"A shining example of finding a refreshing oasis even in the driest monotony." With these concluding words, a columnist once described the Kilima boarding school. Around 300 students attend classes every day at the school, which is located on the top of a hill about a mile from the village of Conorham in West Yorkshire. Only a handful of the 13- to 18-year-olds commute home at the weekend. Instead, most consider school to be their second home. The same applies to the teaching staff and other employees. Employees are mainly the kitchen staff, secretaries and the janitor. The school is run by principal Harris Campbell - a man who has been criticized in the past for his lack of flexibility and rigid bureaucracy. Vice-principal Ursula Bolschakow and the entire teaching staff support him in his efforts to keep the school running. With great success. Until that fateful day…

On an ordinary Tuesday in September 2021, the Kilima boarding school strands along with its population, facilities and infrastructure in Nyika. Former human beings are transformed into anthropomorphic animals and must now face the challenges and dangers of a unfamiliar world. Maintaining energy supplies and increasing food shortages are only a fraction of the problems they have to deal with. Fortunately, mankind benefit from their adaptability and creativity. Much of their hope is based on a reliable energy system. The roof of the ten-year-old school is covered with a photovoltaic system. A cistern is used to water the gardens and run the school toilets. Geothermal heat ensures that nobody has to freeze even on cold days, and an air conditioning system keeps heads cool. Both the photovoltaic system and the cistern continue to fulfill their purpose and provide the necessary electricity and water supply for the school.

The fact that the entire school building with all its facilities, such as the sports grounds and even the greenhouse, made it into the world of Nyika means that the school life can continue. Not everyone is thrilled by the idea, especially considering the new shape of the former human beings. Animals such as foxes, crocodiles or eagles walking upright and attending regular classes are a sight that takes some getting used to. Many students even avoid the public out of fear and shame. But that is precisely the reason why the teaching staff decide to run a "regular" school: To distract from the problems with a form of everyday life.

The teaching team ist committed to the idea. Classes such as math, geography and history are taught as if it were a normal day at the boarding school. Naturally, the classes are less strict. After all, the emotional scars of many teenagers run deep. Two teachers with degrees in psychology do their best to guide the teenagers through this difficult time. However, the adults also hope and rely on the help of the pupils.

Quote: "We must show strength - each and every one of us. That's why I urge each and every one of you to take care of your classmates. We are all in the same boat." - Principal Harris Campbell

But it's not all happiness at Kilima boarding school. One reason: The pori threat, which is a constant presence. Students, teachers and defenders of the Ukoo community regularly patrol the grounds to protect the school. Troublemakers and rule-breakers in particular are put on guard duty as punishment. Some students are also dissatisfied with staying in Nyika day after day and rebel against the restrictions. To make matters worse: Some of the former humans have difficulty controlling their inner animal, which has now become an integral part of their lives. This drive, an almost irrepressible instinct, causes mood swings and sometimes even aggressive feelings. Especially when the elemental powers are pushed too far, it manifests itself in the form of emotional outbursts. 

But the eyes of the people of Kilima are fixed on the distant horizon. Somewhere deep inside Nyika lies the secret of their arrival in this world - and how they can find their way back home.

Creatures like those from Grimm's fairy tales. From fables and legends. From myths and sagas. Or straight out of the fever dreams of a mentally ill person. A figment of imagination. This is how many outsiders consider the idea of intelligent, upright-walking animals that have developed their own language, cultivate the land and live in self-made dwellings. But this is exactly the case with the inhabitants of the world of Nyika, and only scratches the surface of the creatures known as beasts.

According to the creation story, both, this world and the beasts, were born from four powerful creatures, the kepers. With the first ray of sunlight, beasts set foot on Nyican soil and built their own existence. They now populate every nook and cranny of Nyika. But beasts are not just a part of this world. The world is also a part of them. The anthropomorphic animals are the manification of the four elements on which the world of Nyika is based. Beasts appear as furred, through whose veins fire flows like blood. They are feathered, whose plumes are caressed by the wind element. As chitined, they form a solid unit with the earth beneath their feet. And finally, scaled, blessed with the power of water, which brings life.

Always careful not to leave an overly large footprint on the landscape, most beasts come together to form communities. Communities are usually autonomous villages: small clusters of simple huts, fenced by palisades. Protected from life-threatening pori, beasts go about their daily work here and follow the teachings of the four keepers. However, the intention is not to live together, but to ensure the survival of the collective whole. The continued existence of a community has top priority. Nevertheless, this species has a close bond with each other. Every evening, Beasts usually gather around the campfire for a communal evening meal. They always call one of their own brother or sister, no matter if they are furred, feathered, chitined or scaled. Racism or sexism does not exist in Nyika's world.

Over time, the daily struggle for survival developed into different professions and roles based on interests and skills. At the head of each community is a single speaker. With many years of life experience, this member is entrusted with leadership and administration. Depending on the size of a community, speakers are supported by several council elders, who can eventually become speakers themselves. 

Beasts farm, hunt and gather berries and fruit. Natural resources can influence crafts and trade with other communities. Farmers are a very common sight in each community, while craftsmanship varies from place to place. The local circumstances can also affect the skills and characteristics of the defenders. Defender is a collective term for beasts who are dedicated to protecting their community or trade caravans, or who go hunting.

There are only a few exceptions where men or women are not assigned to a fixed community. This is especially the case with members of trading caravans and tamers. It is therefore not surprising that families and family ties have only a minor role in the culture of the beasts. Children spend only a few years in the care of their parents. Interests and abilities are specifically encouraged at a young age by the inhabitants of the community. Beasts are considered adults at the age of 13. They then assume their responsibility in the full scope.

There are only a few exceptions where men or women are not assigned to a fixed community. This is especially the case with members of trading caravans and tamers. It is therefore not surprising that families and family ties have only a minor role in the culture of the beasts. Children spend only a few years in the care of their parents. Interests and abilities are specifically encouraged at a young age by the inhabitants of the community. Beasts are considered adults at the age of 13. They then assume their responsibility in the full scope.

Beasts are steadfastly conservative. Their traditions have hardly changed over the millennia. Their level of technology is comparable to the early Renaissance age of mankind and they speak a extremely stiff, formal English.  Beasts, however, have no connection to things like art, music or literature, beasts, however, even though they have their own alphabet. They are also unfamiliar with facilities such as the Kilima boarding school. Instead, they restrict their education to their innate abilities and thus to their future role in this world. It is therefore hardly surprising that their craft is also limited to survival in Nyika. Beasts are adept at using tools, but also use the elements to process raw materials. Weapons, on the other hand, are not used in Nyika. For defense and attack, the intelligent animals fight with claws, teeth, horns and the use of the elements.

Beasts hope for an eternal balance in their world. Disruption caused by changes in their way of life and in Nyika itself must therefore be categorically avoided, which is why a commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in their culture. Resources such as wood or even minerals are not extracted if they cannot be returned to nature. Thanks to their elemental powers, the anthropomorphic animals have even discovered ways to do this.

Quote: “In a unique Nyican process, two chitined and a scaled harnessed the power of water and earth to grow ore from bare rock in the bowels of the mountain, just as crops are cultivated in a field.”

However, these supernatural powers come at a price. Beasts have an inner balance. Intellect and instinct are always in conflict. If a balance is out of harmony, Beasts run the risk of losing control. As children, they learn to maintain their balance through meditation. As adults, they are extremely stoic, almost emotionless, so as not to lose their balance. However, Beasts do not see this as a curse, but as a gift that the keepers have given them together with a divine spark. They see themselves as heirs to the keepers.

When they no longer see any purpose in their community and in this world, the aging furred, feathered, chitined or scaled make a pilgrimage to one of the four keeper shrines on the outer edge of Nyika. It is not uncommon for the pilgrims to succumb to the exertions of the journey before they even arrive. A return is out of the question. Beast honor their fallen brothers and sisters by burning them in a joint mourning ceremony.

Freethinkers are a rarity among the beasts. If they exist, they do not reveal this to the public. Tamers, who usually roam the world alone to tame pori and sell them as laborers, are often considered eccentrics, but are seen as an important part of society.

Over time, two major subcultures have formed. The Silverclaw is always on the verge of deviating from the virtues of the keepers. It is a profit-oriented association that trades throughout Nyika. Silverclaw communities are larger due to their warehouses, trade networks and manpower requirements, but otherwise operate under the same principles. The standard currency in Nyika is kumeta.

The Equinox is almost as old as time itself. It is a religious group dedicated to maintaining balance in Nyika. At the head of the Equinox is a leader called mother or father. Instead of living in communities, Equinox live in settlements. Settlements support distressed communities with personnel and goods to ensure the communities' continued existence. In rare cases, settlements also serve as a refuge for homeless beasts. Equinox followers interpret the teachings of the keepers more strictly, which is why they do not have a good relationship with the Silverclaw.

No one, not even the robe-wearing Equinox, can say with absolute certainty when Nyika was founded. For this world knows no calendar, no exact chronology, no historians. With the teachings of the four keepers firmly embedded in their hearts, beasts rarely look back, but mostly forward. In the direction of a new day. Hopeful that every night is followed by a new morning. But beasts are well aware of their origins. And whenever it comes to passing this knowledge on to the next generation, they follow their pawsteps back to their origins - the beginning of time.

"It was once a desolate and empty world. A night that knew no day." This is how Nyika's creation story begins. Six destructive creatures, the corrupters, led by an insidious demon, held the seedlings of existence between their crushing jaws. There was no resistance, for there was nothing worth fighting for. And so Nyika languished in darkness and destruction. For how long, no one knows. Until that fateful day… Four godlike keepers emerged from the desolation. They prevailed in the battle against the despots and banished the corruption. The elements, which had previously served as kindling for destruction, were tamed and the desolate land was made fertile. 

The four keepers brought order to the land, which they finally named Nyika. This structure of balance, the four pillars, are the elements: Fire, Wind, Earth and Water. Beasts became the images of these elements: furred, feathered, chitined and scaled. But just as day and night are linked, every sky has an earth and there is no boundless ocean, the Keepers also created Pori as a counterbalance to the beasts and thus an eternal cycle of life and death. Even today, beasts consider themselves their children, the heirs of the keepers. For in them glows the divine light - the gift to this world. “We are keepers too.”

Nyika's fauna is also rich in different types of insects. However, the comparatively tiny creatures do not enjoy any special treatment among the beasts, but are simply referred to as pori, especially as the critters can also be carriers of diseases against which even the elements are powerless. But like everything else in Nyika, there is a balance here too, thanks to the diverse flora.

Quote: “There were trees that were curved like a corkscrew. Their outer yellowish-brown bark peeled off at the mere touch like withered paper, and a layer of overlapping orange mushrooms then instantly formed there.”

Just like in the human world, many flowering plants are dependent on pollination by insect-like pori. Parasites can infest plants, but can also be naturally combated using balms, ointments and herbs. Knowledge gathered over generations takes shape in agriculture and the gathering of wild herbs and fruits. Sometimes these experiences and the associated agricultural products remain regional due to the climate and geography. However, the products may find their way to other parts of Nyika through trade. For example, moto, a fiery spice from the desert-like west of Nyika. Another common agricultural product is mazao rice, a popular side dish for meals. Although beasts have developed a process for producing alcohol, this is used exclusively for medicinal purposes. The fermented nyeunda juice is a medicine to combat parasites that infest feathered.

As hunters and gatherers, beasts also know how to catch fish. Just as with insects, the inhabitants of this world make no distinction in the name of their prey (pori). Since communities must necessarily be in the vicinity of a water source, fishing is a widely known profession. The Majiya Kina is just one of many rivers in Nyika from which beasts draw water and food. As one of the largest rivers, the stream makes its way from the north to the south of Nyika. But all too often the hunters become the hunted. Countless beasts have already found their watery grave, as there is more than just prey lurking in the shadows of the Majiya Kina. The Mungu Kiu, a river that rises from Mount Anga and is considered sacred by the beasts, is more tranquil in comparison. Even setting foot in the water is considered sacrilege. Deep-sea fishing is rather rare and is generally limited to the immediate coastal region. 

Numerous smaller islands line this world, often unexplored. beasts avoid exploration and settlement for good reason. Travelers often do not return from their excursions. The cause is lost in horror stories, myths and legends. The search for the truth is not important to beasts. What matters is that it is dangerous to set foot on this soil and should be avoided.