World of Kralis

Rhakas

(pronounced: rah-kawz)

Rhakas Warrior

The Rhakas species is feared, however unintentionally, because they are fierce, unforgiving fighters a blunt force tool, unlike the fine fighting tool that Ta’Jahu fighters are well known for.

Rhakas were “born” just as the Ha’vatu were through the magic of the ancient chaos that the Chovah clans were battling for hundreds of years, just as the Ha’vatu represent the purified essence of the Chovah desire to build, engineer and discover new things; the Rhakas represent the purified Chovah essence for battle and war. Some scholars believe that this birth from chaos has given the Rhakas the ability to “mutate” or adapt incredibly quickly to their environments such as their nightvision, their ability to resist poisons, or their unique ability to see normally in daylight (such as in the Rhakas of the deep, southern region of the Eastern Realms).

From non-Rhakas point of view, the species is often thought as the birth place of chaos and disorder. Many believe that the Rhakish culture is not based on common cultural ideals or identities, that they are a harsh society that feeds on the weak. Many call them savages and beasts, no better than the oku or the fir darrig. These beliefs exist predominately because each of the nations is singular and insulated, keeping to themselves.

Yet like all species, especially warrior societies, there is less truth to those assumptions than reality. Rhakas are a hard people, taught from an early age that only the strongest and most determined are going to be successful and rise in power. To fail in either of these is certain death, either by sword or spell of an enemy.

The strongest and smartest individuals are designated to be on the front line of Rhakas expansion and settling of new nations in the name of all Rhakasdom. These positions are highly bargained over, for many reasons but primarily because they offer a position of power that allows some respite from the power positioning world of the common Rhakas.

They are a society of warriors, like the Bhahuuls or even the Chovah, and are able to field large armies. They are effective in their design and their overbearing numbers carries them to victory. They have three rules of engagement: attack - slay - win, both in physical battle as well as social encounters.

Rhakas are not known for being great builders like their distant Chovah and Ha’vatu cousins, though they are well known conquerers. They are by no means scavengers but, they are known to use “prisoners of war” to help build and design their greater towns and cities.

Though the Rhakas are of one species they are made up of nations that are made up of hundreds of clans, tribes and kin. There are eight nations of Rhakas on Ta Los, with hundreds more spread around the world and through out the Omniverse.

Despite their grimacing visages, and intimidating appearance, Rhakas are a deeply loyal species and have a very strong sense of honor, from which their matriarchal caste-based societies have grown. While they are not overtly benevolent towards others, neither are they unnecessarily cruel. While many other species view the Rhakas as aggressive conquerers, or having xenophobic views, Rhakas do not believe themselves to be more superior to others. This does not mean that they are a humble, non-warring species, but it is clear that Rhakas respect other species, even though they do not have an extremely high opinion of other species.

Their history has been one of constant internal strife that often amounts into civil wars between clans, tribes and factions. Many of these civil wars are lead by the strong warrior caste, where honor and fighting is incredibly important to them. Where victory had risen to bringing the greatest honor and glory that a Rhakas could attain both for themselves and for their clan or faction. Each nation, in spite of their military aggressiveness, are generally reluctant to go to war with other nations, kingdoms or realms unless they have the dominate hand, but also because of the fear that their “prisoners of war”, who are guarded closely and treated severely, might take advantage of any long absence of the Rhakasish armies to rebel.

Rhakas are human sized ranging from four-feet to eight-foot. Their skin tones range from a powder white color to a olive color to a dark brown, with long black, gray or brown hair, and have dark purple, blue or gray eyes. Their eyes are sensitive to light and they often wear large hoods or custom built eye-glasses to shield their eyes from bright light. They have long ears that come to a point just above their head. However, the most distinguishing feature is their large, broad noses, jutting lower jaws and the two tusks growing from the corners of the mouth.

Psychology

Those who encounter a Rhakas for the first time will think them grimacing, unfriendly and intimidating. They can be rude, dour and often inflexible. Cultures that prize or hold the needs of the group to out weigh the needs of the individual will find themselves at odds with a culture that expects the individual to rise in strength and power showing no weakness. Something that the Bhahuul, Trolls, and Kanus all understand.

Rhakas do little to dissuade this reputation. In truth, however, Rhakas are much different than this facade that they present to the world.

Rhakas come from a militaristic society, with little in the way of personal privacy or space. Males, at a young age, are placed to in barracks known as the rakasit so that they can be trained to be powerful warriors. This rigorous education in combat, military training, hunting, stamina and willpower endurance is meant to produce the strongest, fiercest and capable Rhakas fighters and warriors. Those that do not complete the training either die during the first few months in the rakasit, or are sent to be educated by the females of the community and placed in lower castes. In the world of Rhakas combat is a type of language, understand by a few other species and feared by others.

Females are trained in combat and fighting, and can rise to become powerful and fierce warriors themselves, though the majority of females live their lives under the teaching, guidance and stern eye of the elder females, known as the Great Mothers (Ikchut Akhot).

In the world of the Rhakas you either make yourself useful, grow in power and strength or you find yourself exiled or worse, dead.

Society and Culture

Rhakas society is matriarchal with females holding all positions of power and responsibility. Scholars believe that this is a remnant of their culture from their Time of Chaos (shaka toch) when their ancient Chovah clan was led by female Chovah spellcasters, divine callers or heilark (A priest or priestess that uses magic to influence the world of good and evil spirits. Medicine man or woman; spirit caller).

Females tend be bit larger and stronger than the males, though the males tend to be more warlike and ferocious. This has created two gender based classes: Kulahk (predominately female leaders) and Ohkam (predominately male warriors). Within each of these two social classes there are several castes depending on the individual Rhakas capability.

The great kulahk is given the most power over the nations, they are made up of the most powerful (either the strongest or most cunning) females from every clan or tribal kulahk. Each kulhak is made up of female warriors, sorcerers, and divine callers all of great power. When the nations go to war, the great kulahk is called together. It is here that the “rules of engagement” are decided between fighting clans and tribes as well as between nations or if a single war against another non-Rhakas nation is to take place.

The ohkam are the military might of the nations as well as within each tribe and clan. The ohkam is dominated males, however there have been several powerful females that have risen to great power and leadership.

Within each class there are four castes that Rhakas find themselves divided into. It is these structures that tend to keep both the clans and individual nations from collapsing into chaos.

The castes are called the following: Shikoon (Untrainable), Nhikoon (Lower Skilled), Tikoon (Skilled), Ahikoon (Superior Skilled).

Ultimately, Rhakas society does allow for a surprising degree of social mobility within castes should they prove themselves highly intelligent, well-connected and has accumulated some influence. Because of this and the ease with which an individual can be eliminated from a position because of a inability to function well, the Rhakas nations are continually in a state of flux, an instability that leaves the average or Shikoon Rhakas in a state of continual fear of the ever changing circumstance beyond their control.

Rhakas put a high value on their reputation as honorable warriors. An honorable Rhakas can often rely on the support of others in times of need, while those without honor are frequently the targets of attack or even ostracized. This thinking is based on the four principles known as the Katal’ag Bhaku: Strength, Honor, Loyalty and Death. These four principles were promulgated by Nava Ahsih, the first great mother and first Malakta. Honor controls a Rhakas aggressiveness, forcing them to work together at best, or devolving into chaos at worst.

Whether or not an individual lives up to these principles, is up to each individually, and there are many that fall short of this. In her writings and philosophy Nava Ahsih based the laws on the following simple facets of Rhakas life: Strength, Honor, Loyalty and Death (together these are called the Katal’ag Bhaku).

• Be Fearless, Face your Enemy: For the Strong are Fearless
• Be Aggressive, Seek Adversity: For the Honorable chose a hard life
• Be Resilient, Forfeit Weakness: One should die as they have lived
• Be Tenacious, Seek Fate: For the Loyal must have purpose

Those that fail at living up to the Katal’ag Bhaku are ostracized at best, or put to death at worst. Those that are ostracized are branded on the forehead with initials of KL in Rhakish which stands for Khalar Lhur (dishonored devil/demon). These brands are blessed by Dahgartu and cannot be removed except by the Khalar Lhur’s own actions, often requiring some great and heroic deed.

Family and Structure

Among the Rhakas, the family (rosheka) structure is made up of predominately and falls under the dominance matriarchal rule. She dictates and decides all the major decisions that the rosheka will do.

A standard Rhakas family is made up of mothers and daughters up to three generations. It is also home to the very young males until they are placed into the rakasit. Males are not generally considered a part of the family, though they are often the fathers of many different roshekas, the males do not live with the roshekas. This is done so that the male Rhakas will never know their lineage in a family as one generation may belong to multiple fathers. This tends to ensure that the males of the community and the ohkam value all lives in the community equally.

Young Rhakas are all cared for by every female in the rosheka and not merely of the birth mother. This continues to ensure that all Rhakas have deep connection to family and community.

Community

As stated previously, Rhakas society is based on matriarchal rule and military might. This extends to the various communities (khilrhaka) within each of the nations.

Every community is first and foremost is a singular military unit that is under the direction of the communities kulahk, which is ruled over by the nations great kulahk. Each community is made up of 20 to 30 families, with approximately 10 to 15 individuals from great mothers to new born males. The communities also include a great number of males in the ohkam rakaset ranging from 50 to 75 males. The matriarchal rule tends to push males out of the community should the number increase to 100, many times they are “sold” to other weaker khelrhaka to increase their ohkam rakaset, or sold to the nation to fill in ranks of the nations ohkam rakaset.

Communities are in charge and responsible for their region around them, which is approximately 35 to 50 square miles which includes the main towns or villages, all their farming and their borders either with other communities, the WildLands or non-Rhakas regions. Many times small skirmishes erupt along the borders between Rhakas communities, sometimes they end with deaths on both sides, but more often they end with severe injuries and blood vengeances on both sides.

Art

While Rhakas society is often viewed, as uncivilized, and uncouth their traditional cultural art is anything but unrefined. Masquerade, metalwork, sculpture, fiber art and dance are all important art forms through out the Rhakas nations.

Especially important to Rhakas performance art, are the use of masks. Many of which are highly stylized, in a vast variety from images of monsters, beasts and other supernatural creatures. They are often used in recreation plays, but are more often used in Rhakas ritual and ceremonies that are used in ritual danced and both social and religious events. Many of these masks are passed from mother to daughter or from priests to lower priests, along with the knowledge of the history and meaning conveyed by the mask.

Originating in the deep mythical, spiritual and religious believes of the Rhakas people, Rhakas sculpture are found through out much of the world, as the Rhakas people migrated from region to region as they conquered lands in order to settle their various nations. These sculptures are made from terracotta, brass, stone and wood. Some Rhakas have used large poles that have been placed deep into the earth, carved with intricate patterns and humanoid shapes. Most of these sculptures represent the various proverbs and narrative of the Rhakas people.

One of the very unique art-types to come from the Rhakas is a style of up beat rhythm music and throat singing. It focuses on the use of drums and a type of deep vocal percussion that reverberates with deep tones. There is a strength and power to the singing that is associated with animals, reverence of the home, and communicating with the ancestors.

Customs, Traditions and Beliefs

The customs, traditions and beliefs of the Rhakas culture is highly varied consisting of a mixture of the various nations that each have their own unique characteristics. Though each Rhakas nation has unique customs, traditions and beliefs unique to them, there are many more similarities found within all of them. Their militaristic views, their strong loyalty to their rosheka, their personal honor, and the strong respect that they hold for the aged and their matriarchal ties.

Marriage

Rhakas do not celebrate or honor marriage in the traditional since that many species do. Rather, the elder matron of each rosheka indentures a number of males from the rakaset, which are often contracted with other rosheka, for procreation purposes. This is as far as marriage goes for the Rhakas, though this also insures that all males will defend and protect the whole community for they are protecting their own young and “families”.

Holy/Dates of Importance

Religion, matriarchal rule and the military are the combined fulcrum around which every activity seems to revolve. The values that make up these are not toyed with. While each of the nations have their own important and holy days, there are many that every nation has in common.

Like most all other species the Rhakas celebrate the various equinoxes with festivals. Each of which have strong connections to days of renewal, death and growth.

Dhicros is the Rhakas festival celebration of the arrival of Sharagurash, the Rhakas god of fear and wrath, often called the Rhakas Father, to Kralis and the Omniverse. The festival is marked with the installation of clay idols in homes, or publicly elaborate stages. The celebration lasts approximately a week , and begins on the evening of the 13th day of Derekan. Once the festival ends the clay idols are immersed in nearby bodies of waters such as rivers, lakes or oceans. It is during this week that males from the rakaset visit the roshekas that they are contracted with to mate with daughters that have come of age.

Shikota referred to as the Night of Judgment, this holy period marks the day that the Rhakas observe the time that the Rhakas exited the shaka toch as Rhakas, no longer the mutated clans of Chovah from which they were born. Considered the highest religious date of the Rhakas. During this 24 hour observance, Rhakas do not eat, drink or indulge in other activities. Most Rhakas spend this time in prayer and reflection of the ancestors, worship, and celebration of what it means to be a Rhakas.

Tishkal is observed three times a year, on the Spring Dawning, the Dragons Heat and the Feast of Ice. These are the days that the male Rhakas who have turned 6 years old that year leave their families to become part of a rakaset.

Dress/Clothing

Most of Rhakas textiles are made from animal hair and woven into the appropriate textiles, they excel at leather craft, creating intricate leather clothing that they mix with cloth. Most males tend to wear a thick leather tunic, over a thick shirt, and cloth fabric pants.

While most females where a type of cloth that is used to wrap around their bodies and drape over their shoulders. Many times these are worn over a leather type of kilt or a leather cuirass. In times of war or combat, females are known to wear similar types of armor as males do.

Many Rhakas wear thick sturdy boots instead of going barefoot; though most times in the various communities they wear a braided type of sandal . Nearly all Rhakas prefer green, blue, red, and purple colors.

Food

Rhakas are predominately carnivorous. Much of their diet revolves around cattle, sheep and oxen. Though they do find some humanoid species apart of their menu, a part of their culture that has given them the reputation of beast and monsters.

A favorite dish of the Rhakas is known as Avilacanik, it is a unique style of cooking meat dishes, though it is best suited with hardy cattle called the darkbeasts. It is marinated in a thick blood and wine combination filled with salt. It is then allowed to rest in the sun for several days where it is then cut and eaten.

When beyond the borders of their nations, Rhakas are known to hunt elk, buffalo and deer. These they tend to eat with little or no cooking, some preferring the raw flavor of blood and meat over the cooked flavor.

Religion and Spirituality

Rhakas are highly religious and spiritual. Their religion is an accumulation of spiritual and mythological beliefs of their warrior culture. They are intensely devoted to their believes, forming a deeply religious society.

Hence religious values are not toyed with. Rhakas traditional religion has some defining characteristics. For instance, they engage in ritual combat in worship of Maarush, god of strength and war, and to wage war is to be divine.

It holds a belief in the existence of the soul (nhifuska) and the soul does not die with the body. Rhakas traditional religion also has the belief that good and bad spirits do exist and that these spirits. Rhakas religious values permeate every facet of the life of the Rhakas which believes that anything can be imbued with spiritual significance. Sorcerers and diviners are seen to be mediating between the deities and mortals and interpreting the god’s wishes to the mortal. The diviners, sorcerers and soothsayers help to streamline Rhakas behavior in the society and Rhakas are afraid to commit offenses because of the fear of being exposed by the diviners and sorcerers.

It is thought by the Rhakas that any Rhakas that was ignorant of their nation and culture were considered soulless ('nhefeska’an') and would have no place in the celestial after death, and to be considered nhifiska’an is paramount to being dead in the eyes of Rhakas.

Many Rhakas believe that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can bring them luck or protect them from harm. Most Rhakas have a deep believe in the protective power of charms and amulets, shrines and other sacred objects.

Many Rhakas matron mothers are known to practice a type spiritual magic, much different that those of priests and different from that of arcane magic known as mhakabal. It is a type of witchcraft that incorporates the uses of amulets, charms, to inflict either good or bad luck

The Gods

The Rhakas pantheon, which is similar to the human concept,is made up of three powerful deities of varying levels of good and evil. Called the Kurtach Nyruk, the Rhakas gods rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of the Rhakas. These gods are best understood by observing the forces of nature and the Omniverse that they rule over. The Rhakas pantheon recognizes seven distinct deities beyond those of the common pantheons.

Death and Funerals

As a warrior culture death is celebrated whether it is by old or by another, so long as the death was not a dishonorable death. Unless the Rhakas at the time of death was not considered a nhifiska’an, then most deaths are honorable. If they are assassinated or killed in a way that they did have a chance to fight back to prove their honor, then the attacker is considered nhifiska’an.

Death rituals within Rhakas communities are meant to ensure that the deceased are properly put to rest so their spirit is at peace and they can take their place among the ancestors.

Rhakas burial rights ensure that the ancestor does not remain to haunt and exert power over the living, but instead rests in peace and protects the community. Those that are not buried correctly or if they lived a life of dishonor, the deceased soul remain a part of this world and cause great harm to the living.

After Life

The Rhakas spiritual belief holds that there is plane of light and transcendence and a plane of darkness and pain. Known as the Jhalakas, the spiritual plane of light and transcendence is thought to be the Rhakas place of the ancestors and their species memory. It is a place of light, with rolling hills of green, deep lakes, slow moving rivers and cold fast streams. Here it is believed that the Rhakas ancestors re-live their lives in a more serene world.

'Chalakas' is the Rhakas perception of death and darkness similar to that of Prax Dun. It is filled with untold ways of torturous death and pain and where the Rhakas soul is lost for all time as it suffers the pains of this realm alone and in the dark.

Language

The Rhakish language has hundreds of dialects and accents. Rhakas names vary in their usage and length, and some Rhakas place high importance in a name or title. Rhakish is in its very essence a dialect of Azhdehak and Jauzah but much more guttural and sharp. Rhakish tends to follow a subject-verb-object word order.

== Common Slang Phrases ==

• Ghai gu Ghai:

     Common: Face to face
     Used as a challenge. 

• Res'uzun:

     Common: Little Tusk
     Baby, wimp, childish etc.

• Vaka:

     Common: Hot
     Cool, interesting, great etc
     (Adding "ka" to the end, adds emphasis. ie: Vakaka) 

• Chua'Sentih:

     Common: Above their chin
     Someone who is cocky/overly-confident to a fault. 

• Ga Thurag Arisah:

     Common: In mother's cradle
     A teacher's pet/favorite child, someone who is coddled or aims to appeal to authority in an illegitimate way. 

• Alu'Aghan

     Common: Took the front
     Faced something bravely head-on. Usually something intimidating or a punishment. 

• Za'Lhur:

     Common: My Heart
     A term of endearment between significant others. 

• Voki'za:

     Common: Follows me
     A term of endearment from a parent/guardian to a child. 

• Rhavel:

     Common: Friend
     A term of endearment between friends akin to buddy, bro, dude etc. 

• Vah'Lurik:

     Common: No sword
     Unprepared. Could be physically or in terms of skill. 

• Ruihdu'ghalir:

     Common: Stars between their ears
     A dreamer, spacey, lives more in their mind than in reality. 

• Hatal'ug riac Agil:

     Common: Started with wood
     The basics, a simple solution, a humbling phrase. 

• Dagertu Alkir! :

     Common: Dagertu's Tears
     A cry out for injustice or something that is unfair. 

• Urki na vhour thos:

     Common: Urki has your name. 
     A common death threat that is more for intimidation.