Anan and Amon
There are two major types of organic creatures on the planet Kinta, those considered sentient and sapient by Earth standards, and those considered feral. Because the word "anthropomorphic" means "human-like", and Kinta has no true dominant species and therefore cannot base sapience on humans, the planet has seperated these two types of creatures into simple terms: Anan and Amon.
Anan are any creatures of anthropomorphic, sentient, sapient nature relative to Earth standards. Some species of dragons, for example, are only in anan form, such as draconids, while "humans" are simply called "sapiens". They are capable of advanced brain function, such as planning and artistic creation, and walk upright. Most anan have fully functioning five-fingered hands with opposable thumbs and are capable of intelligent thought and complex language skills. Many anan species have similar enough proportions and body structures that they can perform sexual intercourse, though the possibilty of children resulting from cross-species is very slim. There is, however, some degree of specism within most communities, and a long history of abuse between species, despite no scientific evidence that any anan species is superior to any other.
Amon are Kinta's "animals". They are feral in nature, possess simpler brain functions, and are considered inferior by many anan, whether or not the evidence supports it. Many amon species are kept as pets, while many others are considered too dangerous to interact with except by anan species of a similar kind (an anan tiger with an amon tiger, for instance). There have been several attempts by Kintan scientists to enhance the intelligence of amon to anan standards while keeping them in feral forms, but very little have been successful so far.
Categories: MERDOian Lore, Terminology