4.8 Alien Encounters: The Kzinti

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS THE KZINTI

The Kzinti (homo felis kzinti) are a race of aggressive and warlike feline humanoids that at one time dominated most of the Local Group systems and beyond. They and the Caitians bear more than a passing likeness and many have suggested a common ancestry, although both species will vehemently deny this. Kzinti are the larger and stronger of the two, with pronounced claws and tiger-like rugged features. Kzinti strength is comparable to other humanoids from high-gravity planets, such as Vulcans and Klingons, but they are the stronger due to larger frames and eavier musculature. The most obvious visual h difference b Caitians is their ears. Caitian ears are more etween Kzinti and ar cat, while Kzinti ears are bifurcated, with like those of a regul arp spines instead of the Caitian felinoid smooth taper. sh

As w , ith all felinoids the Kzinti language is a series of hisses purr f s, catcalls, and body motions. The Heroes-Tongue is one o the s most difficult felinoid languages to master and even student with years of experience usually never get beyond a conv ersational level. On the other hand Kzinti take to other lang uages very well, although they tend to rasp and growl when they speak.

Kzinti culture is simple. Their society is orga nized among strictly patr ead by their chief Patriarch (Highest-of-Kzin). iarchal lines, l Kzin m ve ti fa iles/houses are called prides, with the most aggressi ale (kzin) being their leader. Kzinti females (kzinretti) have m down into semi-intelligent subservience over millennia, been bred there have been a few notable exceptions – or although abominable mutations, from the Kzinti point-of-view. There are only three choices for the rare intelligent kzinretti: death, exile (if she is lucky), or pretend to be dumb for the rest of her life. Each young kzinretti in the pride is expected to bear multiple litters for the pride leader, thus ensuring the continuance of his line. Kzinti young are always born live with at least one male and one female in each litter.

The Kzinti are aggressive and warlike to the point of being accused as barbarians by other cultures. To the Kzinti their lifestyle is as natural as could be. They relish the hunt and its spoils as much as a Tellarite loves to argue, no matter what the reason or cause (for both cultures). They also are quick to “adapt” (read steal) whatever technology they can lay their hands on in order to further themselves. They stole the capability of spaceflight from peaceful visitors to their world in ages past and they stole the se cret of FTL travel from the Tellarites during their in itial conquest of Tellar Prime. Most recently they have tried to steal the secrets of the long-dead Slaver Empire in order to rebuild their own. Kzinti are strictly carnivorous. They prefer their food “live” and have been known to eat prisoners of war and even their own when sufficiently aroused. They despise vegetarians and consider them of little worth, rarely if ever speaking to them.

The Kzinti attitude of ingrained s uperiority tends to color their reaction to other cultures and species. Females are universall y treated as second-class citizens (as are kzinretti), even those of intelligence. They despise Vulcans, partly due to their technological superiority but largely because of their pacificst culture and vegetarian diet. Only those races who have fought them, held their own in battle, and not succumbed to “following the eaters-of-roots-and-leaves (Vulcans)” are treated with grudging respect. Among those on this Kzinti short list are humans, Andorians, and Klingons.

Asides

1) Two Terran slang words that the Kzinti find highly offensive are ratcats and tabbies. These were coined by Terran fighters as derogatory terms during the Earth-Kzin Wars.

2) It is common when meeting or being introduced to a Kzinti in a formal setting for him to snarl at you in greeting. The proper response is for the lead male present in your party to return the snarl as loudly and fiercely as possible. Any females present should not speak unless their presence is first acknowledged by the Kzinti.

The Kzinti Patriarch (2065)

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