Kademi

== Backstory: ==
Kademi’s didn’t get interesting until his 6th winter. His father, Pikhath, was the village blacksmith. His mother spent her days gathering herbs and berries. One day, a human came to their village and ordered his father to craft him a masterwork shield. Pikhath refused and the human left…. Or, so they thought. The human returned with a host of men and ordered Pikhath to craft the shield or they would slay the entire village. The village wasn’t going to lay down for the humans. A battle broke out. When the dust was settled, Kademi’s family was dead. Most of the men from his village lay dead or bloody on the ground. The human took all the catfolk children, including Kademi, and sold them. Kademi passed through a couple of traders before arriving in a large city, where he was sold yet again. The buyer was well dressed and accompanied by his daughter. They were the ruling family of these lands. Kademi was taken to the keep and was treated more as a pet than an individual. The girl was wonderful to him for the most part. Initially, she had him in a collar and leash. After Kademi learned her dialog, they would spend hours climbing the trees around the keep. She would remove Kademi’s collar, but would be scolded by her father if he saw kademi without it. Kademi had accepted his fate as her “pet.” After the third winter, Kademi had argued with the girl over nothing really, but she had struck him for the 1st time. Before Kademi caught himself, he took a swipe at her and had his claws out! Leaving four bloody wounds on her cheek, Kademi fled the keep in shame. He nearly died in the wilds many times: nearly froze to death, was made to play “pet” again to a troll, and starvation. He was found by some elves on a hunt. He was taken in by them. They were intrigued by his story and mastery of the common tongue. They taught him their culture, language, and even taught him how to speak giant. He found a love for knowledge and the desire to search out myths. The elves bestowed upon some spell casting ability to help him defend himself. After twelve winters in the elves care, Kademi struck out on his first adventure… the search for a belt that made its previous owner famous for his speed. Once, Kademi came back with his trophy and the experience, he knew that he was hooked. The elves told Kademi that he could always call that home.
Kademi’s latest adventures carried him across the borders of a new land, Sarai. While cyphering on a tome, he stopped to gather info from a small village in the area. The elder was mending a villager that had been attacked by a pack of wolves. Though, the snow was beginning to thaw, the wolves weren’t finding small game. The elder bartered with Kademi to eliminate the threat & he would not only share his knowledge but could pay him for the service. Kademi took care of the wolves & found a little irony in a catfolk hunting wolves. After collecting his purse and a few days of stories with the elder, he moved on to the next lead to his tome. 
Before Kademi was even in sight of the next village, he saw dark, thick smoke rising in the distance. With a speed walk, Kademi moved silently closer to the village and eased off the road, so as to not draw attention. When he could see the village through the bush, he noticed a small group of bandits that was trying to ravage the village. Three of them had taken special interest in what appeared to be a young half-orc male. One bandit had his sword at the throat of a sobbing elderly lady who watched on as the three were kicking and stomping on the half-orc. Kademi notched a bolt & aimed carefully at the three. Timing his shot, he was able to pierce the first bandit straight through the temple. Drawing alarm from the others, they turned to look for the shooter. Kademi took a second shot but wasn’t nearly as steady, but managed to hit the next bandit in the shoulder. The bandits rushed the tree line in pursuit of the unknown assailant. Kademi knew he couldn’t take them on in a straight fight. Slinging his crossbow over his shoulder, he dashed through the woods on a tangent. After about 100 ft, he leapt onto a large tree and took cover in its barren top. From this perch, he watched the bandits beat every bush for an hour, looking for him. With no results and the sun sinking low, the bandits abandoned their search. At dusk, Kademi climbed down and eased to the tree line to check on the villagers. The elderly lady was knelt down by the broken and bloody boy. He would live, but was going to be on a long road to recovery. Seeing the large, black catfolk standing so close startled the woman. The sod farmers of the village came running with what improvised weapons they could muster. Kademi laid his weapons on the ground and began explaining what he had done and that he wasn’t there to harm any of them. After much discussion with the villagers, Kademi decided that the bandits had to go…. He scouted the area the bandits were supposedly camped. It took him a day, but he found them. After studying them for a day, Kademi set his plan into motion. Setting a few traps and picking some cover entrenchments, he sprang his trap. A quick sniper shot took out the first bandit. He let them see him retreat to his next foxhole, where he readied his next shot. Quick to catch the flanking maneuver, Kademi took out that bandit. He moved again, but more stealthy this time. He popped up and missed with his next shot. He led the last three bandits that left camp towards his traps. With their focus on the black shadow, the second and third bandits were saved from the spiked pit because the bandit in front had such a lead on them. Kademi took to the trees once more…watching and waiting… the leader had just left the fire ring to check on the wailing cohort. Kademi could see the other two had split up as he had hoped. One coming his direction and the other walking away. Kademi smiled an evil grin as the bandit walked right under his tree & didn’t even lift his eyes from the shrubbery. Kademi gave a satisfying low growl as he pounced on the bandit’s back and laid into him with his razor claws. Kademi wasted no time in cutting the bandit’s throat before scampering off into the dark. Kademi waited for his next opportunity to strike. The leader had the bandit from the trap back in camp and was bandaging his wounds while the lone bandit was left on the fringe of the camp, search for the ghost cat. Kademi made his move against the lone guard. At the last second, the guard flinched and was wounded but fought on against Kademi. The guard yelled for their leader, but it proved costly as Kademi tore out his throat before attempting to get away. The leader anticipating Kademi’s retreat was able to block him. After what had to be the hardest fight of Kademi’s life, he defeated the leader. Bloody and beaten, he searched the camp for anything of value. When he came across the last bandit laying on a cot with both legs in splints and begging for his life, Kademi just smiled and said that it will be more fitting to allow nature to play out her course with him.
Kademi returned to the village, reassuring the people that the bandits wouldn’t be an issue anymore. He asked for time to rest and recover. The elderly woman who he later learned was the grandmother to the half-orc boy, took in Kademi and mended him back to health. Once his strength returned, Kademi gathered his things and was on the road before dawn. 
== Appearance: ==
Kademi's appearance speaks volumes of the hardships he has endured. His fur, once sleek and pristine, now flows in a disheveled and unkempt manner. The black fur barely conceals the thin, anguished face beneath, and his large yellow-green eyes appear sunken, the weight of his experiences etched into their depths.
Scars crisscross his face and body, a testament to the trials and tribulations he has faced throughout his life. These marks tell a story of forbidden adventures and battles fought in the name of justice and survival.
Despite the physical toll, Kademi's athletic frame still stands as a testament to his enduring strength and determination. He may appear different from others, but it's in this uniqueness that people find inspiration. They admire his unwavering resolve and silently aspire to be more like him.
Kademi, a true hero among catfolk, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who know him. He stands as a symbol of resilience and perseverance, reminding others that even in the face of suffering, one can emerge as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those around them.
== Relationships: ==
Kademi has forged a variety of relationships throughout his life, leaving a lasting impact on those who have crossed his path.
# The Elderly Lady: The elderly lady from the village where Kademi rescued the half-orc boy has a deep bond with him. She not only tended to his wounds but also provided him with shelter and care. Their friendship is rooted in gratitude and mutual respect.
# The Half-Orc Boy: The young half-orc boy, whose life Kademi saved, may have a special place in his heart. Kademi's heroic act changed the course of the boy's life, and their paths might cross again in the future.
# The Elves: The elves who took Kademi in after he escaped captivity and taught him their ways left a significant mark on his life. He learned their culture, language, and even gained some magical abilities from them. The elves likely see him as a friend and fellow protector of the natural world.
# The Villagers: The villagers whose lives Kademi saved from the bandits hold him in high regard. They may view him as a hero and protector, someone they can count on in times of need.
# Traveling Companions: Over the course of his adventures, Kademi may have encountered and formed relationships with various traveling companions, each with their own stories and dynamics.
# Adventuring Parties: Kademi's involvement in various quests and missions could have led to the formation of adventuring parties. These groups may have shared countless adventures and faced numerous challenges together.
# Mysterious Encounters: Kademi's journeys likely brought him into contact with many intriguing and enigmatic individuals, some of whom may have played pivotal roles in his life.
These relationships, both deep and fleeting, have shaped Kademi's experiences and contributed to the multifaceted person he has become. Each connection has its own significance, and they collectively weave the tapestry of his life's journey.
== Traits and Personality: ==
Kademi is a multifaceted individual, difficult to capture in simple terms. His most notable qualities include punctuality and clear-headedness, traits that endear him to those who rely on his timely presence and his ability to think rationally even in challenging situations.
He also possesses a strong sense of righteousness and keen insights, which make him an invaluable source of guidance and wisdom for those who seek his counsel. His wit and humor often bring joy and levity to those around him.
However, Kademi's personality is not without its rough edges. His tendency to be disrespectful and cynical can sometimes cast a shadow over interactions, making them uncomfortable or strained. These less pleasant traits can be challenging to navigate, but they are offset by his sense of duty and responsibility, which often come to the forefront when support or assistance is needed.
In essence, Kademi is a complex individual, a mixture of virtues and flaws. His positive qualities make him a dependable and insightful figure in the lives of those who know him, while his less appealing traits serve as a reminder of his humanity, making his presence all the more relatable and real.
== Trivia: ==