Kong

in: Races

## Introduction

Similar to the Huli Jing, the Kong hail from the eastern territories of Long-Qin and Nihon, in the remote mountain peaks hidden away by vast forestry. They are typically around human height, with a variety of black, brown, and gray furs covering their powerful bodies. A monkey-like people, they have a diverse appearance in both how big and stocky they are or how small and lanky they can be.

The Kong are notoriously adept at martial arts but practice a life that does not condone the needless employment of violence. Their entire lives are spent living by the tenets written by their ancestors, with the eventual aspiration for reincarnation should their lives be fulfilling and honest enough.

They are renowned for their wisdom, practices of medicine, and simplistic living. Most live the life of a philosopher, a monk, healer, or scholar, or simply act as a voice of wisdom for those seeking to elevate themselves beyond mortality - a spiritual guide.

Kong are a peaceful and isolated people by nature. They seldom leave their homes for other lands and as a result, have a deep seated sense of community with their kin. Isolation from their people often results in a short and painful life, plagued with longing for home and the tranquility they would find in the grand temples found amongst the peaks of Long-Qin and Nihon’s mountain ranges.

## The Basics:

* **Appearance:** The Kong vary in their size. This includes musculature, though their respective heights are more consistent across their species. Some are large and stocky, whereas others can be described as small and lanky. Varying colors of brown, black, and graying fur adorn their frames, and they have a distinct facial structure similar to that of a monkey or a gorilla.
* **Lifespan:** Upwards of 100 Years
* **Height Ranges:** 170cm to 185cm
* **Culture:** The Kong culture is very reserved and private. A pacifist race by nature, they live by a set of tenets that serve as a focal point of guidance throughout their lives, with daily activities set to practice the tenants in day-to-day pursuits. These tenants promote the preservation of life, knowledge, wisdom, and the strengthening of the body.
* **Character Names:** Nihon (Japanese) or Long-Qin (Chinese) names. Examples - Xin-yu, Anzai, Takashi
* **Common Character Roles:** Scholar, Philosopher, Healer, Spiritual Guide, Artist, Martial Artist
* **Common Allies:** The Kong practice true neutrality in most affairs and can be seen cooperating with any select group of people. The exception would be those who strive in the pursuit of evil and foul deeds.
* **Common Enemies:** A pacifist people, the Kong do not seek conflict and have no immediate enemies. They will fight to defend their way of life, their peers, and their homes but seldom engage in open conflict on behalf of other species.
* **Religion:** Spiritualism - The Kong believe in a form of Spiritualism. Their day-to-day life, from an early age and typically until the end of their lives, is spent abiding by a set of tenets that guide them through life. Everything is centered around the purity of the body, mind, and soul of the Kong. These pillars of belief support their pursuit of reincarnation should they live up to expectations of the Kong’s moral code.
* **Views on Magic:** The ideal usage of magic is that magic should only be utilized to benefit and safeguard the body and mind of another in the failure of traditional medicinal practices. Any other usage of magic is viewed poorly, as a blatant abuse of power, and as an act of arrogance. The Kong would never practice evil or dark magic.
* **Strength - Coordinated Motions:** Due to their expertise in combat, as well as their vice-grip palms, the Kong are effectively immune to being disarmed while conscious. This does not include when a Kong is unconscious or under charm effects. The Kong have a bonus to their dexterity.
* **Weaknesses - Blind Faith:** A Kong’s pacifist and optimistic views on life can often be their downfall. Their unwillingness to pursue conflict outright can sometimes result in a Kong being the victim of deception and betrayal. The Kong have a penalty to their Sense Motive.
* **Quirks:** Kongs are famous for their enthusiasm, self-assurance, compassion, and innovative spirit.

## Appearance

The Kong are surprisingly diverse in appearance. Though all can boast of physically powerful bodies, their impressive musculature is hidden beneath a heavy layer of long fur that covers their entire body with the exception of their hands, feet, and parts of their face. Their fur varies in degree of hue between black, brown, and gray.

All Kong are known to be around the same size as a human, with some being larger and stocky, whereas others can only be described as small, lithe, and lanky. Even their facial structure can vary, with some having a chubbier appearance in their face and others looking more gaunt. It is not uncommon for a Kong to have an overbite or an underbite. It is very rare that their jaws are perfectly aligned.

A Kong’s mouth is powerful, and they are capable of a powerful bite. Their teeth are flat, but their canines are long, thick, and sharp, capable of tearing flesh with ease. Humans have often associated their appearances with that of an evolved monkey or gorilla.

## Culture and Religion

Kong culture is incredibly private and reserved. They are a pacifist people by nature, and their entire day-to-day life is based around a set of tenets written by their ancestors that focuses on the preservation of life, the pursuit of knowledge, the fundamental understanding of wisdom, and the conditioning of their bodies.

From an early age until their last days, the Kong are taught to show humility and compassion and embrace a simple life. There is no such thing as a parent-and-child relationship among the Kongs. The young answer to their elders, and the elders all play their part in raising their youth and guiding them through their developmental years.

Concepts popular among humans and other races, such as governing bodies, marriage, intrigue, and disregard for life, are foreign to the Kong. The elder Kong act as a source of guidance and direction for their younger kinsmen but do not force their peers to adhere to a specific path. It is expected of all Kong to find their own way within the expectations of the tenets they are taught to embrace.

The idea of marriage is non-existent in Kong culture. They are not a group who bind themselves within any form of contract and allow the ebb and flow of daily life to guide their actions and decisions. Jealousy is a rare and outlandish trait among these people.

## Spiritualism

The Kong believe in a form of Spiritualism. Their day-to-day life, from an early age and typically until the end of their lives, is spent abiding by a set of tenets that guide them through life. Everything is centered around the purity of the body, mind, and soul of the Kong, with the belief in reincarnation should they live up to expectations of the Kong’s moral code.

While a proper name for the Kong’s religious ways has been sought, they simply refer to it as the practice of Spiritualism. Their first ancestors who built their long-standing temples are the authors of the Kong way of life and the tenets they follow. These tenets are surprisingly simple yet offer a diverse range of interpretations, allowing the Kong flexibility in their approach throughout life.

It is believed that a Kong who lives a fulfilling life and walks an honest path may be reincarnated to sit amongst their ancestors who came and went before them. The tenets are structured in a way that allows for the Kong to have guidance toward this eventuality, but it depends on the Kong’s actions throughout life that would determine the result.

## The Tenets

1. Discipline - Demonstrate restraint and perseverance.
2. Respect - Honor your kin, and pay heed to your elder.
3. Community - Provide for and safeguard your peers.
4. Righteousness - Do the right thing. Avoid needless violence.
5. Tolerance - Steer clear of an emotional response.
6. Motivation - Live with a desire to succeed.

## History

Not much is currently known of Kong history, which consists of mostly living as isolationists in the mountains of Nihon and Long-Qin. Very few records exist in the annals of other races that mention the Kong, with the majority found in both eastern kingdoms where these monkey-like humanoids originated.

The first of the Kong’s grand temples are believed to have been little more than canopy homes that grew and advanced as the Kong themselves evolved. It is thought that the first modern-day Kong came to be centuries prior to the first human settlers and perhaps served as an originating inspiration to the first settlers of the eastern region. This has not been proven, and both humans and Kong have a long history of steering clear of one another. However, this has not stopped pilgrims from venturing to the Kong’s various temples as pilgrims, and the warm welcome these visitors have been given in return by the Kong.

## Attachments Kit

The items listed in the kits below are made with the Season 6 modlist. They have been updated as of **14th December 2023**.

*Expand for Kong Racial Kit*

## Lore Contribution

**Credit for Lore Contribution:** *Rivani*