Ka’tek: Making My Own Fantasy Dwarves (Pt. 4)
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.
Part 3 is HERE.
Today we’re going to talk about gods. Ka’tek use the word gods, but they most often refer to their deities as Fellows. So let’s discuss that first.
THE FELLOWS
Our real world etymology of “Fellow” can be traced back to mean “one who puts down money with another in a joint venture.” And later it would mean “one of the same kind”. It didn’t come to mean “male or man” until centuries after its invention.
I quite like the term “Fellow” for the Ka’tek gods. I quite like the term in general for Ka’tek people. And so it will be used for both. Let me explain.
The Ka’tek believe their divine purpose is to mold the earth around them. To carve out the stone and to master their environment.
So that might sound like… a lot. But as the Ka’tek have developed and innovated ways to improve the quality of their lives, the intensity of that divine purpose may have waned among some members of the populace.
Kind of like how you have a life goal of writing an awesome novel, but the new season of Squid Games just dropped so… maybe my dream can wait after you hit this binge.
But that divine purpose still remains even if some Ka’tek have gotten a little complacent. And it’s because of that divine purpose that term “Fellow”, refers both to the Gods, and to other Ka’tek.
So Ka’tek think they’re gods?
No. Yes. Sort of.
Think of it like this. There’s this Alan Watts speech where he talks about every day we’re playing hide and seek with ourselves. That we are god, playing the part of human, and eventually forgetting that we’re god. But sometimes, usually in a moment of empowerment or communal oneness, we recognize our own “godhood”.
Ka’tek probably fuck with this idea - that they are extensions of The Fellows, and so they themselves are Fellows. Like I said, in regards to the etymology of the word, they are “one of the same kind.”
So who are The Fellows? The OG Fellows?
Right, let’s talk about them more in depth. There are 7. And perhaps the best way to introduce them is with a Creation Myth.
FIRST THERE WAS LIFE & STONE
Sei’nai and Haku’nai
Sei’nai is playful and chaotic. They are the flame at the end of a torch, illuminating the dark and consuming everything it touches.
Haku’nai is stoic and everlasting. They are untroubled and dependable. A stone does not waver.
In the beginning there were only Sei’nai and Haku’nai. Their presence was baffling to the other. Sei’nai wanted to play, and Haku’nai could not understand such frivolousness. Haku’nai only desired the serenity of permanence. Their frustration with one another caused great strife. What cruelty would put two Fellows such as these together: one who desired nothing beyond stillness, and one who needed constant stimulation?
INNOVATION SPEAKS
Kar’nai
One day Kar’nai whispered in the ear of Sei’nai a new idea. Kar’nai had not been there before but it had become necessary to be.
Kar’nai told Sei’nai that they could mold new life from stone with the flame of life. Sei’nai begged Haku’nai to let them take a piece of stone from the Fellow’s body, but Haku’nai denied them. Haku’nai could not destroy itself, they could only exist.
Sei’nai attacked Haku’nai with all of its fury, and the stone Fellow cracked open. Haku’nai spilled water everywhere terrifying Sei’nai with this new discovery.
The water touched Sei’nai’s feet and Fimu’nai was released.
ART IS RELEASED
Fimu’nai
Fimu’nai, so proud to be free from the confines of Haku’nai, embraced Sei’nai and the two became fast friends. Sei’nai only knew the joy of life, unbridled and full of passion. Fimu’nai knew how to communicate these desires and change the hearts of the most steadfast.
Fimu’nai reached back for Haku’nai, their former captor, and told them of the Ka’tek. Beings that could live and work and play out the interests of The Fellows. Haku’nai would have to do nothing but stand still and give the Ka’tek a haven to live. Fimu’nai had given Haku’nai a new desire, the desire to watch.
Fimu’nai, Sei’nai, and Kar’nai work together to mold the first Ka’tek. It did not go well. The Ka’tek only lazed about and drew pictures of themselves in the mud. They were no more interesting to Sei’nai than the Fellow Haku’nai.
Before Kar’nai could come up with an answer to this problem, another Fellow revealed themselves.
DEATH COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT
Bou’nai
Sei’nai discovered Bou’nai playing with the first Ka’tek. This new Fellow had been trapped in Haku’nai as well, but no one paid them any attention, because Fimu’nai was so alluring.
Bou’nai showed Sei’nai that the Ka’tek now knew what lurked in the darkness.
With horror, Sei’nai leanred that half the Ka’tek had lost the flame of life and become one with the stone again. Sei’nai was furious, and the Fellow watched as the remaining Ka’tek were filled with dread and agony. They ached for the ones who were lost and feared the time when they would die.
Sei’nai had to give their life purpose again.
WORK IS PURPOSE
Arbe’nai
Sei’nai devised a plan to give Ka’tek a way to defend themselves from the clutches of death. But Bou’nai was a clever Fellow and Sei’nai could not fend off their schemes alone. While Sei’nai and Bou’nai argued over the Ka’tek, Kar’nai came and gave the creatures tools to help themselves.
With these tools came hope. The Ka’tek saw a new future where they could control their own destiny. To control that destiny would require hard work.
And so the Ka’tek worked hard, and through their efforts, they created a new Fellow, Arbe’nai the god of Labor.
The other Fellows were incensed. Until now they’d remained anonymous, only bestowing their gifts on the Ka’tek in secret. But now Arbe’nai was among their ranks and beloved by Ka’tek, for this Fellow had saved them from death.
While the Fellows argued, Fimu’nai revealed themselves to the Ka’tek, and tried to remind them of the pleasures of art. Many a miner pushed back at this idea, fearful that such frivolity would lead to death. What purpose did Art serve?
Other Ka’tek were inspired by the beauty of art, and looked to incorporate it into their daily lives. It gave them something to look forward to beyond the doldrums of labor. These Ka’tek smith’d new ways to express themselves.
The other Fellows were dismayed when they discovered Fimu’nai had created a division among the Ka’tek: the Miners and Smiths.
The Fellows argued amongst themselves, and revealed themselves to the Ka’tek vying for their attention and devotion.
Sei’nai even revealed the secrets of life to the Ka’tek, giving them the ability to make their own children.
All of this divided the Ka’tek even more.
Haku’nai shook as the Ka’tek battled one another in anger and confusion, and the Fellow thought it was time to crush them all and be done with this experiment.
BALANCE WALKS AMONG THEM
Hei’nai
Scared the game would be over, Kar’nai invented a new idea. Balance. But Balance could not come from above, it had to come from within. Kar’nai presented this new idea to many Ka’tek.
Only two Ka’tek understood the concept.
One was a Smith named Meka and the other was a Miner named Koa.
The two of them took pieces of themselves and molded a child. They asked for the Fellow Sei’nai to bless this child with life, and Sei’nai was moved to do so, excited at what could possibly come next.
This child was named Hei.
Hei grew up and taught other Ka’tek the meaning of Balance. Balance was a struggle, and was sometimes elusive, but could only be achieved through dedication.
For the first time Ka’tek realized they could appreciate both Work and Art and even Life and Death.
The Ka’tek worshipped Hei, who could not accept such attention. Hei remained humble until Bou’nai playfully extinguished their life.
After their passing, the Ka’tek created shrines for Hei and Hei found themselves among the Fellows, now Hei’nai.
Again, this caused jealousy among the Fellows, and they played their games with the Ka’tek, vying for their attention and affection.
Hei’nai was bound up by the other Fellows, who said balance was for Ka’tek to decide on and that Hei’nai could not get involved.
Hei’nai did not fight.
The Fellow knew that the Ka’tek were armed with the knowledge of Balance and could could control their own destiny. The Ka’tek were free to do as they pleased, and over time the scales will always even out.
THE FELLOWS TODAY
A lot of time has passed since this story was told, and like all stories, it has changed with every telling. The Ka’tek have grown and cultures have developed, and everyone’s understanding of The Fellows have evolved to fit their needs.
Here’s a quick reference for each Fellow and how they’re viewed at the present.
SEI’NAI – FELLOW OF LIFE
Associated with Fire. Sei’nai is childish and chaotic. Followers of Sei’nai see the humor in existence and are usually jovial or even wild in demeanor. Life is a celebration of experience and Ka’tek should indulge in all of it.
BOU’NAI – FELLOW OF DEATH
Associated with Water. Many believe Death escaped from Haku’nai when they were cracked open and no one noticed because Fimu’nai was so interesting. But the two Fellows are closely related. Most worshipers of Bou’nai try to help Ka’tek understand death as a normal part of life – and to not fear it. There are some cults who believe the life of Ka’tek is a cruel game, and that Bou’nai has given them the only way out.
ARBE’NAI – FELLOW OF LABOR
Fellow of Miners. Arbe’nai is the first Fellow Ka’tek worshiped, and gave them purpose when all seemed lost. As society has changed Arbe’nai has become the Fellow of soldiers, who believe their conquests in battle please the Fellow.
HEI’NAI – FELLOW OF BALANCE
A Ka’tek ascended, Hei’nai’s voice hasn’t been heard in some time. Followers of Hei’nai are compassionate, patient and empathetic. However they are prone to self-doubt, unsure if their choices will lead to peace or ruin.
KAR’NAI – FELLOW OF INVENTION
Kar’nai is the Fellow of Progress and Intelligence. Kar’nai is a whisperer and speaks in riddles. Unlocking the secrets of Kar’nai are the keys to progress. Only the wisest and smartest understand Kar’nai and their puzzles.
FIMU’NAI – FELLOW OF ART
Associated with Wind. Passionate and heartfelt. Fellow of Smiths.
When water touched Sei’nai’s feet it created steam and from this Steam, Fimu’nai was released. Ka’tek don’t understand air or wind at all. Like art, it comes from nowhere yet is very powerful. Followers of Fimu’nai are tell the stories of their people, shaping their understanding of the past. And those who shape the past shape the present. Cooking is one of the most important of the arts, and is generally the one art that can be learned at any Fimu’nai temple - great or small.
HAKU’NAI – FELLOW OF STONE
Associated with earth and shelter. Haku’nai is the steadfast protector, and the womb of all life. Haku’nai is formless, and any Ka’tek who works with stone does so with great reverence. Shaping bricks or chiseling out statues is seen as communion with Haku’nai. Followers of Haku’nai are stoic and unmoved by trouble and drama. They know that this too shall pass. Some followers of Haku’nai run inns for weary travelers.
FAITH DIVIDED
The creation myth is but one story, and the history of the Ka’tek and their gods runs long and deep. The will of the gods has been interpreted by many, and lives have been lost or saved based on those interpretations. Do the Fellows still have a hand in the Ka’tek’s day to day lives, or are the Fellows merely extensions of the Ka’tek themselves, shaped by what ever their community needs at the time?
Perhaps there is but one Fellow, Kar’nai, and everything else is just invention born from necessity.
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