Ther Kin'toni Clan

History

The Ther kin'toni Clan first appeared in the Zestkyer Boreal Plateau during the kin'toni outbreak. Their numbers multiplied quickly and soon, many zu'aan settlements of the region began to encounter them on a regular basis. Their activities brought trade and communication to a halt and severely affected the productivity of the zu'aan clans in the region. They "turned" their victims into members of their own and become both feared and detested for this reason. During the coming decades, many zu'aan coalitions were formed to bring an end to the Ther Clan's reign of terror but they all ended in unsuccessful retreats.

As the Ther grew numerically and militarily superior. Facing the threat of elimination most of the zu'aan retreated to their fortified enclaves leaving the vast expanses of the Zestkyer Boreal Platrau to the Ther kin'toni Clan. They prospered during this phase as they had free rein of the land and could move around and attack as they wished. However, the lack of zu'aan presence also meant that the kin'toni could no longer increase their numbers. They no longer had victims to "turn" and were forced to resort to more conservative approaches themselves in order to ensure their survival.

When the attacks first began, surviving zu'aan merchants would bring back news of the terrible sights. Along with a singular name that slowly became a byword for terror and cunning. The name was- Ims Claethend. He was the first leader of the Ther kin'toni clan and the person responsible for the efficient organization and ruthless attacks- that became part of the clan's signature style. Much of his origins are shrouded in myths and rumors due to the lack of accurate writings and record-keeping among the kin'toni but from what is known. He was described as a very competent and ruthless leader.

He was a master at utilizing the kin'toni's nature to their advantage while also adopting many techniques and strategies that his opponents used against him. His ability to adapt made him a nightmare for zu'aan commanders and was instrumental in gaining complete control of the region. His leadership style and systems were adopted by all who came after him and he eventually attained a god-like status among his people. Shrines were dedicated to his memory and many among the clan continue to worship him as a God. The rare quality to adapt to other cultures made the Ther kin'toni among the first of their kind to adopt zu'aan tools and practices.

Their efforts to adopt the tool-making practices were only successful to a lesser-degree due to their lack of knowledge and experience in the art. This habit was not only relegated to military practices but stretched to civil life where the Ther had systems and administrations in place for the smooth functioning of their society. The clan valued their lives and practiced a degree of self-preservation that was uncommon for most kin'toni. This was a result of their environment and the lack of zu'aan to convert after they retreated to the safety of their protected enclaves.

Biology

The Ther kin'toni were genetically created to be warriors serving in the frontlines of the most violent combat. Their bodies were engineered to work faster and more effectively than the conventional zu'aan. Their metabolism relies on the constant absorbtion of blood to function allowing them to live without solid foods for a longer period of time. This breakdown of their bodily functions to their base elements allows them to absorb only the most essential nutrients and allows them to maintain their bodies at peak physical levels for a longer period of time. The Ther are naturally quite tall and stand at an average height of over six feet.

Their lean and athletic bodies are known for their incredible stamina which allows them to perform incredibly strenous tasks. Such as fighting and running for longer periods of time. What they sometimes lack in pure brute strength, they make up for with their speed and agility. Their hand to eye coordination is better than the average kin'toni's making them masters of skills such as dodging, evasion, stealth and the handling of light weapons. They are not overly sensitive to light but are instead more vulnerable to extremes of temperatures including heat-waves and extreme cold.

The Zestkyer Boreal Plateau is ideal for them due to the limited range of temperatures which rarely varies and stays around the bearable moderate mark. The Ther have a distinctive ash color which is tanned to varying degrees based on the amount of exposure to the sun. Their skin has very little pores which contributes to their irritation in heat conditions and prevents them for surviving long in such terrain. The skin is layered in rough layers that form a hard chitin like layer- which doubles as a natural armor. Their bones are not the most strongest and are less denser than some kin'toni races. They are not ideal for use as weapons.

This necessitated the clan's adoption of zu'aan style weapons and tools to navigate around their own genetic deficiencies. They have very little to no body hair. New initiates begin to lose their hair once they have been turned and are considered to be fully "turned" once they no longer have any visible sign of their former hair.

This is a good indicator to judge the experience of a Ther kin'toni and how long he has been a kin'toni. The Ther kin'toni Clan have Light green irises  with black sclerae and vertical beaded pupil. Their eyes do not get cloudy when exposed to light. This allows them to retain their normal vision and operate at all times of the day or night.

The clan has well molded fingers with zu'aan like finger joints and opposable thumbs that give them the ability to operate tools, weapons and all kinds of complicated machinery. Their heads also have an slightly elongated oval shape on top that allows them to accomodate a bigger brain. Some suggest that this might be one of the reasons for their great mental aptitude. Their ability to formulate complex tactics and their control ofver their basic natural instincts and urges.

Culture

The Ther kin'toni Clan are known for their adaptability and inquisitive natures. They appreciate efficiency and are willing to adopt all methods- even their enemy's, in order to improve their own clan. This willingness to adapt led to the creation of a very vibrant culture among the Ther, who practice many zu'aan customs and celebrate zu'aan festivals. Another likely reason for this could be the massive "turnings" that happened during the early part of the Ther's expansion and growth. They attacked and "turned" many of the zu'aan traders and caravans who roamed the Zestkyer Boreal Plateau.

These recently turned kin'toni would then spread the knowledge and practices of their people among the Ther. Their culture did not encourage or celebrate bloodthirst and unnecessary killing. Instead, they believed that their destiny was to liberate all zu'aan from their previous existence by turning them into kin'toni. They considered this their noble aim, that would benefit the world in the long term. They were extremely methodical and efficient in their pursuit of this goal. The clan believes that warfare and conquering is the only way to achieve their goal. Thus, their culture pursues excellence in the battlefield.

The clan are known to maintain a council advisors and experienced commanders who are responsible for educating the army about new tactics and analyzing their performances in battle. Joining the military is a matter of pride and honor in the Ther Ki'toni culture. The most valiant warriors become well-known celebrities in their own right and are allowed certain privileges and rewards. Their culture draws a thick line between military influence and civil administration. Military leaders are not allowed to dictate civil affairs and are barred from becoming the clan leader.

This prevented the culture from becoming too militarized and ensured that practices such as art and literature could flourish in their camps. Their camps are also known for producing various tools and weapons that are copies of the zu'aan tools. The quality is inferior but the practice allows them to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.The Ther kin'toni Clan worship many different dieties and religions. This freedom is extended to all members, and allows newly "turned" zu'aan to assimilate quickly into the clan. The most common religion among them is the worship of their first leader- Ims Claethend.

Their camps are filled with many priests and prayer halls that represent the different religions. The people are free to pray at any of them as long as it does not compromise their regular duties. The Ther also celebrate old zu'aan harvesting festivals with their own unique twist and flavor. The harvest of grains is replaced by captured zu'aan who are converted and accepted into their clan in a large ceremony. These ceremonies allow the Ther to replenish their ranks and bring in many new initiates to replace their casualties. The festival is of a non-religious nature where all clan members can participate.

And is one of the few times where the serious and hard-working Ther can be seen relaxing and taking a break from the usual grind of their lives.

Government

The Ther kin'toni Clan started out as a simple warrior society that slowly evolved with time using many lessons learned from their enemies. During their warrior society phase the clan lacked any clear government systems and were mostly subjected to the orders of a singular leader who was allowed to make decisions on behalf of the clan. The leader was chosen on the basis of their reputation on the battlefield and the number of supporters he could muster up from within the clan. Military and combat skill were the primary attributes of a leader during this phase. The Ther kin'toni's first leader, Ims Claethend came to power in this way.

He was a tactical genius who won many victories that cemented his position in their society. As a leader, he was focused on turning the Ther into one of the most powerful cultures in the world. He realized that the constant power struggle within the clan was detrimental to efficiency and severely limited the cohesiveness of their armies. This led to him devising a new system that was heavily inspired by the governments of the zu'aan cities. First he separated military and civil life to avoid political infighting and violence within the clan. The military commanders made responsible only for the actions of the army in battle.

They could not make decisions or interfere in civil life. The civil administration was kept under a council of elder kin'toni who met regularly to discuss new laws. These were not elected officials but rather the wisest men of the clan who were selected unanimously on account of their reputation. The number of the council was limited to three to avoid senseless delays and debates. Laws and policies were made on the basis of votes made by these three. Their civil life was in stark contrast to their military. While the military was known as a place of cold, calculating and devious tactics, the civilian affairs were peaceful and very tolerant.

This policy of tolerance was prescribed by Ims Claethend himself to help acclimatize the hundreds of zu'aan that they converted each year. It was his belief that the new recruits would be more compelled to give their best for the clan if they were accepted instead of forced. The Council was responsible for making laws that were enforced by a dedicated police force independent from the army's influence. The police cracked down on any rebellions or power mongers who wanted to become leaders of the clan. This was done to preserve the system put in place by Ims Claethend. Death was the penalty for commiting these crimes.

Punishments for all crimes were very harsh since the people were expected to maintain higher standards. Ims Claethend argued that this was a fair price for the greater freedom provided by the clan and necessary to remove all corrupting influences. It was partially inspired by the justice systems of the zu'aan but the Ther were too concerned with efficiency to devote months deciding on punishments for a criminal.

Military

The Ther kin'toni Clan distinguished themselves militarily during the early parts of the kin'toni outbreak when their armies gained control of the Zestkyer Boreal Plateau from the zu'aan. This was no mean feat as the zu'aan armies of the region were known for their organization and experience in battle. Under the competent leadership of Ims Claethend, the clan fought many decisive battles using each one to learn more about their enemy until they finally forced them to cede the open territory and retreat to enclave cities. The Ther's military started off as a disorganized bunch of warrior societies.

That came together under a single powerful leadership but would evolve over time- largely due to the influence of visionary leaders like Ims. He observed the professional armies of the zu'aan and realized the advantages of a standing army that was regularly trained and provided with professional equipment to carry out their tasks. He would slowly begin to organize the Ther kin'toni army along these lines. His obsession with efficiency also extended to the adoption of many tactics such as flanking maneuvers and siege warfare that were not common among kin'toni armies.

Im's methods would continue to inspire the Ther's military tradition long after he was gone. They were among a few of the kin'toni clans who attempted to produce weapons and tools for the use of their armies. This was done by observing the work of zu'aan craftsmen and trying to emulate their work. The resulting weapons were inferior in quality but were adequate for their needs.The clan did not have to only rely on their physical attributes but could count on a regular supply of weapons to help them in their fights. The Ther armies were prescribed a brutal training regimen that was meant to toughen them up.

And prepare them for all kinds of eventualities that could arise in the battlefield. The training also helped with discipline, an aspect that was very often neglected in other kin'toni armies favoring of pure ferocity and aggression. On top of these brilliant innovations, the Ther kin'toni maintained a group of high ranking military officials who were responsible for analyzing military tactics and innovations along with the performances of their own armies in battle. This allowed them to assess their strengths and weaknesses and address any problems instantly. The army was recruited from among all classes and initiates.

It was a manner of pride and honor to join the military and most people were peer-pressured into joining. Avoidance of combat was seen as a sign of cowardice and although there were no punishments for it, there were many social repercussions. These included the loss of status and the availability of only low menial labour for such people. Warriors who distinguished themselves in combat could hope to achieve fame and glory along with gifts and rewards. There was a system of promotion in the military so that the brightest minds would find themselves in leadership positions where their abilities would be better put into use.

Religion

The Ther kin'toni clan were known for the lack of any single religion followed by the entire clan. They were known to be a very tolerant race who allowed their new initiates to keep their previous practices and beliefs. They had their own reasons behind this benevolence. Their first leaderm Ims Claethend reasoned that people who were willingly assimilated into their clan were more likely to be more cooperative and satisfied than others who were forced into a culture. His reasoning was based on the reality of the Ther kin'toni's situation where they had to constantly supplement their numbers with new zu'aan victims that they had "turned".

They needed these new recruit to be ready to fight on their side as quickly as possible. The easiest way to appease them was to allow certain concessions in terms of religion and beliefs. These new members disseminated their own beliefs and practices , leading to the existence of a number of different religions within their clan. The exercise was successful in this regard but also led to a lack of cohesion and common motivations in the long run. Nonetheless, The clan provided facilities for their members to carry out their own worship within their camps. They had priests and prayer halls that were dedicated to several different religions.

The clan members were allowed to continue to practice their own beliefs as long as they did not interfere with the clan's activities or disturbed their efficiency. Despite the varying beliefs, a very common practice among most of the Ther kin'toni Clan was the worship of their first leader, Ims Claethend. A majority, if not all the clan members shared a deep reverance for his deeds and beliefs. They prayed to his memory for guidance and blessing in all their activities. Many statues and relics of Ims Claethend were erected around their camps to facilitate this worship.

It was a very personal belief that did not require any priests or religious books since all they had to do was connect to their former leader at a spiritual level and try to emulate what he would have done in their given situation. The Ther clan were very rational and reserved with regards to religion unlike other kin'toni groups who regularly used religion to drum up fanaticism within their camps. Religion did not feature in their military preparation and their armies did not have any priests or ceremonies that took place before battles. Only military commanders were allowed to decide the timings and tactics in battle.

And any priest or religious person found guilty of consulting omens and indulging in superstition were punished harshly and swiftly. Religion was considered as a personal luxury and was not allowed to interfere with the functioning of the military and the civil administration. This helped to keep these functions strictly practical and increased the overall efficiency of the clan. Even their most important festivals such as the annual conversions where all their captured zu'aan from the year's campaign were turned into one of their own was kept strictly non-religious so that all members of their clan could participate at will.

Miscellany

Nearby Groups

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Ther Kin'toni Clan

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