[Oicha]

Deep within the heart of Meranthe, the batkin stir to life. A feather pen is set gently back into the vial of ink it had borrowed from. And a silver haired woman addresses the little girl next to her.
"So, you want to know more about our people... That's fine. It has been some time. Since I last told this story."

The Na'hrem, batkin, are a relatively young race. When compared to the other races of Meranthe. Being much closer in the timeline to the Ursidae than to something like Humanity. While the different communities of Batkin exist across continents other than Aegis, they share a very similar origin story. Created from a blessing of the Divine Beast Camazots, a great silver winged bat who gave his gifts to a human woman. Who then spread that gift to her children.

The tellings of these stories that are specific to the Na'hrem that inhabited the shadowlands can be found here.


Religion and Culture:

Mortality is an important, and reoccuring discussion that appears in various teachings of the Batkins across the world. Not just those found in Aegis. Believing themselves to be hunters, who either exist in harmony with the natural world, or do the bidding of the gods and end that which offends them... All believe that everything has a natural end. And to seek eternal life, or to defy death, is a grave offense. 

While the Na'hrem of Nyt'hjem have gone back to what they refer to as "the old ways" in worshipping Mortyl, Caius, Aschea and Gala. It should be noted that tribes have been known to worship only one, or none of these deities. Due to the more isolationist tendencies of the batkin. Not everything is remembered or followed exactly how it once was. Another inescapable facet of religion in the culture of Batkin, is their obsession with the moon. Regardless of where one hails from, none have come forth claiming to not have a religious interest in the celestial body.

Nyt'hjem stands in opposition to many tribes and cultures of the various batkin, being something of a social hub for outsiders to experience their culture. While normally the race is slow to trust and quick to anger. This city seems ready to accept those of different religions and cultures, a mecca of growth, in a sense. This can be seen no clearer than by examining the scarce bits of magitech golems running to and fro, or the machinery whirring away in the depths of the city. Ready to quickly adapt to a world that left their kind in the dust, the Batkin are here to leave their mark upon the world.


Ranks: How each tribe might organize themselves is not set in stone, but for Nyt'hjem, one can roughly follow this system.

Moon Chosen: The leader of the people of Nyt'hjem, chosen by either the Moon itself or the Moon Seer. Failing both of those, a council of all the kin can be called to elect the Moon Chosen.

Moon Seer: The religious head of Nyt'hjem, chosen by the previous Moon Seer, or given blessings by way of a special ritual. The details of such have not been explained to those outside of the city. It is not normal, but is accepted for the Moon Seer and the Moon Chosen to be the same person. If circumstances force it to be so.

Tribe Leaders: Chosen by the Moon Chosen, these people represent the best and brightest in their fields. The typical leaders are, The Leader of War, The Leader of Knowledge and Medicine, and the Leader of Artifice and Alchemy. Each of them acts as a councillor alongside the Moon Seer to advise the leadership of Nyt'hjem. And act as a sort of counterbalance to their authority. Each of these people are also expected to train someone to take their position, should they fall. Meaning that this role is normally inherited, rather than appointed upon the death of the previous title holder.

Moon Chasers: Those of special interest to the Tribal Leaders and above, these kindred are usually those who have been taken under the wing of their superior in order to be trained for a specific role. As such, in times of need, these kin can often act as the voice of their superior, if needed.

Moon Kindred: The kin that were either born as Na'hrem, or have been accepted into the society as an equal. Once one reaches the rank of Moon Kindred within Nyt'hjem, it is said that they will put their very lives on the line to protect you.

New Kin: Those outsiders who have been given special interest by higher ranking members of the tribe. They are considered to be part of the city to an extent, and enjoy luxuries other outsiders might not. But those that express interest in truly becoming integrated with the Na'hrem are expected to prove themselves, nearly constantly. All aspects of their life being scrutinized and monitored by the Tribal leaders, Moon Seer and Moon Chosen.

Outsiders: Sometimes referred to as 'Topsiders' regardless of where one might hail from. These are either unproven, or untrusted people outside of Nyt'hjem. The term outsider is seen more as an insult than a fact of being.  A batkin who does not know someone, might simply ask them their name, instead of calling them an outsider, for instance. However, knowing someone and calling them a topsider or outsider, is to be seen as insulting.

Military Structure: 

Being a society of hunters dictates that all members of the tribe are willing to fight. There is no formal military structure within the tribes of the Na'hrem, and specifically not within Nyt'hjem. A fact that has earned them some ire from non-magi that have attempted to integrate into their community. However, special exceptions can be made for those without the ability to fight, such as those that are grossly disabled or disfigured. Or those that are too young or too old to do so. Such members of the community are not looked down upon, rather cared for, as a respected part of the society. Especially if that person did live a life of conflict. To die in glorious battle is a great honor for the Batkin, but to die surrounded by the ones you love, after a life of battle has worn you down, is seen as just as great of an honor.


Rituals of the Moon Carvers 

The First Death: A unity of marriage where the pair share their blood underneath the full moon's light and bathe in it until the rise of the morning sun. This is said to symbolize the death of their former ways and a birth of a new one. The Batkin that desires communion would draw lunar tunes on the face of their beloved (and themselves) with their blood and lie in connection with their betrothed, hand holding until the ritual is over.

The Revival: The initiation of the faith of the Moon and Camazots. Adorned by a Moonseer or Moon Chosen, they are taken into the depths of the night under the light of the moon with a chalice of gold and a portion of their blood. After a prayer is said over the chalice, the blood turns into a silver-white and lunar runes drawn upon their face. This is then absorbed into the skin, forever embedded into them as the moon embellishes them into their sights forever. Some would say that underneath the moon, the stars would also shine on them to light their way during the evening hunt.

Mass Death: A massive prayer ritual usually done around the Master Lunar Emerald or during the nights of the crescent moon. Their fingers are cut and blood is let as they sing their chimes to the moon and bless those around them with the same silver light. This favor is done to protect the flock during the night and wish them a successful hunt driven by the desires of the moon.

Beautiful Death: This is reserved for those that have died in glorious battle or fallen during one of the nightly hunts, or is of high renown. The person in question is put to rest in the finest of emeralds and jewels and in the most peaceful state possible, fixed up to the point that they look almost alive. They are then surrounded in an emerald of their favorite color and placed with the others with their name engraved into it. It is said that during the times of great strife that their spirits would be able to leave from these crystals into the final hunt before going to the moon to engrave their names upon it, forever.

Those that have been interested in playing a Batkin, but were unsure where to start. I encourage you to contact Oicha#4102 with questions or ideas you have. Nyt'hjem is always open to other Na'hrem.

Additionally, while the lore of the Batkin that was linked earlier has been officially accepted. It should be noted that it is Folklore and Mythology. Some pieces may be true, while others might be total fabrications and misunderstandings. Feel free to explore that in your own batkin.