Onca

The Onca (Orot in their native tongue) are a species of Cat-folk residing on the continent of Viridi. Oncan villages deep in the heart of the continent have flourished, using the deep jungle as natural protection against potential threats. Villages unprotected by these natural barriers, however, have struggled. In the north, Anurian slavers regularly enslave those who stray away from their village, while Iguan have raided the south for centuries.

Due to the difficulty of traversing the Jatehele, most information about Oncan culture and society comes from the enslaved individuals. Although many speak little of their home, a select few have provided a wealth of information. The Oncan language is also a mystery, aside from a few words

Origin
Oncans were first released during the Fifth Awakening. It's not known why the Onca and Iguan were the only species released on Viridi. Popular theories suggest other Habitats being damaged by the expanding Jatehele, or an Angel interfering with the opening of other habitats.

First Century
Due to being one of the only species released on Viridi, Oncans lived without any predators for most of the Awakening Era and First Century of the Montiac Era. The first Iguan raids didn't begin until ME 53, and were isolated to only the most remote tribes. When the Iguan began attacking more centralized tribes around three decades later, the Oncan began uniting into increasingly larger tribes in order to fend off the raids.

Second Century
As the Iguan continued gaining ground and increasing in numbers most, if not all, independent tribes had been destroyed. The four remaining tribes largely existed in the deep jungle, making it difficult for the Iguan to keep gaining territory. Patil, the southernmost tribe, launched attacks against the Iguan multiple times, but failed to achieve any major victory. Anurian traders, who had set up outposts on Viridi's Northern Coast some decades prior, began capturing and selling Onca from the vulnerable northern villages of the Laloc tribe in ME 197

Third Century
Many Oncan slaves would be transferred to the Europan colony of Vuvos Nabosqo, following its establishment in ME 217.

With most villages in range of the Anurians left deserted, the state of Oncan society as of the 4th century is unknown.

Description
Oncan are physically imposing species, and one of the larger species on Terra. They are feline in appearance, covered in either spotted or pure black fur and possessing sharp teeth and claws. The majority of Oncans are born with yellow fur covered in black spots. Rarely, an individual will be born with only black fur. In Oncan these individuals are known as Pec Abbi          (Darkbrand). Darkbrands grow to be much larger than the average Oncan, adding to their legendary status in Oncan culture.

Oncans are are an intelligent, agile, and extremely strong species. Despite this, many Oncan slaves describe their people as docile and friendly so long as their territory is not encroached on. While skilled in melee combat, they are most commonly seen using ranged weapons such as a bow or heavy spear.

Anatomy and Physiology
Oncan are a tall and muscular species, standing between 6'4 and 7'2. Oncans smell with the use of two nostrils, each slightly in front of and below the eye socket. An Oncans sense of smell is very developed due to their predatory nature. Oncans are pentadactyly and, like most species, evolved a thumb sometime between the storing of embryos in Habitats and the start of the Awakening Era through unknown means. Their legs are digitigrade. Young Oncans will crawl on all fours when stalking and hunting prey, but by adulthood most are quiet enough to just crouch.

Oncans have leathery skin and are born without hair, usually growing their coat out to an acceptable level within six months. Their coats are variations of yellow fur with black spots and blotches around their body, with some rarely being born with all black hair. Oncans possess green, blue, or yellow eyes. Minor sexual dimorphism exists, with females being smaller than males. Oncans have an average lifespan of 47 years. The oldest recorded Oncan was 56 at the time of his death. Darkbranded Oncan are said to live longer, though by how much isn't known.

Architecture
Due to denseness of the Jatehele Jungle, Oncans tend to construct single room huts made for a single family. The village leader may receive a hut with separate rooms, but will still ultimately only have room for their family. Huts are made of mud and wood, with wood being used for the foundation and any supports while mud is used as insulation. Bird feathers and bright colors are used to decorate and distinguish the hut's exterior.

Clothing
Scaled armor taken from small lizards is the most common type of clothing. It's worn at all times to cover the lower body, while only parts of the upper body will be covered. Oncans use various dyes to color the clothing they wear in the village, and hunters will paint it a shade of green to blend into the jungle.

Necklaces and bracelets made from bones and crystals are also worn by village elders during special ceremonies.

Darkbranded
Rarely, an Oncan will be born with all black hair. These Oncan are called Pec Abbi in native Oncan, literally meaning Darkbrand. Fabled in Oncan society, Darkbrands will be pushed by tribal elders to pursue greatness. While this can sometimes see them leading their tribe later in life, it will usually result in the Darkbrand sacrificing himself for his tribe and people. Kantu is the only named Darkbrand known, dying in ME 225 while fighting off Anurians. Darkbranded Oncans grow much larger than their spotted brethren and will train for combat for most, if not all of their childhood, making them some of the most daunting foes on Terra.

Only a handful have been encountered by Anurians, and only Kantu was ever captured (albeit briefly). Enslaved Oncan see them as akin to walking gods, and rarely speak of them out of respect.

Food
Being an omnivorous species, the Oncan eat a variety of both plants and animals. Plant leaves are mainly used for flavoring in meals, while a variety of berries and bananas are used as a side to a main meal.

Small lizards and various Odnons are killed and cooked. Stigse and Anterine are the most often hunted but if a hunting party is big enough, younger Dynax can also be targeted

Language
The Onca have a spoken language, similar to Monti. A handful of words and phrases are known but, as Anurian slavers forbid the Oncan language, the language is ultimately a mystery.

Religion
With no proper exposure to the eastern religions, Oncans have their own, unique beliefs.

They believe that the soul of each Oncan is its own god, sent to inhabit their bodies by a deity known only as The Great Spirit. The Great Spirit is said to have created Terra as a sort of test for each god, revealing their true desires and personality as they live in a mortal body. Upon death, Oncan are put on a decorated raft and sent downriver where The Great Spirit will judge them for ascendance. Those who lived an honest and good life will ascend to an astral plane of existence, while those who lived a life of immorality will be sent back to a mortal body. Darkbrands are seen as walking gods themselves, and are said to ascend no matter what.

Iguan, Anurians, and likely all other species are seen as demonic beings who came to Terra against The Great Spirit's will, and are doomed to wander the mortal plain for eternity. They are said to attack and enslave the Oncan because of jealousy over their ability to ascend.

As the existence of Habitats largely disproves the Oncan religion, it's thought that the Oncans have little to no knowledge of their existence.

Society
Current Oncan society is controlled by four tribes. Patil, Laloc, Matal, and Ohtil. Though they are technically separate nations, little independent government exist in each and they ultimately act as little more than a banner. Their only true purpose is to create a proper border to repel Iguan raids in the south. Most villages are lead by their own councils instead of the Tribe's, and its likely some villages don't know which tribe they belong to. Council members in tribes and villages are chosen through a tournament style combat trial, with the victor serving until their death.

Technology
Oncans are thought to have little, if any, knowledge of Human technology. Anurian slavers have been known to take Oncan weapons, armor, and tools as trophies, and none examined by Vel Agorix have shown any sign of human craftmanship. Oncan slaves in Avueni have also seemed shocked by the farming technology in the colony, further suggesting Humans and their technology are a foreign concept to the Oncan.