Kzinti Background Information

Being an introduction to the kzinti race and their inclusion in the Star Trek chronology.

[Original author unknown, moderately modified by Andrew Chadwick]

The kzinti have appeared in three Animated Series episodes, one of which was written by Larry Niven himself (Slaver Weapon).

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0 . C o n t e n t s :

1. Biology and Evolution

2. Culture and Religion

3. The Kzinti Homeworld

4. Flora & Fauna

5. History

6. Language

7. Body Language

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1 . B i o l o g y a n d E v o l u t i o n

Physically, kzinti resemble large upright tigers. they are covered in redish-orange banded fur, except for their pink batwing-like ears and their tails. The typically mass about 200 - 250 kilos (a quarter of a ton)and reach about 7 to 9 feet in height. Their spines are more flexible than a humans, and on all fours they move like a weasel - with what more than one human has described as a "chilling sinuous grace". Kzinti have no external genetalia, but it is assumed that they operate in a similar fasion to a human.

The kzinti evolved from plains dwelling hunters, rather similar to lions. They evolved an upright posture in order to raise their heads above the long grass, and paws with three stubby fingers and a thumb in order to climb trees and rocks. The method of hunting favoured by kzinti is short attacks, unlike early humans, who took to running their prey in long hunts.

The nucleus of a kzin's cells are rather more complex than those of a human. They contain three distinct types of chromosme: "lumpy", "long-chin" and the sex chromosomes. The kzinti male has two similar "male" sex chromosomes, and the female has one "male" and one "female" chromosome. This is the opposite way around from humans.

Modern kzinti females, although partally intelligent, have very little ability to handle language. Their vocabulary usually peaks at about 500 words. Their instincts, however, are still intact. Historically, kzinti males had a tendency to eat male kits: the females try to dig birthing tunnels which they defend against any kzinti male who approaches. (cf. /Cathouse/, /Briar Patch/)

Another major difference from humans is kzinti telepathy. Very few kzinti have any sort of telepathy at all. Those who do need an extract from the lymph glands of the _sthondat_, a kzinti herbivore, to develop these powers to any great degree. Unfortunateley, this substance is addictive. Kzinti telepaths are burdened by a double shame - their addiction and their dependance on the blood of a herbivore. They are therefore shunned by all, having only the lowest social satatus. They therefore tend to suffer from depression - a Telepath can usually be distinguished by it's drooping ears and whiskers, it's matted fur and sagging tail, its absolute servility towards every other kzin and its nervous tics and habits. Kzinti telepaths are usually very strong empaths, often able to passively read the minds of many subjects from great distances (cf. /Warriors/).

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2 . C u l t u r e a n d R e l i g i o n

The kzinti social system is feindishly complex in it's details, but very, very simple in it's basic premise: kill or be killed. Raises in social status are acheived through ritual dueling with the kzin cerimonial dueling knife, the /wtsai/, and woe betide the loser. Many kzinti carry dried ears as trophies on their belts - the former owner is _usually_ killed. The terms 'earless' and 'nameless' are synonyms for dishonour.

Raises in rank are done in the more conventional way of awarding acheivemnts. Therefore it is possible for one kzin to be of higher rank than another, but lower social status.

Names are awarded by the highest in social status. For example, Master Gamekeeper, a low-ranking kzin may be awarded a Name in recognition of his actions and be called, say, Trask-Gamekeeper (Although his post would probably change too...). If he is particularly able, he may be allowed to form his own lineage, and be called, say, Trask-ssarl'e. The familial name ssarl'e would then be awarded to his children if they are deserving of a Name. It is considered insulting to translate one's post to another language (cf. Ringworld), so my character, Tzak-rathri would not introduce himself as "Tzak-of-security" to another kzin or a fellow officer.

Kzinti are honourable cats. Honour is considered so personal, so important that a dishonoured individual might as well not live. The kzinti system of honour means that they will not lie (unless a misdirection saves face for an honoured friend, cf. Cathouse), they will not mistreat prisoners or torture them needlessly (but they can kill and eat them if they are useless). Honoured prisoners (eg. kzinti with complete or partial names) are permitted an honourable death.

The Fanged God is father to the Patriarch. The Patriarch is father to all kzinti.

That, in a nutshell, is kzinti religion. After the first Patriarchy-Federation war, a sect arose which stated that mankind also had been created in the God's image, since why else could they have defeated the kzinti so thoroughly? these "Kdaptists" (so named after their leader, Kdapt-Preacher),are considered to be dangerous nuisances, as they sided with the humans in every war thereafter. Few remain.

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3 . H o m e w o r l d

The Kzinti homeworld orbits the star 61 Ursa Majoris at a distance somewhat greater than that at which Earth orbits the sun. It is a larger world, with gravity 1.55 times that of Earth's. Its year is roughly one and a half times longer than Earth', and its day is 27 hrs and 36 minutes long.

The climate of this world is cooler and drier than Earth's, and since it has a definite axial tilt, it also has seasons. It receives less light from it's star, which is redder than Sol; and is consequently dimmer.

The Kzinti refer to this world only as "Homeworld": it has no other name.

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4 . F l o r a a n d F a u n a

Plants from Homeworld tend to vary in shade from reddish - orange to yellows and greens. There are many types, some approximating those of Earth. The sap of some trees is rather astringent, stinging both Kzinti and human fingers. There are quite a number of edible plants - including one which tastes and looks like wild strawberries, but there are also quiute a few dangerous ones. Especially to be avoided are the nuts which, when eaten, form small, fibrous roots in the stomach of the creature trying to digest them.

Zheerekti, n. Judging by the kzinti reaction to this plant, it contains a substance much like catnip.

Kz'eerkt, n. Looks and acts very much like a monkey: humans (derog).

Kshat, n. A herbivore capable of digesting offal: An insulting term for one behaving as a kshat. [O.K. /Kshauvat/, eater-of-offal].

Raaairtwo, n. A large herbivore. 2 metres high at the shoulder, covered in shaggy orange hair, it typically weighs in at about twelve tons. It has the temperment of a rhino, and with the spiked ball on it's tail, is well capable of defending itself.

Sthondat, n. 'unfit for kzinti consuption'. Sthondats feature in a great many colourful kzinti insults, and an extract of the blood is used by telepaths.

Terrenki, n. A rather strong, fast animal which fights ferociously when cornered.

Vatach, n. A creature analogous to an earless Terran rabbit. The meat is reputedly tasty, but the animal is considered too tame for kzinti sport.

Zianyas, n. A herbivore, and a favoured kzinti food.

Ztirgor, n. A herd beast used by the kzinti for freight haulage.

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5 . H i s t o r y

(This is my interpretation). The kzinti have the longest recorded history of any race other than the vulcans, 40 000 Terran years. Kzinti social structure has always been very stable (cf. The Childrens' Hour), and thus, despite the constant warring between factions development was possible. The attainment of space flight was the greatest single event in their history, and the then Patriarch initiated the 'Great Hunt' across the galaxy. Within 200 years and using sublight spacecraft powered by nuclear fusion and gravity polarisers they carved out an empire estimated at half the size of the romulan empire of today extending out even to the klingon-romulan border.

In the early years of the Federation, the still-expanding kzinti borders impinged upon the nascent Federal colonies. The then largely human-run Federation was able to drive the kzinti forces back to the Sirius area of space with a combination of inspired leadership and warp technology.

There have been in total six wars between the Federation, the Romulan-Kingon alliance and the Patriarchy, all lost by the Kzinti. The last war, the most damaging to kzinti numbers and morale occured largely around the disputed Syrius system. After this defeat, the Kilth-bath (wounded pride) deep space station was constructed as a symbol of peace.

The Patriarchy-Federation wars utterly demoralised and defeated the kzinti race, they lost in total seven eighths of their previously-large adult male population. Many have (slightly unreasonably) accused the Federation of genocide. In truth, despite the horror stories of kzinti occupation, they have never attempted to decimate any occupied planet. Lawyers still wrangle over this today (to their profit), and the Great Hunt has never been officially terminated.

Recently the Patriarchy has been overthrown from within. The new order is a dictatorship, and the Federation even-handedly supports both resistance and the new order. (See the a.sf.rpg WWW page).

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6 . L a n g u a g e

The language used by the kzinti is the ancient "Heroes' Tongue". There are dialects and variants on this, but all require a great deal of spit and a good falsetto. The language is cased in a similar fasion to Latin (nominative, vocative et al.), with a few extra cases (Mocking, Threatening and others). Some are reserved only for the Patriarch and other nobles.

The plural of "kzin" is "kzinti". "Kzinti" also means 'of the kzin race'.

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6 . 1 M i n i - l e x i c o n

arow, /A'row/, prn. That.

ch'rowl, /ch'RAOWl/, vt. to have sex with; vi. the act of mating, highly

emotive sexual trigger word.

chss, /chSS/, adv. No.

chssee, /chSSE~/, adv. Not.

chugra, /chug'ra/, n. Spear.

h'rr, /hr~/, cas. Interrogative casing; conversational fill-syllable

('um...' 'er...').

hrung, /Hr~ng/, v. To think (1st sing. 'hrunge').

hvraf' /h'vR~AF-/, v. To scent.

k'tze, /KTsey/, adv. That I-

kchee, /kch'EE/, prn. Giant: extremely large.

kreera, /creer'a/, n. A saw-edged kzinti short sword.

kshat, /cssh'AT/, n. An offal-eating herbivore; prn. expression of disgust

with.

kshinn, /csh'in/, n. The sun of Homeworld, any local star.

kzaii, /cs'ai/, vengance.

kzarr, /cs'ar~/, vengeful.

kzinrret, /ksin'R~ET/, n. kzinti female.

kzintosh, /ksin'TOSH/, n. kzinti male

maarra, /maR~'a/, n. Tool.

mearowet'aatrurre, /me'AROW'et'atru'R~E/, v. To follow on from, to be led

by.

prret, /PR~'t/, n. (arch.) courtesan, pornocrat.

reet'ss, /reet'SS/ n. Meeting.

Riit, /reEt/, p.n. A member of the patriarchal family.

sero, /se'ro/, prn. ...This.

su, /soo/, v. To slash.

t', /t-/, adv. To.

t'kzintar, /t'KSINtar/, n. warrior, hunter, provider (arch).

tai, /ti/, v. To be; adv. emphasises previous verb.

ta'sskin, /ta'SS'kin/, n. Animal, non-kzin, alien.

tauurre', /TOU~'r~e/, v. To terminate, to stop.

tui, /twi/, n. The prey.

tza, /tsa~/, v. To be present.

u'-, /ao'.../, cas. Genitive casing. belonging to ...

wtsai, /wt'SAI/, n. Ceremonial dueling knife, a symbol of virility (arch.).

ya-nar, /yah-NAR/, n. Defier of.

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7 . B o d y L a n g u a g e

This is, of course, very different from that of humans. A list of kzinti expressions and gestures follows:

worry - A flattening of the fur.

frustration - Open-shut flare of nostrils, ticking noise from throat. smile Twitching of ears.

slyness - Slight lidding of eyelids. Could also mean calculating thought. laughter Twitching of ear & tail.

dismissive - shrug Yawn.

puzzlement - Careful sniffs of air, slight raise of muzzle.

threat - Grin (rictus) -> Grin & stare -> flaring of pelt ...

salute - Claw rake in front of own face.

The tail is a great indicator of a kzin's mood. A lashing tail signifies worry. A dragging tail shows depression, a raised tail happiness. If the kzin's tail is hidden between it's legs, it is badly frightened. A slow, teasing motion of a kzinrret's tail-tip is considered *very* sexy by males, as is a cool, defiant stare. (cf. Cathouse)

The ears, too are highly expressive - a twitching indicates amusement, laid flat they indicate nervousness or readiness; and fanned out they indicate intent concentration or alertness.

Sitting, standing or lying down with the legs splayed is considered obscene in both males and females.

Body language is also important in social encounters. those of lower social status keep their eyes averted, except when challenging.

Submission is signaled by covering of nose with paws, prostrating oneself or, in extreme circumstances, exposing belly and throat. A kzin who is about to attack or challenge will often adopt a threatening posture. The ears fold back to prevent them from being ripped or torn, the fur bottles out to hide the shape of the flesh, the tail becomes stiff and erect, ready to whip an opponents legs from under him. The lips pull back from the fangs in challenge, and the claws emerge ready for a fight. A kzin in this posture is about one second away from screaming and leaping - a favoured method of attack.

Finally, the kzinti use scent a lot. They scent-mark with glands in cheeks and paws. They also use their urine. Their hormones are far more active than humans: a gingery smell signals excitement - either anger or fear.

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Not-originally by Andrew Chadwick (apart for the History section and lots of little modifications and language stuff). I claim no copyright on any part.