Worldbuilding the Katar part one of five

The first in a five part series on Worldbuilding the Katar race.

So when I began working on the Galaxy Pirates setting I came across a tool for worldbuilding called Ideas that change everything and I applied it to the Katar race as well as the Attenar, Eldred, an Amphibian race and a hivemind race of mostly Drones. One of the first things that came out of this is that the Katar are Ancestor worshippers, they buried their dead in caves and stone cairns. Though extremely pragmatic they typically don’t approve of cannibalism.

From the science of cats and big cats in particular we learn that Katar have low light vision and a strong sense of smell. They are somewhat sensitive to pheremones in the air as in aware of but not necessarily swayed by. They aren’t particularly fond of sugar the way other species are. They are obligate carnivores and are fond of proteins and amino acids. Their beer is more like fish sauce, soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce than human alcohols.

We learned that lions mate with anything in their own pride and extending that to sentient species with DNA testing Katar are very careful about breeding. DNA information is part of what passes for a Katar dating profile. Since most Katar dating/mating is for procreation, verified financial information is part of the profile as well.

Idea	Katar
Cannibalism	Long ago there was a ritualistic practice of eating the Hearts of your Enemies to gain their strength. This is now seen as barbaric superstition.
Signs Symbols	The Katar recognize Signs, Scents, Language
Illusion	The practice of Deception, though dishonorable, is very Old among the Katar.
Pacifism	The idea that pacifists would exist among a warrior people is a Very Recent Concept.
Animism	The Katar cultivate powerful imagery of strong and hunting animals.
Vision Quests	When mysticism ruled and superstitious ways prevailed, there was a very old tradition of seeking guidance in a dream like state. This is seldom practiced by modern Katar.
Magic	The Primitive Katar practiced something like this long ago, was it ever more than tricks played on the mind?
Mana	Similar to animism, the primitive Katar held a belief in a living Universe.
Orderly Universe	Universal Competition
Timekeeping	Very Old Tradition
Ceremonial Burial	Very Old Tradition
Buried Wealth	Very Seldom Practiced
Dynastic Inheritance	While a Katar may have many progeny, it is considered best to leave one’s accomplishments to the hier best able to manage them for the sake of the clan and sometimes ignores the heir most likely to create their own dynasty.
Restricted Diet	Katar are obligate carnivores, though other races have created synthetic and cultured proteins that are indistinguishable from harvested meat, they still prefer meat off the bone when available.
Interbreeding	A Very Old Tradition, even before modern DNA the Katar kept meticulous records of pairings and their offspring.
Artistic Expression	Very Old Tradition
Astrology	Very Old Tradition
Good and Evil	The Katar believe in Universal Competition which is that all living things compete for resources, even allies. There may be real forces of good and evil in the universe, but before that is a lot of very real speaking of others in terms convenient for your side.
Black Magic	The Primitive Katar practiced something like this long ago, was it ever more than tricks played on the mind?
Animal Magic	Powerful Imagery nothing more.
Ritual Feasting	As sharing of food and water under hospitality is an honored tradition. Celebrating with a ritual feast is also a Very Old Tradition. The modern feast days outshine the ancient in the sheer bounty of the Katar people.
Trade	Very Old Tradition
Sacrifice	Long ago the Primitive Katar would sacrifice animals and goods for favors from their ancestors. Somewhere along the way the tradition shifted to small ritual offerings of tokens such as incense and candles, nothing that was better served when kept among the living.
Portents	Primitively long ago
Agriculture	Very Recent Tradition
Cities	Very Recent Tradition
Hard Work	Very Old Tradition
Goddess Worship	Primitively long ago
Women’s Equality	Very Recent Development, some say the struggle continues to this day.
Massacre	Primitively long ago
Writing	Very Old Tradition
Government	Modern Tradition that replaced piecemeal agreements among warring clans.
Divine Right	Meritocracy always held that the strongest and most capable would rule. If their heirs were unfit they’d be replaced.
One World Government	Modern Tradition that was replaced by the council of governors across the Katar freeworlds.
Marriage	Lifemating as it is known among the Katar is practiced by less than 1% of the population. It is more common on the 7th and 8th worlds which are closer to other species.
Law	The Rule of Law is a very Modern Tradition. The Katar spent more centuries killing each other over land and resources than they’d care to admit.
Honor Code	A Very Old Tradition, there are clever animals that use tools and primitive communications, honor alone is what separates us from beasts.
Allow Surrender	Various Traditions
Compassion	Various Traditions
Oaths	Very Old Tradition
Obligations	As they are a people descended from desert nomad tribes there is a Very Old Tradition of hospitality among the Katar.
Pride	Very Old Tradition
Individualism	A Very Old Tradition, though one’s first duty is to their clan, individual accomplishments can also bring honor to their clan.

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Paul

Evilrobotgames at Gmail.com