Avka - The Claw of the Katta

The legend of the most notorious of Katta assassins has been in existence for around a thousand eras, passed down through generations of feline warriors by word of mouth predominantly. With every telling his deeds of stealth and cunning grow more fantastic and incredible, to the point where only the most tribal of Katta believe in it any more. Quite a few metropolitan citizens have never even heard of it. However, several archaeological expeditions into the deserts and scrublands in the Sultanate have led to new evidence emerging that Avka actually did exist, and that, surprisingly, most of what the legends say are actually true. Accounted forthwith are the more prominent and historical factors of the famed assassin.

“He was born of the desert, son of the sands and the vengeful spirits…”
- J’yn, tribal jagara of the Arakmat deserts

No one knows exactly when the jagara warrior started his life (estimates place his birth c. era 8560) or where; some say his mother was a slave to a powerful Dorin warlord, others say that he was simply born of the ancient deserts. In any case, research has indicated that a young kitta (or Katta child) matching the legend's description of Avka was found by the lionoid tribe of Mahrrk, and for some reason not killed and/or enslaved, as was customary between different species of Katta in the early eras. According to some tribes of desert lionoids, M'Taerowl (the primary Katta deity) himself appeared to Mahrrk and foretold of the young one's greatness. In any case, Avka was raised into a brutal, violent society, in which he reportedly held his own remarkably.

Around this era, many young Katta were being taught the Zinn'ka style of K'Tesh - that is, claw-fighting. More importantly, they were being drilled on subterfuge and murder, in order to make surgical strikes at the very heart of the Dorin Empire. It was hoped that, with the deaths of enough warlords and acquired "inside information", the Katta would be able to band together to overthrow their oppressors. In actuality, many young students were killed early on, either in training or by the superbly-organised and -skilled Dorin forces. Very few protégés of K'Tesh ever caused much damage to the Dorins. One of these was a jagara raised by lionoids who would one brightening be called Avka, The Claw of the Katta.

Surprised at the kitta's talent in the darker martial arts and his cold-hearted ruthlessness, Mahrrk himself took the young jagara under his wing. It soon became apparent that the unnamed youngster was far superior in sheer instinct and talent than his warlord master. Fearing an insurrection by the jagara, Mahrrk decreed him outcast from the tribe, and doubled his personal guard. However, it was only after Mahrrk was found murdered in his own tent (killed by a tiny yet surgically exact strike on his neck), the guards swearing that they had heard and seen nothing, that the Katta realised just how skilled the young jagara was. They named him Avka, The Claw, and offered him leadership of the tribe against the Dorin. Avka refused, apparently citing that he was only after personal gain.

Eras passed, and The Claw left tales of his invisible retribution behind him, tales that impressed the most powerful Katta tribes. Now finally allied against the oppressive militaristic Dorins, plans had begun to emerge for the decisive overthrow of their tormentors. However, nothing could take place while the Dorins were so well organised and heavily defended, so skilled spies and assassins were in great demand to cause havoc amongst the warlords. Avka was noticed and called before the Katta leaders seeking his famed services. It wasn’t until he was swayed by a rather hefty price (sources fail to say exactly how or with what he was paid) that the jagara agreed to undertake secret missions against the Dorin.

“He [Avka] was the greatest assassin ever known. Some day I hope to be a fraction of the shadow he became.
- Rhaark Dai, pantheri, K’Tesh student-in-training

Avka’s first task was to infiltrate strategic encampments and fortifications and uncover information regarding defences and movements. The legends tell of how the jagara was able to blend into shadows even in the most well lit areas, or even become invisible in full light. His prowess as a spy was astounding – it led to many well-executed hits on Dorin territory and accounted for several important Katta victories. His infiltration of Hagoth, a particularly heavy fortress deep in the heart of the Dorin Empire, is one of the most famous stealth movements in the history of all Telath. The stories tell of how the jagara stole past a dozen standing guards without a single notice or sound, by walking almost straight through the middle of them. Of course, most historians discount this particular achievement as make-believe, but I myself hold respect and a certain amount of admiration for the powers of those trained in K’Tesh.

As good a spy as he was, it was as a trained killer that Avka really shone. Tales abound of the several well-protected and battle-hardened Dorin lords that fell to his claws without notice, and the state of chaos he caused amongst Arakmat. However, recent findings suggest that Avka was working not for the good of the Katta but out of interest of his own pocket – several tribal leaders in contestation to powerful Katta were found murdered throughout the eras, and evidence points to the jagara assassin. Avka was obviously a common mercenary rather than M’Taerowl’s blessed, as several sources say, but none doubt his talent for killing.

According to research, the last mission Avka ever undertook for the Katta chiefs was that of the murder of Harra, kitta of the lionoid warlord Jarr. Apparently the chief had declared himself independent, and was something of a pirate, leading raids into Katta tribes. A misunderstanding of orders led to Avka believing he was to assassinate the kitta rather than Jarr, and as a testament to his ruthlessness Harra was found dead a cycle later with a slashed throat. This led to almost full-scale war between several tribes, and in the confusion no one noticed that Avka had disappeared.

“Avka? That psycho katta murderer? He headed for the ocean. Everybody knows that.”
- Tory Gonning, gnome, Arakmatean historian

“My latest records show he disappeared into the Southern forests, but there are reports from as far East as Candaceburg that wilderkatta uphold that he came that way…”
- Prael M’tarrth, omnicat, Professor of Wilderkatta Culture, Aelyria Prime

There is no further concrete evidence of the jagara assassin after that. No one was game enough to go after him, and so he was soon abandoned. After the Dorin Emirate was finally overthrown by the Sultanate, Avka slipped from fact and became a tribal story. However, most tribes still upheld the legend (minus most of the darker aspects) as a fable to their young ones, placing him in league with other heroic Katta warriors. His name was extended to “The Claw of the Katta”, and several practitioners of K’Tesh consider him the greatest hero of all Katta.