Nekkoin are humanoid sentient cats, simple as that. Covered in fur in a variety of patterns and colors, they are usually slightly shorter than a human but much more agile and athletic. Naturally curious and prone to roam, they tend to live in small communities or tribes of their own kind. They are resourceful and prone to careers that capitalize on their inherent abilities of stealth, speed and perception. On the side of good they often work as security or guards, when leaning to the darker side it is well known that they make excellent thieves. As per usual it is the darkside that sticks in the minds of the population of the major settlements and towns, and so the Nekkoin race is often watched carefully by citizens and neighbors and all too often blamed when something goes missing.

As a result of this perception a majority of Nekkoin live with their fellows and really only date within their own kind. There are always exceptions, but a pairing with a Nekkoin for any of the other main races is seen as being with an untrustworthy devient who would sooner pilfer your stores then pay for dinner.

This was quite different from the reputation that Nekkoin harbors to other Nekkoin. The most desirable features to the race are simply color, pattern and curiosity. More often a Nekkoin will seek objects and events over company, this leads to the relatively small population in the kingdom. However a litter of Nekkoin kittens numbers more toward four to eight and maturity is reached quickly compared to others like humans, dwarfs or elves. Nekkoin children’s minds pick up concepts quickly and they grow independent in almost a quarter of the time of other races, as well as develop strengths and traits based on the many types of predatory cats that they resemble. This is where the population truly gets its boost, variety. 

The main species of Nekkoin include the Lionkin, Tigerkind, Patherian, Lynx, and Tabbykind with intermixing and other varieties being more rare. A Lionkin is the strongest and tallest of the Nekkoin with the reputation that leads toward good nature and guarding ideals. Where the Tigerkind is only slightly shorter they are often broader and seen in much the same light of nature, though more clever and witty. 

The Patherian and Lynx are more neutral to chaotic natures in perception of the other races, although the two look like exact opposites. The former being lean and thin, notable for its long tail and amazing balance. Where the latter is the shortest and stockist with no or barely a tail to separate them from their kin. Both might be considered for the worse of the reputation of the Nekkoin as they both excel in the hired sneak and thug roles in many underground organizations.

The tabbykind is the most unpredictable of all Nekkoin, there is no regular and no standard that these cats will not lean to. The tabbykind only excels in the most populous of Nekkoin, this goes for number and reputation as there is almost no way to tell what to expect when meeting a tabby. They can be any color or pattern, to most people if a Nekkoin is not one of the four main types they are just a tabby. This prejudice is not just from a lack of understanding of the race, but a lack of care to understand the denominations and denotations that make the tabbykind unique and distinct within its own kind. This has given the tabbykinds the worst reputation of all Nekkoin and leads to the reason that the race is mainly discriminated against in most large cities. Of course this reputation is hotly debated and unrightfully deserved, but views and stereotypes have a staying power unlike anything else. 

In one community of Nekkoin there might be close to a hundred families and several travelers, such as the south central village known as Purrbanks. One could walk through the village in less than a day but there is a variety of interesting and sociable citizens, they grow simple vegetables and even have an expansive cavern for growing mushrooms. It is not rare to see several rafts and small craft fishing on the sizable lake that laps at the east side of town, where a majority of the residents and storehouses line the shore. Small shops and even two traveling merchants use the town to gain a stock of fish and oils that they move to the more populated towns to sell.

The Alpha is an elected official, Rumble In Brush (Nekkoin names are all concepts in short phrase) is a Lionkin. Broad and tall, and the last of his brothers in the town; he meets with merchants to get good pricing and keeps the community running smoothly presiding over disputes or passing judgment over crimes and wrongdoings. He is fair and patient, though some believe he gives softer rulings to first offenders and the more permanent residents. 

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One of these residents was given a lighter sentence, although the reasoning was understood by many present at the hearing. Worn By Weather was a grey streaked tabby with dark eyes and tufted ears that always seemed to be bent or at least partially so. He worked in the mushroom caverns, not a notable career, but on the day of his hearing his wife, Creek And Cracks was going into labor for a second litter. It was for a first time offence and it was not even clear that Worn was the proper corporate. Gold missing in the till was hard to trace and it was just believed that he had been running the stand at the time the money should have gone missing. 

As a result this was more of a warning and lecture, both of which passed slowly as Worn wished to exit and get to the clinic in time to begin the cleaning of the kitts and see them for himself. Rumble ranted on about the importance of responsibility and a strong belief in the sharing of information and the way the truth will strike accusation from the records. Worn stood with hat in hand, he preferred to cover his bent ear with a dark ivy cap that he clenched nervously listening to Rumble ramble on and on. It was at least three turns of the hour glass before he was allowed to leave, rushing straight to the public clinic. 

It was not much of a building, in fact it was the third oldest in town behind the first lake cabin, and the hall he had just left. A single story, the clinic was wide and orderly, probably taking up the most square feet of any building in town. Worn rushed into the doors and the blue tabby at the desk recognized and directed him to room IIX, thankfully only a short rush down the first hall. Worn wandered sheepishly into the room, not wanting to draw attention, but everyone in the room was busy as Creek And Cracks was the throes of childbirth.

He moved directly to his mate’s side, she was covered in a blanket and distracted,but saw him and smiled despite the pain. Worn began words of encouragement, happy to have arrived in time, “I am here C.C.”, “You’re beautiful and amazing, C.C.”, “I can’t wait to meet them. How many are in the litter so far?” This last question was directed at a nurse.

“You're just in time for number four. We think there are three more to come” She smiled and turned to lift and negotiate the blanket. 

“That is amazing, we only had three last time.” Worn gray fur seemed to brighten at the announcement, and he moved his face close to nuzzle Creeks cheek.

A short time later the Nurse had produced two more kittens and moved them to a pen in the corner of the room where an assistant was doing an initial inspection and cleaning. The first real bath was to be performed by the mother and father, and would happen once all kittens were accounted for and identified, naming might come later. As a concept was developed and not simply given. 

The Nurse did some checking of Creek, “I do believe this will be the final kitten in the litter, that is a respectable grouping. You should be proud.” The nurse explained returning under the blanket. 

“I am so proud. “ Worn continued to nuzzle and even clean his mate, the glow not fading and his ears for once standing erect.

Then there was commotion as Creek gave a rough and small roar of pain and the blanket moved with the feisty exclamations of a nurse wrestling a rowdy kitten into her arms to move it to the pen with its siblings. However this kitten proved to be tough to tame as it leapt from under the sheet, freeing itself from the grasp of the nurse. The room was small and the kitten was able to reach the far wall and rebound back to the crouching nurse. He landed and leapt in a single movement with impressive agility for a newborn directly into the arms of the surprised Worn, who was taken aback by the sudden excitement. 

The squirming and wiggling feline was wet, but Worn was holding them gently, he laughed, “Well you seem born to move about, I would never believe it if I had not seen it.” He smiled as the bundle settled in his arm. He checked and saw it was male beginning to clean at a nod from his mate.

“It seems he was born to wander, with an entrance like that.” Creek said weakly.

“Well he seems to have earned a name already,” Worn looked at the face, already seeming to succumb to sleep from the excitement, “How about Wander. Wander To Yonder.”

Creek smiled and the next kitten was brought to her for cleaning and meeting.