Felin

The Felin come from the deep Forests of Ch'marr, they used to come from the far parts of the Savannah (Now destroyed in 700AW) and even the shadowy jungles and mountains of the great Western spine. They are a proud and tribal people who don't work with technology and they have primitive weapons and armour. They build tree-top villages or hide their settlements away in deep valleys far from the ravenous eye of man. Theirs is now a peaceable life, ruled in Ch'marr by the Felin Prince T'Challa (who recently united the tribes under one banner - his) they have enjoyed a long time of amicable trade with the other races and the protection of some, most notably their long standing allies, the Shakari and Eldrin.

What does your average Felin look like? Well they're planti-grade legged for a start, that means in layman's terms they have human style legs. They range from six feet in height to a massive eight foot at the fairly rare scale. They're covered in a soft, rich downy fur that mirrors the kind of big-cat they're associated with, jet black for panther kind, or with various stripes or spots, rosettes for the other cats. Fur colour ranges are black, russet red, orange, gold, silver, grey, white, brown, and most other ruddy colours. They have faces that can be best described as humanoid with big cat features morphed in, a cross between both but with the dominant facial structure of a humanoid face except for the eyes, the eyes are cat-like (slitted) and they see in colour. They are nothing like cute Anime Cat Girls *snorts* which I can't stand *snorts again*. They have long almost Elven or Fae like pointed ears, which are also covered in a soft downy fur.

Female felin pictures:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/media/folder_30/display_292308.jpg

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/media/folder_29/display_289510.jpg

Their body structure resembles that of a humanoid male or female, slightly more toned and muscular since they spend their time moving in the trees or battling with weapons like spears or staves. They do not walk around naked however, even though they have fur they prefer to wear simple clothings, loin cloths and tunics of cloth or simple leather. Attached to this can be found a myriad of feathers, bits of crystal and lots of various multi-coloured strips of cloth, named, usefulls. They do have a tail of course, which seems to have a mind of its own, swishing backwards and forewards as they think or fight.

Their culture is a primitive one but they are not barbarians, their meat is hunted and cooked, they have massive cook-fires and spend hours in conversation around them, their wilderness skills are second to none in this World. They make the best Hunters and Trackers, Rangers and Foresters. They are fierce fighters and warriors but they have a highly developed code of honour and combat. Their favoured weapons are fast ones and ones that are none metal, staves and spears are preferred, as is the 'Ja-katta' a specially created double ended spear that has an obsidian blade. Any sword must have a non-metal blade at least for the Felin to use it in combat, there are a few exceptions to this rule who have found they prefer metal weapons to the normal.

They brew many different beverages from the various plants and fruits that are native to the location they're in, all of them are highly alchoholic and potent. They can even brew one or two powerful beverages with milk and honey, adding spices and a few seasonings. One of their alchoholic drinks is known as 'Pat-ala' and is a mixture of exotic fruits, spices, and a fermented berry juice. It goes well with red meat and often gets used at rituals and shamanic meetings to get in touch with your inner self when mixed with the shaman's various herbs.

Talking of Magic, Felin are not often Mages, it doesn't mean that they can't /be/ Mages but they tend to prefer using Shamanic ritual and priestly magics, pledging themselves to the Mother Ch'marr'on and the Ashirion Incarnate. They are great explorers and curious as the cats they are patterned after. Wandering Felin travel for miles and miles often ending up in places where they shouldn't be, of course they are the first to apologise and leave if they are trespassing, they understand urban and wilderness borders, usually only crossing another tribe's borders if they have been asked to or are in desperate need of aid from the others.

Felin live for around the same time as humans do, but their life span is a little longer, they mature and grow like us but live to around 150, some Felin ancients are around 200. Player Character Felin are likely to be around their teens or late twenties, thirties. And female Felin outnumber the male Felin 4-1.

Their music is complex and particular to their race, their vocal talents can best be described as caterwauling to the other races, but to their own it sounds haunting, poignant and wonderful. K'rral, one of the Felin Princesses has been gifted with a powerful voice both in human emotional understanding and Felin, she can touch the hearts and souls of the most beligerant individual on the Broken Sphere. The music they play usually on drums and they have an instrument called the 'Ba'ruun' which is like a celtic drum.

They get on well with all the other races apart from some humans and especially those others who dare to practice the art of Slavery. And it is at this point I must tell ye a few things about the Felin that were imparted to me by Hellion who created the race and allowed me to use them.

Ok. I've had some queries about and observed some felin slaves trotting about the mux. As I created this species, I feel I had better offer some insight into Felin and slavery.

Felin used to suffer a lot from the predations of slavers, before the Shakari stepped in and really tore into slavery on Asherion. I mean furry, sexy, humaniod cat beings, there is always a trade for that kind of thing. They were exploited as gladitors, harem slaves etc. But the felin grew canny and melted into the woods, the ones that won free.

As might be expected they grew tough, mistrusting and very, very wary of folk. They also grew to despise weakness, lack of will etc. Felin are wild. Try taming a wild animal, many will die rather than submit to captivity. Felin are dangerous, they always have claws and teeth. Felin will often look upon those of their species who do become slaves with distain. Felin children enslaved are another matter. If a felin child goes missing, those responsible had better be prepared to suffer the consquences.

All in all felin do not make good slaves nowadays. If you have any queries please @mail me or catch me online:)

A short note on Felin weapon skills for character creation.

Felin use a special polearm weapon that is covered by the skill Melee weapon: Exotic ... if you decide to go this route and take the JK please can you ask Hellion or Coren to set your skill to Melee weapon: Exotic (Level) Ja'Katta.

Felin are adept with claws and teeth, take the Unarmed Combat: Martial Arts skill and then ask Hellion or Coren to set it to Unarmed Combat: Martial Arts (E) Felin Claws and Teeth.