Baalarii

Name:

Baalarii

Alternative Name:

Catkin, Baalkin, FluffCheeks

Description:

One of the youngest races on Dia is the Baalkin, barely four generations from joining the collective. Ranging from four to five feet in height, Baalarii are covered in insulating fur, ranging from less than an inch to as long as four inches depending on the Ethnic sub-group. Colors of this fur and off the eyes also vary wildly, from oranges and reds to black to browns and white. The eyes contain a Tapetum Lucidum layer, reflecting light and when combined with a greater sensitivity, make for excellent sight even in the lowest light conditions. Complex cuticles that exist somewhere between fingernails and claws wrap around and extend fro the fingertips. Ears are at the top of the head, as opposed to the side, and can swivel up to a hundred eighty degree. Finally, a long semi-prehensile tail is also present.

The semblance to the common animal, the Cat, has created a lot of nicknames for the Baalkin. Baal is the name of their homeworld, but calling them Catkin or Catmen is common. They don't seem to mind the association, although a wise person would be careful to avoid making too many comparisons. Cats are known as highly independent hunters with only loose socialization, but Baalkin are highly social creatures who have a culture of closeknit families that almost rival Orcish farmholds. Unlike the Earth and peace-focused Orcs, the Baalkin are more than willing to shed blood to protect the communities they identify with. The Musket War, the first major conflict to involve Baalkin, was a complete loss for the Mieville attackers when ranks upon ranks of Baalkin mana-rifles struck from prepared positions during their assault on Light's Dawn keep. Biographers at the time noted that the normally gregarious Baalkin had 'assembled in pairs, alternating shooting and loading by each soldier so that they created a terrible machine of death that was constantly striking down even well armored men by astonishing aim.'

History:

Baal is one of the few homeworlds whose memory has not yet been lost to time. It was apparently a world of relatively flat islands, with few mountains and a mix of pine tree rain forests and savannas with massive elder-trees. The Baal lived in small towns and hamlets spread over thousands of miles, with most governments as a loose confederation of local principalities. When the Gods came, they found a people whose memory of their own gods was faded, and it took little to convince them to accept incorporation in the collective. Baalarii stories of their past seem somewhat exaggerated, with whispers of god-like machines and travel beyond the orbit of their moon and homeworld.

Once settled on Dia, the Baalarii spread quickly, eagerly seeking new lands to settle in and new communities to join. While other cultures sought to stay close to family, Baalarii seem just as connected at far distances as they do living next door to each other. This has lead to a massive increase in mail between city-states and villages, which has also lead to a lot of Baalarii to take up professions as couriers.

Culture

Baalarii are known as a pretty easy going folk, with little desire for hierarchy or conflict. They do however, value community highly. An ideal Baalarri society has no leaders, no rich or poor, simply peers living together and looking out for the common good. To this end, most Baalarii households are well known for their generousity, and those who serve the local community are seen with a special kind of pride by their immediate and extended family.

Baalarii rarely become hired blades or mercenaries, as such professions are hard to argue as serving the greater good, although there are many champions that serve indivudal god-machines. Many of them also serve as soldiers, wardens, and politicians, as these professions are viewed favorably