The Kaftar

Majirahan scholars believe the vicious kaftar arose sometime after the fall of the old empires that spanned the Middle Kingdom.

Listen, for the legends speak thusly:
El-Ahrairah, the Rabbit spirit of the Moon, and Phoenos, the Bird of the Sun, had a race to see who was faster--and thus who really kept watch over the world more. El-Ahrairah constantly hid from Phoenos' view, using tunnels and shortcuts. He claimed the bird could cover vast distances through the sky, he may as well have the same advantages.

Phoenos grew tired of the rabbit's tricks, and created Buud, the hyena, to chase El-Arairah and make sure the spirit played fair. But Buud became disinterested in the hunt, and thirsted for power and knowledge: if he had the wisdom of Phoenos, the speed of El-Ahrairaih, he could master both of them. It is said that Buud wandered the desert, growing hungry and mad. And when his spirit touched mortals, they became kaftar, half-man, half-hyena monsters.

The kaftar are a warrior tribe, based in the southern Astara Desert. They cliamed the once-great citadel of Nimburu as their own, and from there they send out raiding parties into the lands of Majirah. They are vicious and often seek to enslave other races, preferring to eat the women and children.

A Majirahan scroll claims, The kaftar often travel by moonlight, for they still love the chase of the Rabbit Spirit. But when Phoenos shines upon the earth, the kaftar grow angry and mad. It is unwise to attack a kaftar settlement at noon, when their rage is at its peak.