Horansi

The Horansi were sapient felinoids indigenous to Mutanda.

Horansi culture was one based on a strictly enforced caste system, and although it was seen as barbaric by off-worlders, the Horansi saw it as the key to keeping their race far from the horrific warfare and bloodshed they once knew in its past. Each subspecies knew its place in the world and was bound tightly to it, and none ever mated outside of their caste.

Subspecies

 * Gorvan Horansi, the religious rulers of Horansi society
 * Kasa Horansi, the warrior race
 * Mashi Horansi, the mystical race
 * Treka Horansi, the commoners

Culture
Horansi were big-cats by nature, and their behaviour showed it. Although only somewhat aloof among their own kind, their ethnocentric views meant that anyone who was not Horansi was only worth their time and effort if they want to exert themselves.

They owe nothing to any Kimach (outsider), unless the individual Horansi saw fit. The Horansi usually say nothing of this feeling, though their exclusive behaviour does in a very subtle way. The Horansi also hed to other cat-like behaviours such as rubbing cheeks in greetings with a familiar soul of the same subspecies, or someone extremely familiar.

Technology was eyed thoroughly for its use and benefits to the race before even being allowed onto the planet, and only then if it would not interfere with their cultural beliefs and the planet's ecosystem. Blasters were not used on-world, and were considered dishonorable if even worn on-world. It was believed that battles should be fought claw to claw; swords were used as were various bladed weapons, bows and arrows.

Their night vision was particulary acute, allowing them to hunt prey even in the dead of night. They made good use of the prothium mines on their planet, selling themselves out as hunting guides for miners and soldiers stationed on Mutanda.

Appearance
Although the exact 'hows' and 'whys' were very uncertain, the Horansi were great cats who had evolved into bipedalism and became sentient. They varied in height and appearance in accordance to their four subspecies, but certain things remained standard amoung them.

All walked on digitigrade legs allowing them to retain most of the speed and power their quadruped ancestors had. They still ran on four paws easily, but they tended to prefer standing on two feet for both comfort and culture (if a Horansi walked on all fours without good reason, such as hunting, attacking, or stalking, they were considered backwards).

In their in their evolution, the female's mammary glands had reduced in number to two, and shifted upwards on their bodies to the upper torso, very much like a human female's. A Horansi female could only bear two cubs in a litter.