Description[]
Qnassi are unusual in that a male Qnassi can be almost twice as tall as a female Qnassi; the males being as tall as 8 feet, and the females rarely getting up to 5 feet. They all resemble lizards, with the females resembling closer to skinks and geckos, but with crests on their heads and sometimes down their spine as well. Male lizards are a little closer to monitors or carnivorous dinosaurs. Qnassi have no hair. Their eyes tend toward dark colors, and their scaly hides run the palette of colors, but most are greens and browns. Some clans of Qnassi can change the color of their hides, as well as this being a common trick for their spell casters.
History[]
The Qnassi came to Kaernest from the same place as the Dragons and at the same time. When they first came to Kaernest, they were the servants of the dragons, and some believe they may actually have been offspring of the dragons.
Culture[]
Qnassi style (weapons, clothes, names) is based loosely off the Aztecs. Their cultural behaviors are closest to the Vikings, paying homage back to Xipilicoatl, their dragon overlord (but without the ships). They make up about 10 percent of the ("common") population of Kaernest.
Often considered uneducated, they tend to have a close connection and understanding of the world around them. The Qnassi are wandering nomads that move from place to place, raiding the country side. Their version of "raiding" is more like blackmail; give us valuables, or we'll come and take them. When they settle in a place it's only for a short time while they use up the easily obtained resources leaving a somewhat "burned out" path behind them.
Qnassi have the capability to be absolutely ferocious fighters, however their culture instills a respect for the spiritual in them, and the fact that they never die of old age encourages them to avoid conflict whenever possible. Qnassi magic revolves around transformation, both of themselves, and the world around them.
The Qnassi have an odd but working positive relationship with the Sektarri. They're able to trade with them, trading off the coin and odd goods that they have less use for, while gaining useful items from the Sektarri such as armour and food. While the Sektarri see this as a useful arrangement, the Qnassi remember this relationship as a long held tradition.
There is also a fairly strong positive relationship with the Kampanni as both races are quite mobile and sometimes share the same sites. These "convergences" typically bring about a celebration with wild parties and fun competitions. The Qnassi typically don't stay long at these events as they like to travel along, and while they enjoy the fellowship with their "small brothers", they grow tired of the unceasing music and lack of spirituality among the Kampanni.
The passion and drive of the Qnassi immediately puts them at odds with the Fluvarri. Where the Fluvarri tend to be slow, methodical, and relaxed, the Qnassi want to be in motion. Also, the Qnassi find the Fluvarri religion of the "Great Snake of Fate" to be a mockery of spiritualism, something both sides take personally.
Leadership[]
Qnassi live and travel in tribes. Each clan has 3 leaders. They are known as:
- The Eye - This is the overall leader of the tribe. They lead by default, when the other 2 don't have authority.
- The Mouth - They lead in matters that are supernatural, magical, or spiritual.
- The Hand - They lead the tribe in battle, in defense, and when raiding.
Raiding and Pillaging[]
The blame for the Qnassi raiding and pillaging goes to Xipilicoatl. Between his strong demand for high tribute, his lack of care how he might offend the other dragons, and his overall lax attitude, the Qnassi behave as his example teaches them.
Magic[]
The Qnassi call their magic Blood Magic. It doesn't carry the same connotations as many fantasy settings; it truly is magic of their blood. Every Qnassi magic-user is linked closely to a bloodline of lizards. When a Qnassi learns that they have "the blood" to use their magic, they bond to a breed of lizard by eating a fine specimen of that breed. Doing this not only defines which abilities they're able to use, but also colors their eyes to show which breed they are bonded with. Once a Qnassi bonds to a breed, they can not change the breed they are bonded with.