The Pravessi

Overview

The Pravessi are one of the most prominent Krassi ethnicities on the planet Savarron.

Tall, leonine, and formidable, they embody a proud warrior tradition shaped by the vast plains and coastal reaches of their homeland.

Their society is matriarchal in tone and deeply spiritual, rooted in reverence for their Sun Goddess, whom they honour as the great life-giver and eternal guardian of Savarron.

While famed for their martial strength, the Pravessi are also farmers, hunters, and miners who live with harmony with the land.

Fierce defenders of their kind, they have become central figures in Savarron's planetary defense and galactic diplomacy.

Physical Description

Pravessi males stand between 6.5 and 7.5 feet tall, broad shouldered and heavily muscled, while females average slightly shorter and are built for speed, precision, and stealth.

Their sexual dimorphism reflects a balance of strength and agility, but both sexes are equal in status and capability.

• Manes: Typically it is the males who grow manes, which may range from tawny to black, white, or cream. A thicker mane is admired for its vitality, though it carries no political or spiritual significance. Males often braid or bead their manes with gemstones, bone, and cloth.
• Adornments: Pravessi women, who do not typically grow manes, decorate themselves with jewellery: earrings, necklaces, chains, and carved gem-inlays that glitter in the sunlight.
• Eyes: Predominantly amber, yellow, green, or brown, though albino Pravessi may have striking red irises.
• Hands & Claws: Their hands are broad and paw-like with short fingers tipped with retractable claws. Both practical tools and weapons, these claws are central to their identity and physical form.

Pravessi coats span the full spectrum of lion-like hues such as pale cream, golden tan, brown, and melanistic black, but no shade is privileged over another.

Society & Culture

Pravessi live in pride formations, mirroring the natural rhythms of their world. Females often serve as hunters and tactical leaders, skilled in covert combat and survival, while males defend the pride in direct battle. Together, they form a complementary unit where neither sex dominates.

Their matriarchal tradition stems from their devotion to the Sun Goddess, whom they believe embodies creation, renewal, and justice. Seasonal ceremonies revolve around the sun’s passage: dawn festivals, solstice rites, and harvest blessings.

• Weapons & Armor: Pravessi craft their weapons by hand from local ores, bone, and gemstones. Spears, swords, and heavy polearms are favored, their artistry rivaling their deadliness. Armor is lightweight, designed to complement the feline build — male armor frames the mane without concealing it, while female armor accentuates speed and precision. Tail-guards and claw-caps are common among warriors.
• Adornment & Ritual: Jewelry and decoration carry ceremonial meaning. Warriors returning from campaigns often add new beads or carvings to signify victories, while gemstones mined from Savarron’s soil are polished into amulets representing the sun’s eternal flame.

Pravessi culture values balance, loyalty, and collective pride. Every member of the clan, from child to elder, is seen as a fragment of the greater flame of the sun.

History

Before the revelation of offworld life, the Pravessi, like many Krassi ethnicities, were often at war with their neighbors. Their martial prowess was sharpened in these centuries of conflict.

The arrival of slaver incursions, however, changed everything. Pravessi prides, alongside other ethnicities, were hunted for their strength and resilience. The shared threat forced unity, leading to the formation of the Grand Council and eventual alliance with the Kithari , who provided technological aid in exchange for resources.

Modern Roles

In the present day, the Pravessi are a cornerstone of Savarron’s defense and diplomacy. Many leave the plains to train in the floating ocean-cities, where they study advanced weaponry, spacefaring technologies, and galactic politics.

They serve as soldiers, pilots, and guardians of their planet, while others rise as ambassadors and liaisons, representing Savarron in wider galactic councils. To offworlders, the Pravessi are often seen as the “face” of the Krassi, fierce but fair, devoted to honor, and deeply tied to their goddess and land.

Religion

The Pravessi worship the Sun Goddess, revered as the eternal mother and shield of Savarron. She strides across the heavens daily, her flame both blessing and test.

• Dawn Rites: At sunrise, Pravessi gather in open spaces, raising weapons and claws to catch the first light.
• Solstice Festivals: Twice yearly, great feasts and tournaments mark the longest and shortest days, reaffirming the pride’s bond with the sun.
• Funeral Traditions: The dead are laid upon stone altars where sunlight touches, believed to carry their essence upward into the eternal flame as their bodies are then engulfed in flame.

Names & Language

Pravessi names are unique and singular, chosen at birth or coming-of-age to reflect destiny or symbolic traits. Each name is sometimes followed by a clan designation when needed (e.g., Bifur of Clan-Rahl), but the given name carries all the weight of identity. Names are never repeated except as an honored inheritance.

Examples:

• Male Names: Bifur (“Golden Mane”), Aruhar (“Stone Sentinel”), Kaelen (“Spear Fang”)
• Female Names: Seraya (“Silent Huntress”), Velira (“Claw in Shadow”), Lioma (“Bright Sun”)
• Clans: Clan-Rahl, Clan-Surane, Clan-Vessiri

Relations & Politics

The Pravessi are highly respected within the Grand Council, often providing military leaders, diplomats, and cultural figures. Though martial in spirit, they reject tyranny, preferring decentralized leadership rooted in matriarchal wisdom and clan consensus.

Their sun-worship, warrior pride, and deep reverence for Savarron’s land make them both steadfast allies and daunting enemies.