Kherubim - Culture

Culture

Kherans are a warrior race with strong emphasis in hand-to-hand combat and honor.

Due to their low fertility, every Kheran man and woman coming off age has to mate with an appointed partner. If the woman gives birth, she must become a priestess. If not, she may go on to live her life as she wishes. Lady Zannah has managed to avoid becoming a priestess, despite giving birth, because her mother told others that the baby had died, allowing Zannah to become a warrior. Her mother then passed Zannah's baby, Kenesha, off as Zealot's sister. As a mother of two children, Zannah's mother, Harmony, has become a living legend. No Kheran can remember the last time a Kheran woman gave birth to more than one child in her life. Zannah became the founder of the Coda Sisterhood.

Older and more powerful Kherans are named Lords. It remains unclear what makes a Kheran a Lord, but a Lord is capable of undergoing the ritual of Ascension when he is ready. The Ascension ritual is an important part of Kheran culture, where a Lord asks a partner or good friend to destroy his body so that his spirit can be free. A Lord usually has so much energy stored in his body that this process tends to consume both Kherans.

The Coda worship a goddess, Hecate, but little is known about this religion. Other Kherans apparently don't worship any gods, but believe in individual enlightenment through Ascension.

Though originally portrayed as noble and protective of other species, after Alan Moore's tenure writing the series, the Kherans have been portrayed as quite speciesist, looking down upon other species while perceiving themselves as tolerant and benevolent.