Dawn of the Karabu Lore: The Animal Clans

The following text is taken from a "fact sheet" I made to assist me during the writing process of what would become my 2020 novel, Dawn of the Karabu. This second part is a summary of the culture, religion and social hierarchy related to the faction known as The Animal Clans. If you have not yet read the first part covering the human faction, you can read it here; The Children of the Light.

Whether this is merely a reminder or your first time reading about the world of my novel, I hope you will find it interesting. 

I do, however, want to make it clear to anyone who has not yet read the book that this, and the previous article, are in no ways required to understand the world depicted in the novel. I took great care to reveal the lore piece by piece through the narrative in a natural manner, so please consider this as either reference material or as trivia.

NOTE: No story spoilers have been included in this article, but the nuances of the Animal Clans can by itself be considered mild spoilers for the 2nd half of the novel. The text has also been partially altered and updated from the original to fix some minor incongruities between the final novel and the original document. Most of the reference photos originally used had to be removed for copyright reasons and have been replaced with stock images.

War always marks the beginning of change 

- from the Extended Discourses by Bala-Chatur Ō-Inari.

THE UPLIFTING OF THE ANIMALS

Before the transfiguration of the Talos there was the great beast-war. With knowledge now lost, and for reasons intentionally forgotten, the first men to call themselves the Karabu uplifted the animals in the wild by bestowing them with human qualities. This angered the Talos, who strived for human perfection, and the practice was deemed heretical. 

- from A Summary of the History and Religion of the Children of the Light by The Master Chronicler in service of the Karabu Queen, first ruler of the 2nd dynasty.

The first animals to be uplifted were the Apes; Chimps and Gorillas, due to their physiology and intellect being the closest to humans. They were used as warriors.

Second came the Pigs. They served humanity as labourers.

Third came the Dolphins, chosen for their intellect and manoeuvrability under water. It is said they were given artificial arms to carry out underwater repairs and even sabotage to the enemy navy. Little is known about their current state as they are, without their arms, completely indistinguishable from natural Dolphins. However, legends do persist among both humans and animals that tell of societies of intelligent Dolphins living somewhere in foreign oceans. 

Finally, as a last effort to win the war, Foxes were uplifted and used as spies, saboteurs, and assassins.

The Animal Clans is a triad consisting of the Ape Clan, the Pig Clan and the Fox Clan.

THE ANIMAL CLANS

THE APE CLAN

The Saru Kuran (lit. “Ape Clan”) are the warriors of the Animal Clans. They follow a strict warrior code. Honour and authority are of the utmost importance to them. Since their ancestors once fought side-by-side with humans they speak the same language, albeit with some different words (the same applies to the Pigs and the Foxes). In addition to speech, they employ a complex sign language. This is said to be a remnant from their pre-uplift years, from before Man taught them to speak. Their use of sign language has proven itself useful in battle as a silent way to give orders and tactical information.

Military

All warfare is based on deception. Appear weak when you are strong, emerge where you are not expected, then strike when your opponent thinks he is untouchable. 

- excerpts from A Treatise on War by The Warlord Xerxes of the Chandra clan.

The majority of the Ape army is stationed in a series of fortified settlements lining the edge of the thin strip of desert, roughly 40km across, that divides the land of the Animal Clans from the territory of the humans. The sands of the desert stretches all the way from the western sea to a gap in the great mountain range referred to as the Shield Wall which protects them from the greater toxic desert known as the Forbidden Lands. Little is known of this mysterious wasteland other than what is told in myth and legend. It was once the domain of the mythic Talos, the name used by the humans before recorded history, before they used their now forgotten craft of uplifting. (For more on the legends of the Forbidden Lands refer to previous article on the Children of the Light.) Unlike the sands of the toxic desert the desert strip can be crossed without any harm beyond the natural perils of an inhospitable desert. It has effectively served as a neutral zone between the Animal Clans and the humans for several millennia, though in the past land has been occupied on either side. 

The border forts, much like the human ones on the other side of the desert strip, though larger and more complex, are effectively partially self-sufficient towns surrounded by wooden battlements. Within can be found everything that an army needs to function and survive, and although they generally rely on a regular stream of supplies from the nearby Pig Region, they can, if needed, survive for several months in the even of a prolonged siege (though no human has set foot on Ape territory for several centuries, more so on a large scale). Each fort stands roughly 7km apart from its neighbour on either side.

The centre of all military activity, which can also be considered the closest the Apes have to a capital city, is called Durga Candrodaya ("Fort Moonrise"). It is the largest and most central of the forts and lies more-or-less parallel with the city of Tanagra on the other side of the desert strip.  

The land considered part of the Ape Regions near the border consist of a fairly thin strip of land, functioning more as a secondary border between the desert strip and the nearby border to the Pig Regions. Although most of the Ape Clan's culture revolve around the military to some capacity, and most juvenile and senior Apes live among the Pigs, there are rural areas inhabited primarily by Apes, such as the tropical Wanay region to the north-west (the home of the gorillas). With this one exception, the Apes simply do not require as much land as the Pig Clan do, and the Ape Regions are therefore nearly synonymous with the land owned by the military. 

Armour

Ape armour is made of braided leather scales interwoven with small metal plates. Although this offers far less protection than the steel-plate armour of the humans it has the benefit of allowing far greater movement, something which compliments the inherent agility of the apes. The lack of added weight also allows them to swiftly charge at their enemy. It is not uncommon for the humans to have to face down a horde of apes sprinting towards them on all four while screeching and howling as a means of demoralization. 

Though seemingly crude when compared to the elaborate steel-plate armour of the humans, Ape armour allowed greater mobility and stealth.

Battle Rituals

Out gunned, and often outnumbered, the apes commonly use intimidation to gain the upper hand in battle. A common practice before a battle, when facing off against the enemy, is to rythmically beat-their chests to demonstrate strenght, resolve and battle-readiness. A general or commander (often a gorilla) will then call for a charge by stepping forward and giving a battle cry in the form of a ferocious roar. 

The chest-beating ritual is sometimes accompanied by a taunting chant intended to rouse the enemy into attacking first.

Headhunting has always been a common practice among the Ape Clan for as long as anyone can remember. When a battle is over a warrior will ceremoniously present trophy heads to his superiors (usually a general) who will in turn reward him with either promotion in rank, wealth, or land depending on the importance of the slain individual. The higher in status and caste the slain human is the higher the reward is. If the head belongs to someone of the utmost importance to human society, like f.ex a nobleman or a famous general, then it will be proudly displayed either in a public place or remain a priced possession of the general in charge of the battle. To achieve the latter the heads will be either mummified or shrunk in order to preserve them.

It is also common practice among the foot soldiers to collect human scalps to wear as decoration on their armour or as trophies in their homes. Silver hair of older members of the High Caste is especially prestigious.

Technology

Though their technology is quite crude compared to that of the humans, the apes are by no means primitive. Though they prefer to fight with blades, much like the humans, they possess an arsenal of sturdy and efficient flint-lock rifles. These are often used to fire off an initial volley to thin the ranks of Lumasi grunt spearmen protecting the Knights before they charge at them with their swords and/or daggers. Despite the heavy armour used by the Knights, the apes are well-versed in their weak-spots and can kill quickly with brutal efficiency.

Apes have been known to employ crude grenades in battle, but prefer the more direct approach. Even rifles are seen as somewhat cowardly and have generally been used out of necessity ever since the humans started to employ firearms.

The introduction of aviation among the humans three centuries ago did for a while greatly shift the balance of power. Not only did it allow the humans to recon their lands in a way that had never before been possible, but the subsequent air raids also devastated their border forts, forcing them to retreat into the nearby forests for the first time in remembered history. The Apes, with help from the Pig engineers, did however quickly come up with an ingenious solution in the form of bamboo rockets.

Simple but efficient, these disposable anti-air rockets consist of four parts: an arrowhead packed with explosives, the arrow barrel, the arrow feather, and the gunpowder tube. The gunpowder tubes, made from hollowed-out bamboo trunks, are filled with gunpowder for propulsion. A small hole is drilled into the tube for the fuse. When ignited, the gunpowder burns inside the tube, producing a large amount of gas, which, while shooting backwards at high speed, produce enormous forward-propelling force. Though generally fired one at the time, usually by a pair of Apes (or an Ape with a Pig armourer) in a manner comparable to firing a mortar canon, it is quite common to see bamboo rockets fired from a 'battle-wagon' which allows for the near-instantaneous firing of dozens of rockets at once. Despite the unpredictability of the rockets' trajectory, their low production cost means that when fired off in large enough numbers they can provide a deadly barrage that will take down all but the most skilled pilots.

Despite considerably lagging behind the humans technology-wise, the Apes (and Pigs) have proven quite ingenious when it comes to weaponry. 

Although not exclusively connected to the military, it is worth pointing out that the Apes are currently in the early stages of electricity-based technology and have in recent decades employed a simple but far-reaching system of telegraph wires, most between the border forts and various desert look-out posts, as well as the nearest Pig settlements, allowing them to efficiently warn of coming attacks or air raids. The code used derives from an ancient "talking drum" language employed by the Apes for as long as they can remember.

The Shogun

The current Shogun of the Ape army is General Khshayarsha (known as Xerxes among the humans) of the Chandra clan (“the Shining Moon clan”). Xerxes, which translates to “ruler over heroes”, was a name given to the general after he led the successful skirmish on Fort Alkaios. This was the first time in over a century that a force of apes had managed to get behind enemy lines. 

His birth name was Bhadran (meaning “auspicious” or “fortunate one”) Chandraketu (meaning “moon banner”). The general is known for being a traditionalist and a stern leader, the latter being a logical result of his famous military career which can best be described as highly offensive. He is a highly spiritual man, and as his clan-name suggest is a devotee of the Moon Spirit. The moon is not only an important symbol for his clan and his religious piety, but also for his military tactics which famously take place at night, aided only by the light of the moon. His night-time skirmishes are the stuff of modern legend among the Animal clans and earned him the title of Shogun. His reputation as a military leader, as well as his clan’s high standing, not to mention his high intellect, has made him one of the most efficient leaders of the Animal clans in a very long time. His leadership methods have blurred the line between fear and respect, something not unusual among the apes, but Xerxes has used it to better results than any known leader before him. His aggressive politics have garnered him much dissatisfaction among the Dayaamay (the political leaders of the animal clans), as well as the monks. His own devotion to the spiritual has however managed to avoid any direct conflict with the religious authorities.

The lunar symbol of clan Chandraketu has become a symbol of heroism among the Animal Clans and a harbinger of terror and death among the humans.

Apes Among Pigs

Although the farmland regions are generally inhabited by the Pigs, there is a small number of Apes living among them. In most Pig villages the local law enforcers are usually Apes, and if not all of them are, the sheriff is practically always an Ape. The majority of these are retired Ape military men enjoying a simpler life among their Pig brethren on the countryside while at the same time making themselves useful. Although crime is rare, and murder is practically unheard of, the position of sheriff and police officer is still considered more appropriate for Apes than Pigs, although no one would oppose the alternative. Ex-military Apes are however more qualified for the positions than Pig labourers and farmers. Law enforcers controlling larger towns, or whole regions, are commonly retired generals, whose experience in leadership, bureaucracy, and battle are ideal for the job. These ex-military apes commonly take their families with them when moving to countryside. Eventually their sons will be drafted into the army and will then travel to the Ape regions to be trained, only to later be transferred to the front lines. Those who survive will then choose whether to remain in the Ape regions and train future cadets or follow in their fathers’ footsteps and move to the country to take employment as lawmen among the Pigs, and eventually retire there. There are of course those who choose to become the law among the Apes, though this is usually a very common military advancement when living among their own people.

THE PIG CLAN

The Buta Kuran (“Pig Clan”) lives on and maintain farmland, feeding themselves and the Ape clan. The Pigs similarly provide the Apes with tools and weapons, build their vehicles, and provide them with housing. The Pigs also take care of all bureaucratic responsibilities for both clans, maintaining their economy. They are generally the scribes and artists of the clans, but these are not skills considered exclusive to them. Many retired Apes become scribes, and many of the Animal Clan’s greatest artists have been warriors.

The Pigs are known for their gentle and often timid nature, and live quiet, rural lives that are in stark contrast to the harsh and aggressive culture of the Ape Clan. Despite this contrast, their placidity is never looked down upon by the Apes, in fact, they are revered for the peaceful ways, though they are at times perceived as a little naïve. The Apes see it as their sacred duty to protect the Pig Clan and to preserve their innocent way of life. It is unheard of for Apes to harass or bully Pigs, even when serving as labourers within their own territory and military forts, though it is worth pointing out that Pigs can consider the rigorous structure of the forts to be highly stressful and rarely remain for long.

Most Pigs lead a quiet rural life. There are no cities in the Pig Regions. The largest settlements are modestly-sized towns that function as bureaucratical centres and trading hubs.

Pigs in the Army

Though Pigs generally shun violence, and it is in no way required for them to assist the apes in combat, many Pigs, especially younger ones, do volunteer for work in the army. The most common work carried out by pigs are that of medics, though it is not uncommon for them to act as armourers and weapon bearers during battle, a task usually carried out by young, low-ranking apes. Note that most Pigs working within the forts are not part of the army but merely labourers that work within Ape territory. 

Lumasi Among Pigs

The half-human, half-animal slave cast known as the Untouchables by the humans (known as Lumasi by the clans) are somewhat respected by the Animal Clans and, if captured in battle and successfully re-educated, are allowed to live in their own smaller colonies within the territories of the Pig Clan. They are generally treated well, though a close eye is always kept on them. Though the pigs generally keep them at arm’s length, only checking in on them to the extent that is legally or practically required, they are allowed to venture freely within the lands of the Animal Clans (with the exception of the military forts) and some Lumasi have been known to become respected members of Animal Clan society.

THE FOX CLAN

The Kitsune Kuran (“Fox Clan”) were the last of the animals to be uplifted as the beast-war drew close to the end, as a result they were bred in limited numbers and their population remain small to this day. They were uplifted to serve as assassins and saboteurs due to their nimble bodies and quick wits. Even after the human wars had ended, they continued fighting against the human castes that were eventually left behind. For a long time, they served their original function as assassins and saboteurs and were essentially a side-branch of the warrior clans. However, as the millennia went on, they eventually lost their interest in war, lacking the natural instinct of the apes and initially only fighting to serve a purpose and to appease the gods. They eventually decided to serve the gods through meditation and maintaining the land, and they left the fighting to the Apes.

Without their simple robes the Foxes are almost entirely indistinguishable from regular wild foxes. Only their squirrel-like hands (with opposable thumbs) and flat feet betray their true nature.

Culture

There is only one known Fox settlement, a small sanctuary known simply as Fox Village. This small settlement lies beyond the Pig regions and is hidden within a large forest that rests at the very edge of the Forbidden Lands near the only known natural opening in the Shield Wall. There the Fox Clan lives in harmony with nature, within the last patch of life before the barren wasteland created by the Talos untold ages ago.

They live off the forest and each individual or family unit is responsible for their own farming or hunting. The ascetics live a quiet life dominated by meditation and the study of philosophy and ancient history, though they also practice the clan's unique form of martial arts, though, unlike the hunters or the Guardians of the Forest, they use it primarily to maintain their health. The Foxes in general do not disapprove of violence but try to avoid it at all costs. Despite their peaceful ways, they are all descendants of warriors and are always ready for a fight. 

Legends

Due to their rarity, they retain a legendary status among both humans and the animal clans. Most humans however, having never seen an uplifted Fox, mostly assume that they are either extinct or that they never existed in the first place. Among the animal clans however they have a legendary status and are highly revered for their spiritual ways.

Foxes make numerous appearances in Pig and Ape folktales where they often possess magic powers. In fables depicting both uplifted foxes and regular foxes they are mischievous and very intelligent. They usually have the final laugh. However, there are other depictions of foxes as mystical, sacred creatures that can either bring wonder or ruin to ambitious animals.

In human folklore, foxes take on a much more sinister role. In these tales they are known to be able to shapeshift into beautiful women in order to seduce and transform humans into animals. They also appear as familiars in tales of witchcraft and heresy. Although few still believe in actual witchcraft, foxes still represent heretical behaviour for many. In fables they have become associated with wiliness and fraudulent acts. This is often exaggerated to the point of villainy. Mischievous conduct is applied to both uplifted foxes and regular foxes in human fables, especially moral tales intended as warnings for children.

COMMON CULTURE AMONG THE ANIMAL CLANS

Dayaamay

The Dayaamay (meaning; “full of mercy”) act as the local political figureheads. As the name suggests they are expected to act mercifully when dealing with the types of problems that take place in the Animal villages. Both Apes and Pigs can act as Dayaamay. However, no Fox has ever held this position as it would be perceived as being below them since they live lives of spiritual fulfilment and should not ever take on positions of power.

The shared banner of the Animal Clans. The three dots symbolise the three major clans with the outer circle, representing the great Karabu spirits holding them all together.

Monkhood

There is only one specific occupation, not counting anything necessary to survive like farming, that is available to all three clans; Monkhood. In fact, there exists no such thing as a single Monk, as a life devoted to spirituality must represent the three clans.

When an individual decides to devout his life to the spirits, he must seek out a mandatory partner, and make a spiritual journey to the land of the Fox Clan. A single person robed as a monk will often suggest a student monk who has yet to fulfil his spiritual journey. When, for example, an Ape decides to become a monk he will immediately journey to the Pig regions. Pigs on the other hand, knowing that a potential Ape partner will eventually have to come to them, since they reside between the Ape regions and the Fox region, will merely stay in their own village/town and wait for an Ape to come to them. It is a very common sight to see a lone Pig monk-in-training sitting in the streets of a Pig village, meditating in front of a begging bowl (for both money and food) waiting for his spiritual partner to come to him. Practically all Apes and Pigs will literally team up with the first monk-in-training that they meet, as the desire of both to dedicate their lives to the spirits is more than enough for ascetics to get along. It is a very common sight that an Ape in monk robes will casually walk up to a meditating Pig, politely bow, and give a simple blessing, the Pig will then stand up, return the gesture, and then they will both, without another word, simply start their pilgrimage towards the land of the Fox-clan.

The reason for this pilgrimage and partnership is that Monkhood consists of three individuals spiritually linked, representing the spiritual connection between the three clans. The term “a Monk” is by default a reference to three individuals, as a monk is three individuals linked as one. A monk is neither Ape, Pig, nor Fox, “he” is an “Animal,” a spiritual representation of the three clans. These individuals living as one will live together for the rest of their lives, never being separated willingly. It is absolutely mandatory for a Monk to consist of one member of each clan, but as the Fox-clan already lives a life of high spirituality, as well as segregation, the third member is always represented by a figurine, or effigy, referred to as a katabori-netsuke (meaning “sculpture” & “root” + attach”), representing his spiritual presence in the trinity. The Ape and the Pig will always carry with them this figurine of their Fox companion whom they both met and meditated with on their spiritual pilgrimage. Since there is a small number of Foxes it is common for one Fox monk to be part of several trinities. He will meet the travelling Ape and Pig, and they will meditate together and perform several rituals together. These rituals are mostly about creating the spiritual bond that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. The last ritual will consist of the Fox carving his own effigy, and they will likewise make effigies of themselves to remain with the Fox.

Two very typical katabori-netsuke made from ivory. Wood is most common but there are no rules for what material can be used, so figurines have also been made from metal and porcelain.

For any serious religious ceremony or ritual to possess any form of legitimacy a monk troupe will have to be present. Whether praying before a battle, performing a marriage or a funeral, an Ape and a Pig will always be seated next to one another (the Ape on the right, the Pig on the left, representing their species’ roles in society as warriors and labourers) with the Fox figurine sitting in between them, and slightly in front. Should a Fox die, it would have no effect on the trio as his spiritual link to them would still be valid without his physical form.

When a Fox monk dies, he will be buried along with the effigies of all his Ape and Pig brethren. Should an Ape or a Pig die on the other hand, the survivor is expected to search for a new partner. Many spiritual men go through more than one partner, as the first one they encounter is often an old man who’s recently become incomplete. There have however existed some controversial individuals who refused to find a new partner, and instead opted for making an effigy of their dead Ape/Pig companion. These individuals are considered mavericks and reformers, and despite never having faced harassment, they were rarely taken serious as a proper Monk. These individuals have gone down in history, and folklore as lone spiritual men meditating alone alongside the effigies of their two dead brethren. Many of these live on as local folk heroes.

THE GREAT KARABU SPIRIT

The Ape Clan; Proud warriors, determined to protect the animal lands at all costs from their common enemy: They are the right hand of the great Karabu spirit ⁘ The Pig Clan; Gentle creatures dedicated to the maintenance and well-being of the clans: They are the left hand of the great Karabu spirit ⁘ The Fox Clan; The heart of the great Karabu spirit. They live in peace and tranquility, always meditating, always hoping for peace ⁘ Such is the harmony of the Animal Clans. 

- from the Wéydos Scrolls on Existence, Consciousness & Bliss.

The Animal Clans, though a very spiritual people, don't have a system of gods, per say, though in addition to a series of guardian spirits, they share a single, unifying figure representing the triad that holds the three clans together; the Great Karabu Spirits.

Also known as the many-faced spirit, the Great Karabu Spirit is the embodiment of the concept of the World Soul. Depictions of the spirit are traditionally featureless, showing only abstract outlines of the common characteristics of all three clans, such as two arms and legs, and a head commonly depicted with three blank faces (four in the first dynastic era). Usually made of wood, they bear no ornaments or identifiable carvings other than the depiction of a heart at the center. Each of its three core limbs representing the three core virtues of the clans as represented by the societal duties of the Apes, Pigs and Foxes.

These figures are the centerpiece of any clan shrine and is often prayed to for spiritual guidance. The Apes, f.ex. will often gather in their fort shrine to pray before a battle. 

When told to describe the great Karabu spirit the Fox elder Gotami of the 1st dynasty famously answered; “None.” There is no other and more appropriate description than this. The Karabu spirit does not possess any distinguishing features that can be described by words. By eliminating all differences, it becomes a symbol beyond all distinguishing marks such as name, action, species or allegiance. The Karabu is beyond specification as it represents the entire world soul. 

- from the Extended Discourses by Bala-Chatur Ō-Inari.