Jalka Kin'toni Clan

History

The Jalka kin'toni Clan is one of the more disturbing races that plagues the face of Taerel. Within most ranks of kin'toni and especially amongst the zu'aan themselves, the turning or infection of a child is completely forbidden. The Jalka kin'toni Clan in comparison is horrific in that they are entirely made up of young orphans no older than fifteen in zu'aan years. The first bulk of the Jalka kin'toni Clan came into creation when an infamous zu'aan orphanage became rampant with the kin'toni disease. Named Jalka for the ancient zu'aan term for “lost child”, the orphanage was already well known amongst the zu'aan and was based out of one of the largest zu'aan cities.

When the whispers of the spread of the kin'toni disease began, the Jalka Orphanage was suffering the effects of some unnamed disease. The people of the city that surrounded the orphanage did not pay any mind to the children that suffered within its walls. It was not unusual for the poor and forsaken members of their society to be sick. Little did the zu'aan know that the disease that ran rampant would soon infect every member of their fair city and the streets would run red with blood. Once the disease destroyed the Jalka children’s sense of peace and morality.

They broke away from those that contained them and ran through the streets of the zu'aan city. Throughout that first evening of bloodshed, screams rang through the night and the smell of zu'aan blood permeated the air. The Jalka orphans attack was unexpected and the zu'aan citizens had little to no defenses against them. The orphans who had lived a life of poverty and neglect before were skilled pickpockets and organized thieves. These skills came into play that first dark evening which soon became known as Ninthalor (the ancient zu'aan term for “endless night”).

During the first Ninthalor several men, women, and even children perished and suffered at the hungry hands of the Jalka orphans. As quickly as the attack began, it ended in a single night when the orphans were driven from the city and beyond its walls and into the wilderness. They soon came upon a large farm that was secluded amidst trees and other foliage. They encountered an old woman there who soon learned to tame the disease that burned within them. She communicated with the Jalka orphans beyond screams and harsh attacks. She approached them as a demented mother that loved and cared for them like no one ever had.

The woman herself was Illuin Bi’Rie (or Witch of the Woods in the ancient zu'aan tongue). She had no true name or history. The new supply of children that the Jalka kin'toni brought were the most malicious and enticing children she had ever encountered. Illuin Bi’rie chose to “adopt” the orphans in a way and indirectly founded what would become the bulk of the Jalka kin'toni Clan.

Biology

The Jalka kin'toni Clan are horrifying in appearance in that they appear as normal, sorrow-filled, and sickly zu'aan children. They have an immediate telling sign in their eyes that reveal their true nature. They have pink irises with white sclera and vertical slit pupils. Their average height varies considering the drastic change in ages amongst their ranks. From the youngest in appearance starting at 5 years old to the oldest of 15, they come in several different heights and sizes. They have a total of 44 teeth. It includes 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 12 molars.

The upper 2 canines extend beyond their lips as "fangs". Their fangs are shorter and narrower than the average kin'toni. They are so narrow that they look like needles. The females of this clan generally have longer and sharper fangs. Their tongues are deep blue in color and the tips of their tongues are sharp and pointed. They have a heightened sense of vision, especially at night. But they suffer from a poor sense of hearing. Their sense of smell and taste is comparative to the average kin'toni. And a Jalka kin'toni is known to be able to smell fresh zu'aan blood from as far as 4 miles away.

They are incredibly vulnerable to cold weather. Their foreheads have a vertical ridge on the midline that extends down to the tip of their noses. This ridge is known as the "frontal nasal ridge". Their eyebrows are thick and bushy, and they have long eyelashes. They have 220 bones. The extra bones come from the 16 pairs of ribs, 36 individual bones in their vertebral column, and the single bone forming the frontal nasal ridge. The bones are solid with no medullary cavity as there is no bone marrow making blood cells. After transformation, their hair color usually varies from mink grey to white.

Blond and light brown hair are also seen, but very rarely and more often in the newly changed kin'toni. They have pale skin with a dull bluish tint. This is because they have tiny cobalt particles that were never washed out of their systems but remain adhered to their subcutaneous tissues. The hair on their skin is fine in texture and dark in color. Their hearts have 2 chambers instead of 4: a single atrium and a single ventricle. Their hearts are significantly smaller than the average zu'aan heart and it is blue in color.

Their livers are bluish, dry, and firm in consistency. Their spleens are atrophied and nonfunctional. The Jalka kin'toni Clan’s blood vessels have "dried up". Except for a few major arteries and veins, very few smaller vessels remain in their bodies. The capillaries have completely disappeared in them. All remaining blood vessels are clogged with cobalt particles. Because they have no capillaries, their lung alveoli are degenerated. As a result, their lungs are significantly smaller, harder, and darker. The Jalka kin'toni Orphans are nimble and quick because of their history as pickpockets and thieves.

This has transferred in mutations of the muscles in their legs makings them exceptional climbers and runners. Exposure to the sunlight is lethal. When in direct contact with the sun, their skin turns rough and leathery and eventually starts to wrinkle. Before long, there are cracks on the surface and layers of the skin start to peel off. Death usually occurs within 30 minutes of exposure. Fresh zu'aan blood forms their only diet. An average Jalka kin'toni can go 15 to 35 days without fresh zu'aan blood after their last full meal. There is no substitute for fresh zu'aan blood for the Jalka kin'toni Clan.

Culture

The culture of the Jalka kin'toni Clan surrounds the matron that they call Camus or “old mother”. Her true name and identity known to the zu'aan is Illuin Bi’Rie (or Witch of the Woods in the ancient zu'aan tongue). The Jalka kin'toni Clan are essentially lost children who have never known the love and support of a mother figure. Their Camus offers them this ten-fold in exchange for their obedience, service, and sacrifice. Camus is even rumored to be the original source of the kin'toni disease itself. She is in fact a powerful alchemist who has spread fear and hatred amongst the zu'aan for centuries.

The continued service of her kin'toni children assist her in this by providing young prospects for eventual passing down of her knowledge. There is no need for “mates” or “marriage” amongst the Jalka kin'toni. They do not have “households” or specific groupings or “families”. The Jalka kin'toni Clan is one family. They function as brothers and sisters that are all adopted and guided by their Camus, or Illuin Bi’Rie herself. Certain ranks exist amongst them; designations of importance and age that the Camus has created herself. She values boys as her protectors and girls as her daughters and servants.

The oldest of the girls Illuin Bi’Rie values the most. There are several that never leave her side and are called Folwin (or “vessels” in the ancient zu'aan tongue). The Folwin represent the chosen few who may be the next person that Illuin Bi’Rie chooses for herself to give her knowledge. To be the one Fylson (or “chosen vessel” in the ancient zu'aan tongue) is the greatest honor amongst the Jalka kin'toni ranks. The Fylson is treated as a queen and is only second to the Camus herself. Her feet must never touch the ground and she must never perform any physical work nor attempt to feed herself.

Other children and members of the Jalka kin'toni Clan hunt to find and discover their next Fylson. Once the Fylson is chosen, their hunts become less frequent and are seen as a blessing amongst the nearby zu'aan cities and tribes. Any hunt that takes place is simply to provide the necessary sustenance for the current Fylson and to fuel the eventual passing of Illuin Bi’Rie’s old knowledge into another. zu'aan fear the Jalka’s Camus as an evil witch that seeks to snatch young women and eventually possess them. The Jalka see Illuin Bi’Rie as a loving mother that simply needs their love and support.

She seeks her children's support to continue her existence and provides her undying guidance and love to all of her sick and forsaken children in return.

Government

The Jalka kin'toni Clan possess a rudimentary form of government that functions more like a monarchy than anything else. Their “queen” in question would be their Camus (or “old mother” in the ancient zu'aan tongue). Their Camus is none other than Illuin Bi’Rie (or the Witch of the Woods in old zu'aan). Illuin Bi’Rie is a powerful alchemist who has spent centuries of her long life transferring her knowledge from one chosen vessel to another. She is feared greatly and rumored about within the zu'aan cities and tribes. Much of her life she has been alone and has sought out her existence.

And science solitary and without the assistance of others. She encountered the fleeing Jalka kin'toni Orphans who took to her as a dark mother that provided love, warmth, and shelter from the encroaching ice and the hatred of the swarming zu'aan soldiers. Illuin took advantage of their weakness and frailty in order to create a society that not only worshiped her but assisted her in her demented existence proudly and without question. The Jalka kin'toni’s form of government is closely intertwined with their culture and religion. The most important members of the Jalka society outside of the Camus herself.

Are the Folwin (or “vessels” in ancient zu'aan) and Fylson (or “chosen vessel” in ancient zu'aan) themselves. Illuin Bi’Rie does everything possible to avoid directly punishing and scolding her many children. By maintaining the appearance of a loving and sympathetic mother, she holds control over their actions and thoughts. The Circle of Folwin or the Avourel (or “circle of vessels” in the ancient zu'aan tongue) are responsible for maintaining order and obedience throughout the clan’s ranks. The Avourel issues orders and punishment when the need arises.

They also make decisions regarding members of military, religious factions, and who is able to make direct contact with the Fylson herself. Illuin Bi’Rie or who the orphans call Camus can override any decision at any time made by the Avourel. This does not happen often mostly because Illuin does not care for the petty squabbles of children and most of her intents in being their “mother” are secretly malicious and evil. Outside of hunting, the farm that the Jalka kin'toni Orphans live on is considered mostly peaceful. Known as Omaven Glyn (or “land of the wicked” in the ancient zu'aan tongue).

This farm creates some of the most beautiful blue flowers known to Taerel that also possess a specific psychedelic quality prompted by the intense presence of cobalt and are known as Tormoira. Tormoira (or “blue dream” in ancient zu'aan) function as the Jalka kin'toni Clan’s main form of wealth and trade. Undesirables use Tormoira as a form of drug and so it has made Illuin Bi’Rie and her children very wealthy and sought after by some of the braver zu'aan traders wandering the face of Taerel. The Folwin of Omaven Glyn deal directly with these traders and have turned their small form of government into a very successful society of farmers and merchants.

Illuin Bi’Rie is seen as an omen of death amongst the traveling traders, however; so they usually choose to arrive during the day when all the children are asleep inside under the careful watch and loving embrace of their Camus.

Military

The Jalka kin'toni Clan’s military is entirely made up of its male members. Young girls of the Jalka kin'toni Clan are direct servants and farmers in service of the Camus (or “old mother” in ancient zu'aan) and the Avourel (or “circle of vessels” in ancient zu'aan). The young boys that make up the Jalka kin'toni Clan’s military are known as Raibyn (or “little soldiers” in the ancient zu'aan tongue). The military is rudimentary and childish at best. They act on the direction of the Avourel and its Folwin (or “vessels” in old zu'aan).

There are not specific Raibyn male commanders nor are there different factions with different functions. They are simply one unit that seeks to hunt fresh blood and protect the Avourel, their Camus, and their Fylson (or “chosen vessel” in ancient zu'aan).

The Raibyn can be used for a multitude of activities. Portions of them are directed to protect shipments of Tormoira (or “blue dream” in the old zu'aan tongue). Tormoira is a gorgeous blue flower that is only known to grow and be harvested at Omaven Glyn (or the “land of the wicked” in ancient zu'aan). Omaven Glyn is Illuin Bi’Rie’s (or the Jalka’s Camus) family farm that she has lived at and existed on for generations. The Raibyn surround the farm in poorly protected ranks. They wield armor, shields, and weapons made of wood from the trees that surround Omaven Glyn.

Their blue tinted skin somewhat blends in amongst the fields of blue Tormoira blossoms. Thanks to this natural camouflage, the Jalka kin'toni Clan’s greatest defense is remaining hidden and undisturbed. Only a lucky few zu'aan traveling traders are trusted enough to know the location of Omaven Glyn. Any that betray this knowledge are quickly sought out and fed upon in the night by the quickest of the Raibyn ranks. zu'aan traders that have made a particular grievance against the Jalka kin'toni may be visited by Illuin Bi’Rie herself who will take their children or the children of those close to them to become eventual Raiybyn or Folwin.

When hunting, the Jalka Raibyn rely on their nimbleness, the dark of night, and absolute secrecy. They never wear their armor or weapons forged from the woods themselves because they often get in the way. It is common that one or two Raibyn may be lost during a hunt for zu'aan blood, but it is more important to the Jalka and their Camus that they return with as much blood as they can to not only feed the immobile Fylson. The Raibyn are often thrilled with their position and rank amongst the Jalka and are not known to complain nor cause any fuss in relation to their lowly station amongst the female Folwin.

After all, they are essentially young boys who love to run, fight, and play. As disturbing as the purpose of their hunts are, the Raibyn often enjoy it and create games and competitions amongst themselves to see who will kill the most zu'aan in a single night.

Religion

Religion amongst the Jalka kin'toni Clan is entirely centered around their Camus (or “old mother” in the ancient zu'aan tonue); also known as Illuin Bi’Rie (or “witch of the woods” in ancient zu'aan) amongst the zu'aan of Taerel. Since the first Ninthalor (or “endless night” in ancient zu'aan), the Jalka kin'toni have made their home at Illuin Bi’Rie’s farm hidden within the dense woods, Omaven Glyn (or “land of the wicked” in ancient zu'aan). At first the old alchemist used her newfound children as farmers and harvesters of one of her most infamous ingredients, Tormoira (or “blue dream” in ancient zu'aan).

A powerful psychedelic, this flower soon became the Jalka’s main form of profit and trade amongst the traveling caravans of zu'aan merchants. The Folwin (or “vessels”) use the Tormoira in public rituals that praise the consumption of zu'aan blood and the unknown history of their Camus (or Illuin Bi’Rie herself). Many members of the Jalka kin'toni and some merchants who have been allowed to take part in these rituals have reported seeing a blue demon in the mist that is created by the clouds of burning Tormoira. It is said that this figure is Illuin’s true form realized.

The Avourel (or “circle of vessels”) hosts these rituals and ceremonies. That have become more commonly known as Morg Ninthalor (or “remember endless night”). Morg Ninthalor is seen as a direct representation of the original Jalka being lost and alone when they were chased out of a zu'aan city on the first Ninthalor (endless night). Through the mist and fear they collectively discovered Illuin Bi’Rie, thus the hallucinations that the worshiped flowers cause also serves a separate purpose. Intensifying the Jalka kin'toni Clan’s love and appreciation of their adopted “old mother”.

Other than the Morg Ninthalor, the Avourel lead another ceremony that is more frequent and occurs daily. The Raibyn (or “little soldiers” and military of the Jalka kin'toni) ceremoniously feed the Fylson (or “chosen vessel”) after each hunt for zu'aan blood. This feeding and/or offering is called Locar’yn (or “blood offering” in the ancient zu'aan tongue). During the Locar’yn the Raibyn and other Folwin surround the Fylson in a perfect circle. A brave Raibyn previously chosen by the Avourel approaches the Fylson and pours zu'aan blood from a decorative cobalt jug into her open mouth.

This feeding does not stop until the jug is completely empty. All surrounding Raibyn and Folwin remain in silence while blue smoke from burning Tormoira fills the room. The only Jalka excluded from this ceremony are the guards that surround Omaven Glyn and protect it from intruders. Illuin Bi’Rie does not intend either. She is burning the Tormoira from her secret room below the farm where the smoke filters through the floorboards and into her children’s lungs. Where trusted zu'aan traders may take part in a Morg Ninthalor, they are strictly forbidden from observing a Locar’yn.

If a merchant accidentally happens upon it or witnesses it and is discovered, they are immediately beheaded, and their corpse is lifted, and their blood is fed to the Fylson in a final act of the overall ritual.

Nearby Groups

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Jalka Kin'toni Clan

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