Once a populous race from central Ikune, the Khonesh have seen their numbers dwindle after being ravaged by the Veiled Scourge, a plague that primarily affected them. Known for their heightened reflexes and excellence at cooperation, the Khonesh have adapted to a wide range of environments. However, the plague has left deep scars, both physically and socially, with survivors often bearing visible marks that lead to their ostracization.
Physical Characteristics
The Khonesh are humanoids with two arms and two digitigrade legs that have traits resembling those of wolves. These traits include their fur, muzzle, and expressive tails. The fur of the women tends towards dark grey or brown, nearing black, while for the men it is a deep black color. The exception is the muzzle, cheeks, front of the throat, hands, feet, and underside of the tail, which tends to transition to white instead. These are just general patterns, with individual Khonesh sometimes having fur that differs from this.
Those who have been affected by the Veiled Scourge and survived can be easily identified by their shorter patchy or rough fur, a sign that leads to them being ostracized from most societies. Beyond just their fur, they also possess keen eyes to aid in their perception, and their pointed ears are capable of swiveling to detect sounds from various directions. Their build is adapted for endurance when traveling across different terrains, allowing them to travel with relative ease, though at the cost of being more burdened by heavy loads.
They have tufted tails, which, beyond often being a visible indicator of their mood, are used for communication. The movement of a tail helps convey the intent and meaning of a sentence between Khonesh, which can make communication harder with other races who are not used to how the Khonesh communicate. It would be like trying to decipher someone speaking in a monotone voice.
Behavior and Instincts
The Khonesh’s heightened reflexes give them a natural advantage in reacting quickly to external stimuli, making them particularly agile and responsive. This trait has helped them excel in situations that require fast decision-making and physical dexterity, such as combat, hunting, or sports. However, these reflexes come with a drawback: they often react instinctively to sudden movements or surprises, which can lead to awkward social situations if they haven’t trained themselves to control these reflexes. For example, a Khonesh might reflexively catch a falling object or react to a startling sound before fully assessing the situation, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Another defining trait of the Khonesh is their innate need for order and structure. This manifests in their strong desire for social roles, hierarchy, and clearly defined rules. Whether it’s the chain of command in military service or the social roles within a family or tribe, Khonesh thrive in environments where they know their place and their responsibilities. Those who find themselves in chaotic or disorganized situations often experience anxiety and discomfort. However, the Khonesh have developed different ways to cope with this sense of order—some find solace in more abstract forms of structure, such as patterns in art, routines in daily life, or other forms of personal discipline.
Finally, their fur allows the Khonesh to live comfortably in a variety of climates, from hot deserts to cold tundras, as it adapts over time to fit the environments. This fur provides excellent insulation, keeping them warm in cold conditions and shielding them from extreme heat. This has made them versatile, allowing them to migrate to new regions when needed, and helping them thrive in environments where other races might struggle.
