Bulrathi

Bulrathi are a species of huge ursine creatures of immense strength and endurance to match their great stature. They can stand up to eight feet tall, though their bulk makes them seem to loom even when not so tall. Their bodies are covered in short but thick fur, and their bones are so dense they are sometimes said to actually be an alloy of organically grown metal.
Bulrathi are generally considered excellent smiths--they have the strength to work metals quite powerfully, after all--and while they have their own myths of metalsmiths and armorers, they also stand as the smiths of magic arms and armor for heroes in the tales of other folk as well. Jabborg is the preeminent smith-hero of the Bulrathi, worshipped by both the Barcidae and Grakkae, as well as appearing in a number of other cultures' stories. Jabborg is the one said to have forged thunderbolts for the storms, among other masterworks.
There are very few Bulrathi in the part of the world around the Ten Cities. Most of those who are present are individuals, following their own path rather than as members of a tribe. There is one tribe that dwells in the area, however: the Barcidae, otherwise known as Banu Barraqi in Cothon-Gadeed. The Grakkae, across Dirac's Sea to the north, are the only other "local" tribe of Bulrathi.


Banu Barraqi (the Barcidae)
This clan of Bulrathi controls the coastal-watch fortress just outside of Cothon to the east, called the Migdol of the Dyers and Fish Fermenters. They have a monopoly over the production and distribution of certain dyes, derived from the fermenting flesh and shells of a particular kind of sea snail, which process is so putrid that it is illegal to do inside the walls of the city. The dyes are extremely valuable, however, and so the the Barcidae are able to make lucrative deals with the dyes that they make.
The Barcidae are a powerful clan and control many interests in Cothon-Gadeed. Other than their Migdol itself, they have a controlling voice in the Guild of Dyers, a monopoly on their own special dyes, and own a number of warehouses in the harbor district where they store their own goods, as well as renting space for other merchants. They are also responsible for two towers along the eastern walls, the Lightning Tower and the Porphyry Tower.
Though they have recently been embroiled in some unseemly business with a group of foreign barbarians, the Barcidae are traditionally a well-respected tribe of the Cities, for they were the ones who built up the Migdol and helped fend off myriad raids from the sea--of Sakkra and human pirates both--as well as aiding in the defense of the Cities by land.


The Grakkae
The only other tribe of Bulrathis “in the neighborhood” of Cothon-Gadeed, in that their domain lies on the opposite shore of Dirac’s Sea, on the great peninsula. They are a militaristic clan (though small compared to human clans—similar to the Barcidae) who are willing to sell their swords for others’ wars and have thus made a fine fortune from various internecine peninsular conflicts. They have often been hired by the Hanse, but as a mercenary clan are quite willing to entertain contracts with anyone. Though they pride themselves on always completing a contract before signing on to any others. They are known to have a great castle, considered impregnable, in which they store their fortune and their arms, and from whence they also sell a variety of arms and armor crafted by their master armorers.
In fact, they are quite similar on the surface to the Barcidae, other than for the fact that the Barcidae seem to have attached themselves and their fortress permanently to the Dual-Cities, whereas the Grakkae are consummate mercenaries.