And as long as the stars shine over Aerion, there will be those who remember the distant echo of a destroyed mountain… And those who await the day when that flame will burn with all its might.

Biology and Transformation: The Awakening of the Animal

The Chimari are born as humans, but in puberty they undergo a profound change that marks their destiny. This awakening, known as “The Call,” transforms their bodies to reflect the animal that inhabits their essence. Traits like shimmering scales, elegant tails, or retractable claws emerge, granting them unique physical abilities: feline speed, reptilian strength, or aerial agility.

However, this change not only shapes their bodies but also their lives. The nature of the animal determines their place in the world and often demands inevitable migrations. Entire families are forced to leave their homes to follow the call of rivers, deserts, or mountains that can sustain the young Chimari. This constant movement has eroded the cohesion needed to form an organized resistance against the races that subjugate them.

The Great Betrayal: The Mountain that Spoke

Over a thousand years ago, after the fall of the human empire, the Chimari rose as the most numerous and powerful race in Aerion. Their physical strength and connection with nature made them the pillar of the most feared army on the continent. But this promise of greatness was perceived as a threat by the elves and dwarves.

In a calculated act of betrayal, they summoned Chimari leaders under the pretext of a tribute in a majestic mountain. Generals, strategists, and visionaries attended confidently. But with ancient magic and carefully placed explosives, the elves and gnomes destroyed the mountain, burying the entire Chimari leadership under tons of rock.

This act not only eliminated their most capable leaders but also shattered their collective spirit. The remaining troops were told that their leaders had departed on a naval expedition to find new lands. The Chimari themselves built the ships under elven and dwarven supervision, unaware that they were destined to be destroyed by magical devices hidden in their hulls.

Subjugation: The Weight of Chains

With their leadership eliminated and their society fragmented by constant migrations, the Chimari were subjugated by the dominant races. The elves used them as servants in their bright but cold cities, relegating them to domestic and agricultural tasks. The dwarves, though not allowing Chimari to enter their sacred mountains, employed them as agricultural labor to sustain their underground realms.

This oppression was justified under a cruel philosophical argument: “They are born human; they are neither men nor beasts.” This phrase became the silent motto of Chimari subjugation.

Social Organization: Assemblies and Leadership

Despite their subjugation, Chimari communities self-govern through local assemblies. In these meetings, elderly and community leaders make decisions for the well-being of their people. Chimari who can no longer perform physical work become part of community roles: teachers, healers, administrators. From this communal council emerges a leader capable of negotiating with dwarven or elven nobility.

However, only these leaders know the truth about their history and nature. The legacy of the Great Betrayal and knowledge about the Wanderers are kept secret out of fear of reprisals. Reality blends with myths and legends, distorting the truth to protect their people.

The Draconid Refuge: A Shared Secret

In contrast to other dominant races, the Draconids accepted some Chimari into their Spartan and matriarchal society. This bond is due to a well-guarded secret: the Draconids are direct descendants of Chimari genetically linked to dragons.

However, this truth has never been revealed to the rest of Aerion. The Draconids fear that this knowledge could unleash irreparable conflicts between races. Only those Chimari adapted to the desert or with useful skills can fully integrate into their society.

The Birth of the Wanderers: A Rebel Echo

From the ashes of the shipwreck emerged the Wanderers. These surviving Chimari—mid-level commanders and visionaries—regrouped in secret to preserve what little remained of their ancestral magic. In the shadows of the civilized world, this nomadic tribe keeps the flame of Chimari resistance alive.

The Wanderers are now a myth among their own people; figures shrouded in mystery whose existence is whispered as a distant hope. Only they remember how to use magic to fully embrace their animal interior—that magic which the rest of their race has forgotten after centuries of oppression.

Biological and Social Culture

Biology deeply defines Chimari culture. They can reproduce with Draconids, though the dominant gene is always draconic. This reinforces their ancestral bond with dragons but also deepens the mystery about their shared origin.

The transformations during puberty generate inevitable migratory processes, such as the case of aquatic Chimari, which makes it difficult to form cohesive communities capable of resisting external oppressions.