Khrenesch

Khrenesch Appearance and Characteristic Behavior

Khrenesch are relatively uniform in their height, falling in a small variance of 1 1/2 to 1 2/3 meters. They are often mistaken for having fur, because of their thick body hair. Despite its thickness, it does not function in the way their lupine ancestry might suggest (ie: it does not get thicker in the winter months). Their body hair is of a uniform color, but their head and facial hair have a duo-toned blend. Common hair colors include Black/Grey, Brown/Blonde, and Red/White, though all different variations are possible. Eye color tends towards intense blues, greens, and yellows.

Khrenesch still retain much of the territorial behavior and agressiveness of their heritage. It is considered extremely inflamatory to knock on the door of a Khrenesch home. Instead, either calling out or using a gate intercom, if present, is proper etiquette prior to entering the property. Khrenesch society is patriarchal by tradition, but females are not considered weak and defenseless. During the war, the two genders were equally represented at the front lines with males dominating the leadership.

Khrenesch are often polygamous, with additional wives being chosen not only by the male, but by the females as well. Typically a new wife will be selected for strength and intelligence before appearance. Monogamy is not unheard of, but is typically restricted to younger couples who are still establishing themselves. Marriage itself is a legal contract agreed to by all parties, that has an expiration date. When the contract is close to expiration, the marriage may be extended with the agreement of all parties.

Religion is very popular among Khrenesch, but the Khrenesch are not very spiritual by the standards of their cousins the Frenalian. There are 6 dieties in Khrenesch religion, each representing one of the elemental forces: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Energy, and Acid. Worship of a particular diety is primarily a matter of convenience. In other words, tribute and prayers are offered to the diety a Khrenesch feels would most likely help them in their current situation.

The politics of the Khrenesch people

One of the side affects of being at war for a dozen generations is that there is little room in a society for anything else. Every citizen was considered a part of the Khrenesch military. Only the children were considered civilians. When a Khrenesch reachd an age where they could no longer fight, they were retained for their knowledge in areas of teaching, strategy, and research. Rank was everything in their society and the adjustment to a non-military system has been difficult.

Initially, the easiest thing for the Khrenesch to do was to maintain the existing structure, but slowly separate the military and non-military operations. What emerged was largely a type of communism, where the state pretty much ran everything. As the colonization of Khrenleign began to solidify, the government began releasing its hold on developing industries and a form of socialism evolved.

The Khrenesch people, tired of the slow pace of the government giving up its control, overthrew the socialist government in a bloody battle that was over before anyone in the UDA could react. From its ashes, a republic emerged, modeled after ideas imported by the Humans. The primary difference is that with the Forever War fresh in their minds, the Khrenesch did not find the idea of appointments, especially life appointments, very palatable. Every leadership position in the government is subject to a popular vote, though there are no term limits.