Original Species Meme: Kithkin

Oh yeah, this is a big 'un!

Some muzaks here to help you in the read-through: [link]

Saw this meme when browsing some of the original species groups, decided I really hadn't done enough art over the past... year and this might help get me motivated, stayed up late for several nights... and here we go!

So yeah, the syth as they stand right now... when drawing this, I've realized just how far they've come over the past several years - from short, furred dragonoids to these dracoroobats with their own languages, cultures, religions, politics, architecture, a detailed history that stretches back thousands of years, and even an evolutionary lineage. And they're still the buttmonkies of the multiverse... further proof I need to get a life.

Anyhow, for those of you just joining us here, the sythen, or kithkin as they're known is common, are my pet project of... years, which I have building and expanding and obsessing on to the point where they are the defining feature of most of my work, and, I would probably have to say, my greatest accomplishment yet - not that they're by any means close to being done. Anyhow, I've got an entire gallery of the kith and their kin here: [link] - complete with my rambling descriptions in the descriptions about their culture, religion, traditions, and the like. Because, as I mentioned, I have no life.

Anyhow, to try to head off any questions that may arise... short history of the syth is that they evolved/were created on the planet Cirundi millenia ago, they reached about post modern-level technology (holograms and space bases) before Cirundi exploded, and they were scattered all across the multiverse due to the magical rifts formed by the destruction of their planet and the deaths of almost all of their gods. After that, many tried to survive as best they could in the many worlds of men, elves, dwarves and dragons, and the most common means of that was to become merchants and traders - not only did they have advanced knowledge and tech they could sell, but they had a knack for the trade, so... why not? 1000 years later, and... here we are! They're surviving... not quite out of the woods yet, and distrusted and disliked by other races for being, well, shrewd merchants and manipulators, but hey! Still alive! How many other pre-FTL races can claim that after their planet went BOOM!

Also, syth have three genders. All animal species from Cirundi do... alternate evolution! Of course, the syth attribute these genders to the three creator deities - Alashar, Idreal, and Cirundi, but eh. Details. Kinda like how each of the example generic syth are wearing the colours of the gods associated with their gender! Alashar's orange, Idreal's blue, and Cirundi's green! Wee!

Anyhow... how do the genders work? To put it in the most clinical, the kyrn function much like males - they produce 'sperm,' or the kyrn equivalent. The thear likewise produce the thear equivalent of 'eggs.' When a fertilized egg is implanted into the womb of a vaer, a portion of the wall will contribute it's genes to the egg, finishing it's fertilization and giving the unborn kithkin genes from all three of its parents. Several weeks later, the vaer lays an egg, or two or three - high rates of multiple births among syth, about 1/7 are twins, 1/50 triplets - which are carried in the pouches of the parents for about a year before a happy little sythen pouchling is born.

Kith, bead, brun, and halling are all different 'races' of kithkin, which originated on different parts of the planet, and are considered to have different 'castes' or specialties due to mental and cultural predispositions. The kith are from the southern continent of cirundi, are the largest of the kithkin, most numerous, and the most skilled merchants - obvious because they come from the 'merchant' caste. They also have excellent leadership capabilities, but tend to have a bit of an ego problem - megalomania is unfortunately common among kith. Bead come from the eastern archipelagos of Cirundi, and in addition to their aquatic adaptations, are of the 'priestly' caste, being rather intelligent and insightful, though prone to introspection and deliberation instead of action. They support their land-based kin with their merchant fleets and their mastery of magic - though they have an unfortunate tendency to be too curious and peek where no mortal should - possession and insanity result, of course. Brun are the easiest to describe, as they are the masters of SCIENCE! in all its forms, being from the 'scholarly' caste. They tend to suffer from various obsessions and manias, and their inventions have an unfortunate habit of failing - spectacularly, but the syth of the northern continent are respected for their ingenuity and mastery of technology, for both good and ill. Finally, the halling are the descendents of the 'craftsmen' caste from the central continent, and they are extremely skilled in the physical arts - architecture, sculpting, smithing, even war. They are the most temperamental of the kithkin, and can be set off over even slight insults to their clan's honour, but flattery can net one a masterfully crafted item from the desert syth.

The runes are glowing sigil over each and every syth's right eye, and represents the blood of the dead god that flows through each kithkin's veins. Those who spend time meditating on the latent divine energies that are woven into their souls can tap into the power of their departed divine ancestor, and preform feats of magic with it - though the exact nature and power of the magic varies with each and every syth. Close relatives may have very similar powers, but even then there are subtle differences. Of course, this isn't the only form of magic syth can utilize, as they are very intelligent and adaptable, quickly picking up the ways of the worlds they find themselves on - and often learning the tricks of magic as well. A number of syth become shamans, warlocks, and magi, dealing with friendly and hostile spirits for the benefit of their clan.

That should be everything, but don't hesitate to ask if you'd like to know more here!

This meme is courtesy of and is located here: [link] should anyone else be interested in giving it a try.

And as always, the syth belong to yours truly, , though you are free to use them as you will so long as you ask first and give me credit. Actually, I encourage you to use them! I love seeing what other folks do with my creations. DO EEET!