Homeworld Cataclysm Story

Understand the Homeworld 2 kiith system, family associations, and hierarchy on Kharak, including the role of the kiith'sa.

Society on Kharak is organized into large family associations known as kiith (plural: kiithid). This social artifact likely predates the ancestors' arrival on Kharak, with legends suggesting their journey was arduous enough to break down all social structures except basic family bonds. Harsh conditions and time hardened this practical system of caring for loved ones first into a ritualized system of alliances and loyalties.

A kiith has a loose hierarchy based on social position within the family. Originally based on seniority, the kiithid have evolved with technology, and family ranking is now determined more by wealth or personal influence than age. Organization within a kiith is recursive, mirroring a core family unit: a Primary family makes policy decisions, a Secondary family hears disputes and makes recommendations, and several lesser families swear allegiance to the Primary. The leading family of families for a kiith is called the kiith'sa.

This structure is dynamic; families can change their primary allegiances. A family's position within a kiith rises and falls with the number of people who swear allegiance to them. While rare, families can move between kiithid or form their own full kiith.

In ancient times, the kiith'sa could direct the entire kiith to war, demand dedication to special projects, or relocate the kiith. In modern times, the kiith'sa is a political and financial leader acting on the wishes of the entire kiith, established by referenda. The kiith'sa from across Kharak meet in the Great Daiamid in the capital of Tiir to debate global policy and resolve inter-kiith legal conflicts.

Traditionally, kiithid concentrate power in one or two disciplines, attracting families by offering advancement in those fields. For example, Kiith Sjet has been associated with sciences for over a thousand years and possesses the most advanced computer labs, attracting bonded couples interested in the field. Alliances between kiithid are based on mutual interests, leading to closer ties or reorganizations. In the last century, manufacturing families of Kiith Hraal, realizing the future was in orbital systems, attempted to influence Sa Hraal to invest in aerospace. When this failed, the manufacturing branch of Kiith Hraal broke away and joined a small kiith specializing in space technologies, forming the new kiith, LiirHra, which now leads in Mothership design and construction.

In the modern era, power has slowly transferred to the individual, but the kiith remains a powerful means of social identity. Kharakian society pursues a single goal, and a sense of racial destiny reminds them they are all families of one grand kiith. However, tradition is strong, and it takes little stress for any Kharakian to prioritize their family over Kharak.