Tharash

Tharash

The Tharash are relative newcomers, having arrived in Iluvauromen only three centuries ago. They are a relatively long-lived species, living approximately 1.8 average Human lifespans (using Iluvauromeni Atani average lifespan as the baseline).

They are a 'feline' species in appearance, possessing short, sharp, 'retractable' claws, and have sharp, keen vision. Tharash are generally between two-point-three and two-point-nine metres in height, in normal standing posture (not quite erect, but 'coiled'). Tharash only stand straight - an uncomfortable position - when bestowing exceptional honour upon an individual. They have rapid physical reflexes, but are not generally considered to be intellectually equal to Humans amongst certain groups. This is, however, a misinterpretation of Tharash society.

Tharash society is based on rather 'primitive' means - it is a mostly agrarian culture, with a clear dominance for farming in employment statistics - but the Hunting Centres are always at the centre of their towns, both socially and physically. The Tharash who run the Hunting Centres - called Keepers - are considered to be the highest persons in a society, as they do not eat the meat of the animals contained within; this is considered a great and noble sacrifice to the community. Tharash do not hunt truly wild animals, believing that such acts are immoral and unethical; instead, animals are specially trained by the Keepers.

Thus although not wild, the animals contained within these Hunting Centres are prime prey, and many young Tharash of both genders are killed on their first hunt. It is considered bad luck to fail to hunt within forty-eight seasons of birthing - that is, twelve solar years. The hunt is highly ritualised - although no less deadly for it - and involves killing prey with claws and teeth alone.

Tharash measure time in seasons, again giving rise to the false belief that they are somehow inferior. It is noteworthy that the Menjdari are mostly responsible for such sentiments, and Great House Menjda-House Tharash relations are generally cold at best.

The Tharash also have a strict code of honour. Only those who adhere to this code of honour may rise to a position of authority in Tharash society; this, in its way, does what legal systems do in many other societies. Considering the extremely low crime rate in Tharash settlements, it can be safely said that the honour code method employed by the species is at least as succesful as a complex legal code - although perhaps more so, as it is in large part based on a complex network of taboos and moral mores.

As mentioned previously, Tharash only fully erect their posture in the act of bestowing honour upon an individual. This is perhaps synonymous with clapping. However, Tharash do not 'applaud' as often as Humans; indeed, few Tharash in a generation will ever be on the receiving end of such action. Tharash also refuse to bestow any degree of honour on a person who they do not know; they will only tolerate at first.

Honour, in Tharash society, is hard-earned. A cub is expected to earn the right to their first hunt, for example. This is achieved in various ways, from proving intellect in games with peers to gaining respect amongst the Keepers.

Tharash children are taught under the same circumstances as all other Iluvauromeni children, but only by Tharash teachers. The law allows for this, on the allowance that that law be revised by the Tharash Elder Council every five years.

Tharash are increasingly seen in Nenyar settlements, although not in great number. Few outside the Commonality appear to have heard of the species, and the Tharash inside the nation do not appear interested in contacting their fellows - if any such remain.

There are various theories as to where the Tharash came from, and why they arrived. Outlandish theories range from cometary impacts to strange Nenyar experiments on animals; the most normal of suggestions is that of refugees struggling across the Atlantic and accidentally coming across the Lodossian continent, and eventually settling in Iluvauromen, in the mountainous lands, upon the plateaus, in the west of Ma-tek; it is considered likely by the vast majority of historians studying the subject, however, that the original progenitors of those Tharash who left their homeland were killed off by Human interlopers to their land - or perhaps vice versa.