Clandestine Dreams
Sifting through the hidden dreams
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The glistening jewel that shimmered in space was tinted a rich sapphire and emerald. A watery planet housing five main landmasses, the people who occupied the planet all had their own names for the world on which they thrived, and while none would agree on its name, none cared if someone had a different name for it.
On these landmasses, a plethora of terrain was found. Craggy mountain ranges with sharp spires and sheer drop-offs gave way to rolling plains of tall, sweet grasses. Harsh, bone dry deserts where sands like gold and copper dust swirled and danced in the scorching winds were bordered by rainforests where moisture rich clouds hung heavy, trapped under the branches of entangled trees. The further north and south one went, the colder it became. Great glacial masses carved the ground beneath them in their inexorable crawl. Like the hot desert winds, the frozen tundras were home to powerful gales that blew diamond shards of ice with enough ferocity to cut bare skin. Temperatures could plummet in moments, and those unfortunate to be caught out there were sure to find survival difficult.
The seas held their own mysteries and gave up its secrets sparingly. Few ships ventured out into the ocean's ever changing moods, and those who did were seen as brave explorers. Like a gem with facets that shifted color depending on the way it was turned, so too were the emotions of the seas. They seemed to exist as their own entity, on one day the waters would be calm, crystal clear, and provide a bounty of fish and sustenance. The next, it would writhe and lash out, spitting foam and spray, clawing at the land as though to drag it into its depths. Still other times it would be still and silent, sickly green and full of despair, until the winds would come and stir the waters to push the emotion away.
Life flourished on this orb hung in the great cosmos. It is uncertain when conscious thought entered the creatures that rose up from the Mindlessness to embrace progress, but survival and adaptation was the priority. When it was recognized that memories could be retained, that skills could be shared and learned, a great change rippled through the life that had been steadily evolving over the eras. Some life forms were not affected by this change. They continued in Mindlessness, aware of their existence, the concepts of survival and propagating their species, but little beyond that. Skills could not be learned nor taught. Anything that fell outside the realm of "instinct" was almost nonexistent.
No one is quite certain how or when the Khelkarna, the Great Understanding, took place, as it was still many generations before its significance was fully understood enough that its beginnings should have been memorialized. Apart from the scratchings and pictograms of the first folk, little physical record exists of how the beginning generations established themselves. This is a source of sadness to the current society, but while a few devote themselves to trying to unravel and discover more clues of the past, many more are focused now on the preservation of the knowledge that is sought and perfected by those who travel and teach.
As those who Awakened began to comprehend the existence of others around them, a sense of understanding permeated them all. Something bound them, made them alike on a level that they did not comprehend, and it was a similarity that allowed them to celebrate the strengths and weaknesses of their respective groups, rather than show disdain. They recognized each other as pieces of a whole that could not exist without the other, and while disagreements sprung up, differences could be acknowledged without superiority poisoning the whole. Secrets were rare, knowledge was celebrated and shared among the Awakened.
Many species were affected by the Khelkarna, the most prominent were the Faldyri. Catlike in appearance, they were a diverse peoples spreading quickly across the lands, crossing the land bridges that connected the continents, establishing themselves as the dominant race among the Awakened. Primary among the Faldyri, Leonids were among the most prevalent. These were the folk who occupied many of the plains, forests, and deserts. Their fur ranged in colors and patterns. Solids, stripes and spots, vibrant colors of tawny gold, icy silver, ebony black and glacial white, calico patchwork, a veritable rainbow of personality was on display. And while many sub-species would often be found living together in one place, they were all considered to be of the same race based on where they resided.
Chief among the Faldyri who roamed the seas were the Lymri. These cats set off to find adventure on the ever-changing waves, hailed as brave adventurers whose tasks brought prosperity to the land-dwellers with bounties of fish and treasures from the sea. And dwelling high atop the frigid and sometimes volcanic peaks of the mountain ranges dwelled the Kol'sira. Agriculture was difficult in the rocky soil afforded them, so these groups relied the most heavily on trade with the Leonid and the Lymri. Their metals and minerals harvested from the hearts of the mountains were precious to the others seeding the earth with nutrients and strengthening the ships of the adventurers, and their offerings were rewarded with fresh harvests and all the lands and sea could provide.
With the differences between the Faldyri so prevalent, there was a period of time where conflict arose. Groups split off, forming tribes who began to devote themselves to their own ideals and focuses, to the detriment of the races as a whole. In a shameful time, blood was spilled, anger flared hotly, and the fires of rage were stoked. The strengths and weakness of each tribe was no longer being celebrated, instead being derided and condemned, and the seeds of superiority and divisiveness tried to take root, to choke out the peaceful utopia that had been nurtured carefully thus far. It almost succeeded, until the other species affected by the Khelkarna began to act as buffers between the feuding tribes. Moving strategically between these tribes, the other races slowly brought back a time of understanding between them.
The Sirisi were tribes of canid folk, comprising of two main sub-species. The Lou'aeve were wolf-like in nature and appearance, fierce protectors and expert hunters. The Dom'sar were more dog-like, preferring a more domestic and agricultural lifestyle. Friendly and outgoing, their presence was always welcome in most circles and they were incredibly easy to befriend, loyal to those they were close to, and always ready to assist.
Kaer'donnan were the nomadic merchants who roamed freely between the lands. Possessing the features and personality of foxes, they were initially skittish around the other clans, but eventually they found their niche as those who roamed and spread knowledge and goods among the distant tribes. The Vultai were nomadic, going wherever they pleased and doing what they wished. Rarely seen in groups, the Vultai typically traveled on their own, following their own whims. Conversely, the Reynarid were the established merchants. Either moving in caravans or setting up permanent places to live, these tribes ensured that knowledge and goods were made readily available to all.
The last of the major races were the Ssythrali. These reptilefolk arose during the Khelkarna and thrived. Subspecies include the Nagashi, serpentine in nature, they are well known for their beauty and their mystery. Masters of medicines, poisons, venoms, and all manner of seemingly mystical concoctions, they are well respected. But they are relegated to certain climates, finding some places on the planet too inhospitable to visit for anything longer than a day or so. Gharial are the strongest of the race, crocodillian, with immense physical power born naturally to them. Warriors by nature, they are guardians at heart, acting as protectors and are not above fighting for sport or gain. The most diverse and adaptable subspecies among the Ssythrali though, are the Tokaygo. Like the Faldyri, the Tokaygo have spread the furthest, with many in the subspecies specializing in various skills, and adapting to the different climates, though none of the Ssythrali can stand the harsh conditions of the extreme northern and southern regions of the planet.
With these buffer tribes in place, the sprouting thorns of tension were uprooted, and after more generations, the former utopic peace settled over the lands once more. To the current generations, there are some who still bear the scars of that time, and will take long to heal, but as a whole, the lands were united. After the settling of this upheaval, the denizens chose to give their peoples a blanket title as a constant reminder that they are one under the same sky. After almost a decade of discussion, all known tribes agreed on this overarching title. The Hundred Tribes.
The Sata Gentis.
Religion and belief in ethereal beings is not a prevalent thought among the tribes. There are some smaller groups, and even individuals among groups who seek a definite answer to this mystery. With no definite answer as to the origin of their Great Understanding, some posit that it was the act of a being or entity infinitely more powerful or knowledgeable than themselves. But as no one has yet been able to verify the truth of this statement, it is not regarded as fact, instead it is encouraged to be pursued, answers sought, but not believed wholly until such answers are found.
Education is prized, especially as it was discovered, over subsequent generations, that folk manifested various strengths in certain skills. Some studied healing, and could lay a hand on an injury to have flesh and bone knit under their touch. Some could mold hard stone as easy as if it were soft clay. Others could sing and great schools of fish would jump into their nets. After much time studying, it was discovered that these abilities were not unique to only certain individuals, but to anyone who wished to learn and apply themselves. That is not to say that it came easy to everyone. There were certain species' abilities and strength that were not shared by others, but if it was a general task, and one that required skill to learn, it could be enhanced by the constant pursuit of perfection.
Such knowledge was spread far an wide by the Tokaygo and the Kaer'donnan. The Sata Gentis saw education as a means of growth and power. But instead of sharp spikes and dips that came with the privileged, learning was more the ebb and flow of tides. The population as a whole learned and perfected things slowly, allowing all tribes to continue rising successfully, rather than a few outpacing the rest. As a result, the population grew and progressed at a slower pace than others would if given the same tools but made no attempt to share them with others. This created a very strong global population, with united fronts on many issues, and little need for conflict since there was no one trying harder to get ahead of anyone else. All had the same opportunities, their strength came down to how well they applied themselves.
As with anything, things could not stay the same. Progression needed to be made, and there was a group that splintered off to explore more mysteries. Much of the topography had been gone over by this point. Boundaries and borders were set in place, and the tribes were thriving. The adventurous eyes of others began to turn towards a new frontier yet unexplored. The world beneath their feet. Some of the Kol'sira, the mountain tribes, carved out their living within the very stone itself. But for many even outside the Kol'sira, there was something about the ground beneath their feet that called to them. It was said that there were vast networks of caves, massive caverns, and whole hosts of flora and fauna existing below them. What started as tales propagated by the Kol'sira sparked a desire to find the truth of these claims. And just as the Divisive Era ended, individuals from various tribes began to branch off and explore the depths of their world. In the span of a few decades, the tales brought back by the young and old who journeyed back to the surface told those above ground that perhaps the silly stories were not so far-fetched at all. But as the rise of the delineation between the Tribes-over-stone, the Altavatré, and the Tribes-under-stone, the Cotovatré, became apparent, those from underground kept their secrets more closely within them, and while any were welcome to find them and reside with them, the knowledge of how to do so was surprisingly sparse.
Over time, as the populace grew in knowledge and experience, they began to set down more established settlements. In some places, settlements sprouted from long-standing communities. Stone walls replaced cloth, wood, and fur. Enhancements in agriculture encouraged some tribes to set down roots and make permanent places to stay. Some of these city-like areas were home to numerous tribes, who kept the term, despite losing the nomadic-like nature of the term. It kept them in remembrance of the Divisive Era. These established areas allowed for centralized meetings to be held, acting as hubs for visiting tribes, places where goods could more easily be found on a regular basis and and as way-stations for those traveling.
After the Khelkarna, the Sata Gentis had done a miraculous job of looking inward and reflecting on their population as a whole. And now were in an age of looking within their own land for new mysteries to discover and explore. They were not yet at a point where their eyes had turned upwards to the sky to see what mysteries would be found there. The knowledge of what lay beyond the clouds and among the stars was not readily available to them, nor did they have the skills or technology to probe the vastness of space just yet. If left alone, that knowledge would probably not come to them until many generations later.
But sometimes Fate makes decisions for us...
On these landmasses, a plethora of terrain was found. Craggy mountain ranges with sharp spires and sheer drop-offs gave way to rolling plains of tall, sweet grasses. Harsh, bone dry deserts where sands like gold and copper dust swirled and danced in the scorching winds were bordered by rainforests where moisture rich clouds hung heavy, trapped under the branches of entangled trees. The further north and south one went, the colder it became. Great glacial masses carved the ground beneath them in their inexorable crawl. Like the hot desert winds, the frozen tundras were home to powerful gales that blew diamond shards of ice with enough ferocity to cut bare skin. Temperatures could plummet in moments, and those unfortunate to be caught out there were sure to find survival difficult.
The seas held their own mysteries and gave up its secrets sparingly. Few ships ventured out into the ocean's ever changing moods, and those who did were seen as brave explorers. Like a gem with facets that shifted color depending on the way it was turned, so too were the emotions of the seas. They seemed to exist as their own entity, on one day the waters would be calm, crystal clear, and provide a bounty of fish and sustenance. The next, it would writhe and lash out, spitting foam and spray, clawing at the land as though to drag it into its depths. Still other times it would be still and silent, sickly green and full of despair, until the winds would come and stir the waters to push the emotion away.
Life flourished on this orb hung in the great cosmos. It is uncertain when conscious thought entered the creatures that rose up from the Mindlessness to embrace progress, but survival and adaptation was the priority. When it was recognized that memories could be retained, that skills could be shared and learned, a great change rippled through the life that had been steadily evolving over the eras. Some life forms were not affected by this change. They continued in Mindlessness, aware of their existence, the concepts of survival and propagating their species, but little beyond that. Skills could not be learned nor taught. Anything that fell outside the realm of "instinct" was almost nonexistent.
No one is quite certain how or when the Khelkarna, the Great Understanding, took place, as it was still many generations before its significance was fully understood enough that its beginnings should have been memorialized. Apart from the scratchings and pictograms of the first folk, little physical record exists of how the beginning generations established themselves. This is a source of sadness to the current society, but while a few devote themselves to trying to unravel and discover more clues of the past, many more are focused now on the preservation of the knowledge that is sought and perfected by those who travel and teach.
As those who Awakened began to comprehend the existence of others around them, a sense of understanding permeated them all. Something bound them, made them alike on a level that they did not comprehend, and it was a similarity that allowed them to celebrate the strengths and weaknesses of their respective groups, rather than show disdain. They recognized each other as pieces of a whole that could not exist without the other, and while disagreements sprung up, differences could be acknowledged without superiority poisoning the whole. Secrets were rare, knowledge was celebrated and shared among the Awakened.
Many species were affected by the Khelkarna, the most prominent were the Faldyri. Catlike in appearance, they were a diverse peoples spreading quickly across the lands, crossing the land bridges that connected the continents, establishing themselves as the dominant race among the Awakened. Primary among the Faldyri, Leonids were among the most prevalent. These were the folk who occupied many of the plains, forests, and deserts. Their fur ranged in colors and patterns. Solids, stripes and spots, vibrant colors of tawny gold, icy silver, ebony black and glacial white, calico patchwork, a veritable rainbow of personality was on display. And while many sub-species would often be found living together in one place, they were all considered to be of the same race based on where they resided.
Chief among the Faldyri who roamed the seas were the Lymri. These cats set off to find adventure on the ever-changing waves, hailed as brave adventurers whose tasks brought prosperity to the land-dwellers with bounties of fish and treasures from the sea. And dwelling high atop the frigid and sometimes volcanic peaks of the mountain ranges dwelled the Kol'sira. Agriculture was difficult in the rocky soil afforded them, so these groups relied the most heavily on trade with the Leonid and the Lymri. Their metals and minerals harvested from the hearts of the mountains were precious to the others seeding the earth with nutrients and strengthening the ships of the adventurers, and their offerings were rewarded with fresh harvests and all the lands and sea could provide.
With the differences between the Faldyri so prevalent, there was a period of time where conflict arose. Groups split off, forming tribes who began to devote themselves to their own ideals and focuses, to the detriment of the races as a whole. In a shameful time, blood was spilled, anger flared hotly, and the fires of rage were stoked. The strengths and weakness of each tribe was no longer being celebrated, instead being derided and condemned, and the seeds of superiority and divisiveness tried to take root, to choke out the peaceful utopia that had been nurtured carefully thus far. It almost succeeded, until the other species affected by the Khelkarna began to act as buffers between the feuding tribes. Moving strategically between these tribes, the other races slowly brought back a time of understanding between them.
The Sirisi were tribes of canid folk, comprising of two main sub-species. The Lou'aeve were wolf-like in nature and appearance, fierce protectors and expert hunters. The Dom'sar were more dog-like, preferring a more domestic and agricultural lifestyle. Friendly and outgoing, their presence was always welcome in most circles and they were incredibly easy to befriend, loyal to those they were close to, and always ready to assist.
Kaer'donnan were the nomadic merchants who roamed freely between the lands. Possessing the features and personality of foxes, they were initially skittish around the other clans, but eventually they found their niche as those who roamed and spread knowledge and goods among the distant tribes. The Vultai were nomadic, going wherever they pleased and doing what they wished. Rarely seen in groups, the Vultai typically traveled on their own, following their own whims. Conversely, the Reynarid were the established merchants. Either moving in caravans or setting up permanent places to live, these tribes ensured that knowledge and goods were made readily available to all.
The last of the major races were the Ssythrali. These reptilefolk arose during the Khelkarna and thrived. Subspecies include the Nagashi, serpentine in nature, they are well known for their beauty and their mystery. Masters of medicines, poisons, venoms, and all manner of seemingly mystical concoctions, they are well respected. But they are relegated to certain climates, finding some places on the planet too inhospitable to visit for anything longer than a day or so. Gharial are the strongest of the race, crocodillian, with immense physical power born naturally to them. Warriors by nature, they are guardians at heart, acting as protectors and are not above fighting for sport or gain. The most diverse and adaptable subspecies among the Ssythrali though, are the Tokaygo. Like the Faldyri, the Tokaygo have spread the furthest, with many in the subspecies specializing in various skills, and adapting to the different climates, though none of the Ssythrali can stand the harsh conditions of the extreme northern and southern regions of the planet.
With these buffer tribes in place, the sprouting thorns of tension were uprooted, and after more generations, the former utopic peace settled over the lands once more. To the current generations, there are some who still bear the scars of that time, and will take long to heal, but as a whole, the lands were united. After the settling of this upheaval, the denizens chose to give their peoples a blanket title as a constant reminder that they are one under the same sky. After almost a decade of discussion, all known tribes agreed on this overarching title. The Hundred Tribes.
The Sata Gentis.
Religion and belief in ethereal beings is not a prevalent thought among the tribes. There are some smaller groups, and even individuals among groups who seek a definite answer to this mystery. With no definite answer as to the origin of their Great Understanding, some posit that it was the act of a being or entity infinitely more powerful or knowledgeable than themselves. But as no one has yet been able to verify the truth of this statement, it is not regarded as fact, instead it is encouraged to be pursued, answers sought, but not believed wholly until such answers are found.
Education is prized, especially as it was discovered, over subsequent generations, that folk manifested various strengths in certain skills. Some studied healing, and could lay a hand on an injury to have flesh and bone knit under their touch. Some could mold hard stone as easy as if it were soft clay. Others could sing and great schools of fish would jump into their nets. After much time studying, it was discovered that these abilities were not unique to only certain individuals, but to anyone who wished to learn and apply themselves. That is not to say that it came easy to everyone. There were certain species' abilities and strength that were not shared by others, but if it was a general task, and one that required skill to learn, it could be enhanced by the constant pursuit of perfection.
Such knowledge was spread far an wide by the Tokaygo and the Kaer'donnan. The Sata Gentis saw education as a means of growth and power. But instead of sharp spikes and dips that came with the privileged, learning was more the ebb and flow of tides. The population as a whole learned and perfected things slowly, allowing all tribes to continue rising successfully, rather than a few outpacing the rest. As a result, the population grew and progressed at a slower pace than others would if given the same tools but made no attempt to share them with others. This created a very strong global population, with united fronts on many issues, and little need for conflict since there was no one trying harder to get ahead of anyone else. All had the same opportunities, their strength came down to how well they applied themselves.
As with anything, things could not stay the same. Progression needed to be made, and there was a group that splintered off to explore more mysteries. Much of the topography had been gone over by this point. Boundaries and borders were set in place, and the tribes were thriving. The adventurous eyes of others began to turn towards a new frontier yet unexplored. The world beneath their feet. Some of the Kol'sira, the mountain tribes, carved out their living within the very stone itself. But for many even outside the Kol'sira, there was something about the ground beneath their feet that called to them. It was said that there were vast networks of caves, massive caverns, and whole hosts of flora and fauna existing below them. What started as tales propagated by the Kol'sira sparked a desire to find the truth of these claims. And just as the Divisive Era ended, individuals from various tribes began to branch off and explore the depths of their world. In the span of a few decades, the tales brought back by the young and old who journeyed back to the surface told those above ground that perhaps the silly stories were not so far-fetched at all. But as the rise of the delineation between the Tribes-over-stone, the Altavatré, and the Tribes-under-stone, the Cotovatré, became apparent, those from underground kept their secrets more closely within them, and while any were welcome to find them and reside with them, the knowledge of how to do so was surprisingly sparse.
Over time, as the populace grew in knowledge and experience, they began to set down more established settlements. In some places, settlements sprouted from long-standing communities. Stone walls replaced cloth, wood, and fur. Enhancements in agriculture encouraged some tribes to set down roots and make permanent places to stay. Some of these city-like areas were home to numerous tribes, who kept the term, despite losing the nomadic-like nature of the term. It kept them in remembrance of the Divisive Era. These established areas allowed for centralized meetings to be held, acting as hubs for visiting tribes, places where goods could more easily be found on a regular basis and and as way-stations for those traveling.
After the Khelkarna, the Sata Gentis had done a miraculous job of looking inward and reflecting on their population as a whole. And now were in an age of looking within their own land for new mysteries to discover and explore. They were not yet at a point where their eyes had turned upwards to the sky to see what mysteries would be found there. The knowledge of what lay beyond the clouds and among the stars was not readily available to them, nor did they have the skills or technology to probe the vastness of space just yet. If left alone, that knowledge would probably not come to them until many generations later.
But sometimes Fate makes decisions for us...