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Description
With nothing currently in my way, I can finally make some art for my World of Carnes project, starting with one of its races. This idea of mine was inspired by the Taddols of the Porphyra RPG and Acheron from Conan.

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  Mukwiras, also called Kual-Mukwiras, Raspok-Ruayn, or just Ruayn, are a semi-human race from Aihwera within the Uncanny Isles.

Physical Description:
Like other Muzakarian humans, they are an ethnical blend of both New Zealand Maōri and Middle Eastern Arabs from Earth, though they differed greatly with their hybridized demonic traits. Growing 2.5-3m (8-10ft) tall, the most striking feature is their two heads, which can act independently from one another despite sharing a single mind. On each head, the pupils of their slanted eyes glow like pale infernal moons, and their teeth, ears, and nails are pointed yet blunt. A rare few may also be born with three heads, which the others call the Raspok-Thaltoru or just Thaltoru.

Abilities:
  All Mukwiras are born with a basic set of psychic abilities such as levitation and psychokinesis, which are enhanceable through practice. They are also capable of other psionic powers depending on their training, including ergokinesis, materialization, mind-control and neutralization, astral-projection, and mediumship. Thaltorus however are more innately capable of these and were overall stronger than the average Mukwira. Their demonic heritage also makes them resistant to heat, tolerating high temperatures better than regular humans. With their extra minds fueling their psyonics, it should be no surprise that they are also creatures of immense intelligence and innovation, able to learn and problem-solve at a comparatively faster pace.

Personality:
  Although not predisposed to evil, Mukwiras combined an aptitude for guile with an alluring aura and a dark demeanor. Though courteous with each other, many are driven by a sense of self-importance brought on by a need to grow and strengthen their minds, creating an almost pragmatic view of everything. The amoral lengths one could go in their achievements are currently limited by a preference to remain hidden away, restricting their altruism to themselves and in turn being distrusted by most others. This is especially reflected in their derogatory term for non-Mukwiras, kotawahid, which derives from ‘one-head’ in their language. Some however make the exception with other fiendish creatures.

Culture:
'Tikhmed' is their term for the goal of ascending into the highest psionic and cognitive state of being, and it has shaped multiple facets of their everyday life. The introduction of new traditions and customs though has created a stir culturally, socially, and politically, splitting their once single pursuit into two sects; Rotkhil Tikhmed and Wahriji Tikhmed. Rotkhil Tikhmed is the old belief of ascending consciousness by focusing on the mind’s abstract nature without intervention from the material world. Wahriji Tikhmed on the other hand is the newer branch accepting the physical world as helping enrich the mind into a higher state, being more willing to engage and do business with others as the middle man of Aihwera’s primary trade route. As expected from people living in an arid desert region, both sects also revered water as a means of physical and emotional cleansing and refreshment.
  Family is especially one of the most fundamental aspects of their society, as they believe their abilities and potential are bestowed through ancestral lineages. With mothers being the most revered, members are expected to support each other and maintain cohesion regardless of personal apathy, as well as recite their family history in relation to renown historical figures. Owing to their dedication to family, social loyalty and responsibility are also of great importance despite self-reliance and individuality being simultaneously encouraged. Though generosity and politeness are common amongst themselves, honor and reputation are simultaneously valued enough for Mukwiras to be very careful with each other in social situations. With the prospect of being tarnished through gossip, some matters required the presence of family in ensuring each others’ protection. Shared ancestry, intermarriage, and trade however strengthened relationships between different families that may in turn form larger houses.
  Mukwiras maintained connections by always correcting faults and repaying kindnesses, usually through compensation in the form of gifts to wronged parties with ceremonial judicial processes. These exchanges were governed by three basic principles; the act had to look free and spontaneous, receivers were bound to reciprocate the gift with something of equal or greater value, and that no further action was necessary or required, with failure immediately resulting in loosing standing or influence. From this system, gifts carrying insults convey an obligation to return the favor, with warfare amongst themselves being a learned and culturally determined response to an offense against social rules. Although not as exaggerated, Mukwiras also shared a proto-Muzakarian belief that various things and places were sacrosanct unless lifted by a blessing or ceremonial action. For example, newly-built houses were off limits until a ceremony made them accessible, and one had to remove their shoes before entering. Although upper, middle, and lower classes are clearly established within Mukwira society, Thaltoru Mukwira held a significantly special standing that superseded their hierarchal systems. This is because they were believed to be the direct spiritual or generational descendants of an ancient and almost forgotten being who had attained Tikhmed, viewing them as great teachers who could better lead their civilization towards their goals and greater achievements.
  Their average IQ of 120-140 comes from public education being introduced at very young ages. Aside from psionic practices, different cities were also dedicated to various forms of demonology, especially those practicing the newer faith. Such studies included the summoning and binding of fiendish creatures, additional demonic mutations, and the breeding of fiendish beasts, all of which serving as both wealth and status symbols of higher education. Poetry is also used to preserve and pass on knowledge of their history, communities, and relationships, which are performed with music and dance in special entertainment houses. It is also how non-secular figures conveyed news on current events from their rulers, and as such are often also tools of propaganda. The spread and disseminating of information though was determined by gossip and interpersonal relationships, even long after printing was introduced.

Historical Lore:
Their origins are tied to a multi-headed lunar demon from Earth known as Enêpsigos, who accidentally discovered a way to interact with a small tribe of ancient Muzakarian people in Carnes. Wanting worship and to learn more about their world, she instilled a mission in them to gathering knowledge by disguising it as ancestor worship, though they were not war-driven enough to expand her domain. As such, she created a new group of followers by infusing some with her essence, integrating her more sinister yet successful qualities into their own desire for an empire.
  Initially a small kingdom, the resulting half-demon spawn used their fiendish abilities and human penchant for commerce to create friendly negotiations with Carnes’ own demonic races, as well as integrate certain fiendish lords into their pantheon to Enêpsigos’ dismay. This would be the beginning of something important for their history, though the Akasha would still be the ruling elites of this time.
  As they continued to grow culturally, militarily, and economically under Enêpsigos’ rule, so did their degeneracy as they bargained, interrogated, spied, stole, and plundered for information. This all came to a halt at the end of the Akasha’s reign, in which Carne's creator Manut fully blocked off Enêpsigos and purging her followers. The few Mukwiras that survived would slowly coalesce back into a small kingdom again, retaining their drive for psychic growth and forgetting the rest.

Description
With nothing currently in my way, I can finally make some art for my World of Carnes project, starting with one of its races. This idea of mine was inspired by the Taddols of the Porphyra RPG and Acheron from Conan.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Mukwiras, also called Kual-Mukwiras, Raspok-Ruayn, or just Ruayn, are a semi-human race from Aihwera within the Uncanny Isles.

Physical Description:
Like other Muzakarian humans, they are an ethnical blend of both New Zealand Maōri and Middle Eastern Arabs from Earth, though they differed greatly with their hybridized demonic traits. Growing 2.5-3m (8-10ft) tall, the most striking feature is their two heads, which can act independently from one another despite sharing a single mind. On each head, the pupils of their slanted eyes glow like pale infernal moons, and their teeth, ears, and nails are pointed yet blunt. A rare few may also be born with three heads, which the others call the Raspok-Thaltoru or just Thaltoru.

Abilities:
  All Mukwiras are born with a basic set of psychic abilities such as levitation and psychokinesis, which are enhanceable through practice. They are also capable of other psionic powers depending on their training, including ergokinesis, materialization, mind-control and neutralization, astral-projection, and mediumship. Thaltorus however are more innately capable of these and were overall stronger than the average Mukwira. Their demonic heritage also makes them resistant to heat, tolerating high temperatures better than regular humans. With their extra minds fueling their psyonics, it should be no surprise that they are also creatures of immense intelligence and innovation, able to learn and problem-solve at a comparatively faster pace.

Personality:
  Although not predisposed to evil, Mukwiras combined an aptitude for guile with an alluring aura and a dark demeanor. Though courteous with each other, many are driven by a sense of self-importance brought on by a need to grow and strengthen their minds, creating an almost pragmatic view of everything. The amoral lengths one could go in their achievements are currently limited by a preference to remain hidden away, restricting their altruism to themselves and in turn being distrusted by most others. This is especially reflected in their derogatory term for non-Mukwiras, kotawahid, which derives from ‘one-head’ in their language. Some however make the exception with other fiendish creatures.

Culture:
'Tikhmed' is their term for the goal of ascending into the highest psionic and cognitive state of being, and it has shaped multiple facets of their everyday life. The introduction of new traditions and customs though has created a stir culturally, socially, and politically, splitting their once single pursuit into two sects; Rotkhil Tikhmed and Wahriji Tikhmed. Rotkhil Tikhmed is the old belief of ascending consciousness by focusing on the mind’s abstract nature without intervention from the material world. Wahriji Tikhmed on the other hand is the newer branch accepting the physical world as helping enrich the mind into a higher state, being more willing to engage and do business with others as the middle man of Aihwera’s primary trade route. As expected from people living in an arid desert region, both sects also revered water as a means of physical and emotional cleansing and refreshment.
  Family is especially one of the most fundamental aspects of their society, as they believe their abilities and potential are bestowed through ancestral lineages. With mothers being the most revered, members are expected to support each other and maintain cohesion regardless of personal apathy, as well as recite their family history in relation to renown historical figures. Owing to their dedication to family, social loyalty and responsibility are also of great importance despite self-reliance and individuality being simultaneously encouraged. Though generosity and politeness are common amongst themselves, honor and reputation are simultaneously valued enough for Mukwiras to be very careful with each other in social situations. With the prospect of being tarnished through gossip, some matters required the presence of family in ensuring each others’ protection. Shared ancestry, intermarriage, and trade however strengthened relationships between different families that may in turn form larger houses.
  Mukwiras maintained connections by always correcting faults and repaying kindnesses, usually through compensation in the form of gifts to wronged parties with ceremonial judicial processes. These exchanges were governed by three basic principles; the act had to look free and spontaneous, receivers were bound to reciprocate the gift with something of equal or greater value, and that no further action was necessary or required, with failure immediately resulting in loosing standing or influence. From this system, gifts carrying insults convey an obligation to return the favor, with warfare amongst themselves being a learned and culturally determined response to an offense against social rules. Although not as exaggerated, Mukwiras also shared a proto-Muzakarian belief that various things and places were sacrosanct unless lifted by a blessing or ceremonial action. For example, newly-built houses were off limits until a ceremony made them accessible, and one had to remove their shoes before entering. Although upper, middle, and lower classes are clearly established within Mukwira society, Thaltoru Mukwira held a significantly special standing that superseded their hierarchal systems. This is because they were believed to be the direct spiritual or generational descendants of an ancient and almost forgotten being who had attained Tikhmed, viewing them as great teachers who could better lead their civilization towards their goals and greater achievements.
  Their average IQ of 120-140 comes from public education being introduced at very young ages. Aside from psionic practices, different cities were also dedicated to various forms of demonology, especially those practicing the newer faith. Such studies included the summoning and binding of fiendish creatures, additional demonic mutations, and the breeding of fiendish beasts, all of which serving as both wealth and status symbols of higher education. Poetry is also used to preserve and pass on knowledge of their history, communities, and relationships, which are performed with music and dance in special entertainment houses. It is also how non-secular figures conveyed news on current events from their rulers, and as such are often also tools of propaganda. The spread and disseminating of information though was determined by gossip and interpersonal relationships, even long after printing was introduced.

Historical Lore:
Their origins are tied to a multi-headed lunar demon from Earth known as Enêpsigos, who accidentally discovered a way to interact with a small tribe of ancient Muzakarian people in Carnes. Wanting worship and to learn more about their world, she instilled a mission in them to gathering knowledge by disguising it as ancestor worship, though they were not war-driven enough to expand her domain. As such, she created a new group of followers by infusing some with her essence, integrating her more sinister yet successful qualities into their own desire for an empire.
  Initially a small kingdom, the resulting half-demon spawn used their fiendish abilities and human penchant for commerce to create friendly negotiations with Carnes’ own demonic races, as well as integrate certain fiendish lords into their pantheon to Enêpsigos’ dismay. This would be the beginning of something important for their history, though the Akasha would still be the ruling elites of this time.
  As they continued to grow culturally, militarily, and economically under Enêpsigos’ rule, so did their degeneracy as they bargained, interrogated, spied, stole, and plundered for information. This all came to a halt at the end of the Akasha’s reign, in which Carne's creator Manut fully blocked off Enêpsigos and purging her followers. The few Mukwiras that survived would slowly coalesce back into a small kingdom again, retaining their drive for psychic growth and forgetting the rest.