Ka’tek: Making My Own Fantasy Dwarves (Pt. 3)
For our fifth season of Out of Depth Plays, Sapphire Doom, I’m working on lore for the fantasy setting we’ll be playing in. The big concept for the season is that the players will be playing a species akin to what we know as Dwarves. Or as I call them Ka’tek.
This is Part 3 of a series.
Part 1 is HERE.
Part 2 is HERE.
Today we’re going to dig a little deeper into the culture of the Ka’tek, specifically their relationship to the elements with an emphasis on seven very important metals. But first let’s create a foundational understanding of how Ka’tek see their life’s purpose.
WATER
As mentioned in our previous posts, the heart of the Ka’tek operates almost like a furnace, and the Ka’tek themselves are molded elements given life by pools of magma. So you can imagine that they have a particular reverence for flames, magma, and heat in general. Heat is the sign of life.
But how do they feel about water?
Physiologically, Ka’tek need water to survive. Imagine Ka’tek are like steam engines. The heat from their heart warms the water in their belly, and their bodies convert the resulting gas to energy.
Another way to look at water is this:
If a Ka’tek is made from elements like stone and metal, which they call their Mineralis, and magma gives these elements life, then water is the binding.
Obviously, too much water and one’s fire may cool too fast, causing sleepiness. Ka’tek believe this is the gods' way of teaching balance.
Some Ka’tek hold water in quite high regard. They see how a running river molds and shapes the earth. Its power is quiet and constant, which is why, for some, water is a symbol of patience and time.
Every Ka’tek civilization needs a water source. Besides biological necessity, Ka’tek see water as a tool. Crafty Ka’tek understand how to wield the power of water to their benefit, creating hammer mills to break down resources or farming eels for food.
All that being said, every Ka’tek has a healthy respect(fear?) for water. Cold water can chill Ka’tek, making them dangerously lethargic until they sink to the bottom and harden to death.
So yeah. Everything in moderation, right?
FOOD
Food is fuel. Fuel is necessary to work. Work is life.
So food is life.
Cooking and preparing food is highly revered, and having a life mate that is also an exceptional kitchen smith is a life goal for many miners. A great meal can inspire and change the course of any Ka’tek’s day.
Wait. If they live deep underground - what food even grows down there? Did you do any scientific research?
Oh my god shut up.
I’m just asking. You don’t have to be a jerk.
I know.
Know what?
That I don’t have to be a jerk. I do so voluntarily.
Rude.
Look. I did just enough research to get some cool ideas. Otherwise I’m just hand waving it to “look it’s cool fantasy stuff, just enjoy that.” I’m not getting too caught up in the limits of photosynthesis and how oxygen works..
You could’ve just said that.
….So about cricket flour.
Cricket flour is a recent invention among Ka’tek communities, and cricket bread has quickly become a popular staple in Ka’tek kitchens. It keeps for a long time and provides energy for long days of hard work.
Eel is a popular food in most communities that live along a water source. Eel ponds are created by diverting river water into large trenches. It is necessary to have multiple ponds for eels, as they need to be separated as they mature to avoid cannibalism.
Nagh'k is a popular breakfast sausage made from eel and served inside the cap of a mushroom.
Fungus and mushrooms are a large part of the Ka’tek diet. While shroom steaks are common, mushrooms are also used to make hearty teas. Hok'hel is a particularly popular drink.
There are certain forms of edible algae, moss, and ferns that brave Ka’tek go to harvest. Hunters for these green delicacies say they grow in strange places, where vines sprout through the rock ceiling. To find them, one must hike ever upward, further away from the heart of the earth. To do so means risking many unknown dangers and, in some cases, madness.
These greens are generally eaten by high-ranking officials or wealthy members of society.
NEXT TIME
Next time we’ll talk go deeper into religion by discussing Ka’tek gods and their worship.
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