Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 2 (book)

The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 2

-Ra'sulor Israe

Foreward

In a continuation of the exception to all that has gone before in our tradition of strictly verbal history, what follows is an accounting of various topics concerning our people in some small measure, presented in written form. Much like the general nature of the people, I hold to no particular pattern of explanation, but rather, describe what whim prompts or random chance brings to mind.

Regional Qualities

As a people we are, of course, the same -- all children of Demrris. Our features and coloration, however, tend to vary by region and habitat within certain broad parameters. This is not to say that there are not exceptions to the norm; indeed, it would be highly unusual for there to be stark consistency among our kind in this regard.

The differing conditions of each region in the lands of Eu, those being mountain, forest, plains and desert, tend to encourage particular qualities and traits, such that kin are better suited to their habitat, and those features become the dominant ones.

Kin who dwell in mountainous regions tend toward short, thick fur ranging in coloration from browns to shades of grey and silver, with the occasional reddish variants or the rare albino. Often seen are black points, or silver or grey stripes. Of note is the dominant characteristic of smaller, rounded ears and in stature are often a bit stockier than those of other regions.

Those of the mountains tend to use the natural caves formations found throughout the area as living places. After all, why expend unnecessary energy reinventing the wheel? I would not say we are exactly a lazy people -- perhaps it would be more accurate to say we are efficient. Caves are cool in the summer, when even in the mountains the sun can beat down upon our bodies with excessive heat, and provide adequate insulation during the cold months when our natural protection may not always be enough.

The fur of forest kin often mimics their surroundings with darker earthy colors such as brown or black, or the sometimes ghostly blue-grey. Also seen is varicolored fur, such as calico and tortoiseshell, which in the more skilled of hunters can render a Prydaen virtually invisible in autumn, even standing in plain sight.

Markings of black are not uncommon, especially as spots or rosettes marking the fur. While all Prydaen are excellent natural climbers and swimmers, it is important to note that forest Prydaen excel at swimming, and often feast on fish caught from mid- stream or river, and sometimes from within the waters of the numerous sheltered lakes.

The forests in the Lands of Eu are ancient and the trees range from seedlings to monstrous growths in clusters capable of housing a small village within their broad, strong branchings. It is common enough for kin to fashion dwellings above the ground, using the trees as a different kind of walkway above the loamy forest floors, and as a basis for sneak attacks on whatever prey is the current object of interest.

The Prydaen of the plains regions cover the spectrum of fur coloration and markings, though paler colors dominate, and small black spots on their cheeks, forehead, neck and limbs are very common. Stature varies as much as coloration, ranging from heavier set with very short, dense fur to slimmer figures with fine, silky fur and manes. Though albinos are very rare, they occur most commonly among the plains dwellers, as does the less rare white fur without markings of any kind.

The plains are lush with sweet grasses and grains, populated with the occasional grove of trees or clumps of bushes. Natural formations suitable for dwellings are uncommon at best, and the people have become adept at devising spacious enough shelters.

Smaller, flexible trees are often trained into dome- like skeletons and covered with tanned hides. As the trees grow, they are released from their duty and others take their place. The intent is not to harm, or even destroy, but to borrow of the bounty of Eu.

The desert regions abound with smaller, leaner Prydaen in shades that blend with the harsh environment's oceans of sand. Thick, medium length fur acts as insulation against the extremes of temperature, especially the biting cold of night, and ranges from sandy shades through golden, with not a few kin being rust in coloration.

Markings are very limited, but do occur, and tend toward marbling or stripes. Longer hair covers the desert Prydaen's feet, lending extra support for moving across the soft, shifting sands, as well as additional protection from the heat. It should also be noted that desert Prydaen obtain all the fluids they require from their prey, and do not need to drink water to survive.

Dwellings are as varied as the life present in the desert, ranging from tents made with the tanned hides of large enough prey, to caves found or carved in the few naturally occurring sandstone tors. The unforgiving surroundings tend to place domiciles near whatever patches of greenery there are, and rare sources of water.

While the people do not necessarily need them, prey tends to congregate in such areas, and it only makes sense to be within easy striking distance, rather than fruitlessly scour the sands and hope that chance sends good fortune your way.

Myths

Since the time of the migration, when we entered and settled warily in the East, certain suppositions have been put forth about some of our kin, and their ability to procreate. As we all know, kin can only produce young with kin -- that should go without saying, indeed.

However, it has been brought to my attention -- and I admit to experiencing some hilarity upon hearing this, despite my customary sober demeanor -- that many believe that some of our people, notably those males with calico markings, are unable to produce young.

That sort of thinking only goes to prove that outsiders prefer to speculate about the unknown, based on the few examples of any similar nature they can find, rather than actually ascertain the truth of the matter. Were it the case that our calico males were so encumbered, they would not have lived past birthing, having been sacrificed back to Tenemlor's arms with the hope that they would be reborn of the Wheel to a better, more fruitful life.

I realize that for some, all one might have known are common cats. Some that prowl freely through back alleys as lean and scarred fighters, contrasting sharply with the pampered house pets that do little more than serve as fluffy decoration for some master's abode, becoming fat and lazy in short order and a disgrace to their kind.

While it is true in the main that such creatures, lowly as they may be, can be so encumbered (markings or coloration are often a signal or signpost to a otherwise unseen defect), this is hardly the case among the people. In fact, the very idea is absurd. That would be much like saying it was as apt for a white, blue-eyed Prydaen to be deaf as any common house cat.

I have also heard an equally absurd notion about adult Prydaen and intolerance to milk or milk products. Granted, while the people are not apt to often indulge in what we consider to be a childish delight, there are always moments or occasions where such behavior seems appropriate or even warranted.

Consumption

Our people are of course carnivorous, though a more accurate assessment would say we are omnivorous, as we do not need to exist by meat alone. We hunt to survive, not to amuse ourselves. Even kits learning to hunt eat what they catch, so that none of the bounty of Eu is wasted. Cooking is for the lesser races, squeamish and soft as they are, and unable to eat their prey raw, as it was meant to be. This is not to say it cannot be amusing in practice, and I have more than once seen one of the people after small prey for a little something to tide them over.

Creatures caught on the hunt are usually totally consumed except for the bones, and all the nutrients we need are found in the bodies of our prey. With the exception of desert Prydaen, a steady water supply is still necessary for survival. Even so, bones heated in a fire and cracked provide a tasty snack of marrow for those so inclined, and the splinters are useful for many things indeed.

There are times when we are a bit more selective in how we eat, saving the skins and pelts or other parts in order to thereafter crafts certain items, such as containers or rugs, or even jewelry. As we have always bartered for our needs, we hold back what is necessary for our own use or for trade, and all else goes to feed the pride.

At times, when ill or wounded, a Prydaen will chew upon healing roots and plants, but normally such things are disregarded. Potentially mortal wounds are naturally handled differently, but even so, that depends on where one is at the time. Since the migration, more than a few of the people have felt some calling to the task of healing others, but in truth this is a marked departure from our ways and customs.

We are not, nor have ever been a people accustomed to excessive contact. That is most often noticed by outsiders in our dealings with them, as we remain reticent at best in their presence. But realistically, it is exceedingly rare to have found any Prydaen in the Lands of Eu that used anything other than time, or herbs, in order to heal.

Those that did possess the gift, if you can call it that, of healing were always found in the confines of the established hubs where they could practice their craft to support their fellow residents, and in turn be supported by them. One with such a gift, or handicap if you prefer, who chose to live in the lands as other adults would be forced to survive on the carrion of other predators, were there any left to consume, on vegetation, or at the sufferance of their mate.

Lineage

It may be of some interest that from as far back as the people can remember, we have counted the generations by tracing the lineage of the female blood. We do this because it is from Tenemlor's embrace we are born, and it is to her embrace in which we return, so it is only natural that we follow the bloodlines of those who are cast in her image, our females. As Demrris is the father, so is Tenemlor the mother.

The people do not distinguish between male and female when it comes to ability or power -- to do so would be wrong in our eyes, and a denial of the natural gifts bestowed upon us by the Triquetra. While the males might be the stronger of limb amongst our kind, they are not the dominant gender.

It is the females who must endure the trials of birthing, and thus the burden of our existence weighs heavily upon their shoulders. Without them, we could not continue to live, the Wheel of Life would be broken, and we would never reach the salvation of Tenemlor's arms and being born again into this world when ready.

One may wonder how it is that our people never expanded beyond what we consider the Lands of Eu. Quite simply, our population never rose to such quantity that it was necessary. For whatever reason, be it the design or will of the Gods -- or perhaps it is simply that the Wheel maintains our numbers as they are -- the lands we held under the watchful eye of the Triquetra were always sufficient to our needs.

One might conjecture that as one kin dies and returns to the Wheel, another chooses to be reborn, and thus the population remains stable and unchanging in that respect. It is rare to see any bonded couple produce more than two kits in their lifetime. Most often this occurs in times of strife when more of the people than would normally be reborn yield to death.

Obviously, one such time would be the depredations of foul Lyras, her wanton destruction of our lands and people, and how she has managed to prevent far too many of our kin from embracing their due rewards in what we would consider a far worse fate than death.

Without their return, there were those amongst our kind who feared a break in the Wheel. It was thus that many bonded pairs began having more than the traditional two kits, in an unconscious attempt to restabilize our quickly dwindling numbers. I should point out that owing to Lyras' efforts, I do not see this as being entirely possible, despite the birth rate of kits rising in response.