattoos to make their old wounds all the more obvious. These markings are often further highlighted by a decorative war paint when fielded into battle.
Many Dekarti people possessing some variant of animalistic ears. It's very uncommon for a Dekarti to not have either ears or horns; and they're fond of decorating them with a variety of flashy jewelry to help highlight their appearance. Rings, bangles, and the like are also very common for bared skin.
Nudity isn't outlawed; though the Dekarti are much more fond of wearing clothes that accentuate their form, it isn't uncommon for a Church to Amelia to wear as little in the way of cloth as possible, with some stripped bare and wearing nothing but the paint at their skin.

Gender Ideals

Generally speaking, the Dekarti people are very matriarchal. Political games and influencers are traditionally always women; and it's exceedingly rare for this exception to for for a ruler. Despite that, both genders are still often seen as even when it comes to the field of battle, though women are often trained to fight from a young age, encouraged to pursue dangerous careers such as hunting, the life of a soldier, or personal guards. Women are also often taught how to present themselves and strike as appealing to the common masses, an advantage that allows them to pursue political careers much more frequently than men.
Men are given labor-driven tasks; construction work, smithing, cooking, and various duties that would best be described as 'grunt work' to performed within the protection of city walls. They are also often assigned as close companions to high-ranking soldiers; similar to a paige or squire to nobility and generals. 
While given relatively equal rights despite these shortcomings, the one thing that men generally aren't given is the service of a priest or high-ranking member of Amelia's clergy; traditionally, anyone that's in charge of maintaining a church service is a woman.

Relationship Ideals

The Dekarti people respect each other's title and rank over all else, and often take things into account when interacting with one another. Despite that, their general amicable nature and attitude often promotes quick and easy friendships. The Dekarti are very quick to trust others; a fact that's reflected by the fact that trysts and flings are common from both genders.
Many Dekarti people are very open with those they consider their friends as a result; their free-spirited nature leaves them more than comfortable in their own skin, and they often expect others to accept and understand them for what or who they are. Full romance is something that is only found later in a Dekarti's life; but such arrangements are often only reserved for nobility or higher class citizens.
To the Dekarti, the life of a worker or soldier is often seen as 'too busy' to be bothered with arranged marriages; hence the fact that most trysts are often simply that; fast flings and nothing more.
Dekarti that find a very close kinship with others perform a special ritual called Blood Bonding; this bonding is done between two people that feel close enough to consider each other closest battlefield compatriots, and is often seen as the greatest show of trust for a Dekarti person. The two people involved in the bond simply leave a shallow wounds at the wrist, binding the injuries together so that the blood is free to flow between both cuts. Once done, they are considered blood bonded; those that are caught in this oath are expected to put their life on the line for the other, until death parts them. Blood bonding is often seen as the beginning of a blossoming relationship; though is by no means an oath that's taken to show romantic love.
Despite their relatively trusting nature, The Dekarti find treachery and betrayal to be among one of the worst acts to commit. Traitors are often left branded with a special mark if they're caught in the act, left forever stained with a shameful reminder of their misdeed.

Common Etiquette Rules

Rank and title are important to the Dekarti people. When speaking to a higher ranking official or individual, they're often treated with utmost respect. Furthermore, those that stand above the lower class often speak with an air of absolution. This is due to their word being expected to be followed by their known merit.
Nobles are still expected to treat their people kindly and with dignity; cruel mistreatment of those of a lower rank are scoffed and frowned upon. This is further enforced by trials by combat; it is fully legal for anyone within Dekarth to voice their grievance by challenging somebody to this trial.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Most of their cultural heritage is traced back towards their faith in Amelia. Asides from that; the Dekarti greatly value valor and bravery in all ways; in and outside of the battlefield. Confidence is a very valued trait to the Dekarti people, and it isn't too uncommon for brief spats to lead to butting heads. Despite that, whether the clashing is done through swords or friendly competition, the Dekarti never take a loss or win personally and merely see it as a point to prove their place in standing within the hierarchy. 
Contests are central in Dekarth; be it strength, beauty, or even something as simple as prowess in cooking and artistry. It is important for them to display a test of skill in some shape, way, or form, and they proudly wear the proof of their prowess. 
Competitive spirit aside, the Dekarti are often best described as very jovial and lackadaisical despite their taste for battle.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Bright Queen's Hallow is an important holiday celebrated by the Dekarti people; it's a religious holiday and salacious event that begins with the first day of each month. During this time, the palace opens with a feast and grand celebration that lasts from morning to sunrise. Nobles, Slaves, and workers of all castes arrive at the celebration wearing a different mask or piece of apparel to hide their identity.
Those attending the masquerade remain strictly anonymous, which encourages trysts and one-night flings between the celebrants.

Colosseums

An important part of the Dekarti people are the colosseums; these are seen as proving grounds for both soldiers and potentially, slaves. Slaves and prisoners are given a chance to free themselves from their chains through performances in the colosseum, which is a source of important entertainment to the Dekarti people. Crowds frequently flock to these arenas for a chance to watch people battle both beasts and fellow beastkin alike in grueling life or death battles.
Most notable is the Midsummer Blades festival; a celebration where prisoners and slaves are gathered into a tournament and pitted against each other to win their freedom. Winners of this tournament are granted their own family name, and in some cases, even pardoned from any crimes that lead to their imprisonment.

Competitive Culture

Asides from just showing off raw might alone, the Dekarti people's competitive nature means that there's countless contests to be found throughout the continent. Battle isn't the only prowess that they value; and there can be many other competitions found within the walls of the greater cities. Olziir for example, is known for its weekly cooking competitions.

Battle Etiquette

Being proud warriors, it only makes sense that the Dekarti people have an entire etiquette around battle. Most notably is Blooding; a battle tactic where a soldier dips their fingers in the blood of their slain enemy before leaving it smudged as a print upon their skin. Blooding is often used to instill fear in the enemy, for each fingerprint left upon their skin is the shed blood of a different comrade.
Naming is also an important part of Dekarti when dueling; before each duel begins, participants will speak out their names and known titles as loudly as possible, so that onlookers may witness their potential victory.

Historical Figures

Nagi Ra-Hesslar

The first Mutara in Dekarti history, Nagi is a famed warlord that is often credited as the founder of Dekarth. She was dubbed the 'Little Conqueror' due to her very young age, ascending to power as Khan of her clan during the Perosian era when she turned fifteen. Nagi rose to prominence when she lead a series of marauding raids along the riverside, ending with her inevitably conquering the only river within the western desert and establishing Levia at the coast; the capital of Dekarth.
While Nagi was only seen as an average soldier, her tactical genius and ability to lead her army despite that was legendary.

Azandi Ra-Ashim

Known as the Witch of the Sands; the story of Azandi is steeped in myth and legend. She was a cunning tactician, and notably lead to the Dekarti expansion throughout the Golgelen forest during her reign. What she is most known for, however, is the rebellion that took place in Levia. Whilst most of her armies were pushing throughout the Golgelen, conspirators sought to overthrow her and put another popular candidate in place; Thanna Ra-Karim overthrew Azandi for a time, but failed to kill her or find her injured body.
Azandi, now in forced exile, later attempted suicide through feeding upon the many poisonous fruits and plants found across Dekarth. This failed to kill her, but lead to the colour draining from her skin whilst her lips took on a bluish colour; Azandi went blind, and later returned to Levia after realizing her appearance had changed entirely.
Through subterfuge and quiet planning, Azandi managed to rally old supporters back together before Thanna was inevitably assassinated by Azandi herself, leading to her reclaiming her right to rule.

Rahsed Al'Ghazz

Rahsed was a well known soldier that served during a demonic incursion in the Golgelen. Rahsed was a phenomenal fighter; and despite most positions of power being reserved for women, his prowess on the battlefield lead to him becoming a renown general. Rahsed is known for felling countless demons, slaughtering fiend after fiend before the blood drew him into a blood-drunk craze. This had lead to the general unfortunately losing his ability to discern friend from foe, ending with him leaving his post as General so that he could hunt soldier and demon alike for sport.
Rahsed has many tales spoken of him; most prominent was his supposed dining on demonic flesh, though such things are often dismissed as rumors. A positive light still shines upon him as one of the greatest generals that Dekarth has had, with other rumours blaming possession for his fall from grace.

Common Myths and Legends

The Kuru-Kemi

Within the desert dwells a dangerous, skeletal creature known as the Kuru-Kemi. A malicious spirit that lures wayward travelers into allowing it to ride upon their back. Once the Kuru-Kemi has found itself on the back of its victim, it torments them until they're left driven into an early grave. 

Grootslang

The Grootslang is a legendary beast said to dwell within the mountains of the Needles. It's said to be a massive, tusked serpent that slithers betwixt the massive stalagmite-like mountains, with a maw so massive that it clears all the carrion -- and unfortunate adventurers -- that happen to be wandering within its winding path.

Dag Yiyen

Dwelling within the Sand Sea is said to be a great beast wreathed in lightning; a massive, blue-scaled behemoth that takes to the skies from to stir the clouds and bring forth showering rain over the savannah to the east.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Dekarti people are exceptionally fond of other races, viewing them as exotic in their eyes. As a result, it's very common for them to treat outsiders with a lot of respect and curiosity. Elves in particular are said to be blessed by Amelia herself, with Elves often being seen as the pinnacle of beauty.
Dekarti are much more likely to treat outsiders with kindness than they are each other. Despite that; they have their reservations for certain cultures and their methods of rulership. Namely Humans and their tendency to grant titles and power through inheritance rather than personal merit.

Lifespan

70~80 Years

Geographic Distribution

• Dekarth