The Fur-ken Races

[Karakos]

The Fur Ken

The wooded lands of the Jade World shelter beautiful treasure hidden far from the unknowing eyes of the common men. The world of the Fur Ken races lives deep under the cover of the thickest forests. Furry faces, long snouts, paw like hands and bushy tails may at first lead the common man with his common thoughts into underestimating the beauty and complexity of Fur Ken society. The Fur Ken people truly deserve the title of “people” as they display many human qualities.

The Fur Ken races claim lineage from four main branches, the Raccoon-ken, the Badger-ken, the Fox-ken, and the secluded Panther-ken. Each race is separate and pure in line from other Fur Ken races with neither the desire, nor the ability to mate or interbreed between races. While even experienced forest walkers have mistaken them for lycanthropes, the Fur Ken do not have shape-shifting tendencies. A Fur Ken individual is born with a furry face and dies with a furry face. Animal tendencies govern the nature of Fur Ken activities in harmony with human-like will, insight, and sentient thought.

All Fur Ken speak the same language, called Barrtullgren; though each race believes its kind speaks it most correctly. To an outsider the clicks, chirps, growls, vocal howls and squeals seem completely unintelligible and animalistic. Even an elven ranger not trained in the language and casually traveling through Fur-Ken woods would likely mistake a Barrtullgren conversation for regular animal noises (though the Elf may find himself more interested than the common adventurer in finding the source of the chatter). Barrtullgren does have a written variant, though characters are usually written on bark shavings or pressed moss. (The Fur Ken view the process of felling trees for paper as brutal.) Barrtullgren is perhaps more remarkable for its own Dance variant. Like a form of sign language, Fur Ken often accompany their verbal communications with a form of dance gesture to further emphasize their message. This Dance variant can actually substitute for the spoken language when speech is muffled or silenced. Through the Dance variant messages can be sent long distances through line of sight much quicker than spoken words could travel. All Fur Ken understand and can speak, write, or dance all three variants of Barrtullgren.

Racial Ability Adjustments
Race Ability Adjustments Favored Class
Raccoon-Ken +2 Int, -2 Wis Rogue
Fox-Ken +2 Int, + 1 Cha, -2 Strength Wizard
Badger-Ken +2 Con, -2 Cha Fighter
Panther-Ken +2 Cha, -2 Int Paladin

Descriptions of each race included below.

[Karakos]

Raccoon-ken: A contagious and electric curiosity radiates constantly about the Raccoon-ken. Between his shivering, twitching motions, and his nearly uncontrollable cheeping and clicking sounds the Raccoon-ken appears as if he is about to burst with excitement. Usually seen scampering about the forest floor with an inflated ponch and a seemingly overarched back the Raccoons could easily be compared to the skulking bandits of human cities. The Raccoons are almost entirely collectively redeemed from the normal connotations of the dismal thief by their unflagging good nature and unabashed sense of awe with which they approach even the most commonly viewed aspects of the world (especially the human world.)

Physical Description: Raccoon Ken stand between 3 feet to 3½ feet tall when standing on hind legs, and weigh between 40 and 55 pounds. They essentially look like overgrown raccoons with the exception that their legs are slightly longer and sturdier in such a way that the Raccoon-Ken can stand and support their full weight in the same way a human can. Raccoon-ken usually wear simple loose clothing that does not hinder movement and climbing. Raccoon-ken usually reach adulthood at 12 years, and typically live to their mid sixties.

Relations: Raccoon-ken try to get along with everyone. In spite of many follies the Raccoon-ken bring upon the whole Fur Ken society, Raccoons are still revered and appreciated for their unwavering good spirits and wild resourcefulness by their other Fur Ken brethren.

Alignment: Raccoon-ken tend to be good. Individual Raccoons run the spread from chaotic to lawful, but their pleasant and outgoing nature seems to run deep in Raccoon blood. Very few raccoons have been known to display an air of neutrality, and the thought of an evil Raccoon-Ken is unheard of.

Names for Male or Female: Chicheepreth, Grrreegp, Yiggyicky, Reeburn, Jaggies

Adventurers: Raccoon-ken are the most likely of the Fur Ken to set out on adventures. Their childlike curiosity drives them to explore the wondrous world about them.

Raccoon-ken Racial Traits
* +2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom the Raccoon is a very bright, but often careless creature.
* Small: As small creatures Raccoon-ken suffer penalties as small size.
* Raccoon base land speed is 30 ft. Raccoons can travel very quickly by running with all four legs. A raccoon wearing any armor (even padded, leather or studded) is hindered to 20 ft.
* +2 racial bonus on all Climb and Survival checks
* +2 racial bonus on all Listen checks
* Favored Class: Rogue, a multiclass Raccoon’s rogue class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing. Fur-ken lore explains the Raccoon earned their mask by sneaking into the Great Spirit Bear’s den. The Great Spirit Bear captured the Raccoon thief. As punishment the Great Spirit Bear branded all Raccoons to wear the mask of a bandit. Raccoon Clerics are also common as their childlike innocence lends itself to devout worship, though Fur-ken clerics are saddled with the restrictions of the Fur-ken mystery cult.

[Karakos]

Fox-ken: Savvy over brute. The clever workings of the Fox-ken minds sustain the veil of mystery that preserves Fur-ken society from the outside world. No forest dwellers understand the great threat common man can impose on the Fur-ken more than the Fox-ken. No Fur-ken are more devoted to preventing human society from discovering the Fur-ken society pack-dens than the Fox. Subtle tricks and cleverly deceptive manipulations fill a Fox-ken’s bag of tricks. The fox have been known to use political threats and underground conspiracies to plot against other Fur-ken to achieve their goals.

Personality: Fox have long held the role in Fur-ken society as the planners and decision makers. Their civil role has given them a rightful sense of authority over their Fur-ken brethren. The Fox tend to also cherish and honor their role as the smart and forward thinking guardians of their people. While they regularly bluff and deceive other Fur-ken, they do so with a belief that they are helping their fellow forest dwellers. (In the same way people of our society pass on the myth of Santa Claus to benefit our unwitting children.) At first a Fox’s demeanor may seem arrogant, but personal attitudes are more accurately described as emanating from authority, like that of a professor.

Physical description: The Fox almost always stand 4 feet 11 inches. An incredible uniformity runs in the Fox-ken line. Fox-ken appear like tall thin foxes, walking gracefully like a ballet dancer on two small thin fox hind legs. As a fox walks or speaks its large bushy tail will flutter gracefully to add an air of elegance to the fox’s aura. Fox-ken coats are typically red in color with a white chest, though brown and gray foxes are only slightly less common. Foxes always maintain smooth well groomed coats. Fox-ken culture places great importance on physical appearance.

Alignment: Foxes are usually good or neutral. If a Fox is found to be evil, he is hunted and killed with great fervor by other Fox-ken. Because of their plotting nature, Fox-ken as a whole cannot risk tarnishing their actions with real corruption.

Religion: Always Mystery Cult of Hoewhw (Great Grandfather Bear).

Language: Barrtulgren. A Fox-ken may also know Common, Elven, Shadowtalk, or Treespeak from spying on other cultures that travel near or through forests containing pack-dens.

Names: Fox have two names. The first is the Fur-ken name, known as the popular name, which is used by all non-Fox. The Fox refer to the second as their correct name. The correct name is used only in communicating with other Fox. It is an insult for a Fox to refer to another Fox by her popular name. Foxes make no effort to hide their correct names from the rest of Fur-ken society. A Fox simply will not respond to a non-Fox who is speaking her correct name. The rule is Correct name for Foxes, Popular name for everyone else. What is even more disconcerting to an outsider is a mother fox gives her kit a popular name at birth, but never mentions a correct name. Yet when two Foxes meet for the first time with no introduction, they automatically know each other’s correct name.

Names: Popular names: Swiftfoot. White-ears, Lively-tongue, Many-toothed-grin. Correct names for male or female: Hicks, Chack, Rayack, Yerrick

Adventurers: Foxes feel most comfortable using mental skill and reason, with a bit of trickery perhaps, to face life’s challenges. By nature they try to avoid any unreasonable situations which may involve more risk than reward. Though calculating, Fox are still excited by the thought of overcoming danger. A Fox adventurer is typically at least somewhat motivated by the desire to protect the pack-den. Fox make excellent Wizards. A Fox may choose any other class as well except Barbarian.

Fox Clerics also participate in the rites of the Hoewhw mystery cult. A Fox Cleric always observes his role in the mystery cult as a primary responsibility, above even the political activities that often dictate a Fox’s lifestyle. Fox devotion never fails or comprimises for secular activities.

Fox Racial Traits
* 2 Intelligence, +1 Charisma, -2 Strength
* Medium: As medium creatures Fox have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
* Fox land speed is 30 ft. A Fox would never degrade herself by walking on all fours.
* Lowlight Vision
* +1 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks
* +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Bluff checks.
* Favored Class: Sorcerer, a multiclass Fox’s wizard class levels do not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

[Karakos]

Badger Ken: Badgers growl. All the time. Badgers will growl when greeted. Badgers will growl if you fail to greet them. If you wake a badger, you had better bet he will growl. Ranging from a soft low rumble in the chest, to a loud unmistakable snarl, badger growls are varied, if not constant. Fur ken society generally accepts the thought that badgers growl in the womb. This hypothesis has never really been tested, because by the time a listener approches a female carrying pups, the mother to be is already growling louder than it is assumed the unborn pup. Beside their gruff exterior, badgers play a fundemental role in badger society.
Resolute and stalwart, Badgers maintain a consistent pattern in Fur Ken pack dens. Physical strength and stamina place badgers in the role of perfoming most labor tasks for the Fur-Ken. Fox plans to construct anything in a pack den always account for the number of Badgers needed. Badgers will always growl or grumble about the dependency the other Fur Ken have on their strong and able backs. Deep down though, each Badger is glad for his role. Much like Dwarves, beyond their gruff exterior Badgers are typically trustworthy, loyal and helpful. A Badger’s devotion to the well being of all forest creatures, especially Fur Ken races is second only to a desire to appear “annoyed” by everything in the world.
Badgers often earn duties that involve removing hornet infestations, capturing snakes, burrowing through briar patches. After their first year, a Badger’s hide grows thick and resistant to minor punctures. All badgers older than one year are slightly more resistant to some forms of external damage, and even some poisons.

Physical Description: like mascot seen on any red flag in any Wisconsin bar.

Alignment: Usually Lawful, most Badgers are taught to respect the pack den sense of order at an early age. Occasionally outside natural influences may edge a Badger to assume a view of neutrality or chaos. Typically Good or Neutral, Badgers are almost never evil. Evil Badgers typically try to separate themselves from the main of Fur Ken society, often to avoid social responsibilities. On the fringe of Fur Ken society, evil badgers encounter the mysterious Panther Ken. No evil Badger has ever made his way past the boundaries of a Fur Ken forest, to associate with the outside races.

Religion: Badgers do not practice any religion of sorts, though each Badger recognizes The Great Bear as the most powerful force in the forest.

Language: Barrtulgren

Adventurers: Usually Martial Class, though can be others, occassionally druids, but never any other cleric.

Badger Racial Traits:
* +2 Strength, +1Constitution, -2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma the Badger is a tough one.
* Size: Medium, Badgers suffer no size penalties.
* Badger base land speed is 30 ft
* +2 racial bonus on all Survival checks
* +2 racial bonus on all Listen checks
* +2 bonus on all Fortitude saves vs. poison or venom. If a Badger successfully saves vs. poison, she automatically ignores any effects from that poison.
* Favored Class: Fighter, a multiclass Badger’s fighter class levels do not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty for additional classes.

[Karakos]

Panther Ken

Panther ken are very elusive. Their society is so secretive, stats cannot be posted here.

Actually I seem to have misplaced my panther file. I will find it and post here at a later date. Many apologies.

I.O.U. one panther.
signed Karakos

[Knight of Roses]

Interesting indeed. I am always curious to see how people do morphic animals for a game.

Just for comparison, you might want to look at my Genus Bestia (http://barroks-tower.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=744) races, especially the Vulpeii (http://barroks-tower.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=775) who are also a fox race.

I am not sure about the oddly structured attribute bonuses you give the Badgers and Foxes. Best to keep everything in even numbers.

How big are the badgers? If the foxes are exceptionally slender, which I get the impression from your description they are, you could make an argument to make them small sized.

Why wizard for the fox's favored class? Would not Bard or even Sorcerer make more sense? I cannot see them having much of a chance to develope a book-based magical system on their own.