The Czenzi (pronounced ZEN-zee) are a feline species I designed specifically for the Matihao Whenua concept. A proper species outline for them can be found on the website, but the gist is that they are a very reclusive, mysterious race of morphic creatures (with an anthropomorphic form and quadrupedal form, but no human form) that survive in the deep wilds of the north, scattered across North America and Europe. They are a peaceful and quiet society, for the most part, but are struggling to keep their existence secret from the ever-growing population of man.

Because Czenzi typically have very little to do with the modern world and live so far away from other intelligent species, most of their tales and activities are completely separate from the Matihao Whenua plot. The few characters I specifically created to interact with the MW clan are the following:

TANE -- Tane's family joined the Amanaki Misae when he was a cub. He grew up alongside Sabine and is now her mate.

COLLISHAW -- Sabine's father and the former Jitendrah (leader, alpha, king) of the Amanaki Misae.

Sabine and Tane's romantic liaison did not sit well with Sabbie's parents, unfortunately. This sparked a feud between "the royal family" and Tane's family that ultimately caused the young lovers to defect from the clan altogether and run off on their own. During their travels, they accidentally garnered some human attention that shone an unwanted spotlight on their formerly secretive existence, which led to serious trouble for many Czenzi back in their native territory. Sabine and Tane were soon sought out by members of the Matihao Whenua to join the safety of a welcoming and understanding clan, where they now reside permanently.

Meanwhile, Collishaw, back within the Amanaki Misae, was challeneged by Tane's father for leadership of the tribe and was defeated. He refused to surrender his Jitendrah piercings (a sacred mark of honor in Czenzi society) and was therefore ejected from the very clan he'd once ruled. Sabine and Tane eventually heard of the pressing issues back home and returned to make amends -- but they were no longer welcome among the Amanaki Misae thanks to the "human plague" many Czenzi felt they were responsible for. Sabine managed to track down her father, reconcile with him, and drag him out of exile to join the Matihao Whenua and be near his only remaining family -- herself and Tane. Collishaw is a grumpy, reluctant addition to the clan, but a useful one nonetheless.

REICH -- Reich is Acadia's mate. He is a genetically-altered lycan (in the form of a Doberman Pinscher) and was raised as a "lab rat" of sorts.

MERCER -- Reich and Acadia's four-year-old son. He inherited the lycan gene and is a Doberman-wolf hybrid in his canine forms.

Acadia was rejected by her family once her lycan nature surfaced and she survived on her own as a child prostitute for a number of years. Reich spent his entire life in captivity, suffering cruel experiments and torture before escaping in his early teens. He met Acadia on the mean streets of New York City and they've been a somewhat tumultuous but deeply devoted couple ever since. They moved to the midwest to try and raise a little family once Mercer came along, but lycan witchhunts were brewing in the region and they quickly found themselves persecuted. They were soon taken in by the Matihao Whenua, made up of other lycans seeking a safe haven from the dangerous outside world.

I have tons of characters created to flesh out the backgrounds and environments of the "main ones" I use in the MW storyline. These characters are not members of the Matihao Whenua clan itself, but have a role in the big picture.

COAHOMA -- (Czenzi.) Coahoma is a ruthless, psychotic monster in Czenzi society responsible for slaughtering Collishaw's childhood tribe, among others. He leads a vicious clan called the Habeni Fita Ke and roams the north, destroying and murdering for his own sick sense of power. He is shrouded in dark mystery and many believe he is something more than mortal.

DONOMA -- (Czenzi.) Sabine's mother and Collishaw's mate, former Zahra (queen) of the Amanaki Misae. She died of a long illness during her time in exile with Collishaw, much to his and Sabine's chagrin.

DESZO -- (Czenzi.) Tane's father, current Jitendrah of the Amanaki Misae.

MAKAH -- (Czenzi.) Tane's mother, current Zahra of the Amanaki Misae.

FELAN -- (Czenzi.) Tane's younger brother and a member of Coahoma's cruel, destructive army.

INDORI -- (Czenzi.) Elder, priest, and healer of the Amanaki Misae. He was its former Jitendrah as well, but lost his title to Collishaw when the younger male challenged him and won. He remains a wise and trustworthy ally.

JUCARIE -- (Czenzi.) Brutalized female captive of the Habeni Fita Ke.

PISTA -- (Czenzi.) Tane's younger sister, still part of the Amanaki Misae.

BAYER and PENZA -- (Czenzi.) Collishaw's mother and father, murdered by Coahoma's clan.

BORINAZ and STAVANGER -- (Czenzi.) Collishaw's older brothers (fraternal twins), responsible for letting Coahoma into their clan's territory and inadvertently enabling the slaughter of their friends and family. Both were killed by Coahoma.

KEMI, ANSHAN, and DESS -- (Czenzi.) Collishaw's younger siblings (Kemi and Dess -- sisters, Anshan -- brother), all killed during Coahoma's takeover of Collishaw's childhood tribe.

MRS. VERNE -- (Human.) Reich and Acadia's landlady and friend during their time in Nebraska. She is still trusted as an outside ally.