Kig-Yar
Kig-Yar Jackel
Attributes
Dice: 12D
Dexterity: 2D+2/4D+2
Knowledge: 2D/4D
Mechanical: 2D/4D
Perception: 2D/4D
Strength: 1D+1/3D+1
Technical: 2D/4D
Move: 10/13
Size: 1.8 - 2.0m
Weight: 88 - 93kg
Special Abilities
- Claws: Kig-Yar can use their claws to inflict STR+1D damage.
- Bite: Kig-Yar's sharp teeth do STR+1D damage.
- Acute Senses: Because of their keen eyesight, smell and hearing, Kig-Yar receive a +1D when using the search skill.
- Delicate Build: Due to the Kig-Yar 's fragile bone structure, they suffer a -2 modifier to all Strength rolls to resist damage.
- Male Kig-Yar Jackels only: Quills on head and forearms do SR +0D+2 damage.
- Female Kig-Yar Jackels only: Thick calloused plates on the head and forearms, +0D+2 to damage resistance rolls (head and forearms only).
Kig-Yar Skirmisher
Attributes
Dice: 12D
Dexterity: 2D+1/4D+1
Knowledge: 2D/4D
Mechanical: 2D/4D
Perception: 2D/4D
Strength: 1D+2/3D+2
Technical: 2D/4D
Move: 11/14
Size: 2.0 - 2.2m
Weight: 88 - 93kg
Special Abilities
- Claws: Kig-Yar can use their claws to inflict STR+1D damage.
- Bite: Kig-Yar's sharp teeth do STR+1D damage.
- Acute Senses: Because of their keen eyesight, smell and hearing, Kig-Yar receive a +1D when using the search skill.
- Delicate Build: Due to the Kig-Yar 's fragile bone structure, they suffer a -2 modifier to all Strength rolls to resist damage.
- Excellent Runners and Jumpers: When using the running or jumping skills, Kig-Yar Skirmishers receive a +2D.
- All jumping distances are doubled for Kig-Yar Skirmishers.
Description
Anatomy and physiology
Kig-Yar have features similar to that of birds of prey as well as reptiles. Their legs are sinewy and muscular, and are reverse-jointed in a similar fashion to birds. They have sharp claws on both hands and feet. Being carnivores, their sharp beaks are lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth; some have far more numerous teeth which bear a passing resemblance to baleen. Kig-Yar have been known to eat the flesh of fallen enemies, as well as live prisoners. Kig-Yar have extraordinary senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Male Kig-Yar possess plumages of spiny quills at the back of the head and on the elbows; the color of this plumage indicates the Kig-Yar's mood. Females lack these quill plumages, instead having calloused plates at the forearms and the rear of the head. This thick skin helps protect the female during courtship: when mating, the male will often bite, chew, and tear on the back of the female's head, neck, and arms. Kig-Yar reproduce by laying eggs which the female incubates, similar to birds. When mating, the male can choose to fertilize the egg, in which a male is produced, whereas, if the eggs are not fertilized, a female is produced. This may imply that Kig-Yar have the ability to reproduce without mating.
While Kig-Yar have hollow bones and are physically frail, they are capable of moving quickly to evade harm. Their blood is bright purple in color, similar to that of the Sangheili, possibly showing a similar chemical makeup. The lack of calcium in their skeletons makes them a poor source of biomass for the Flood. Thus, Kig-Yar that are infected by the Flood are typically turned into carrier forms rather than combat forms. However, they have been utilized as combat forms during at least one engagement.
The Kig-Yar species is divided into at least two subspecies: the lighter "Jackals" and the more muscular "Skirmishers". Each subspecies exhibits distinct variations in appearance and physiology. Jackals typically exhibit light brown or tan skin tones, though some individuals feature gray-green or red skin; flexible quills on the head and forearms among males, with calloused plates among females; and elongated, beaked heads with bulbous eyes, though some Jackals have heads akin to those of the Skirmishers. Skirmishers are darker in color, with true feathers on their heads and arms, and have shorter, squared heads with small yellow eyes. While both subspecies are quite agile, Skirmishers are capable of sprinting at great speeds and leaping incredible distances.
The reason behind the differing subspecies is unknown, though it has been theorized that it may be a result of the Kig-Yar adapting to different colony worlds over millennia. Alternatively, they may simply be variations that arose naturally on Eayn, much as early humanity was once divided into many species and subspecies.
Culture
The Kig-Yar are unique among Covenant races: rather than being faithful followers of the Prophets' religion, they serve the Covenant due to the monetary rewards the Prophets pay them. However, due to the long time they have been in the Covenant, a large number of them have accepted the Covenant religion. Kig-Yar have been known to coexist relatively peacefully with humans, as evidenced by the relationship between the Rubble and Reth's forces on Metisette. When the Kig-Yar were finally ordered by the Prophets to attack and destroy the humans of the Rubble, many of them even regretted the order. This is likely due to the pragmatic, mercantile culture of their race: As long as it benefits them economically, Kig-Yar will co-operate with nearly any group, even declared enemies of the Covenant.
Naming
Kig-Yar names usually consist of a single syllable, with two consonants and one vowel, such as Yeg, Jak and Bok. However, Chur'R-Yar and Chur'R-Mut, who were both Shipmistresses, have multiple syllables in their names. It is speculated that the Kig-Yar naming system is at least partially based on sex, rank, or both. However, their naming system might not be the one of their own culture; it has been stated that Sangheili do not allow the Kig-Yar to have more than one name. Alternatively, it may be that the Kig-Yar language consists of single syllable words (their name for themselves, Kig-Yar, actually is two single syllable words combined).
The prefix "Chur'R-" is believed to indicate the title of Shipmistress, as both Chur'R-Yar and Chur'R-Mut were female Kig-Yar in command of a vessel.