#elsewyr

elsewyr’s #1 granny

Khajiiti music can be an alien thing to outsiders. Neither in the jungle settlements nor carried by the dune nomads will you find any kind of drum, and you will never hear any clapping to keep time (except for the occasional rebellious cub). There is no discernible rhythm to it, owing to a belief that the steady heartbeat of Lorkhaj is a corrupting influence. Instead the tempo waxes and wanes like the phases of the moons, with complex harmonics and frequent use of dissonant bass tones (I theorise this symbolises the relationship of Masser & Secunda, Jone & Jode, as well as the Khajiiti belief in the third moon, the body of Lorkhaj). If you find yourself amongst a group of Khajiit at night, it can sometimes be an almost frightening experience. The flow of music stretching and compressing time itself around you, at once cascading and simmering...

As opposed to the rigid formality of Imperial dances, the Khajiit are highly expressive. Often moving in large circular motions; arms, legs, and tail all orbiting their own core. It’s a marvelous display of bodily control that will be difficult for any man or mer to replicate (due to the lack of a tail).

Needless to say, Khajiiti culture is rich and fascinating. A worthy subject of study, and likely an endless source of inspiration for any bard worth their salt.