Kit

The Kit are a warp-capable species hailing from the Kit Commune located in the Rhak’t binary star system. The Kit’s home world, Vrk’mz is an M-class planet of the desert sub-type (a close approximation is Vulcan). As a result of The Thirst ecological disaster, the majority of Kit live in modern underground cities.

Kit derives from the diminutive kit which describes a child of the species. From this context, a Kit is a child of Ztak’t and Hkra’t, the Kit's home stars which early people worshipped as parental figures. Thus, “Kit” means “Child of Ztak't and Hkra't.”

The Kit are an interchangeably bipedal or quadrupedal mammalian species who stand approximately 1.1 - 1.3 meters (weighted average 1.175 meters) from the tips of their upright ears to their thick, padded back (or bottom) paws. They feature a triangular face, pointed ears, an elongated rostrum, and a bushy tail.

The Kit sport four distinct fur colors with a fifth usually attributed to advanced aging. They are, in descending order of regularity: Black (44%), Red (39%), Blond (17%), and White (>1%). As some Kit enter the last years of their lives (~47%), their base fur color will begin greying in part or whole. In less than five percent of cases, elder Kit will become completely grey. Sense

Kit feature highly acute, independently rotational ears which are capable of detecting sounds at higher pitches than typical Humanoind species with considerable accuracy. Vision and tactile senses are approximately average among humanoid species of similar environmental factors.

Kit have pronounced carnassial pairs, which is characteristic of a carnivore. These pairs consist of the upper premolar and the lower first molar, and work together to shear tough material like flesh. A Kit’s canines are pronounced, also characteristic of a carnivore, and are excellent in gripping prey.

Despite a mouth geared heavily toward meat, Kit diets include fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, roots, and insects.

Kit biology is heavily geared toward ancient hunting and foraging behaviors common to the Kit until several thousand generations ago when they were forced underground due to an ecological disaster that weakened their hydrosphere. Known colloquially as “The Thirst,” little data exists to explain the cause. Despite this, their strong sense of smell and hearing aided their ability to adapt to a mostly subterranean existence.

Reproduction is typical of a mammalian species which involves two distinct partners who exchange genetic material, where one partner bears the young for a period of 4-5 months which culminates in a live birth. Typical births are 2-3 kit (where “kit” refers to child and “Kit” refers to an adult), though as few as one and as many as six are not unheard of.

The Kit lack any directly observable signs of sexual dimorphism. When clothed, Kit reproductive roles are indistinguishable from one another, though specific genitalia can be observed beneath the fur. While a Kit’s role is indiscernible visually, their other senses help identify each other in addition to established gender and cultural norms common among complex societies.

Kit dietary sources are extremely limited due to the harsh conditions of their world. Their staple sources consist of the following:

3,877,267,331 (2421 est) within the Rhak’t star system

The mapping of Kit to Human genders is fairly direct, where vixen describes a female of the species and tog indicates a male.

Due to rigid social hierarchies and gender roles, Kit society does not recognize transgender, nonbinary, or other gender diverse identities found in other sophont societies.

The Kit recognize over 300 (sub)cultural groups throughout the Rhak’t star system, though almost all trace their histories to the communities which migrated underground following “The Thirst” wide scale ecological disaster.

Though holding no specific creator deity, Kit spirituality is heavily rooted in community, family, and individual roles governed by two competing groups of elite, matriarchal groups: Den Mothers and (Grand) Matriarchs. The former serve primarily as historians and scholars who weigh tradition against contemporary values. The latter serve as practical leaders of their respective houses and wield considerable social and economic power.

Data represents the most common languages spoken at home. Most Kit appear to be bi- or trilingual.

Kit lifespans are considerably shorter than the average lifespan most humanoids. According to Kit public records, the average lifespan is approximately 27.31 Earth years. Broadly, Kit age at an average rate of three times that of Humans.

Emancipation is generally recognized as beginning at 7 years while post-reproductive adulthood begins around 20-25 years. This gives the Kit a window of approximately 13 years to reproduce.

The longest-lived Kit whose age could be verified was Tel Q’har. She lived to be 33 (Earth) years.

Kit culture is heavily dominated by concepts of closeness and familiar bonds between all Kit. State-run and private media typically follow stories that reinforce these values. They are typically seen in groups and appear to remain in close proximity to other Kit at all times. It is unclear where this behavior originated; as an evolutionary survival strategy or a cultural development.

Within Kit culture is the concept of T’salk’n, a clinical term meaning “no-connection”, for a Kit who lacks the biological imperative to maintain proximity to other Kit. When identified, these individuals are subjected to extensive pathologization and reeducation facilities to align them with the communal social order.

Internally, Kit who would be diagnosed as T'salk'n refer to themselves as Zl’aslan, or “still-life” representing the ongoing life, even when alone.

Kit are typically friendly and welcoming of strangers and demonstrate a high degree of tactile interaction. Most Kit, when observed in media, can be seen holding hands, interlocking tails, or sitting very closely to one another.

Compared to other cultures, Kit may appear to lack concepts of physical boundaries and therefore may offend non-Kit who are more reserved with touch.

Kit appear to forge new relationships quickly and prefer community to confrontation. They appear to have the concept of marriage, but Matrons in particular are expected to take many partners. A combination of arranged or love marriages dominates the landscape, but it is difficult to find what specific advantage marriage plays in their community.

Kit life is also heavily dominated by Matriarchs, a title given to the head of a particular Great House. These are the leaders of industry and population, often producing large numbers of elite, highly educated workers who, in turn, are appointed within those industries of control. Nepotism is wide-spread and is an accepted social norm.

Matriarchs are appointed via a Matriarch Trial, a contest of many competing Kit who must complete challenges such as: Recitation of old texts maintained by Den Mothers, recitation of the specific family linage from beginning to the candidate (in addition to the current Matriarch), and physical trials such as the slaying of a Nmt’z, a powerful and dangerous reptile found deep inside the caverns and tunnels of their home world, Vrk’mz.

A close association of clerics who lead the Kit in matters of tradition and morality. Den Mothers operate at every level of society from running small community centers to operating in the highest level of government.

Though the Den Mothers do not teach of a specific deity, they hold strong reverence toward ancestors. In this, the Kit religion could almost be classified as a kind of veneration of the dead; though they lack typical concepts such as the belief that long-dead ancestors can communicate or intercede on their behalf.

Den Mothers carefully arrange marriages within the Houses which they believe will produce the best offspring possible. They covet white-furred Kit, who are believed to be lucky and a sign that the world will heal, as white-furred Kit as an established subspecies died out millennia ago during The Thirst.

Until recently, male Kit were unable to vote, hold political office, or have a controlling stake in an estate. The suffrage movement, which gained substantial movement in 2411, succeeded in the passage of a constitutional amendment which granted them the right to vote in 2420. Additional legislation granting further rights (such as those mentioned) is pending.

Regardless, most men continue to occupy low-wage service roles in Kitdome. While there are exceptions, they mostly appear in Houses with reformist views which sponsor males into female-dominated schools.

Still, males typically earn lower wages for equal work and find it difficult to gain recognition.

If the Kit had one passion, it would be for competitive game: t’q-zhm localized simply as “Rock Toss” with a literal translation of, “To throw a rock with great force and precision” in the dominate tnk-ki language.

Historically, Rock Toss has been an important part of Kit society, as it was originally played to settle disputes ranging from territorial to personal grievances. Teams of two consisting of 5 Champions play a version of Last Man Standing, where the last ambulatory Kit wins for their whole team. Eventually, the rocks were replaced with weighted plastic discs which contain transceivers to accurately denote hits against opponents. While the game now has a point system and winners are technically declared at 100 points, Kit commonly play until exhaustion, continuing the practice of Last Kit Standing without the traditional lethality.

Nearly every able-bodied Kit will play Rock Toss at some point in their lives. Leagues have a heavy presence in primary and secondary education, with semi- and professional teams. Rock Toss strategy is commonly taught in schools, even at the lowest levels, with questions like: “Barda and Juna’la are playing Rock Toss. If Barda’s pile has five rocks and Juna’la’s pile has seven, how many more rocks does Juna’la have?” Other lessons on Rock Toss cover teamwork, strategy, and community service.

Former Kit President Nah’hara formally led the Burrow Boulders for seven years and credited with winning over 15 titles. Her wide popularity, charisma, and community service fueled her successful bid for president. Nah’hala credits working alongside men in the Rock Toss League as the catalyst for her support of male equality. Relative Federation Ratings

The Kit are a meter-tall vulpine-like species with pronounced snout, ears, and tail. Originating from the desert world Vrk’mz, the species is comfortable underground, where they build their subterranean cities.

Kit society is said to be dominated by values such as protecting one’s family, developing strong community relationships, and fierce competition. Though their lives are short–typically no more than twenty years–they are fast learners and passionate kinsmen. Attributes

• +1 Control
• +1 Daring
• +1 Insight

Kit. The Kit possess highly sophisticated senses, allowing them to perceive their environment keenly. This trait may reduce the Difficulty of Tasks to hear, smell, or feel people or things in their environment. The Kit are also short of both life and stature, the longest-lived reaching about thirty years old and tallest recorded coming only to only about 1.2 meters.

Kit are extremely social creatures and are most comfortable in large, close groups. They love crowds and gatherings. Most Kit become distressed when left alone for more than an hour, developing panic attack-like symptoms which, over time, may even result in death.

Requirement: Kit. Most Kit participate in a regular, regimental daily martial arts routine called the t’q’nah’hala. Practiced for hundreds of generations, it focuses the mind and hones the body. Central to that teaching is the nah’hala itself, a Kit-sized pole arm with a razor sharp blade-head and heavy counter-balanced bludgeoning tail. Though ceremonial in most occasions, the t’q’nah’hala is a central part of the Matron Trials; a rite of succession held after the ruling Matron has died. Regular sparing and tournaments are a staple of life for those who invest time and commitment to master the skill. Whenever you attempt a melee attack with a pole, staff, or similar object against a taller opponent, you reduce the difficulty of that Task by 1.

Requirement: Kit, female. You participated in a Matron Trial, the rite of succession performed when a ruling Matron has died. Thrown naked with your sisters and cousins into the deep tunnels beneath your home, you were given nothing more than a nah’hala and the expectation to hunt and kill a Nmt’z: a massive reptilian beast of prey, then return its intact heart to the family elders. Many are slain in the trials and not all those who succeed can claim the Matronhood; that falls upon the first Kit to return with a heart. You have one additional Value, reflecting your experience in the Trial.

Requirement: Kit, fur color predominantly white. You are among one of a few Kit born each generation with white fur. Long held as hope that snow would return to your world, you are an ancient reminder of the lush, beautiful place Vrk’mz used to be. As such, you were given the opportunity to attend the best schools, with the best tutors in all of the Kit Commune. You receive an extra Focus, typically one of these categories: Ecology, History, Finance, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, or Warp Theory.

The Kit love sport. Whether that’s fighting in a t’q’nah’hala tournament, wrestling for fun, or watching their favorite game: t’q-zhm, most commonly translated simply as “Rock Toss.” This fast-paced game involves the hurling and catching of smooth stones gathered from ancient riverbeds, some sanded and polished to a brilliant shine. Competing in these games is a physically daunting sport, requiring tight teamwork and dexterity. Whenever you critically succeed a ranged attack, receive double Momentum.

The images on this page were drawn by Doodle Sweet Designs.