Chakat
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Image:Jumping chakat bernard doove.png
A chakat (Taurofelis adamo) is a fictional creature, a genetically engineered hermaphroditic feline-based centauroid, that resembles a wemic. Forming the basis of the Stellar Federation universe, chakats were originally created on Earth in the aftermath of the Gene Wars, but by the time of Forest Tales, and the other related stories (circa 2300) the species had colonised a planet (Chakona) orbiting a star called Chakastra. The name "chakat" comes from Charles and Katherine Turner, a husband and wife team of researchers who were the first to develop this species. This obviously proved a very suitable name for a feline-based species.
Created by Bernard Doove and originally intended as on-line personae, the species quickly became one of the more popular in furry fandom, with over a hundred artists drawing illustrations and a dozen authors working on related works. Notable artists include Roy D. Pounds II, and Mayra "Huskie" Boyle, who between them pinned down exactly what chakats look like. Notable writers include Terry Knight and John R. Plunkett, who broadened the setting from a single family of characters into a universe filled with worlds, ships, species, and history - thus paving the way for those who followed.
Physically, a chakat resembles a large cat with a humanoid's torso in place of the cat's head, and with an enlarged cat's skull in place of the human's head, with a human-sized brain. The whole body is covered in fur, with human type hair extending down the upper back; the well muscled tail structured to be fully prehensile, and the forepaws modified to also serve as a crude pair of hands. All chakats are endowed with firm mammary breasts like those on a human female, since they are hermaphrodites. The quality and coloration of the fur is wide-ranging and not limited to traditional feline or even mammalian patterns, and often serves as the principal way of identifying and naming individuals.
Chakats are hermaphrodites, having a complete set of both male and female organs at once, which like many features, is intended as an aid to enhanced survival. The pronouns used are shi (shay) or sie in place of he/she. In place of him/her, hir(herr) and herm is used. Chakats will certainly take offense to being referred to as "it" as if they were genderless or asexual. Mr and Mrs/Ms/Miss are not used when formally addressing chakats because of their hermaphroditic nature. Instead, Chakat would be used, so an example would be "Chakat Goldfur". (Goldfur is one of Bernard Doove's original chakat characters)
They have a chemically engineered calm mental disposition, which makes them highly stable psychologically. Chakats also have a high tolerance of poisons and a dual stomach arrangement that allows them to digest many more foods than most other omnivorous species. They are very social and family-oriented beings, with an intense dislike of being alone. Although they do not have a taboo against nudity unlike most humans, they do cover their breasts when required to do so, such as when going out in public or working alongside humans and other species with similar attitudes or rules regarding nudity. The species was built using the knowledge gained building slave-races and war-beasts in the period that led up to the Gene Wars.
Like many works of contemporary technological fantasy, the series owes a lot to Star Trek. Their creator and curator is aware of this comparison and seeks to distance himself and his creation from it at every opportunity. The series is also heavily influenced by furry fandom.
See also
External links
- The Chakat's Den Bernard Doove's official reference site for chakats, includes information, stories, and imagesia:Chakat