The '''Kamchrul''' ([[Kamchrul language|Kamchrul]]: ''Krããmčrul'' [kˣãːmt͡ʃˣuɫ]) are a sophont species inhabiting the planet [[Taench]]. They are known to be predominantly pacifists, and known for their hospitality.

== Biology ==
The Kamchrul are descended from a species of opportunistic predators from the clade of dactyloherpids. They are covered with a thin coat of soft fur, with common coat colours being in brown, red, grey, or black, less commonly in white. Its head is a rough oblong sphere, with one singular eye, and an oronasal slit below it, curving to form the characteristic 'Kamchrul smile'. A series of muscles allow Kamchrul to open its oronasal slit, which contains a pair of retractable feeding proboscides and two nostrils. Additionallt it also contains the phonoestricum, an organ that is responsible for both Kamchrul speech and sexual reproduction.

The Kamchrul do not have sexes.

== Reproduction ==
The phonoestricum, an organ common to most Taenchian fauna, is the Taenchian reproductive organ and larynx. During their anestrous phase, the hormone libidostatin suppresses the nerve sensitivities in the phonoestricum, preventing unwanted sexual functions becoming activated during phonation.

During estrus, usually lasting half or a full Taenchian day, a Kamchrul may choose to avoid phonation to prevent triggering the accidental release of gametes. Other Kamchrul, especially mates or bonded members, repond particularly strongly to Kamchrul in estrus due to the release of pheromones. Upon detecting pheromones from a Kamchrul in estrus, a anestrous Kamchrul may have their libidostatin levels temporarily drop, allowing for reproduction and the transfer of gametes to occur.
[[Category:Biology]][[Category:Species]][[Category:Sophonts]]

Rong: Rong moved page Kebotoi II to Many Mountains

'''Many Mountains''' is a habitable planet in the [[Settled Systems]]. It is home to the human Kebotoians, known for their lack of a spoken language. The administrative capital is ''Red Forest''.

== Name ==
The Kebotoians endonym for their planet is ''Many Mountains''. The star Kebotoi derives its name from the Kebotoi system, who is named after the Ulaharim scout vessel ''Kewotoy'' which discovered the planet.

The Kebotoi designation for themselves is ''Those Who Sign''.

== History ==
The surface of Many Mountains was made suitable for human habitation following decades of terraforming by a SATOR probe. Human settlement began in the early 2nd century AAI, when a spacecraft transporting a community of illiterate, hard-of-hearing individuals was abandoned on the planet. Isolated from external contact and lacking established spoken or written language traditions, the settlers developed a unique sign language to facilitate communication.

As the Kebotoian population grew and diversified, with later generations including both hearing and deaf individuals, sign language remained the primary mode of communication. The absence of external influences and the effectiveness of sign language contributed to the continued lack of a spoken language tradition on Many Mountains.

== Language and Communication ==

=== Kebotoian Sign Language ===
The primary language of Many Mountains is Kebotoian Sign Language Dialect Group (KSL), a sophisticated visual-gestural language used by the entire population. KSL is the medium of communication in all aspects of Kebotoian society, including education, administration, and cultural expression. Regional dialects of KSL have developed, each characterized by variations in vocabulary and signing style. Though Kebotoians are highly egalitarian, and have not designated an official form of KSL, the Capital Dialect (KSLCD) is most commonly used as a lingua franca.

=== Paralanguage and Vocalization ===
Although Kebotoians do not have a spoken language, they are not silent. Vocalizations are commonly used as paralanguage to express tone, emotion, emphasis, and other contextual cues. These sounds, which include hums, clicks, laughter, and sighs, accompany signed communication and are an integral part of social interaction.

=== Literacy ===
Written forms of KSL exist and are used for record-keeping, literature, and education. These include the Kebotoian script, which is a compact way of encoding hand signs into a readable format.

== Demographics ==
Many Mountains has one of the highest proportions of deaf individuals among the CASS worlds, with approximately 15% of its population being deaf from birth. Nevertheless, the majority of Kebotoians are hearing, although sign language remains universal across the population.

== Culture ==
Kebotoian music is characterized by atonal, rhythmic, and repetitive vocalizations, often accompanied by body percussion, clapping, or stomping. Musical performances typically integrate sign language, with visual storytelling synchronized to the musical rhythm. Dance and visual arts are also highly developed, with performances often combining intricate choreography and narrative signing.

== Interplanetary Relations ==
Kebotoian and Coalition scientists, at the time of contact between the two civilizations, were of mutual interest to each other due to the difference in communication. Kebotoians were equally as intrigued by spoken language as Coalition scientists were at the fact that a human civilization arose without spoken language, previously thought to have been a universal feature of all human civilizations.

Despite having now been exposed to centuries of spoken language, Kebotoians never developed their own spoken form, relying on communicating in Iquis should the need for spoken language arise. A large number of loan words from Coalition Standard Sign Language (CSSL) has been introduced into KSL.

2025-08-05T05:54:22Z

Rong:

'''Kebotoi II''' is a habitable planet in the [[Settled Systems]]. It is home to the human Kebotoians, known for their lack of a spoken language. The administrative capital is ''Red Forest''.

== Name ==
Kebotoi II derives its name from the Kebotoi system, who is named the Ulaharim explorer [[Acchäägwuagebötöi]]. The Kebotoians endonym for their planet is ''Dear Homeworld''.

The Kebotoi designation for themselves is ''Those Who Sign''.

== History ==
The surface of Kebotoi II was made suitable for human habitation following decades of terraforming by a SATOR probe. Human settlement began in the early 2nd century AAI, when a spacecraft transporting a community of illiterate, hard-of-hearing individuals was abandoned on the planet. Isolated from external contact and lacking established spoken or written language traditions, the settlers developed a unique sign language to facilitate communication.

As the Kebotoian population grew and diversified, with later generations including both hearing and deaf individuals, sign language remained the primary mode of communication. The absence of external influences and the effectiveness of sign language contributed to the continued lack of a spoken language tradition on Kebotoi II.

== Language and Communication ==

=== Kebotoian Sign Language ===
The primary language of Kebotoi II is Kebotoian Sign Language Dialect Group (KSL), a sophisticated visual-gestural language used by the entire population. KSL is the medium of communication in all aspects of Kebotoian society, including education, administration, and cultural expression. Regional dialects of KSL have developed, each characterized by variations in vocabulary and signing style. Though Kebotoians are highly egalitarian, and have not designated an official form of KSL, the Capital Dialect (KSLCD) is most commonly used as a lingua franca.

=== Paralanguage and Vocalization ===
Although Kebotoians do not have a spoken language, they are not silent. Vocalizations are commonly used as paralanguage to express tone, emotion, emphasis, and other contextual cues. These sounds, which include hums, clicks, laughter, and sighs, accompany signed communication and are an integral part of social interaction.

=== Literacy ===
Written forms of KSL exist and are used for record-keeping, literature, and education. These include the Kebotoian script, which is a compact way of encoding hand signs into a readable format.

== Demographics ==
Kebotoi II has one of the highest proportions of deaf individuals among the CASS worlds, with approximately 15% of its population being deaf from birth. Nevertheless, the majority of Kebotoians are hearing, although sign language remains universal across the population.

== Culture ==
Kebotoian music is characterized by atonal, rhythmic, and repetitive vocalizations, often accompanied by body percussion, clapping, or stomping. Musical performances typically integrate sign language, with visual storytelling synchronized to the musical rhythm. Dance and visual arts are also highly developed, with performances often combining intricate choreography and narrative signing.

== Interplanetary Relations ==
Kebotoian and Coalition scientists, at the time of contact between the two civilizations, were of mutual interest to each other due to the difference in communication. Kebotoians were equally as intrigued by spoken language as Coalition scientists were at the fact that a human civilization arose without spoken language, previously thought to have been a universal feature of all human civilizations.

Despite having now been exposed to centuries of spoken language, Kebotoians never developed their own spoken form, relying on communicating in Iquis should the need for spoken language arise. A large number of loan words from Coalition Standard Sign Language (CSSL) has been introduced into KSL.