Quanys Kin'toni Clan

History

The Quanys clan of kin’toni reside in the Usk'yer Cold Roofed Forest Hills, a cold, hilly area where the trees of the forest grow so thickly that no sunlight can enter the deepest areas of the forest. This gives the Quanys clan a strong advantage over other clans, as they do not need to fear the day and the sun, as long as they are careful, and do not wander past the edges of the thick forest. This clan of kin’toni began relatively late compared to many others, only settling here after one hundred years of the second age had passed, and the trees had grown truly thick.

Previously, they had wandered, much like the zu’aan tribes, hiding as best they could during the day, and moving during the night. After one hundred years of this wandering lifestyle, the clan happened upon the Uskyer region. and upon realizing the many advantages it offered, chose to settle there permanently. Of course, they were not the only ones to see and take note of the usefulness of this region. It was not long before a particularly advanced zu’aan city nearby attempted to take control of the forest, seeking to take it’s fertile land and take advantage of the many animals living in the forest.

This led to a protracted and violent war, lasting around two years, with the kin’toni attacking the zu’aan at night, and eradicating any zu’aan that entered their woods, till the zu’aan leaders realized how futile the war was, and withdrew. Peace remained in the Uskyer forest for a few years more, till another kin’toni clan attacked. It is unknown who this clan was, as their attack did not last long. The tactics and weapons the Quanys clan developed during the war with the zu’aan city served them well and they swiftly destroyed the enemy clan, taking in the few survivors, and forcing them to swear loyalty to the clan.

Following both these attacks, the Quanys clan remained very vigilant, constantly patrolling and watching the borders of their forested hills, fervently staking their claim to the land. After a time, the zu’aan began to return to the forest. Rather than eradicate them as they previously did, the clan acted more intelligently. They took just a few that entered to feed on, ensuring it was safe enough and prosperous enough for more zu’aan hunters to want to enter, ensuring they would have a steady supply of zu’aan blood and flesh to feed on in future. The clan became very xenophobic to other kin’toni.

Mercilessly attacking and killing any kin’toni that entered the forest. This was partially done out of a need to defend their home and partially done by the whims of their religion and belief, which dictated that no other clans of kin’toni could enter the Uskyer cold roofed forest hills without retaliation.

Biology

The Quanys clan of kin’toni have biology which is adapted for their cold environment. They are taller than most kin’toni, and more bulky. This creates a higher body mass, which provides more body heat, but less surface area for the body heat to escape from, as their larger bulk makes their bodies more compact. This increased body mass and size strangely does not affect their weight, and they rather have a lower weight than most kin’toni. It is believed this is due to partially hollow bones, and an adaptation of their body muscle and fat to have decreased weight, despite the increased amounts.

This decreased weight allows the Quanys to move quickly and easily through the trees of their territory, leaping from branch to branch to navigate quickly. They also have elongated, hardened talon-like nails, which assist in gripping tree bark, allowing them to climb faster, and cling onto trees easily. They have muscular, powerful legs which assist them in leaping from tree to tree, and large, dexterous feet which are perfectly adapted for holding onto the trunks of trees and keeping the kin’toni solidly perched. They are slightly stronger than the average kin’toni specimen, but their increased bulk, and decreased weight.

Makes it difficult for them to put as much power in their attacks. To work against this, they have developed a fighting style which does not rely on strength, but rather relies on their increased mobility. Kin’toni of this clan have eyes with bright red irises, with black sclera, and vertical beaded pupils. When seen in darkness, the red of their eyes seems to glow, shining in the darkness. Often at night the only sign of a Quanys kin’toni is the pair of glowing red eyes approaching through the darkness. They have excellent vision in the dark, being able to see with virtually no light, and an equally strong sense of smell, though their hearing is weak.

Their skin is pale, but in darkness, it seems to fade, and almost blend in to the shadows around them, making them very hard to see or locate in darkness, such as the darkness of their home in the deep centre of the forest. Males and females of the Quanys clan are virtually indistinguishable. With the only hints being that the red eyes of the females are slightly brighter, and the slightly longer legs and increased height of the males. When a zu’aan is turned by a kin’toni of this clan, and clear and obvious external features of gender slowly retract, till they appear almost genderless to any but another member of their own clan.

Members of the Quanys clan can identify the gender of other kin’toni by scent. But to any other kin’toni or observing zu’aan there is no discernible way to concretely tell them apart. Even their genitalia are similar, with both genders having smooth chests, and between their legs, no visible difference in the genitalia to any but the other members of the clan. Their diet is very mixed, consisting of meat hunted from local creatures, fruit and berries collected from the trees and occasional zu’aan blood when a hunter is selected to be caught.

Culture

The Quanys clan of kin’toni have a fascination with music. Music and instruments have become an important part of their life and culture, with most members of the clan learning to play an instrument of some kind. The instruments they have created and use include drums, primitive stringed instruments, and woodwind instruments similar to flutes. These instruments can be played individually or as part of a coordinated group. A kin’toni’s talent with its chosen instrument was often used as a method of determining their usefulness and authority in the clan, with the more skilled and talented musicians getting better food.

And more regular access to zu’aan blood. Because of this, the best musicians are often also the best warriors, as this increased nutrition and positions of authority give them greater strength and more access to resources they can use to improve. The Quanys are very proud of their skill and talent in music, but defend their secrets vigorously, not allowing any outsider kin’toni to hear their music or view their methods of playing and building instruments, going to great lengths to hunt down and kill any kin’toni who are even rumoured to have managed to catch even the slightest catch of any of their music.

Although their music is often seen as a sign of great culture. They are still kin’toni, and as such, are prone to violence and anger. It is not uncommon for an unskilled kin’toni of the clan to be attacked or even killed when their attempts at music are particularly awful, or they take too long to learn. The first thing newly turned zu’aan that are in the clan learn is the use of an instrument, as a test of worthiness to join the clan. The Quanys kin’toni tend to live in groups, in various settlements across the forests. Their homes can be carved into the ground, built from wood, or even set in the trees.

Each home usually holds four to five kin’toni, though they are typically only used for sleeping. Due to the constant darkness of the forest, sleeping cycles are very varied, and at any time of day any amount of kin’toni could be expected to be asleep, although the clan is never all asleep at the same time. Warfare and combat are very important to the Quanys clan. As they are constantly paranoid that another kin’toni clan will attempt to conquer their beloved forest. Because of this, it is common for most of the kin’toni in the clan to have practice and experience in combat, as well as taking turns on the guard rotation defending the forest.

Along with their chosen instrument, every kin’toni has a chosen weapon they are practiced in, and are required to train with regularly. It is a part of the clan’s culture that you must at all times have either your weapon or your instrument with you, so that you can either defend or inspire the clan should there be an attack at any moment.

Government

The Quanys clan is split into multiple settlements across the forest. Each settlement has it’s own leader who is in charge, and each of these individual leaders cooperate to run the clan as a whole. Each settlement has their own laws, but they all follow similar ideas, with changes according to each individual leader’s choices for their group. To get into a position of power or leadership, you must win the support of a majority of your settlement. Though no formal elections or votes are held, any kin’toni who can intimidate, persuade, or cajole enough support can take power through sheer number of supporters. T

he leader in charge of each settlement has total control over all aspects of their people, taking charge of the military, music, food, and building factors. Methods vary from settlement to settlement, but for the most part, the leader chooses someone else to work below them doing various tasks at their command. The harshest of these settlements is the one at the border of the forest to the north east. It is this settlement that puts most of the work into the guarding and watching of the borders, and due to this, their leaders have become particularly harsh and strict in their control and punishments.

Anyone who offends, annoys, or causes even a potential opening to outsiders is liable to be killed immediately. The other two settlements along the border, to the south and west, are also quite harsh at times, but are usually less likely to order wanton killing, and more likely to punish offending kin’toni with withholding of food or zu’aan blood for a time. The largest settlement, and seat of the most powerful leader within the clan, is at the centre of the forest. It is here that most major decisions are made, and it is where the four clan leaders gather to enact decisions and laws.

The laws and rules of the clan change over time, but at their most basic, can be summed up to this: no stealing or taking from another kin’toni. No disrupting another kin’toni’s music or weapons practice. No entry allowed to kin’toni of other clans. Never disobey the orders of any who are in a position higher than yourself. It is also the job of the governing kin’toni leaders to make decisions relating to zu’aan turnings and killings. In order to make sure the zu’aan still feel safe enough to enter the forest, killings are limited, and zu’aan are only turned if the clan has suffered a great many losses.

As the leaders are often hesitant to swell the clan too far, and overtax the forest they live in.

Military

The Quanys clan have an organized, trained military that fulfil multiple jobs, with the largest and most important group being the guards and patrol teams of the borders of the forest. The border patrol and guards are stationed at the north east settlement, where they are trained, and where they start from at the beginning of each patrol. Most patrols are formed of two, three or four kin’toni who are an assigned unit, who periodically patrol various sections of the forest border. The Quanys also have a standing military, who are stationed at the main centre settlement of the forest.

These kin’toni are constantly trained and taught new tactics in order to always be ready to defend the Uskyer forests. The Quanys clan do not often attack, but are highly territorial, and the point of this army is for defence, keeping the clan, and it’s territory, safe at all times. Other than the army itself and the various guard patrols. It is expected that all kin’toni in the clan are combat capable, and trained. All members of the clan must at least once a week spend time training with their weapon, in order to ensure that they are ready to defend their homes at any time. Another faction of the military is the hunters.

The hunters are trained to track and kill both the native beasts of the forest, in order to provide meat for the clan, and the zu’aan. In order to ensure that whenever it is decided that zu’aan blood is to be consumed, it will be found swiftly. The position of hunter is highly coveted, as many kin’toni enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and particularly enjoy catching zu’aan, taking great pleasure from the pain they inflict on their victims. The Quanys clan kin’toni have only stone and wooden weapons. Over time they have learned how to harden wood to the strength and durability of stone.

And a common weapon is a sturdy quarterstaff of wood, swung with enough force to easily kill any enemy. This hardened wood is also used in the production of strong spears with sharp stone tips, most commonly used in combat with the zu’aan. When fighting other kin’toni, the preferred weapon of most of the clan is a powerful stone hatchet, sharpened and tough. Some kin’toni may also carry large wooden shields when a large battle is expected. And they usually lead the army, creating safe areas of cover for the clan’s forces. The Quanys do not make much use of ranged weapons, but have developed a bow.

These bows are short, but powerful, mainly used by hunters, with simple stone tipped arrows. They also may make use of leather slings with small pebbles, powerfully launched, but these are becoming increasingly uncommon in recent years. The Quanys forces are trained and led by assigned generals and leaders, usually chosen for their extensive experience and skill in combat, who decide on tactics and battle plans.

Religion

The Quanys all follow the same religion, and are led by supposedly holy kin’toni who were chosen by their god. They name their god Ad’niron, and believe her to be a spirit of the forest who gives them their power. They believe she loves music, and looks favourably upon those who create instruments and play them for her. In matters of music, it is often the holy kin’toni who are advisors and leaders. Making judgements and decisions on what path of music each kin’toni in the clan should follow. Though they do not believe Ad’niron to be a spirit of combat, they believe that she gifted them the land of Uskyer.

And that she wishes them to defend and protect it. This is what drives them to defend and guard their land with such fervour, and the most fervent followers of Ad’niron can usually be found in the north east settlement. Acting as guards to the forest, vigorously performing their duty to their clan and their god. Once a week, the holy chosen kin’toni of Ad’niron preach her words from the trees of the forest, and a large portion of the population in the area at the time can be found in those trees, listening closely to every word and commandment that is spoken. This is then followed by a performance of music in praise of Ad’niron.

And it became a great and coveted honour to be chosen to play in the weekly ceremony. There are many ways to be chosen as a holy kin’toni of Ad’niron. The most common way is an act of great music, followed by a sign from the goddess that she was pleased. Others were spoken to by the goddess herself, directly telling them to serve her and do her bidding, and these were the most highly regarded kin’toni position in the clan outside of leadership positions. The Quanys do not reveal any sign of their reverence for their goddess. For they fear that another clan will learn of her glory and attempt to win over her support and affections.

Their beliefs are highly kept secrets, and when meeting with another clan for any reason, be it combat or the very rare peaceful meetings, no sign of their religion is visible, and no instruments are shown. Even newly turned kin’toni of the clan are not fully taught about her for months, as the holy ones are too frightened and paranoid about them being a spy or fake. The Quanys kin’toni believe that upon their death, they can join their goddess if the correct burial rites are followed. A dead kin’toni follower of Ad’niron must be buried outside their home with their instrument so that they may pass on to serve her and play for her eternally.

The holy chosen ones rarely went in to battle, and so rarely died, but when they did for any reason die, they would be buried underneath the tree they most often spoke from. With many gifts and adornments upon their grave to usher them forth to Ad’niron.

Miscellany

The Quanys clan lived in various forms of buildings. Some were dug directly into the ground, others grown from the trees themselves, and others built in the branches of larger trees. These homes typically housed around four kin’toni and were not used for much more than sleeping. Due to the thick canopy of the forest creating an almost constant time of day in the settlements, there are no set or standard sleeping periods and kin’toni rather just rest when they are tired, meaning that at all times a portion of the clan is awake, and a portion of the clan is asleep. The Quanys kin’toni did not have much knowledge of farming.

And their diet mainly consists of meat from animals of the forest they have hunted, and various fruits and foods they have gathered from the undergrowth. Due to the cold climate of the Uskyer forest hills. This clan very quickly learnt how to make clothes, weaving them from fibres, and using animal leather to make warm clothing for particularly cold times of year. Each kin’toni had one set of clothing woven from plant fibres that was worn at all times, and one set of warm leather clothes they wore over the others when the cold got severe enough to require it. Some of the more powerful members of the clan.

Such as settlement leaders and holy chosen kin’toni even had a simple set of shoes. The Quanys did not have tools and weapons more advanced than stone. They learnt a method of hardening wood, which become a standard part of tool making, and then used stone for the blades or working end of any tools. They commonly used tools such as hatchets, shovels, and axes. The Quanys knew of fire and how to produce it, but did not make much use of it.

Their biological adaptation to cold combined with their warming clothes and excellent vision in the dark meant that they did not have much use for fire.

They also did not learn cooking, so did not have a use for it in food preparation. Because of this, they have grown a fear of fire. Most Quanys kin’toni have never seen or experienced fire, and it will often scare or frighten them, and it’s light may blind them. The older and more intelligent members of the clan may not have this weakness, so it is not a reliable method against them, though some zu’aan hunters always keep a lit torch with them when entering the Uskyer forests and hills. The clan is made up of four settlements: one to the north east edge of the forest, one to the south, one to the west.

And the largest one directly in the centre of the forest. Most kin’toni in the clan would at some point live in each settlement for a time, but they all had a home settlement where they spent most of their time.

Nearby Groups

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Quanys Kin'toni Clan

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