Jakkai are a small, mammalian race that can be found on every continent of Medius.
LIFESPAN: 4/5
Physically strong and hardy, they have the second longest average lifespan among all the Median races: 100 years. They have omnivorous diets that closely matches Humans'.
STRENGTH: 4/5
Jakkai are gifted with strong natural offenses and defenses. Non-rectractable claws tip their digits: 3 fingers and 1 thumb on each hand, 3 toes on each
foot. Their mouths house sharp fangs for eating meat and a strong bite force. Jakkai are the only race with truly prehensile tails, which are strong enough to support their own weight!
DEFENSE: 3/5
Although their eyesight is about the same, Jakkai have better hearing and senses of smell than Humans. These keen senses help them to avoid danger.
Their bodies are covered with short to medium-length fur which provides protection and insulation. Their hides are not as thick as those of Merfolk. The paw pads on their hands and feet protect them whether they walk on their hind legs or on all fours; shoes are unnecessary.
However, they are the second smallest of all the races, dwarfed by everyone except the tiny, insect-like Fairies. Their short stature and relatively light weight make them easy to lift off the ground, putting them at a disadvantage.
MAGIC : 1/5
There is no doubt that Jakkai are absolutely lousy at wielding magic. While a Human may be able to learn dozens of spells in their lifetime to manipulate their innate element, a Jakkai will typically learn only one or two before hitting their limit.
SPEED: 5/5
A healthy, able-bodied Jakkai is nimble and agile, able to traverse almost any kind of natural barrier without the use of tools. Using their claws and prehensile tails, they can climb trees and rocks with ease. They are also strong swimmers; especially the ones from the Dragon Island Archipelago. By running on all fours, a Jakkai can out-sprint any other Median race on land.
They have three fingers and one thumb on each hand. Their hands are almost as dexterous as those of the masterful tinkerers, the Humans, and so they are able to use many Human tools and gadgets without the need for significant modifications.
Jakkai often run on all fours (page 1078)
Click to jump to a different section, or use CTRL + F:
Culture - Life Cycle - Variation
Religion - Fan Characters
Culture
Jakkai settlements are small and isolated villages inhabited by a tightly knit clan, usually led by an elder. Adult Jakkai perform a variety of roles to benefit their community, such as farming, hunting, mining, protecting the village, taking care of the young or elderly, cooking, and teaching. Jakkai can choose their roles as they grow up, though they may also be assigned one by the elder based on aptitude.
Depending on the village, the houses that residents live in are often interconnected, such as by underground tunnels or walkways using tree branches. Large, shared living spaces that house multiple generations of Jakkai are not uncommon.
The food brought in through harvesting, hunting, and large-scale trading is kept in a storehouse and shared among all members of the village.
(Keeping personal snacks is allowed, but can be difficult to pull off since everyone has such a good sense of smell...)
Outsiders are not welcome, and that includes other Jakkai not native to the village (page 117). The location of a Jakkai hidden village is a closely guarded secret by its residents. However, they are not usually hostile to their neighbors, and are open to commerce.
The variety of goods used for trade depend on the surrounding environment and the village's traditions. These can include food, crafts, furs, textiles, and mined resources like useful metals, precious stones, and magic crystals (for more information on magic crystals, see page 514). A Jakkai village that engages in trade with outsiders benefits by receiving hard-to-obtain ingredients, educational texts, and useful tools in return.
Adventurer Mir Specklestripe inspects a Help Wanted board. (character belongs to Animosulo)
There are cases where a Jakkai may choose to leave their community, either by themselves or with companions. Reasons include, but are not limited to: personal conflicts with other members of the clan, or dissatisfaction with living an insular lifestyle; to seek personal growth, romance, or knowledge to bring back to the village; a desire to travel and explore the outside world.
Jakkai who leave willingly are welcome to return at any time. Any Jakkai unfortunate enough find themselves exiled are not, and are treated with the same hostile force as any outsider.
Most Jakkai who leave their village end up taking root in the closest Human settlement. Others may become wandering traders or adventurers, benefited by their strong constitutions and hardy bodies.
On the whole, Jakkai are social creatures who prefer to be around other people rather than by themselves. They have small personal bubbles, which might inadvertently rub people of other races the wrong way by way of overly familiar physical touching.
Life Cycle
A Jakkai egg, an 8-year old kit named Thunderheart, and 18-year-old Rhea Snaketail from page 499
Age 0: Eggs
Jakkai do not give live birth and instead lay eggs once every 10 years. Their mating season is during the beginning of fall. Eggs are laid in winter and placed into a communal nest with all the other eggs that were laid that season. This rookery is part of a nursery where all the young Jakkai kits will be raised after they hatch. Kits are also called hatchlings when they are very young, which is why this nursery is also known as a "Hatchling House".
Jakkai eggs hatch the spring following the winter they were laid. This day is known as "Hatching Day" and it is celebrated every year. The precise date changes each decade when the new eggs hatch, but it is usually within the same week as the previous brood's.
The newly hatched kits are nursed by the Jakkai who laid the eggs without any regard to blood relation. When newly hatched, they have a short coat of fur of a solid color. Hatchlings are typically nursed for about 1 year until their sharp teeth start to appear.
Jakkai are named by their village leader(s) after any unique characteristic they might possess or display. Their name may come from a physical characteristic or be inspired by their personality.
Examples of name origins from the main comic's story:
- Rhea's extra long tail lead to her being named "Snaketail" (page 977).
- Thunderheart, a kid from Rhea's home village, was named for being cheerful and very loud when they were newly hatched.
- Moonshade was named for his heterochromatic eyes, which match the colors of the moons of Medius.
Rhea explains the origin of her last name (page 977)
A brood of hatchlings are usually all named by the time they are 3 years old, which is when their teeth as well as their fur's color points have finished growing in.
Ages 4-9: Kits
At this age, kits are no longer considered hatchlings and are allowed to explore outside of the Hatching House on their own. Kits are cared for by the entire community; everyone is raised with no idea or care for who one's biological relatives are.
(Awkward relationships later in life are instinctually avoided by smell.)
Designated members of the village and rotating volunteers also help take care of raising the children.
"It takes a village to raise a child"... in that it takes a whole village to mitigate the mayhem that a brood of young, energetic, curious, and playful Jakkai nest siblings can cause.
It is during this age that kits begin to learn survival skills and the history and traditions of their people. Kits are taught to be responsible community members and are expected to help with small, easy tasks appropriate to their age and ability.
Ages 10: Coming of Age
A Jakkai stops being a kit when they become 10 years old and choose their own first name, causing their hatchling name to become their surname. The customs of a coming of age ceremony may differ from village to village, but the basics are the same: it is when young Jakkai announces their identity to the world, and is ready to start contributing as a helpful member of the village.
Examples of Jakkai chosen name origins from the main comic's story:
- Rhea named herself after a sea monster in the adventure book series about Ramirez the Pirate (page 345).
- Rhea's friend Ramirez took inspiration from the main character of same adventure book series as Rhea.
Fuzen'ro Forest village's naming ceremony involves personal expression through artwork.
When they reach 10 years old, a Jakkai and all their nest siblings are considered old enough to move out of the nursery to make way for a new generation. At first, older Jakkai will take in the younger ones until they feel ready to live on their own--if desired. In any case, young Jakkai are not left to fend for themselves. They are taken care of until they start becoming more self-reliant and can decide for themselves how much space they want from others.
Puberty typically occurs between the ages 11 through 15 years of age. They grow bigger and stronger, and the older ones start feeling the effects of mating season during the fall.
Between ages 15-19, a Jakkai is considered old enough to take care of themselves and is expected to know what their role in the community will be.
Ages 20+: Adulthood
A Jakkai is considered a full grown adult when they reach their 20th spring. The mating season the following fall is their first opportunity to find a mate and produce an egg. If they choose to have an egg, it will be laid in winter. Jakkai are considered fully fledged adults at this age whether or not they choose, or are able, to produce an egg.
Jakkai typically only lay one egg per decade. The winter of a Jakkai's 60th year is their last opportunity to participate in the conception of an egg, whether or not they're the one laying it.
At 70 years old, a Jakkai is considered to be a senior. Jakkai this old are usually caretakers or teachers, and retire from the more laborious duties like farming and hunting. The average Jakkai lives to be 100 years old.
Examples of different kinds of paw pads, ears, tails, and fur patterns, with Rhea Snaketail's features on the left.
Jakkai have two-tone color point fur patterns. A primary color covers most of their face, ears, body, and tail. The longer hairs on their head (such as head and facial hair), limbs, as well as any stripes, spots, or splotches grow in a secondary color. The fur on their chest and belly is thinner and usually a lighter color than the rest of their bodies.
Chart showing many, but not necessarily all, possible fur color combinations by HexNexusDan
(click image to view a larger size)
Jakkai fur can be any combination of earth tones such as brown blonde orange, and red, as well as black, white, and gray. Like Humans', the hair and fur of a Jakkai grays with age.
Regional Variants
Jakkai from different regions tend to share certain physical features. But genes do have a way of traveling around during the course of history, so Jakkai of all colors and proportions can be found all across the world.
Fragaria
Fragarian Jakkai have fur that changes colors with the seasonal pattern of the temperate zone of Medius. When the weather turns cold in autumn, their fur loses its color in patches. By winter their primary fur color becomes white and their secondary fur color becomes gray, so their individual pattern is still visible. The Jakkai's original colors return with the warm weather of spring.
The Jakkai of Fragaria are known for their agricultural skills. They are able to cultivate plants and forage for food in the wild more skillfully than their Human neighbors, and perhaps even better than some Fairies.
Fun Facts:
- The Jakkai of Fuzen'ro Forest (where Rhea is from) are on friendly terms with the nearby Human town of Farun (where J is from). The houses of the Jakkai are built into special trees that have leaves that turn white in winter instead of dying and falling off (page 98). One of these trees grows in the main square of Farun as a sign of friendship between the Human town and Jakkai village.
- St. Curtis is a special exception among cities in Medius: it is a completely integrated Human and Jakkai city. That means the Jakkai have just as much power in how the city is governed and built for its citizens as the Humans do.
- St. Curtis houses the largest population of Jakkai in the world.
- The honey produced by the Jakkai of St. Curtis is world-famous for its quality, taste, and health benefits.
- The organized crime families of Jakkai in St. Curtis are known as the Jakkuza.
Fragarian Jakkai from St. Curtis with patches of winter fur (page 1007)
Nirveus
Nirvenese Jakkai are adapted to live in the polar clime closest to the top of Medius. They tend to be of bigger builds than their southern cousins. Even though they tend to have shorter tails than those of Jakkai from other parts of the world, their tails are still prehensile and still just as strong, if not stronger. Their small ears are protected by short white fur, which helps them to retain body heat in cold weather. The fur on their bodies stays white and gray all year long.
The Jakkai of Nirveus are fierce hunters. They are extremely effective at taking down prey both on solo hunts and in group missions. The top quality animal products they are able to obtain from rare and dangerous beasts are highly valued by the other races.
Fun Facts:
- Nirvenese mountain dogs are sometimes used as mounts as well as trusted companions on long hunting excursions. One dog can carry a whole hunting team while traversing deep snow.
- The Jakkai who worship Siara (Fire Lynx Guardian) and the Jakkai who worship Broxis (Water Wolf Guardian) do not get along. They hunt each other's patron animal for their furs, while considering their own patron animal sacred and off limits.
A Nirvenese Jakkai tourist seen in St. Curtis (page 605)
Dragon Island Archipelago
Dragon Islander Jakkai keep the color of their fur all year round. The Jakkai from the mangroves and lakes of Water Dragon Island and the stormy, scattered shores of Wind Dragon Island may have partially webbed feet and/or rudder-like tails. Jakkai from the arid, sandy deserts of Earth Dragon Island and the lush forests surrounding the volcanoes of Fire Dragon Island have big ears and extra long, slender tails. Using colorful hair dyes, tattoos, and paints are common among all the land-dwelling races of the Dragon Islands, and the Jakkai are no exception.
Fun Facts:
- Jakkai from this region are said to be good at fishing only with their long tails.
- It is said that the desert Jakkai who live on Earth Dragon Island and worship Moku the Earth Cobra Guardian were inspired by the huge tracks that cactus cobras make in the desert. They built elaborate irrigation systems to expand oases and made the land fertile enough to support farms.
- It is rumored that the Jakkai of Water Dragon Island are such strong swimmers that they can swim up waterfalls.
- A Jakkai clan that worships Aquilos the Wind Falcon Guardian has made their family trade piracy for generations. They travel swiftly on small, nimble ships and overtake commercial vessels traveling between islands.
Xena Slatesight (left, owned by Ehksidian) and Rhea Snaketail (right) are totally different!
A statue of Fuzen'ro the Wind Bat Guardian as described by Rhea on page 460.
Jakkai communities are usually built around the worship of The Twelve Guardians. Gaia, Syndel, and Death are recognized as the creator gods of Medius and the Afterlife. But because they are thought of as being out of reach by the Jakkai, they consider it impractical to worship them. The Twelve Guardians were specially appointed by the three gods in order to watch over Medius in the creator gods' stead. Thus, most religious Jakkai believe it makes sense to try to appease the Guardians instead. Being approved by a Guardian means being approved by the Creators of All.
Loyalty to a Guardian is believed to be rewarded by blessings such as good luck, health, and safety and prosperity for the village. Loyalty can be expressed through worship and living one's life in a way that reflects the (alleged) values of a Guardian. Having the approval of a Guardian is believed to grant a peaceful afterlife after a Jakkai passes on. Belief in reincarnation varies.
Rhea Snaketail grew up in a Jakkai community within Fuzen'ro Forest, which worships the Wind Bat Guardian. The Jakkai population of St. Curtis is historically descended from a clan that worshiped Melli the Fire Bee.
There is not a 1:1 ratio of Jakkai villages to Guardians; there are a lot more than just twelve Jakkai villages in the world, but their exact number is unknown. Different villages can worship the same Guardian, and they may have different beliefs, values, and traditions. They may not even agree on how their shared deity is to be honored.There are villages that disagree on whether their patron animal should be spared or made into a fancy soup. A community of Jakkai may even pay homage to multiple Guardians. Which Guardian(s) a village worships is influenced by their physical location and the attributes of their environment.
Note that even though Fuzen'ro Forest is technically within Fragaria's national borders, the Jakkai that live there worship its namesake.
Jakkai, like all the races of Slightly Damned, are an open species! That means that everyone is welcome to make their own original character (OC) without the need for permission from me or anyone else.
Making merchandise is where things start to get tricky. If you are an independent artist, it's okay to make and sell a limited amount of small items that feature your original art of your original character. Things like stickers, prints, buttons, and zines are okay! If you want to have some of those made by an artist who isn't you to give and trade with your friends, that is also totally OK!
You are even permitted to make adoptables if you like! Just please make sure that you and your clients understand where Jakkai are from and that your art does not confer licensing rights.
Want to commission art of your character from an artist to draw your
character? Make a fursuit? Model an avatar for use in virtual reality? Create
digital stickers or emotes for use in chat programs? Make adult art for
adult eyes? ...Even the really weird stuff?? These things are all OK! The rule of thumb to follow is that if it's one-of-a-kind, it's probably OK.
All I ask is that you link back to Slightly Damned whenever possible in order to spread the word about the comic. I am just a small, independent artist and I could use all the help I can get.
If you are a company looking to manufacture a large quantity of a product (like, hundreds or thousands of them), or make an animated project that will get advertising revenue, or develop a video game meant for sale, or something along those lines, then you're big enough to talk licensing. Contact me about it at chu@raizap.com! Jakkai as well as every other part of Slightly Damned's story, world, names, and characters belong to me, and I'd rather we all avoid legal trouble. Don't cause problems by committing copyright infringement.
Stay safe and have fun!
Chu
Xena Slatesight (art by Chu / character by Ehksidian
Xena Slatesight, an ice dragon who shapeshifts into a Jakkai (art by Meadow Moore, character by Ehksidian)
Bern Skyeyes (art by Ease, character by Combak)
Zeba and Zela Twinsoul (art by Ease, characters by Combak and Gehenna)
Drake Flamecheek (art by Chu, character by Combak)
Azure, a Human, transformed into a Jakkai (art and character by Princessnapped)
Lyra Circuitpunk, a cyberpunk-styled Jakkai (art by Princessnapped, character by Paperlanty)
Aria Knucklestrike in her summer coat (art by Chu, character by HexNexusDan)
Aria Knucklestrike in her winter coat (art by Meadow Moore, character by HexNexusDan)
Merisa Batears using her ears as an eye mask (art by Chu, character by Lucent Cross)
Jannus, a Jakkai bartender, serving Demons in St. Curtis
(art, Nikkei (left), & Hakkai (right) by Chu, Jannus by InsaneSergal)
Myst Pebblefur reference sheet & Myst seen with her thunderbolt wyvern (art and character by Mythi2964)
