The Color Spyral

Clan Structure
Tundra kaasht are relatively restricted in range, due to their extraordinarily thick coats and other adaptations to the cold. Tundra clans are almost entirely located in the far north or far south of Tryne's continents, near the poles, where it snows almost year-round. The terrain they inhabit consists of icelands, tundra, some territories in the mountains, the colder nothern beaches, and very occasionally a pine forest that has not been claimed by Forest kaasht.

Tundra clans rarely include more than 100 individuals, as Tundras are not very social creatures. About half of all Tundra clans are stationary, usually those closest to the coast or on terrain that yeilds more food than the barren icelands. The other half are nomadic, more out of necessity than choice, for their territory cannot support an entire clan for very long. There are two Tundra kaasht cities on the edges of the icelands and these each reach nearly 400 kaasht.

Most stationary clans carve their dwellings out of glaciers or mountainsides, though some actually sculpt blocks of ice or stone and use those to build their homes. Some of the nomadic clans either stay in generic settlements made for use by all wandering Tundra kaasht, and others carry their homes with them in the form of hide tents. The stationary dwellings, whether inhabited by stationary kaasht or nomadic kaasht, are constantly being shaped and decorated by bored Tundras and are arguably the most beautiful places in all of Tryne, though few Tundras will believe it and few other breeds can stand the cold long enough to find out.

Clans are usually set up in a dictatorship fashion, as only one or two kaasht in each clan are motivated enough to actually try and direct the others. They still end up run fairly enough, especially since most Tundras disregard what the clan leader has to say if they don't like it. Clan unity isn't very important to most Tundras, though perhaps it is more so to the nomadic clans, and on the whole each family fends for itself unless in grave danger.

Tundra clans are incredibly friendly to outsiders, whether they be Tundra or another breed, perhaps because they crave something that might bring light to an otherwise dull life. However, visitors are rare due to Tundra clans' remote locations. Tundras who venture away from the clan usually do so on missions of mercy, aiming to help other kaasht since they figure that they cannot improve their own situation. Tundras often make the best charity workers, provided one doesn't wish for an overly pleasant bedside manner.

Culture
The single trait that any kaasht will apply to all Tundra kaasht is depression. Though this is an exaggeration, and most Tundra kaasht are in no danger of major depression or suicide, it is true that Tundra kaasht don't have much energy or ambition and are generally pessimistic in outlook. This is reflected in the slow-paced, generally laid-back life they live. Kaasht who are always busy just trying to live life might even envy the peace and serenity of a Tundra clan.

Tundra kaasht have little care for tradition: so long as the work gets done, how it is done has little relevence. Along the same lines, gender roles among Tundra kaasht are as androgynous as their tails. Male kaasht often care for kits and female kaasht often hunt or battle dangerous iceland creatures; which kaasht does what is cared about as rarely as how the kaasht does it. All that matters is that the necessities of family and clan life are attended to. Of course, it tends to take a long time for Tundras to do anything anyway, so worrying about how and by whom is rather a waste of energy.

Roles in the family are well balanced between parents, and between parents and kits. Kits often end up raising each other as much as they are raised by adults, and kits are expected to contribute to the family in any way they are able, just as older kaasht are. Tundra kits are very mature as a result of the responsibility they are given, and kits of other breeds often look upon them as dull and too much like adults. Parents of other breeds often criticize Tundras for not letting their kits play and explore, but every parent wishes their own children were as well-behaved as a Tundra kit.

The one art form Tundra kaasht are famous for is sculpting in ice. In the far north, where ice never melts, travellers can find vast gardens of shapes created from the ice and snow. Ice sculptures range from breath-takingly beautiful to confusingly bizarre to even disgustingly grotesque, born of the complex mind of the Tundra kaasht.

Opinions on Other Species
Sky: These are a pleasant breed of kaasht, caring and sympathetic to our problems. They take life seriously, not frivolously, though they still aren't as down-to-earth as they should be... maybe it's all that flying they do.

Forest: Terrible kaasht, Forests are. They're mean, over-protective, and they still don't see things right. Why hate? There's no point to it. Just get over whatever you're angry about, already.

Plains: Even worse than Forest kaasht. Even Forest kaasht care about something. Plains kaasht are just angry without a reason. It's very stupid of them.

Mountain: We share a lot of range with Mountain kaasht, so we've learned to live with them. Stubborn and fierce they may be, but they take life at a reasonable pace and at least are serious about things.

Desert: Very serious, there's a point in their favor. No silly little ideas or stupid hang-ups for a Desert. Of course, they're far too large and live in the worst possible place, but you can't fault their personalities, at least. Though their treatment of mundanes is truely horrendous.

Cave: Caves are friendly little kaasht, and decently sized, as well. If only they were less... cheerful, they would be pleasant company.

Beach: These kaasht are perhaps the most similar to a Tundra in temperment: calm, quiet, and serious. Still too light-hearted, though, but nobody's perfect.

Valley: If I could condone hating any type of kaasht, it would be a Valley kaasht. They are the most idiotic, frivolous, pointless kaasht in existance. It's a wonder those monsterous Plains kaasht haven't exterminated them yet.

Old Mystic: I've never heard of an Old Mystic. They sound well-grounded, at least, but you can never really tell, I suppose.

Isle: We don't see too many of these little things where I'm from... though they seem a lot like Marshes and Forests, to me. All fiesty and fighter-ish. It's all stupid, if you ask me.

Marsh: By the Spyral, a Marsh is more difficult than a Plains kaasht... they are all wound up in their power structures and hate anyone who doesn't fit them. I'm not too fond of Marsh kaasht, but I can't stand their swamps, either, so I suppose it doesn't matter.

Plateau: I've never met a Plateau who could keep his whiskers out of another kaasht's business. Nosy things, Plateaus. Good and serious, though; they don't smile much and they hardly ever laugh. That's a point in their favor.

Opinions on Other Kaasht Types
Mundanes: Kaasht with no color ability, of any breed, are accepted among the Tundras and offered whatever assistance they need. They do not view their own persons or lives as anything special, so there is no reason not to accept the less fortunate. Some Tundras, however, take malicious delight in noting a kaasht worse off than him or herself.

Half-breeds: Half-breeds are viewed with great respect and love, for they very often show ambition and motivation that Tundras rarely possess. They are honored greatly and cared for until they decide what to do with their lives. The more energetic half-breeds, however, tend to run their slow-moving parents ragged.

Bi-colors: Tundra kaasht also respect dual colored kaasht, mostly because some fluke of nature managed to make things better for them, if only in the form of an extra ability. Parents of bi-colored kits are unfailingly very proud of their offspring. Should the treasured kit disappear, however, which often happens, most Tundras shrug it off as inevitable: good things rarely last.

Protectors: Tundra kaasht tend to dismiss Protectors, if they know about them. Kaasht who want to make things better? No kaasht could do that, in the eyes of a Tundra. Still, should a Tundra bear a half-breed kit and know about the Protectors, the kit will be sent to join in the half-hearted hope that perhaps their child can make a difference.

Guilders: The few Tundra kaasht who know about the Guild view it as one of the inevitable conclusions of the generally dismal world. Of course there would be an organization out there to make life even more miserable. Generally Tundras targetted by the Guild die without much of a struggle and only the rare energetic Tundra will care enough to dislike the Guild.

Opinions on Colours
Colors are not afforded as much respect in Tundra clans as they are among some of the other breeds, but the more useful colors tend to be sought after for favors by other members of the clan. The following indicates general levels of respect for the different colors:

Most respected: Red, Blue

Respected: Green, Yellow, Gold, Transluscent

Indifferent: Black, Purple, Orange, White, Copper, Silver

Disliked: Iridescent


Back to Tundra Kaasht	Clan Structure Tundra kaasht are relatively restricted in range, due to their extraordinarily thick coats and other adaptations to the cold. Tundra clans are almost entirely located in the far north or far south of Tryne's continents, near the poles, where it snows almost year-round. The terrain they inhabit consists of icelands, tundra, some territories in the mountains, the colder nothern beaches, and very occasionally a pine forest that has not been claimed by Forest kaasht. Tundra clans rarely include more than 100 individuals, as Tundras are not very social creatures. About half of all Tundra clans are stationary, usually those closest to the coast or on terrain that yeilds more food than the barren icelands. The other half are nomadic, more out of necessity than choice, for their territory cannot support an entire clan for very long. There are two Tundra kaasht cities on the edges of the icelands and these each reach nearly 400 kaasht. Most stationary clans carve their dwellings out of glaciers or mountainsides, though some actually sculpt blocks of ice or stone and use those to build their homes. Some of the nomadic clans either stay in generic settlements made for use by all wandering Tundra kaasht, and others carry their homes with them in the form of hide tents. The stationary dwellings, whether inhabited by stationary kaasht or nomadic kaasht, are constantly being shaped and decorated by bored Tundras and are arguably the most beautiful places in all of Tryne, though few Tundras will believe it and few other breeds can stand the cold long enough to find out. Clans are usually set up in a dictatorship fashion, as only one or two kaasht in each clan are motivated enough to actually try and direct the others. They still end up run fairly enough, especially since most Tundras disregard what the clan leader has to say if they don't like it. Clan unity isn't very important to most Tundras, though perhaps it is more so to the nomadic clans, and on the whole each family fends for itself unless in grave danger. Tundra clans are incredibly friendly to outsiders, whether they be Tundra or another breed, perhaps because they crave something that might bring light to an otherwise dull life. However, visitors are rare due to Tundra clans' remote locations. Tundras who venture away from the clan usually do so on missions of mercy, aiming to help other kaasht since they figure that they cannot improve their own situation. Tundras often make the best charity workers, provided one doesn't wish for an overly pleasant bedside manner. Culture The single trait that any kaasht will apply to all Tundra kaasht is depression. Though this is an exaggeration, and most Tundra kaasht are in no danger of major depression or suicide, it is true that Tundra kaasht don't have much energy or ambition and are generally pessimistic in outlook. This is reflected in the slow-paced, generally laid-back life they live. Kaasht who are always busy just trying to live life might even envy the peace and serenity of a Tundra clan. Tundra kaasht have little care for tradition: so long as the work gets done, how it is done has little relevence. Along the same lines, gender roles among Tundra kaasht are as androgynous as their tails. Male kaasht often care for kits and female kaasht often hunt or battle dangerous iceland creatures; which kaasht does what is cared about as rarely as how the kaasht does it. All that matters is that the necessities of family and clan life are attended to. Of course, it tends to take a long time for Tundras to do anything anyway, so worrying about how and by whom is rather a waste of energy. Roles in the family are well balanced between parents, and between parents and kits. Kits often end up raising each other as much as they are raised by adults, and kits are expected to contribute to the family in any way they are able, just as older kaasht are. Tundra kits are very mature as a result of the responsibility they are given, and kits of other breeds often look upon them as dull and too much like adults. Parents of other breeds often criticize Tundras for not letting their kits play and explore, but every parent wishes their own children were as well-behaved as a Tundra kit. The one art form Tundra kaasht are famous for is sculpting in ice. In the far north, where ice never melts, travellers can find vast gardens of shapes created from the ice and snow. Ice sculptures range from breath-takingly beautiful to confusingly bizarre to even disgustingly grotesque, born of the complex mind of the Tundra kaasht. Opinions on Other Species Sky: These are a pleasant breed of kaasht, caring and sympathetic to our problems. They take life seriously, not frivolously, though they still aren't as down-to-earth as they should be... maybe it's all that flying they do. Forest: Terrible kaasht, Forests are. They're mean, over-protective, and they still don't see things right. Why hate? There's no point to it. Just get over whatever you're angry about, already. Plains: Even worse than Forest kaasht. Even Forest kaasht care about something. Plains kaasht are just angry without a reason. It's very stupid of them. Mountain: We share a lot of range with Mountain kaasht, so we've learned to live with them. Stubborn and fierce they may be, but they take life at a reasonable pace and at least are serious about things. Desert: Very serious, there's a point in their favor. No silly little ideas or stupid hang-ups for a Desert. Of course, they're far too large and live in the worst possible place, but you can't fault their personalities, at least. Though their treatment of mundanes is truely horrendous. Cave: Caves are friendly little kaasht, and decently sized, as well. If only they were less... cheerful, they would be pleasant company. Beach: These kaasht are perhaps the most similar to a Tundra in temperment: calm, quiet, and serious. Still too light-hearted, though, but nobody's perfect. Valley: If I could condone hating any type of kaasht, it would be a Valley kaasht. They are the most idiotic, frivolous, pointless kaasht in existance. It's a wonder those monsterous Plains kaasht haven't exterminated them yet. Old Mystic: I've never heard of an Old Mystic. They sound well-grounded, at least, but you can never really tell, I suppose. Isle: We don't see too many of these little things where I'm from... though they seem a lot like Marshes and Forests, to me. All fiesty and fighter-ish. It's all stupid, if you ask me. Marsh: By the Spyral, a Marsh is more difficult than a Plains kaasht... they are all wound up in their power structures and hate anyone who doesn't fit them. I'm not too fond of Marsh kaasht, but I can't stand their swamps, either, so I suppose it doesn't matter. Plateau: I've never met a Plateau who could keep his whiskers out of another kaasht's business. Nosy things, Plateaus. Good and serious, though; they don't smile much and they hardly ever laugh. That's a point in their favor. Opinions on Other Kaasht Types Mundanes: Kaasht with no color ability, of any breed, are accepted among the Tundras and offered whatever assistance they need. They do not view their own persons or lives as anything special, so there is no reason not to accept the less fortunate. Some Tundras, however, take malicious delight in noting a kaasht worse off than him or herself. Half-breeds: Half-breeds are viewed with great respect and love, for they very often show ambition and motivation that Tundras rarely possess. They are honored greatly and cared for until they decide what to do with their lives. The more energetic half-breeds, however, tend to run their slow-moving parents ragged. Bi-colors: Tundra kaasht also respect dual colored kaasht, mostly because some fluke of nature managed to make things better for them, if only in the form of an extra ability. Parents of bi-colored kits are unfailingly very proud of their offspring. Should the treasured kit disappear, however, which often happens, most Tundras shrug it off as inevitable: good things rarely last. Protectors: Tundra kaasht tend to dismiss Protectors, if they know about them. Kaasht who want to make things better? No kaasht could do that, in the eyes of a Tundra. Still, should a Tundra bear a half-breed kit and know about the Protectors, the kit will be sent to join in the half-hearted hope that perhaps their child can make a difference. Guilders: The few Tundra kaasht who know about the Guild view it as one of the inevitable conclusions of the generally dismal world. Of course there would be an organization out there to make life even more miserable. Generally Tundras targetted by the Guild die without much of a struggle and only the rare energetic Tundra will care enough to dislike the Guild. Opinions on Colours Colors are not afforded as much respect in Tundra clans as they are among some of the other breeds, but the more useful colors tend to be sought after for favors by other members of the clan. The following indicates general levels of respect for the different colors: Most respected: Red, Blue Respected: Green, Yellow, Gold, Transluscent Indifferent: Black, Purple, Orange, White, Copper, Silver Disliked: Iridescent