Kellashee

Physical Attributes

Kellashee have decidedly feline facial features - whiskers, sharp teeth and leonine manes that frame their faces and cascade over their shoulders and down to their chest. Their ears are set to the sides of their heads and are elongated and vaguely leaf-shaped. Horns adorn their heads and these come in an astonishing variety. Their young are born with only tiny, soft nubs and their horns develop throughout childhood and into adolescence. Growth slows and eventually stops as they reach adulthood. Many Kellashee have antennae which function in a purely ornamental sense.

Their shoulders bear draconic wing armature including upper arm, elbow, forearm, and thumb. Instead of fingers with wing membranes, they have large butterfly/moth-like wing structures with three tiers and tendril-like ornamentation. Despite the fragile appearance of these wing structures, they are incredibly resilient and water repellent.

They generally stand between 4'6" to 5'9" and have softly rounded features that belie robust frames and a graceful demeanour. They are quick and nimble on land and in the air. They are thickly furred which acts as insulation in the many varied, and often harsh, climates of the living systems they nurture. Thick ruffs of fur encircle their wrists and ankles, providing more insulation against inclement weather conditions. Their fur patterns run the full gamut of feline-like markings from relatively plain to intricate spots and stripes and their colouration also runs from subtle to extremely bright.

Kellashee have long semi-prehensile tails that are thick at the base and taper towards the end, with a thick tuft of fur at the end.

There are three sexes present in the species - male, female and neuter. Neuter kellashee cannot breed and are not numerous but are born to some families across Viridia in every generation.

Psychokinetic Abilities

Kellashee have a small pool of internal energy to draw upon for small acts of magic. They may use this to 'port sideways suddenly out of danger, for instance. This personal well is not large and is inherent in the individual from birth, requiring schooling to learn to use effectively. Once depleted, the kellashee is not injured or exhausted, but cannot draw upon the well until it replenishes and must draw from outside sources. Once this well of internal energy has been depleted, they have the ability to draw upon energetic fields present around them, depending on their affinity.

Technologically aligned individuals can draw upon electrical fields present in their technology

Biologically aligned Kellashee can draw on the energy of the living world around them.

Empathically aligned Kellashee can both draw upon other Kellashee and augment them, increasing the capacity of an individual or a group for greater tasks.

The limitations of the world around the Kellashee factor into how much power they can draw. A biologically attuned Kellashee may draw on the living field around them, however they may kill the organisms they are drawing from if they are too enthusiastic. A technologically attuned individual can draw on the electrical system around them, however they run the risk of taking down vital systems if they overdraw. Empaths can draw on the Kellashee around them, but they are limited to the well of energy within the other Kellashee.

Affinities

Kellashee are usually born with, or develop during childhood, one of three major affinities. These affinities allow the kellashee a highly tuned sense toward the sustaining and nurturing of their world and everything living within it. A kellashee may develop interests in the fields outside their affinity but they will not develop the heightened sense of those who are attuned. Occasionally a kellashee will develop no affinity, or multiple affinities but this is exceedingly rare.

Biologically Attuned: Individuals with this affinity are highly attuned to the ebb and flow of the natural world around them. They are instrumental in the successful integration of entire ecosystems right down to single species of fauna, flora and all between.

Technologically Attuned: Individuals with this affinity are highly attuned to the mechanics and technology required to keep their world functioning. This affinity can range from the most basic mechanics to the most delicate technologies.

Empathically Attuned: These individuals are found more rarely. They are quite often of the neuter sex, although any sex can have any affinity. They are attuned to the Kellashee as a species and devote their lives to the service of their kind. They fill many roles such as healers and arbiters, but can also have the ability to enhance the energetic fields surrounding themselves and those around them, giving them the ability to "push" their psychokinetic abilities to greater effect and at less of a physical cost. They can also have a slight heightening or dampening effect on the emotions of those around them which they may put to use in defusing emotionally charged events.

Culture

Kellashee tend to live in large, extended family groups. Despite the high level of technology, most biologically attuned kellashee refuse to set themselves apart from the living systems that they nurture and instead live among them at a relatively basic level. Technology is a part of their everyday lives, but not in an intrusive or destructive manner. Technologically aligned family groups live predominantly within the maze-like internal structure of the outer walls, attending to the incredibly diverse mechanics and high tech required to support the construct. Empathically attuned kellashee bridge the two diverse sub-cultures, maintaining relations and communication, thereby retaining the delicate balance between high tech and delicate living systems.