Jaka Cultural Notes 
I have always thought that the Jaka needed more detail in their culture (as do many Tal races/nationalities). While I finally wrote down all the stuff I came up with, so here it is. However, first I must give credit where it is due. My primary inspiration (besides the Tal books) is a book by Tad Williams called “Tailchaiser’s Song". This is a great book and I recommend reading it. Also, I must give credits to cats everywhere, which I based some of my Jaka notes on. 
Note on the Jaka language: The language of the Jaka is called the Higher Singing (this is an ancient name, and does not refer to actual singing.) The following notes on pronunciation apply wherever the Higher Singing is used. 
Whenever 'C' is used, it is pronounced like 'S'. When 'S' is used, it is used to clarify. The true spelling is with a 'C'. 
Vowels tend to be pronounced in the Latinate "ah-eh-ih-oh-ooh." 
Jaka Culture 
The Jaka live in small family units consisting of two parents and their children. These family units do not live in any sort of permanent structures, but instead travel about, sleeping under the stars. Jaka families are very close knit, and all members of the family will protect the other members with their lives. 
The only other type of social order the Jaka have are the Iri'az. An Iri'az consists of 5-20 family units and a number of lone Jaka. These family units claim a certain area as their territory. Within this territory there is a traditional meeting place, where all adolescent or older members of the Iri'az meet on the 7th of every month, and in emergencies. These Iri'az have no formal leaders, however most members listen to what the eldest members say. 
While the Jaka may appear anti-social to others, they are quite sociable among members of their own Iri'az. However, while they are simply unsociable with members of other races, they are downright suspicious of Jaka who they don't know. 
The Jaka have amazing senses. Their sense of smell allows them to sense the basic emotions of nearby beings. This is a contributing factor to their Sixth Sense, since they can literally smell fear and danger (hence the Jaka saying "This smells funny.") Their night vision is nearly perfect. This is actually due to four different senses. The first is their sight, which is good in any light since their eyes use light with perfect efficiency, filtering out bright light at midday, while at night their eyes take in every possible scrap of light. Second is their sense of smell, as mentioned before. Third is their hearing, which is also exceptional. Finally, their whiskers allow them to sense even the slightest changes in air currents. This allows them to sense the presence of objects in total darkness, since everything disturbs the motion of air. This sense works even when there is no wind. 
In addition to their normal senses, Jaka have a Sixth Sense which alerts them to danger. That, in addition to their Beastmastery abilities, is evidence of pseudo-psychic abilities. While most Jaka are limited to these abilities, a very few have greater psychic skill. These Jaka are born snow white with blue eyes, and they have no twin. Their ability is called 'Ka'var' which means soul sight, and they are called 'Oel-var'iz' which means master seer or Far-senser.  They are often silent and introspective, and when they do speak it is usually in cryptic messages. Most Oel-var'iz wander the Brown hills alone. 
There are a few Jaka who do not belong to the normal social order, and are not Oel-var'iz. They are called Thanes (no relation to the Thanes of Thanatus). They each have a territory that they wander, which usually consists of 1-3 Iri'az and the wilderness around them. They are accompanied in these wanderings by 3-7 apprentices. When a Thane dies, their most skilled apprentice takes their place, and the other apprentices go their separate ways. Most join an Iri'az and settle down, but a few go out into the world seeking adventure. 
The duties of a Thane are simple; to defend all Jaka in his territory, and eliminate evil and destructive forces wherever he finds them. 
New Skills 
The following are new skills for the Jaka 
COMBAT SKILLS 
Fik-Fac: Fik-Fac is literally translated as frightening motion. This is Jaka martial arts. In addition to normal unarmed attacks, Jaka with Fik-Fac can perform the following maneuvers. 
Claw Rage: This allows the Jaka to make three unarmed attacks in one round when at close range. 
Desperate Fighting: This allows the Jaka to fight from prone or when cornered at no penalty. Use their Fik-Fac rating instead of their weapons rating. 
Double Blades: This allows the Jaka to fight with a sword in each hand at no penalty. They may make two attacks, one attack and one parry, or two parries. 
Leaping Slash: This allows the Jaka to make a flying melee attack at an opponent. This attack is at +1 to hit and +2 damage. 
Attribute: CR 
Time to Learn: 40 weeks 
SPECIAL ABILITIES 
Ka'Var 
This skill allows the Oel-var'iz to sense things separated by great distances of time and space. They must first meditate for one minute to enter the Dreaming. Then they will have a vision, involving sight, sound, scent, touch, and emotion. These visions are never a direct playback of an event, but rather are cryptic in nature. (GM: make up a cryptic vision, and allow the player to try to interpret it. NEVER roll to interpret the vision) 
Attribute: Will 
Time to Learn: May not be learned. 
New Archetypes 
Oel-var'iz 
Homeland: Brown Hills of Yrmania 
“It is a good time of year for Dreaming" 
You were born different than the others. The other Jaka have only their Sixth Sense, but you have the Ka'var. While at first the visions frightened you, you have learned over time to not only live with them but control them. While other Jaka sometimes fear you, they have a great respect for your abilities. You may have no skill at Beastmastery, but your soul sight more than makes up for this. You have decided to journey out in to the world, to find new Dreams, and to experience the many wonders of other lands. 
Physical Characteristics: 5'8"-6', 110-170 lbs., snow white fur, blue eyes, features a cross between a panther and a wolf. 
Attributes 
INT: +1 
PER: +4 
WIL: +3 
CHA:-3(due to attitude) 
STR:-1 
DEX: +2 
CON: 0 
SPD: +2 
CR: 0 
MR: 0 
HP: 20 
Special Abilities: Land on feet after falls of up to 30 feet, +3 to all stealth related rolls, night vision, Sixth Sense, Ka'var. 
Skills 
Bastard Sword +1 
Short Bow +1 
Fik-Fac +3 
Riding +2 
Traps +3 
Survival +5 
Stealth +3 
Ka'var +4 
Low Talislan: Native 
Higher Singing: Native 
Sign: Fluent 
Equipment: Vest, loincloth, and boots of tundra beast hide; luck talisman, backpack, pouches, wrist bracers, shortbow with quiver of 20 arrows, bastard sword, and greymane steed. 
Wealth: 20 lumens in hides. 
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Thane Apprentice 
Homeland: Brown Hills of Yrmania 
"You know nothing of honor. I will have to 'educate' you." 
While the other Jaka spent their time learning Beastmastery and the ways of the woods, you learned the skills necessary for Thanehood. You spent many years in the apprenticeship to a Thane, who taught you everything you know. However, when your mentor died, another of his apprentices was chosen to take his place. Being the youngest apprentice, you were still not ready to settle down to a normal life, so you ventured out into the world to destroy evil and find adventure. 
Physical Appearance: 5'8"-6', 120-180 lbs, black fur, silver-grey mane, features a cross between a panther and a wolf. 
Attributes 
INT:-1 
PER: +4 
WIL: +1 
CHA:-1 
STR: +1 
DEX: +3 
CON: 0 
SPD: +3 
CR: +3 
MR:-3 
HP: 26 
Special Abilities: Land on feet after falls of up to 30 feet, +3 to all stealth related rolls, night vision, Sixth Sense, Beast Master 
Skills 
Bastard Sword +4 
Short Bow +3 
[Choice of one other weapon] +2 
Fik-Fac +4 
Mounted Combat +3 
Riding +3 
Traps +3 
Survival +3 
Stealth +2 
Command +3 
Beast Master +1 
Low Talislan: Native 
Higher Singing: Native 
Sign: Fluent 
Equipment: Vest, loincloth, and boots of tundra beast hide; luck talisman, backpack, pouches, wrist bracers, Shortbow with quiver of 20 arrows, Bastard sword, choice of one other weapon, leather armor, and greymane steed. 
Wealth: 50 lumens in hides and coins. 

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