Rikono: The canine touched
Parent Constellation: Canis Major
Pronunciation: Ree-Koh-No

The Rikono can have traits of any dog breed, but they are not anthros and never will be. They can have ears, or a particularly long nose or sharp face...sometimes a tail or longer/thicker nails. Some have the same relative build as different canines. They are basically humans 'blessed' by the constellation of Canis Major, and thus take on features of the animal it represents. They also have a sharper sense of smell and hearing. In fact, their ears are incredibly sensitive.

Like the humans, they have natural colored hair and eyes. These can be any colorations found naturally on either humans or dogs. They cannot have red eyes without being albino and having all the drawbacks of being albino, etc.

As for magic, they do have a portion of Tiya but their magic falls into defensive more than offensive. Shield, detainment, and tracking spells are usually a part of every young Rikono's training. Their offensive is usually in the form of physical weapons, rather than magic. Each and every child who shows potential in battle is taken to be trained in such magics - this usually happens around the age of six or seven, before their true abilities even begin to show.

The Rikono also have a very strict honor code and those who do not follow it are generally ostracized from the community as a whole. Think of these as the Knights of the world Svatura, which they pretty much are. The hierarchy usually includes the same levels of advancement as Knights - Page, Squire, Knight, Knight Quartermaster, Knight Commander, Knight Captain, Lord Knight.

Lifespan for the Rikono is about the same as humans, though will obviously depend heavily upon their lifestyles. It's generally about 65-70 years.

Code of Honor:

- You will be honest and just in all business and personal relationships.
- You will do what you are committed to do, when you are committed to doing it. Or you will die in the process of trying.
- You will have a profound sense of self respect and pave the way to fully love and honor yourself and your beloved.
- You own yourself. No influences or substances are above that of your honor and in such you will overcome all your addictions - for true armor is on the inside and in strength of will.
- You will think before words exit your mouth, for you are bound by your word by your honor.
- You will use your wisdom and discretion in everything you do. We are to be considerate and compassionate whenever we have the opportunity.
- You will be confident in your abilities, but not arrogant.
- You will defend those weaker than you with all the steam in your heart.
- You will only take a challenge you believe you can take on. Brain over brawn, and logic over pride.
- You will use grace and dignity, for they are your greatest diplomatic weapon.
- You will respect the earth and those around you as much as you respect yourself.

Gender roles within the Rikono race are also very similar to Humans though definitely more lax and it is not often that women are seen as actual property as it does go against their code of honor. If a female Rikono shows potential and can hold her own within a fight, there is nothing stopping her from getting education and training that will help her raise her rank within society. As such, while not extremely common, there are such things as female Knights - though they do, admittedly, have a bit of a harder time raising in rank than males of their same class level.

The stereotype that women are weaker has not completely faded from Rikono life though it has started to decline in recent years. This is mostly due to the fact that more and more have decided to try for the higher ranks of Knightship and have gotten tired of being cowed into lesser positions due to their gender. They are less likely to take it laying down and while one or two women can easily be put to rest and ignored those who have banded together have given the males of their species some serious competition thus raising the respect bar a little higher.

Education for those women who do not show potential in battle or tactics is still very hard to come by. They do not have the resources nor the will to give them the education that many of them desire. Fortunately, it is not unheard of for Rikono husbands to teach their wives or young daughters what they know as knowledge and wisdom are a valued part of their society.

The Rikono populate the Northern mountainous continent and forested region known as Sarameya. Their capital city, Barearav, is a military city that contains their training academies and school systems. It also has their tournament grounds for jousting and arena battles within their class levels and houses the barracks for those who have joined the military structured knighthood - either in training or in full service.

Barearav is different in the fact that here there are many smithies scattered around the town that are run by Poshum despite the general animosity between the two species. It is here that those animosities are put aside for the greater good of Svatura. The Rikono require some of the best made weaponry available in order to perform their policing duties (and to be ready at a moment's notice for battle should the need arise) and the best smiths in the world just happen to be the race they are at odds with over certain territories. Thankfully, the Rikono dwelling in the city and the Poshum running the smithies have been able to stand side by side rather peacefully for many years now.

Zurla, located in the west inner island region of Zvan, is another Rikono settlement. It is slightly smaller than Barearav but is relatively self sustaining due to it being removed from the majority of society by the ocean that surrounds it. Granted, the distance from their harbor to Barearav's harbor is not that significant it still makes it easier to be self sufficient. It's located in a grassy area along the edges of the region and houses those who are not a part of the Military. This includes families of those in service as they are not allowed to live in the town (though visits are allowed after submitting permission to enter).

While the Military is a huge part of Rikono life - even with those who are not active within the regiment - it is understood that not everyone can make a living with it. Many retired soldiers have taken to being teachers at the academies or work behind the scenes as tacticians for both battle plans and designing weaponry for the smithies to produce. There are also a wealth of teachers both in Barearav and Zurla who are willing to take on eager young pupils to teach them subjects such as philosophy, reading, writing, arithmetic and history. Because of the better relations with Poshum within the capital, while it is still rare, you can find a small handful of Rikono blacksmiths that the Masters have decided are worthy of learning the trade.

There is not a whole lot of farm land available to the Rikono, so while they raise animals in Zvan and can hunt for food, the little produce that they need (they are mostly carnivorous) is usually either imported from Buin (the heartier food available to travel) or from the Papin of Eala who have much lusher lands available to them.