Post by Xander on Apr 24, 2009 16:25:40 GMT -5
The Arcadians and Katagaria each have designated soldiers who fight and protectors who watch over the women and children of the group. Their societies and existence are extremely complex though they will most often segregate themselves to be with their own kind. For example, an Ursulan (bear) Katagari will live in a clan (patria) of other Ursulan Katagaria, while an Ursulan Arcadian will live with other Ursulan Arcadians. You won't generally see a bunch of random Were-Hunters bedding down comfortably in a mismatched pack.
I suppose one could consider it a bit racist... but while the human side of a Were has no problem mating with another human Were, their animal sides still have big mental hurdles to jump when it comes to intimate relations with a different species. The psychology is just a lot easier when a Were runs with his own pack. Especially the Katagaria.
Katagaria follow the basic law of nature: Kill or be killed. The Katagaria have their own form of soldiers, the Strati, who seek out Rogue Arcadians. (You've no doubt figured it out by now—if it’s Rogue it's got a death warrant.) Much like their predatory ancestors, Strati will not engage an enemy unprovoked. They will only kill to defend themselves, their pack, or their territory.
Speaking of animal instinct, it is a common Katagaria tradition to mount (as in, on the wall) your first kill. Say it with me: “Ewwww”. I bet most Katagaria wives hope their husband's first kill is a Daimon. It's kind of hard to mount a pile of dust.
It is also polite to refer to Katagaria by their animal selves. For example, you may address Vane Kattalakis as "Wolf”. It's a bit like equivalent of a "Doctor" or "General" honorific. The term Were, however, is a major insult to the Katagaria since the term is taken from Old English and means "man"—they pride themselves on being animals. They don't mind the term Were-Hunter because it implies they are hunting men, which they are. It is normally fine to use the term Were when discussing them casually, like here, but it's definitely not something you want to call them to their face. Katagaria do not like to be reminded of, or referred to by, their human half, and Arcadians in the main prefer to never think of themselves as anything but.
In times of desperation, a Were-Hunter's body will resort to the form of its truest nature. It is almost impossible for Katagaria to maintain human form when injured, and the reverse is true for Arcadians. Consider this if you've got an injured Katagari on hand—you're going to need a vet and an explanation for why you're suddenly in a crowded place with an exotic animal. If an Arcadian is hurt while in his human form you've not got much to worry about. If the Arcadian was in animal form when injured, be prepared to give them your shirt and/or coat, especially in inclement weather, and do your best to keep them from getting ticketed for public indecency.
It is also difficult for either species to maintain constant form when zapped by an electrical impulse... but more on that in a bit.
There are those Katagaria who are not able to rein in the natural, hedonistic impulses of their animal souls, and they eventually succumb to the madness of their blood. These Katagaria are true, unredeemable animals, and are called Slayers.
Some Arcadians refer to all Strati as Slayers, but that's somewhat of a sweeping generalization laced with a heap of latent hostility.
Arcadian soldiers are called Sentinels and they usually patrol in groups of four. A Sentinel's main duty is to track and kill Slayers. (You can see now where the Strati-Slayer confusion, conscious or not, would cause a bit of trouble.)
Only a select few Sentinels are born to each patria, and they are chosen by the Fates. They are stronger and faster than the rest of their species. They are immune to everything but the common cold and a couple of odd diseases, like the one that takes away their ability to do magic.
Arcadian Sentinels can be recognized by the geometric designs covering one side of their face—a birthmark that appears at maturity. Most use their powers to hide these markings.
The Strati do not share the facial markings that brand Sentinels. However, it should be noted that the legendary Kathoros Daimons—a sect more evil than their Spathi brethren—have similar facial markings. Encountering a Kathoros is exceptionally rare... but that doesn't make it impossible.
Were-Hunters can kill Daimons but usually don't, as they are cousins to the Apollites, and therefore cousins to their foul brethren as well. Were-Hunters also tolerate the existence of Dark-Hunters, but not generally well. Most powerful beings don't like to share that power, and when it comes to the Weres, it's all about being the one in control—the leader of the pack.
I suppose one could consider it a bit racist... but while the human side of a Were has no problem mating with another human Were, their animal sides still have big mental hurdles to jump when it comes to intimate relations with a different species. The psychology is just a lot easier when a Were runs with his own pack. Especially the Katagaria.
Katagaria follow the basic law of nature: Kill or be killed. The Katagaria have their own form of soldiers, the Strati, who seek out Rogue Arcadians. (You've no doubt figured it out by now—if it’s Rogue it's got a death warrant.) Much like their predatory ancestors, Strati will not engage an enemy unprovoked. They will only kill to defend themselves, their pack, or their territory.
Speaking of animal instinct, it is a common Katagaria tradition to mount (as in, on the wall) your first kill. Say it with me: “Ewwww”. I bet most Katagaria wives hope their husband's first kill is a Daimon. It's kind of hard to mount a pile of dust.
It is also polite to refer to Katagaria by their animal selves. For example, you may address Vane Kattalakis as "Wolf”. It's a bit like equivalent of a "Doctor" or "General" honorific. The term Were, however, is a major insult to the Katagaria since the term is taken from Old English and means "man"—they pride themselves on being animals. They don't mind the term Were-Hunter because it implies they are hunting men, which they are. It is normally fine to use the term Were when discussing them casually, like here, but it's definitely not something you want to call them to their face. Katagaria do not like to be reminded of, or referred to by, their human half, and Arcadians in the main prefer to never think of themselves as anything but.
In times of desperation, a Were-Hunter's body will resort to the form of its truest nature. It is almost impossible for Katagaria to maintain human form when injured, and the reverse is true for Arcadians. Consider this if you've got an injured Katagari on hand—you're going to need a vet and an explanation for why you're suddenly in a crowded place with an exotic animal. If an Arcadian is hurt while in his human form you've not got much to worry about. If the Arcadian was in animal form when injured, be prepared to give them your shirt and/or coat, especially in inclement weather, and do your best to keep them from getting ticketed for public indecency.
It is also difficult for either species to maintain constant form when zapped by an electrical impulse... but more on that in a bit.
There are those Katagaria who are not able to rein in the natural, hedonistic impulses of their animal souls, and they eventually succumb to the madness of their blood. These Katagaria are true, unredeemable animals, and are called Slayers.
Some Arcadians refer to all Strati as Slayers, but that's somewhat of a sweeping generalization laced with a heap of latent hostility.
Arcadian soldiers are called Sentinels and they usually patrol in groups of four. A Sentinel's main duty is to track and kill Slayers. (You can see now where the Strati-Slayer confusion, conscious or not, would cause a bit of trouble.)
Only a select few Sentinels are born to each patria, and they are chosen by the Fates. They are stronger and faster than the rest of their species. They are immune to everything but the common cold and a couple of odd diseases, like the one that takes away their ability to do magic.
Arcadian Sentinels can be recognized by the geometric designs covering one side of their face—a birthmark that appears at maturity. Most use their powers to hide these markings.
The Strati do not share the facial markings that brand Sentinels. However, it should be noted that the legendary Kathoros Daimons—a sect more evil than their Spathi brethren—have similar facial markings. Encountering a Kathoros is exceptionally rare... but that doesn't make it impossible.
Were-Hunters can kill Daimons but usually don't, as they are cousins to the Apollites, and therefore cousins to their foul brethren as well. Were-Hunters also tolerate the existence of Dark-Hunters, but not generally well. Most powerful beings don't like to share that power, and when it comes to the Weres, it's all about being the one in control—the leader of the pack.