History Characters / HomeworldDesertsOfKharak

* SuperWeaponSurprise: Their explosive and gunpowder weapons mauled armies 20 times their size during the Heresy Wars. It's little wonder they were able to make such short work of the relatively medieval Siidim and Gaalsien forces.

* ItsAllAboutMe: They believe that they are the only true Kiith on Kharak, and brutally mistreated and committed atrocities against other kiith due to their delusions of grandeur. This even extends to modern history, as when the expedition nears the wreck of the Khar-Toba, [[spoiler:the Sakala betrays the Kapisi, because they believe only the Siidim are worthy of seeing what's inside it.]]

* AxCrazy: The Heresy Wars erupted not because of resources but of relatively pointless religious ''debate'' against Kiith Gaalsien. Siidim eventually grew out of it.

* DarkIsNotEvil: The Sakala is navy blue and white. [[spoiler:It also turns out it's actually DarkIsEvil]].
* {{Irony}}: They spent almost their entire documented history treating other Kiith like crap and having the audacity to claim they were the only ones of divine origin who deserved to return to paradise. Since there's absolutely no reference or mention of them following [[spoiler: their betrayal of the ''Kapisi'']] and in the first two games, it's safe to assume they were left behind on Kharak [[spoiler: and were subsequently eradicated following the Taiidan's genocide]].

* HeelFaceTurn: It should hardly come as a surprise when the Sakala turns on you.
* StartOfDarkness: Before Kiith Sidiim went AxCrazy over religious beliefs, they originally believed that the Kushan were exiled from paradise to Kharak as punishment for the sin of arrogance, much like the Gaalsien. This remained for centuries until out of nowhere they decided to change their theology to the self-righteous belief that they were of divine origin and the rest of the Kiith were inferior races who were native to Kharak.

* TheStoic: Not even [[spoiler:gigantic supply lander blowing up right in front of his eyes]] will faze him.

* StartOfDarkness: Before Kiith Sidiim went AxCrazy over religious beliefs, they originally believed that the Kushan were exiled from paradise to Kharak as punishment for the sin of arrogance, [[NotSoDifferent much like the Gaalsien]]. This remained for centuries until out of nowhere they decided to change their theology to the self-righteous belief that they were of divine origin and the rest of the Kiith were inferior races who were native to Kharak.

Their history was not without its periods of turbulence, however. During the Heresy Wars period it was discovered that some members of S'jet had sworn secret oaths to Kiith Nabaal, carrying out retrieval operations and intelligence gathering. This lead to hot and passionate debate over the usage of science as a tool of military power that still rages into the modern day. While Fliir S'jet-sa realized the extremity of the situation that justified the betrayal and managed to stop the conflict from breaking out, there is still a lingering distrust between Kiith S'jet and Kiith Nabaal. It was only during the Times of Reason, when Kiith S'jet moved on to study life and nature of Kharak itself, that they were able to pour their efforts into singular, shared goal. Among their many accomplishments during this time were the discovery of the Guidestone, along with realizing that the Kharaki people and the native wildlife on Kharak were fundamentally different on a genetic level.

* CoolPlane: The S'jet are responsible for all Coalition aerospace craft present in the game, by the sounds of things.
* TheSmartGuy

* TheEngineer: Not only Naabal's diplomats are skilled. The kiith is also responsible for many engineering feats on Kharak, ranging from heavy-duty vehicles to massive sand barriers.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Their role in the Heresy Wars. Kiith Nabaal continues to be this even into modern days of Kharak.

Prior to the rise of southern federation and the intervention of Kiith Nabaal in Heresy War, being kiith-less is its own death sentence. There were no trades. No provision. No benefits and protection from the allied families. Men and woman alike were simply left to rot.

A newborn kiith in Kharak's society, the Hraal were formally established in the wake of the Heresy Wars; as the Nabaal-sa established the Daiamid alongside four other Kiith-sa. When the doors opened, the Hraal-sa entered and sat as an equal among equals. At first, there was confusion. Who was this interloper? Some minor vassal kiith-sa, come to bring some issue to their attention, so provincial that she did not know where to stand or sit?

After Nabaal put a swift end to the Heresy Wars, the Somtaaw continued to expand their operations. While they haven't made any technology advancements of their own, they are always quick to buy, copy, or outright steal any new tools or techniques. Thus the Somtaaw profited greatly from the introduction of steam-powered drills, narrow-gauge railroads, and chemical explosives. Kiith Somtaaw is now nearly 500,000 strong, and have even built new holdings alongside great industrial kiithid like Naabal and Hraal.

Gaalsien and Siidim, the largest clans in the north, once fought each other in a conflict known as the Heresy Wars, over the issue of what had made their God place the people of Kharak on such a world, before both were eventually defeated by Kiith Nabaal and its allies. The Gaalsien once belonged to the Coalition, but were declared an outlaw kiith after they destroyed the great city of Saju-ka, along with the majority of its population, 400 years prior to the events of ''Deserts of Kharak''. The Gaalsien likewise antagonize the Coalition for engaging in a space program, which the Gaalsien view as blasphemy.

* {{Expy}}: They are Gypsies of ''Homeworld'' universe.

* FinalBoss: The K'Had Sajuuk commands the[[TheMothership Hand of Sajuuk, the Gaalsien flagship]], during the final battle on Khar-Toba's ruins.

There are still a few sour notes in relation to other kiithid however, with claims from Daiamid accusing the Siidim for excessive force used in operations against their old enemy from the Heresy Wars. The Siidim-Sa answers these charges with well-documented evidences of isolated war stress. While the other major kiithid have not pressed any formal complaints against the Siidim, they have done little to defend their allies against these rumors. It is still said that the fanatical Doine kiith that rose to prominence during the Mission Silumiin riots in 1024 KDS were being secretly funded by an arm of Siidim Intel.

* ItsAllAboutMe: They believe that they are the only true Kiith on Kharak, and brutally mistreated and committed atrocities against other kiith due to their delusions of grandeur. This even extends to modern history, as when the expedition comes across the wreck of the Khar-Toba, [[spoiler:the Siidim carrier betrays the S'jet carrier, because they believe only the Siidim are worthy of seeing what's inside it.]]

An ancient family on Kharak who made Khontala Mountain range their home. Their holdings were rich and varied, from farms to dams, fortresses and towns. The kiith was more than self-sufficient, and prospered greatly through trade. In 178 KDS artists from various disciplines were gathered under patronage of Teigor Somtaaw, one of the most enlightened of his time. Kiith Somtaaw then began building a series of 33 temples on slopes of Lungma Jiin, the highest mountain of the world. It became a place to pilgrimage of all religiously inclined Kharaki. The vast majority would visit the 7th temple "Dome of Heaven" once in their lifetime, but for the devotees of the Shimmering Path, there are 26 more temples, each more inaccessible than the last. It is said that pilgrim who made it to the end of journey on foot are allowed to touch some of the most sacred relics on Kharak, including the Star-Metal scrolls, said to be written by Jakuul himself in a language no living man could read, kept in a wind-sheared altar at the top of the mountain.

The Heresy Wars were painful period of tranformation for Somtaaw; the Khontala Mountain range provides natural barrier between Kiith Gaalsien and Kiith Siidim, with both sides trying to seduce the Somtaaw to their aid for 200 years. The flow of pilgrims slowed to a halt, and no pilgrims means no money to maintain the temples. Eventually, in the year 675 KDS, all 33 of the Somtaaw temples were closed to outsiders, except for the Oracle of Tala and the Dome of Heaven. And the kiith had troubles keeping the Kassar Road, the only path in and out of their holdings, open. Invaders couldn't enter, but neither does caravans and visitors...

!Northern Coalition

The Coalition also includes the southern kiithid such as Kiith Paktu, but they play no significant part in the main story of the game. Instead, their role is expanded on in the Expedition Guide.

* {{Base on Wheels}}: The ''Sakala''-class carriers play this to a tee. They are nothing less than monstrously large aircraft carriers on massive treads crawling through the desert, all equipped with their own manufacturing facilities.
* {{Military Mashup Machine}}: In keeping with ''Homeworld'' tradition, the ''Sakala''-class carriers are mobile factories, capable of both processing resources and churning out whole mechanized armies by themselves. Unlike the motherships in ''Homeworld 1'' and ''2'' however, carriers can act as powerful warships more than capable of defending themselves in a pinch.

** IWillFindYou: Pretty much her whole reason for joining the expedition is to find out what really happened to Jacob. She went so far as to plant simple digital listening programs throughout the Coalition network to search for signs of a new expedition.

* GadgeteerGenius: In her personal diary, she says she's been coding digital "kiith-agents" since she was ''eight''.

[[folder:Roman S'jet]]Captain of the S'jet carrier ''Kapisi,'' Roman is the no-nonsense commander in charge of the expedition to find the Primary Anomaly.

* TheStoic: Not even [[spoiler:gigantic supply lander blowing up right in front of his eyes]] will faze him.[[/folder]]
[[folder:Nathan S'jet]]Nathan is the intelligence officer aboard the ''Kapisi,'' and as such acts as {{Mission Control}} for the player.
* MissionControl: Actually the only one in Kapasi that assigns story-related tasks to the player.

[[folder:Clea Soban]]In charge of fleet operations, Clea will inform the player of everything from newly constructed units to the status of the ''Kapisi''.

* TokenMinority[[/folder]]

** [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]]: [[spoiler: He breaks loose of Gaalsien captivity and makes a run for a crashed Taiidan Carrier ''alone'' and ''on foot without any provisions'' just to take hold of the KillSat controls and stall the Gaalsien fleet before they can get to the Khar-Toba. By the time Rachel found him, he was long dead.]]

The Gaalsien are one of the most ancient kiith in known history. They are a strict religious group that preaches the suffering Sajuuk ("He Whose Hands Shapes What is") bestowed upon people of the planet. Their culture puts emphasis on survival such as conserving resources or not risking the future on untested methods, and arrogance was to be punished, believing that they were created to suffer from the beginning. This stems from harsh condition of Kharak's desolate desert environment. Because of this, Kiith Gaalsien remained a major political and spiritual influence on the planet for a long time. Only when people migrated to more-survivable polar regions, and were able to focus their efforts on technological advancements as well as pure survival, did the Gaalsien begin to lose their power.

* BecauseDestinySaysSo / FantasticRacism: Originally Kiith Siidim were of an opinion that only them are of divine origin, all others were simply dirty "[[FantasticSlur gritiidim]]". At one point in the Heresy Wars, Kiith Siidim declared Clean Water Act and chased out anybody else that lived at headwaters.
* ItsAllAboutMe: They believe that they are the only true kiith on Kharak, and brutally mistreated and committed atrocities against other kiith due to their delusions of grandeur. This even extends to modern history, as when the expedition comes across the wreck of the Khar-Toba, [[spoiler:the Siidim carrier betrays the S'jet carrier, because they believe only the Siidim are worthy of seeing what's inside it.]]

* CantCatchUp: If they don't make new breakthroughs soon, this will be the case for them.

[[folder:J'raal Hraal]][[/folder]]

* ScaryAmoralReligion: Though hardly the only clan of religious zealots on Kharak, the Gaalsien put particular emphasis on Sajuuk's wrath, and see themselves as its instrument. Which is why they wipe out entire cities without batting an eye.
* ScienceIsBad: This is Kiith Gaalsien's view of the Kharaki space program. They believe that the kiithid were put on Kharak as a punishment, and to try and escape that punishment is a blasphemy that warrants punishment from Sajuuk.
** If you played ''Homeworld'' previously you know they're not TOTALLY wrong... the Kushan were exiled to Kharak by the Taiidan empire. There was a treaty that spared their lives, but forbade them from using or developing hyperspace technology, effectively forcing them to live in exile on Kharak. Knowledge of this (and their past) was lost and faded into the mythology that the Gaalsien preach. Violation of the treaty ''did'' bring the wrath of the Taiidan down onto the planet in Homeworld.

** NotSoStoic: [[spoiler:With one exception: Just as his flagship is destroyed, his voice begins to break as he laments how he failed his people and his god, and predicting [[VideoGame/{{Homeworld}} Kharak's fate in the years to come]]. In his final moment, he pleads with the Coalition to absolve themselves in Sajuuk's eyes to avoid this fate.]]
* FinalBoss: The K'Had Sajuuk commands [[TheMothership the Gaalsien flagship carrier]] during the final battle.

[[folder:Kiith S'Jet]]
Kiith S'Jet is one of the most ancient and respected Kiiths on Kharak. They are, first and foremost, scholars and seekers of knowledge. Their accomplishments are vast and numerous, including being the first to chart the Kharatid star system, uncover a pattern behind the thirteen-year sandstorm cycles that covered the equator of Kharak, successfully predict where rain will occur at the end of each cycle, and many more. In addition, most of the records regarding the Heresy War were penned by a Sjet scribe. Despite all of these accomplishments and the reputation that they brought the Kiith, however, they never sought to turn that reputation towards political gain. Thus, Kiith Sjet was too valuable an ally to be turned into a mere vassal. Any Kiith who killed or harmed a Sjet would be shunned by the scientific community for no less than a hundred years, in order to protect their knowledge from being corrupted.

Their history was not without its periods of turbulence, however. During the Heresy War period it was discovered that some members of Sjet had sworn secret oaths to Kiith Nabaal, carrying out retrieval operations and intelligence gathering. This lead to hot and passionate debate over the usage of science a tool of military power that still rages into the modern day. While Fliir Sjet-sa realized the extremity of the situation that justified the betrayal and managed to stop the conflict from breaking out, there is still a lingering distrust between Kiith Sjet and Kiith Nabaal. It was only during the Times of Reason, when Kiith Sjet moved on to study life and nature of Kharak itself, that they were able to pour their efforts into singular, shared goal. Among their many accomplishments during this time were the discovery of the Guidestone, along with realizing that the Kharaki people and the native wildlife on Kharak were fundamentally different on a genetic level.

All in all, the S'Jet are eager to question, observe, predict and record. They are the one who uphold truth above all else, no matter how disturbing it might be.

* ComesGreatResponsibility / KnowledgeBroker: This trope seems to run in S'jet teachings. One of the running themes with S'jet scholars and families under it is that they are expected not to be decision makers. Rachel S'Jet remarked that this is what weighting her down before Operation Khadiim, unable to reveal the slow death of Kharak kept out of public by Daiamid council.

When the Heresy War hits however, the Naabal moved to intervene. First by secretly 'spirited away' texts in danger of destruction and imprisoned scholars. Then, when it was clear that Kharak's day will be numbered if the war continues, the Naabal under ''Ifriit Naabal-Sa'' breaks out their long-hidden explosives, steam and refining technology to stop the conflict by force. Unlike the major powers in the Heresy Wars, all Naabal-Sa asked is for the war to end. And soon more and more lesser kiithid came to Naabal's side to help end nearly 300 years of brutality. Ifriit Naabal-Sa[=’s=] last act before stepping down as Sa was to establish the Daiamid in Tiir as a place where all kiithid, powerful and weak, could gather to resolve disputes and set policy for all of Kharak.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Their role in Heresy War. Kiith Nabaal continues to be this even into modern days of Kharak.
* MagnificentBastard: If you read carefully you will see that Naabal engaged in a lot of backdoor politics and decision making. (Perhaps to prevent another senseless crusade from breaking out again) They also do not hesitate to trade lives if there is ever a need, such as what happened during Gaalsien's final attack on then-incomplete Project Stormbreaker.
* SuperWeaponSurprise: Their explosive and gunpowder weapons mauled armies 20 times their size during Heresy War.

A minor farming kiith living on the slopes of the Salt Sea. Paktu and many other kitthid were displaced when Kiith Siidim and Kiith Gaalsien engaged in Heresy War, over a religious debate of why the maker Sajuuk placed them in such a desolate world. Siidim's Clean Water Act was passed, preventing lesser 'Gritiidim' from living at headwaters, believing themselves to be of divine origin. The neighboring Gaalsien were no better either, demanding the kiithid to burn their 'sinful' belongings and punishments on their enemy.

Hopeless, Magir Paktu, the Paktu Kiith-sa at the time, rally the people and sailed into the Great Banded Deserts towards southern pole, on a rumor from a mad Manaanii travellers who rambled about endless seas and "grasses that touched the sky". Many have succumbed to seasonal heat storm, rockfall, poisonous water or lizard bite. And many more almost given up the attempt. Yet Magir Paktu continued to plead his people onward. "I can smell the sea," as he liked to say. "It's only a little farther." On the last leg of the journey, legend has it that they found a bird -- a sea-spirit -- circling in the hot sun. And beyond the last red hilltop, lies the vast Magirian Sea.

Magir Paktu did not survive the trek back to the north, but seven of his followers continued to speak of the new land in his place, where the oppressed people can continue living free and without war. The Siidim and Gaalsien, not quite finished with their conflict, repeatedly sent armies to subdue the southern kiithid. But there was nothing they can do with badly worn out troops against fresh and well-suppiled armies of the Paktu. The last of the assault from Kiith Gaalsien was driven back by men under Kim Paktu, the grandson of Magir Paktu himself. And no such crusade was ever made again.

People of Kiith Paktu are optimistic, innovate and venturesome, their story a symbol of independence, hope and faith against all odds.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: During the Heresy War they want no part of.
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: Said by Kim Paktu;

The origin of Kiith Soban or the "Grey Brotherhood" is hazy. It appears that during ancient times of Kharak, two unknown kiithid came under attack from a stronger neighboring kiith, their people dying by droves. They flee across Sparkling Desert to their kiith-sa for help, only for their cries to be rejected in fear of retaliation. Thus, they continued to join the blood of the murderers.

Soban the Red, then leader of the suffering villagers stood up and tore the kiith color from his body in shame. He declared he would never join any false kiith who turned deaf ears and blind eyes to the blood and the screaming of their own children -- a true kiith must be a kiith of spirit and like-minded ambition.

From then on, Kiith Soban served Kharak's society as a mercernary group, taking part in every military conflict on the planet. Their skill as soldier and commander were highly prized. They are also renowned for their discipline and their own code; they will fight for anyone, regardless of their own personal cost -- down to the hour and the minute of what agreed upon -- after which the Sobani will immediately lay down arms and made for home, the contract unable to be renewed unless through the kiith-sa. Settling down is never an option; they are dedicated to be landless, and marriage is forbidden. Couples will be asked to leave the kiith, or to give their children for outsiders to raise them.

Even in modern Kharak, Kiith Soban still remains valuable; their intelligence staff are highly sought after, and virtually all Coalition officers are trained at Soban-run academy in Tiir. To be a Sobani is to negate all status quo of the society. No matter what reason any Kharaki decided to join, be it on free will or to escape, Kiith Soban will impose the same discipline and solidarity on them all.

Perhaps the strangest kiith in terms of tradition. Kiith Manaan is a traveling clan, constantly wandering, stopping by watering places and expecting hospitality everywhere they go. (Much to disgust of some Kharaki hosts who was left behind with the hard work) Their men and woman are of all build, skin color and sorts, who mostly made their journey no bigger than an extended family.

Kiith Manaan survived by their wits and their ability to amuse hold-born Kharaki. Singers and poets, magicians, dancers, actors and con men — there was nothing to the rumor that Manaani could perform dark magic, but they could certainly make your purse and your 15-years old daughter disappear.

During the beginning of Heresy War, Kiith Manaan suffered badly under both Gaalsien and Siiddim. Their yearly celebration at Ferin Sha, where one could have found a large festival of celebration and drinking, was attacked in 513 by a Siiddim army, resulting in a massacre and the end of the tradition. Some of the Manaanii turned into pirates, killing and terrorizing the Siiddim near the White Desert. A small portion of them also played a part in Kiith Paktu's Great Migration, traveling on iconic three-masted ships and returning to the North with many technological improvements.

* BewareTheSillyOnes: Back in the days of Kharak, they were just nomadic dancers and maybe thieves with strange traditions. Then the Siiddim attacked their dancing grounds and butchered the Manaan present, and the rest of the Kiith raided Siiddim settlements on the border of the desert for one hundred years, possibly preventing them from winning the Heresy Wars that were raging.
* ChallengeSeeker

Kiith Siidim was mentioned in the original ''Homeworld''[='s=] game documentation, but later expanded proper in ''Deserts of Kharak Expedition DLC''.

Kiith Siidim is one of three major religious kiithid on Kharak since ancient times, the others being Kiith Gaalsien and Kiith Somtaaw. The Sidim were the largest proponent of 'Fall from Grace' faction; those that believed the Kharaki has been exiled to this world due to an act that offended the Gods. This clashed badly with Kiith Gaalsien's ideology, who declared such a thought of our people capable of deceiving the maker a greatest arrogance and heresy beyond belief.

Both kiithid later engaged in The Heresy War, over a debate not ''if'' the Kharaki were cursed but ''how'' the curse was carried out. What follows is thirty years of madness and destruction that deprived Kharak of many precious lives and resources, including those of many other kiithid that weren't involved, until Kiith Naabal emerged from their ciry of Tiir and put an end to the war with voices of reason.

After the war ended and political power has shifted, the Siidim chose to rejoin the society as quietly and as progressively as possible, paid the right reparations and engaged in kiithid politics as a major player in the new Daiamid. The Siidim-Sa has opposed loosening the law that keep families bonded to their kiith, but they do so by making the new law as conservative as possible without hindering the economic need of society at large. Also, Kiith Siidim never skimped in providing military assets for Northern Coalition to battle Gaalsien raiders.

There are still a sour note in relation to other kiithid however, with claims from Daiamid accusing the Siidim for excessive force used in operations against their old enemy from Heresy Wars. Siidim-Sa answer these charges with well-documented evidences of isolated war stress. While the other major kiithid have not pressed any formal complaints against the Siidim, they have done little to defend their allies against these rumors. It is still said that the fanatical Doine kiith that rose to prominence during the Mission Silumiin riots in 1024 KDS were being secretly funded by an arm of Siidim Intel.

* AxCrazy: Heresy Wars erupted not because of resources but of relatively pointless religious ''debate'' against Kiith Gaalsien. Siidim eventually grew out of it.
* BecauseDestinySaysSo / FantasticRacism: Originally Kiith Siidim were of an opinion that only them are of divine origin, all others were simply dirty "[[FantasticSlur gritidiim]]". At one point in Heresy Wars, Kiith Siidim declared Clean Water Act and chased out anybody else that lived at headwaters.
* ItsAllAboutMe: They believe that they are the only true kiith on Kharak, and brutally mistreated and committed atrocities against other kiith due to their delusions of grandeur. This even extends to modern history, as when the expedition comes across the wreck of the Khar-Toba, [[spoiler:the Siidim carrier betrays the S'jet carrier, because only the Siidim are worthy of seeing what's inside it.]]
* HeelFaceTurn
* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Kiith Siidim done a lot of woe to other lesser kiithid and this bad blood still exists in modern Kharak. Though Kiith Naabal is a special case, since they are seen as Siidim's political rival.

Kiith Hraal is first introduced in ''Deserts of Kharak Expedition DLC''.

A new born kiith in Kharak's society. Kiith Hraal was born when five Sa of kiithid that were broken by the Heresy War met outside the fortress of Tiir and decided that traditions and all its rules failed them completely. They will form a new banner that carry on the will of no other kiith.

When the new Daiamid came, Hraal Kiith-sa took her place among them. For the old guard, it was an outrage. But for the younger generations of Kharak, this was a signal for change. Despite protests from the Naabal and Siidim, reasoned comments from Paktu, Somtaaw and Soban allows the Hraal to survive as a legitimate kiith. Still, it wasn't easy. Kiith Hraal was born from necessity, not history and shared expertise. While being a host of workers of all kinds; from artists to economist, they are hard-pressed to find a field of work that is not already occupied by more experienced craftsmen.

However, Kiith Hraal possesses adaptability Their urgent need to work together was something no other kiithid have. One day, when the forlorn Steel Hraal-Sa watched Naabal artisans and S'Jet technicians struggle to cooperate and communicate when they tried to build a new steam cars, she was stuck by an inspiration. She urged her kiith to pour everything into the rights to Naabal's steam car. The Sa's of Naabal and S'Jet were invited to watch Hraal workers putting together three machines in a single day, while other would have taken a month to build one.

There is still much to prove for the new kiith. Several of Hraal engineers and technician parted way to form their own Kiith LiirHra that looks to dominate aerospace fabrication and orbital deployment, while J'dones Hraal-Sa and much of his inner council are still reluctant to shift the focus and invest in new technologies. Only time can tell whether Kiith Hraal will survive.

* JackOfAllTrades: and master of none. Kiith Hraal doesn't have any particular area of expertise, but plenty of workforce and enough societal flexibility to throw around.
* CantCatchUp: If they don't make new breakthrough soon, this will be the case for them.

Kiith Somtaaw has already featured as one of two playable factions in ''Homeworld Cataclysm'', but was expanded proper in ''Deserts of Kharak Expedition DLC''.

A ancient family on Kharak who made Khontala Mountain range their home. Their holdings were rich and varied, from farms to dams , fortresses and towns. The kiith was more than self-sufficient, prospered greatly through trade. In 178 KDS artists from various disciplines were gathered under patronage of Teigor Somtaaw, one of the most enlightened of his time. Kiith Somtaaw then began building a series of 33 temples on slopes of Lungma Jiin, the highest mountain of the world. It became a place to pilgrimage of all religiously inclined Kharaki. Vast majority would visit the 7th temple "Dome of Heaven" once in their lifetime, but for the devotees of the Shimmering Path, there are 26 more temples, each more inaccessible than the last. It is said that pilgrim who made it to the end of journey on foot are allowed to touch some of the most sacred relics on Kharak, including the Star-Metal scrolls, said to be written by Jakuul himself in a language no living man could read, kept in a wind-sheared altar at the top of the mountain.

The Heresy War was painful period of tranformation for Somtaaw; Khontala Mountain range provides natural barrier between Kiith Gaalsien and Kiith Siidim, with both side trying to seduce the Somtaaw to their aid for 200 years. The flow of pilgrims slowed to a halt, and no pilgrims means no money to maintain the temples. Eventually, in the year 675 KDS, all 33 of the Somtaaw temples were closed to outsiders, except for the Oracle of Tala and the Dome of Heaven. And the kiith had troubles keeping Kassar Road, the only path in and out of their holdings open. Invaders couldn't enter, but neither does caravans and visitors...

In 789 KDS, Kuura Somtaaw-sa was struck by a dream of the god Sajuuk, driving a great red sword into the earth in the Khontala mountains, in a seldom-visited region far from the main roads. With some reluctance and desperation, several Somtaaw families moved to Red Creek and began excavation, not expecting to find the richest ore deposit ever found of Kharak. Instead of using this findings to negotiate with Gaalsien and Siidim, Kiith Somtaaw refused to trade with either side. To quote Kuura Somtaaw, "Why should I sell these madmen a knife to cut my throat with?"

The kiith made an unheard-of pact with Sobani, who immediately saw the values of high-grade steel, a commodity far more precious than gold in such hard times. Somtaaw would use their smelters to provide Soban with weapons, some of which is used by the mercenary kiith to keep Kassar Road open and clear of marauders.

After Nabaal's interventions, the Somtaaw continues to expand their operations. While they haven't made any technology advancements of their own, they are always quick to buy, copy or outright steal any new tools or techniques. Thus the Somtaaw profited greatly from the introduction of steam-powered drills, narrow-gauge railroads and chemical explosives. Kiith Somtaaw is now nearly 500,000 strong, and have even built new holdings alongside great industrial kiithid like Naabal and Hraal.

* CallToAgriculture: Other ''Homeworld'' documentations refers to Kiith Somtaaw as one of three most influential religious kiith in ancient times. (alongside Ferril and Gaalsien) However when the Heresy Wars ended, they decided to "stregthen Kharak from its roots", turning to agriculture following poor trades and exhaustion suffered in the conflict.

* ShaggyDogStory: If [[VideoGame/HomeworldCataclysm Homeworld Cataclysm]] is any indication, Kiith Somtaaw still has a lot more to work for.

In short, they are bandits.

In 1024 KDS, a cryptographer named Masaar Manaan, part of Coalition's intelligence team monitoring communications of Gaalsien raiders, discovered a code-word inside Gaalsien action casualties reports on small community raids that can't be referred to anything in their files. On further investigations and limited cooperation with Gaalsien-sa, the team learned that to be a Khaaneph is to be "godless".

During the darkest days of Heresy War, many families simply pick up whatever supplies they could find and fled the oppression of both Gaalsien and Siidim. Some was absorbed into Kiith Gaalsien or managed to struck out on their own. Others died or disappeared into deep deserts... or so most Kharaki believed.

Those that ''did'' survive however do so by looting the ruins of past battles, and later preying on each other, ambushing unfortunate caravans and massacring small settlements outside of Coalition's great walls. They took everything. Every scrap of cloth and metal could be used to keep some other machine working. Every child could be brought up a warrior. Every corpse was food, and raw materials. When the Age of Reason arrived, only the Gaalsien took note of them, because the Khaaneph preyed on them more often and more openly than any other kiith.

Khaaneph is the people who had lost their souls to the sand. To be Khaaneph is to believe... in nothing. No God. No law. No justice. No Kiith. To be one of them is to have no goals except survival.

* AxCrazy: Unlike the Coalition's Kiithid or the Gaalsien, the Khaaneph believed in ''nothing''. There are no restraint to keep them from murdering anyone caught in their path.
* TheDreaded: It got so bad that the ''[[EnemyMine Gaalsien are willing to cooperate with Northern Coalition]]'' to stop them.

* MoralEventHorizon: Heresy War left them without a choice.

* SuicideAttack: Khaaneph's Blast Drone.

The Coalition also includes the southern kiithid such as Kiith Paktu, but they play no significant part in the story.

* DroneDeployer: Coalition Baserunner can deploy flying Probes to scout out areas on the map.
* MightyGlacier: The Northern Coalition's playstyle put emphasis on slow and steady advance. Most of their vehicles are not as agile as Gaalsien's counterpart but can generally deals more damage and are downright threatening when used in combined-arms fashion.
* MoreDakka: The Light Assault Vehicle comes armed with multi-barreled autocannon.
* TheTurretMaster: Coalition Baserunner.

[[folder:Rachel S'Jet]]
Rachel is the chief science officer aboard the S'Jet carrier ''Kapisi.'' She spends the game operating from her custom Baserunner, which has been modified to act as a mobile science lab. She is also the younger sister of Jacob S'Jet, who went missing four years ago during Operation Skaal Brii.

* AceCustom / HeroUnit: Rachel uses a custom S'Jet Baserunner that lacked ability to deploy weapon turrets, but gains abilities to deploy Shipbreaker Mines, hack Gaalsien vehicles to her side, fires EMP blast and repair other units (at the rate faster than Support Cruiser, but only on single target). Making her a rare RPG-esque unit in a series known for strategic-level decision making.
** HeroMustSurvive: Unspoken rule in every campaign missions.
* LongLostRelative: Jacob S'Jet, her brother.
** IWillFindYou
* ScienceHero: Born of Kiith S'Jet. She applied for Operation Khadiim and works to analyze artifacts in the field.
* GadgeteerGenius

[[folder:Roman S'Jet]]Captain of the S'Jet carrier ''Kapisi,'' Roman is the no-nonsense commander in charge of the expedition to find the Primary Anomaly.

[[folder:Nathan S'Jet]]Nathan is the intelligence officer aboard the ''Kapisi,'' and as such acts as {{Mission Control}} for the player.

[[folder:Jacob S'Jet]]

* HotBlooded: In ''Expedition Guide DLC'' his profile have noted not to let him out of the carrier. If Rachel is any indication, it runs in the blood.
** [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]]: [[spoiler: He break loose of Gaalsien's captive and made a run for a crashed Taiidan Carrier ''alone'' and ''on foot without any provision'' just to take a hold of KillSat control and stall the Gaalsien fleet before they can get to Khar-Toba. By the time Rachel found him, he was dead.]]

The Gaalsien is one of the most ancient kiith since known history. They are a strict religious group that preaches the suffering Sajuuk ("He Whose Hands Shapes What is") bestowed upon people of the planet. Their culture puts emphasis on survival such as conserving resources or not risking the future on untested method, and arrogance was to be punished, believing that they were created to suffer from the beginning. This stems from harsh condition of Kharak's desolate desert environment. Because of this, Kiith Gaalsien remained a major political and spiritual influence on the planet for a long time. Only when people migrate to more-survivable polar region, where technological advancements were more favorable, did Gaalsien lose its power.

Gaalsien and Siiddim, both largest clan in the north, once fought each other in a conflict known as Heresy War, over the issue of what had made the god placed the people of Kharak in such a world, before both were eventually defeated by Kiith Nabaal and its allies. The Gaalsien once belonged to the Coalition, but were declared an outlaw kiith after they destroyed the great city of Saju-ka, along with the majority of its population, 400 years prior to the events of ''Deserts of Kharak''. The Gaalsien likewise antagonize the Coalition for engaging in a space program, which the Gaalsien view as blasphemy.

* AxCrazy: After they blow up Saju-Ka, they collectively went nomad and became this against the rest of Kharak in the end.

* FragileSpeedster / GlassCannon: Most of their units. Their army as a whole are highly mobile, bu lacked the armor that allows them to withstand prolonged battles.

** If you played ''Homeworld'' previously you know they're not TOTALLY wrong...
*** Basically, the Kushan were exiled to Kharak by the Taiidan empire. There was a treaty that spared their lives, but forbade them from developing hyperspace technology, effectively forcing them to live in exile on Kharak. Knowledge of this (and their past) was lost and faded into mythology. Violation of the treaty DID bring the wrath of the Taiidan down onto the planet in Homeworld. They're not wrong at all. The mythology does have a basis in fact.

* WorthyOpponent: What Khagaan think of the expedition fleet after [[spoiler:she is defeated]].

A new born kiith in Kharak's society. Kiith Hraal was born when five Sa of kiithid that was broken by the Heresy War met outside fortress of Tiir and decided that traditions and all its rules failed them completely. They will form a new banner that carry on the will of no other kiith.

When new Daiamid came, Hraal Kiith-sa took her place among them. For the old guard, it was an outrage. But for the younger generations of Kharak, this was a signal for change. Despite protests from the Naabal and Siidim, reasoned comments from Paktu, Somtaaw and Soban allows the Hraal to survive as a legitimate kiith. Still, it wasn't easy. Kiith Hraal was born from necessity, not history and shared expertise. While being a host of workers of all kinds; from artists to economist, they are hard-pressed to find a field of work that is not already occupied by more experienced craftsmen.

* {{Badass}}: [[spoiler:Manages to cross the desert ''on foot'' to the location of a wrecked Taiidan carrier to find the controls for a {{Kill Sat}}, before using it to wipe out an entire elite Gaalsien fleet. All this after being kept a prisoner by the Gaalsien for four years!]]

* TheDreaded: It got so bad that the ''Gaalsien are willing to cooperate with Northern Coalition'' to stop them.

[[folder:Roman S'Jet]]Captain of the S'Jet carrier ''Kapisi,'' Roman is the no-nonsense commander in charge of the expedition to find the Primary Anomaly.[[/folder]]
[[folder:Nathan S'Jet]]Nathan is the intelligence officer aboard the ''Kapisi,'' and as such acts as {{Mission Control}} for the player.[[/folder]]
[[folder:Clea Soban]]In charge of fleet operations, Clea will inform the player of everything from newly constructed units to the status of the ''Kapisi''.[[/folder]]

* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Kiith Siidim done a lot of woe to other lesser kiithid and this bad blood still exists in modern Kharak. Though Kiith Naabal is a special case, since they directly out-influenced the Siidim.

When new Daiamid came, Hraal Kiith-sa took her place among them. For the old guard, it was an outrage. But for the younger generations of Kharak, this was a signal for a change. Despite protests from the Naabal and Siidim, reasoned comments from Paktu, Somtaaw and Soban allows the Hraal to survive as a legitimate kiith. Still, it wasn't easy. Kiith Hraal was born from necessity, not history and shared expertise. While being a host of workers of all kinds; from artists to economist, they are hard-pressed to find a field of work that is not already occupied by more experienced craftsmen.

Khaaneph is the people who had lost their souls to the sand. To be Khaaneph is to believe... in nothing. No God. No law. No justice. No Kiith. To be one of them is to have no goals except survival. “Khaaneph” is a person with the soul of a beast. If the ties that bind a person to shared humanity are a rope... a Khaaneph has willingly drawn a knife and cut the cord.

*** Basically, the Kushan were exiled to Kharak by the Taiidan empire. There was a treaty that spared their lives, but forbade them from developing hyperspace technology, effectively forcing them to live in exile on Kharak. Knowledge of this (and their past) was lost and faded into mythology. Violation of the treaty DID bring the wrath of the Taiidan down onto the planet in Homeworld. They're not wrong at all.

Khaaneph is a group first introduced in ''Deserts of Kharak''.