Kitter Keep
Kitter Subspecies
Starmakers
An enigmatic, extremely rare subspecies of Kitters, the Starmakers are known for their wispy appearance and solid yellow eyes. Their bodies seem to shimmer with the stars of entire galaxies. All of them possess an incredibly strong affinity for the element of light that is beyond the power of any ordinary light affinity Kitter. This power, already quite impressive on its own, is strengthened on nights where the stars can be seen clearly. They also possess extraordinary longevity, their average lifespan ranging from three hundred to four hundred years.
Starmakers feel a longing for clear starry nights, saying that it’s as if they can hear the stars calling out to them. One young Starmaker described the feeling of being under the stars, saying that it was if the stars themselves were lending their power to her magic. Many legends and myths say that the Starmakers are stars reborn as Kitters.
A Starmaker’s birth crystal can only appear on a clear starry night and the only element they can possess an affinity for is light. It is urged that parents report if their child is born a Starmaker, as many Kitter scientists are still trying to discern a pattern as to how and why Starmakers are born. Unfortunately, there simply have not been enough Starmaker births to create any solid theory. The Starmakers must simply remain shrouded in myth and legend for now.
Muddies
An unusual subspecies of Kitters, Muddies are known for their large front claws, used for digging, and long slender bodies, used for navigating small tunnels. Muddies commonly make their homes within underground tunnel systems found in bogs, beaches, near water and lomey mountain soil. Due to the nature of their homes, many Kitters have never even seen a Muddie. Those who do often mistake them for some kind of snake or monster due to their crepuscular nature. Although Muddies generally have a friendly disposition, they also tend to be proud and will only breed with other Muddies in most cases.
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Mudddies’ villages and general society can be compared to that of a mix between the villages of medieval times and Feudal Japan. Each village has a chief” who is in charge of protecting and managing the village.
Although Muddie crystals have been reported as difficult to locate, especially for those who aren’t Muddies, all reports of finding them have been in bogs. As long as one of the parents is a Muddie, it is possible to get a Muddie from a regular crystal. However, the chances are slim and the resulting Muddie would likely have health issues due to the smaller size of the crystal. It is very dangerous to try to have a Muddie offspring in a normal crystal, as they will often outgrow the smaller crystal, leading to death.
Any Muddie interested in history or myths can tell you that their species used by just as common as regular Kitters in ancient times. A horrible disaster caused their population to diminish quickly, though. The disaster in question is a subject of much debate, as it is difficult to tell the lies from truth in the tales surrounding it. Some say the disaster was tied to the legend of Life and Death, others say that they wrought chaos on themselves due to their overly proud nature, some say a terrible plague raged like wild-fire through the Muddie villages, wiping out hundreds of Muddies; and some even say that a great earthquake shattered many of the Muddie crystals due to them being highly concentrated in certain areas. No one knows what happened for sure.
Pure Muddies are always of the Earth affinity, though those with a normal Kitter parent can be one of Earth’s sub-elements, including ink, metal, bloom, plague, and weather. Rarely, a Muddie will be a completely unrelated element, such as Fire or Void.
Neddles
Neddles are a subspecies of Kitter most defined by their long bodies and extra pair of limbs. Their ears are different as well, almost resembling butterfly wings. Neddles are a reclusive, enigmatic subspecies, and are rarely seen even remotely near Kitter Keep. However, legends claim that Neddles have their own society, far removed from the main continent. This city of legend has been sought after by the most daring of explorers, but was never located.
Rumor has it that their city is located in a faraway forest, hidden by thick fog and guarded by a treacherous mountain range. It is said that there is a massive, ancient tree in the center of the village, and the Neddles’ houses are built around it. This tree is called the Great One, and some say that the Neddles’ history is inscribed into its bark. The Neddles respect the tree greatly and tend it well, honoring it as a symbol of their past.
Neddles are very connected with nature, and as a result, can never be Void-affinity, nor any of the forbidden elements. Due to their isolation, the technology in their society is very primitive in comparison to the rest of the world, and their ways are old-fashioned and formal to modern Kitters. Neddles also have the longest lifespan of any subspecies, the oldest being over one-thousand years old.