Nitaki

The Nitaki (alternatively known as Ysoki or ratfolk) are one of the most important races of Southern and Eastern Aenaz and other core regions; they can be seen running small communities and the occasional independent state, but often are not cohesive enough to maintain a strong, unified nation, especially in the political atmosphere of the post Silence galaxy, where even governance within systems with large Nitaki populations is difficult and tends to be based largely upon networks of treaties and loose confederations. Stubborn, resourceful, and closely knit, Nitaki will be quick to defend what they feel is right, making up for their lack of social cohesion and magical predilections with unorthodox solutions and extraordinary adaptability.

Origins

Nitaki evolved in the complex and constantly shifting environment of Szibersa XII's geologically active badlands, where vast shifting networks of thermoelectric biocables harness the gradients of heat that result. Early Nitaki civlization used the natural geological and biological formations to create many semi-industrial metallurgical processes at small scales. By the time they were first observed and contacted in 357 SSD only a few tribes had settled beyond the badlands, though some technologically sophisticated tribes had developed basic aircraft. Archival records indicate that their assimilation into interstellar society was relatively fast, with comsumer goods across the central regions being catered to their stature and preferences a mere 100 years later.

Biology and Appearance

 Nitaki are medium-sized  bipeds with pointed snouts, long, mobile whiskers, sharp eyes,  nimble fingers, and bushy prehensile tails. Hailing from uniquely hazardous origins, these adaptable beings are often prepared for the worst. Despite all this, however, most Nitaki do not appear to be capable of directly manipulating magic without extreme difficulty for unknown reasons— more research is needed on why this is so. As a result, Nitaki academics have been forced to focus their magical research on mechanical phenomena, laying the groundwork for modern resonant arcane dynamics.

Common Culture and Language

Nitaki are famously tribal, with most preferring to socialize in relatively small and tight-knit groups. Though generally not rude or standoffish to outsiders, it is generally easy to tell that one is outside a Nitaki’s group. The forgetting of names and personal details is the most common sign of this. However, with practice it is possible for Nitaki to become better with outsiders, and socialization exercises are a common feature of Nitaki early education.

While Nitaki are generally well-intentioned, some choose a far more malign path - in the pre-Silence era, the polity of Kaladis was famous for its brutal expansion and genocidal cleansing of non-Nitaki within its borders. To this day, some neo-Kaladisian groups remain in Aenaz, and similar ethno-nationalist groups occasionally spring up in Nitaki societies across colonized space.

Though Nitaki are able to form most common phonemes used in interstellar languages, their native languages typically emphasize the use of squeaks and clicks, and frequently have whistled versions. The most prevelant NItaki language family is Nzisok. Though most Nitaki groups use a distinct dialect, they are referred to collectively for most purposes.

Regions of Prevalence

Nitaki are most common in Aenaz, where they are the third most populous species after Kasathas and Anazcans. Outside of Aenaz, they tend to be found closer to the galactic core. Atikon is a famous hub of Nitaki population, which many blame as the root of its famously turbulent local polticis.