Chimera
From FFa2Wiki
The chimera (shim-ERR-ah) are the oldest of the Nimbian cepn races, having evolved from the ram people that had been living in the mountainous region that would become New Noctae. The goddess Selene reworking them, so that they would not feel inferior to the Nizril or Kizril who were made in her own image. They are a proud and noble people who live in the mountains of New Noctae. They are a strong and stout race, that ranges from six to six and half feet tall, with broad features and expressive eyes. The Chimera retain part of their ram heritage, some of which is visible; such as the curling horns, cloven hooves for feet and shaggy coats. Their hands end with four fingers like their cousins, Thumb, index, middle, and wing finger. As with the other cepn races, the thumb and two fingers end with sharp claws to allow climbing; while the wing finger folds up against the arm to hide the sensitive wings. While the race in general has fangs showing, they are not prominent in appearance. Fur colors range from light browns and tans to darker reddish-brown hues.
The chimera’s wings while large and strong like the kizril, are only useful for gliding due to the chimera’s heavier weight. Males tend to be a little larger than females. Like the other cepn races, the chimera’s primary language is the Unheard Tongue, which is completely inaudible to most other races. They are also proficient in Nimblish (NIM-lish), the tongue of the tribes before the gods came. The chimera make their homes in the mountain sides, carving our their homes and villages from the stone. The chimera aren’t as rooted in their homes as the nizril are; but those that explore other lands are still few numbers. Unlike their cousins, chimera sleep in beds as they lack the long clawed toes that the other cepn have.
The chimera are one with the mountain, they have learned best how to work and live in the sometimes hazardous terrain with no problems thanks to their mixed traits. They have the most balanced view when it comes to life and death; like the Nizril they know death is needed and has a purpose and like the Kizril they know life is something precious to be protected. While some will fall to one side of the line or other; many believe simply the circle of life needs both to be strongest. As such they tend to be the mediators when the Nizril and Kizril have disagreements. Like the other cepn their society is one of concentric circles, where the young move gradually towards the center. Each advancement involves complex rituals and tests until they reach the centre. For the chimera they are taught how life and death must work in harmony and how balance must always be their focus. The chimera see themselves as the glue that holds cepn culture together.
The chimera are the master craftsmen of the cepn; the stonecutters, the blacksmiths, the tanners, etc. Their stronger bodies make them perfect for the more labor intensive work. Those that don’t chose a craft, become ranchers; tending to the various live stock that live in the mountains so that the tribes enough food, and clothing. Most races find the chimera the easiest to deal with because they don’t seem as obsessed as their cousins can sometimes come off being.
As expected with their ideals of balance; the chimera are omnivores. Blending the dietary needs of their cousins; leading to many cepn festivals and other get-togethers being held on their lands. Being the main workers of the cepn, the chimera's taboo comes from laziness. The chimera that refuse to carry their own weight are seen as a burden not only to their village but their cousins as well. These individuals are marked with the symbol for sleep, and are looked down upon by all three races until they can prove their ways have changed; many end up leaving New Noctae all together to find other callings.
