Kitin Studies - Search of documents about Kitins - EVENTS

The search for Duchess Mona di Fareni and the amber cube had led the Matis nobles through all countries of Atys. They went to the dust and dirt of the Burning Desert with its hostile inhabitants (namely Fyros); to the splendour of the Kingdom's Hidden Source, where they fought bandits; to the cooling waters of the Lakelands and surprisingly friendly primitives; and to the humid heat of the Witherings, where the amber cube had found its way into the hands of the sage Supplice. The sage, fortunately, was only to willing to return the cube tro its rightful owners. So he passed it on to Uma Filarae di Fareni who in turn gave it to Salazar. The latter, excited, returned to Yrkanis immediately to study the contents and to prepare a transcription. So in his care- and artful hand, he filled page after page:

Treatise on Kitins, by Merio Glotto of the Royal Academy

We come across Kitins everyday, but we never really try to understand them: kitins are the number one enemy to kill, and that is enough for many. Yet we would have much to learn by understanding them better. Is their behaviour merely instictive or are they capable of thinking and learning? How are they organized? How do they communicate among themselves? Why do they attack us? Is it because they consider us competitors for territory, or because they view us as unrelenting enemies?

The Rangers, Kitin specialists supported by Nations, are best placed to answer our questions. Their knowledge gives us the beginning of an answer, but deeper understanding of Kitins is still a long way off.

There are many theories regarding Kitins and their behavior, the most recognized being the works of Ardan Keale and Daeronn Cegrips.

Kitins have a complex social organization. They live in colonies inside nests or lairs. Each lair is led by a queen, as opposed to nests which are simply outposts without a laying queen.

There are many known Kitin nests on the New Lands, such as Demon's Lap, Underwood Woe, Desertstock andTunnel of Woe. Paramount Stock seems to be an old Kitin nest, nowadays abandoned. Since 2548, the old Ktitin nest of Alamati Wood is again inhabited by a colony, led by a young queen.

There are several ktiin species, each with a precise role in the colony:

Kiban
A large, predominantly white omnivorous arachnid with a large abdomen, this kitin harvester collects resources for the colony. Like the kincher, it analyzes resources and marks the most valuable with an inky secretion. This worker kitin occurs all over Atys.

Kidinak
This kitin drone mates with and protects the queen. Without straying far from the queen, the kidinak will attack predators on sight flicking out its front hoe-like appendages to slice away at the aggressor. In kidinaks the front pair of legs are modified to form small pinchers used for cutting up and conveying flesh into the mouth. This elite kitin occurs all over Atys.

Kincher
This kitin hunter is recognizable by its huge mandibles and small abdomen and dorsal excrescence. The kincher precedes other kitins into unknown territory to pinpoint precious resources. Munches and analyzes everything in its path, selecting and marking the best materials. This kitin fighter occurs all over Atys.

Kinrey
One of the most virulent predators on Atys, the kitin royal soldier is a gregarious giant living in community protecting the queen. The kinrey sprays acid at its victims and will attack and pursue any homin or beast venturing too close to the nest. This elite kitin occurs all over Atys.

Kipee
The kitin worker is the only true plant feeder of the kitin family. This great placid arachnid builds nests, cares for larvae and can often be seen in herds munching away on the bark all day long. The kipee occurs all over Atys.

Kipesta
A six winged, highly colorful kitin scout with an elongated abdomen. The kipesta seeks new territories for migrants to establish new nests. Projects a potent flaming pollen-based substance at its prey. The venom is stored and produced in a pouch which deflates as the substance is thrust up through its proboscis and blazes into flames on contact with air. Kipestas occur all over Atys.

Kipucka
A migrant protector, establishes new nests, its large abdomen allows it to carry resources and larvae to new territory. The kipucka has a deadly dart at the end of its tail which it will use to lethal effect for attack. This great three meter tall elite kitin occurs all over Atys.

Kirosta
This huge kitin soldier, recognizable by its long streamlined abdomen, is a terror to all fauna living within its vicinity. Its venom, one of the most virulent on Atys, is injected into its prey through the spine situated on the extremity of the abdomen. The kirosta occurs all over Atys.

Kizoar
The kizoar is a prudent kitin scavenger whose powerful wings, with a span of 2 meters, allow it to flee swiftly at the slightest danger. Collects resources for the colony. It will hover over agonizing prey until it is safe enough to finish it off with its lethal sting. This worker kitin occurs all over Atys.

Kizarak
Not enough specimens were seen, in the depths of a nest, but they seem to guard the kitin larvae.

Rangers have discovered that kitins seem to use a scent communication system. For exemple, Kibans and Kinchers seem to communicate with olfactory secretions, which are easily spotted because of their color.

There is still much to learn about the Kitins. Should we one day manage to communicate with this fascinating race, the base of our relationship with the kitins would be turned upside down.

After Salazar had finished copies for the Karan and for Filira Erminantios, he sprinkled the papers with white ashes to dry the ink. Then he rubbed his ink-spotted white hands, jawned and - while the first light of day shone on the green pastures of the Kingdom - went to bed, a slight, satisfied smile on his lips.

OOC: The content of the amber cube was contributed by the Event Team.