Skratte Vargr (Wolves)

For thousand of years the Skratte and the Vargr have had a close relationship, helping each other to survive and thrive on Enga. Since the Skratte began living in the cities and villages of the Ulda and the Firar, the Vargr have gone with them. Having the Vargr around has been beneficial for the Firar especially, as their villages have been even safer with them around and hunting has been far easier

Basic Information

Anatomy

• The Vargr were at one time were very closely related to Worgs. Over thousands of years, however, the two have diverged. The Vargr have grown more wolf-like in appearance, though they have still; have many of the same characteristics otherwise. However, they are much more loyal and care more about the community they live in than their distant cousins.

Genetics and Reproduction

• Vargr reproduce via sexual reproduction, with a female Vargr giving birth to a litter of 6-9 young every 18 months.

Growth Rate & Stages

• A Vargr is considered fully grown 24 months after birth.
• Sexual maturity is reached at 48 months.

Ecology and Habitats

• Typically at home in the forests and mountains. Now found in the cities where Skratte live, but stay to the outer edges of the city typically. The Skratte will usually build them shelter at the forest edge if possible, or build kennels and housing large enough to support the pack otherwise.

Dietary Needs and Habits

• The Vargr are carnivores, and need a decent amount of fresh meat to survive. Packs will often hut down larger prey when together. They do not resort to catabolism unless it is an emergency, and have no problem feasting on dead foes (Firar, Aldr, Skratte, etc.) during raids or if attacked. Because of this, the Skate have to carefully control this behavior so to not offend the Firar or Ulda.

Additional Information

Social Structure

• In a Vargr pack, typically there is a dominant male that has been chosen as a pack leader. All other Vargr in the pack follow his direction.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

• Hunts: The Skratte use the Vargr to hunt food sources, such as deer or other game.
• Mounts: Some Skratte choose the Vargr as mounts and ride them into battle. Sometimes, if an Ulda has been especially kind to the Skratte, they will gift them a Vargr as a mount, but this is very rare.
• Attack: If the Skratte are attacked or attacking someone, the Vargr pack is usually involved in supporting the atack.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

• Over thousands of years, the Vargr have become mostly domesticated and now are only truly found where the Skratte live. Rumors abound of massive packs in the north and south where most peoples have abandoned the land, but these are rumors and have never been confirmed.

Average Intelligence

• Cunning might be the best word for the Vargr. They can understand the importance of things, why they should do something but are not inventive, not artistic, not creative.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Vargr have exceptional hearing, sight and smell, and are able to track prey across mountain ranges and through forests even if they haven't seen the prey for days.
• In some Skratte villages, the Vargr pack reacts to potential danger faster than the Skratte themselves, and there have been reports of Skratte finding whole raiding parties dead just outside their villages, dead before they could attack.
• Additionally, the Vargr will some times relay news from pack to pack across Enga if there is a particular need (emergencies, threat, raids and attacks).

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

• Vargr can have up to three names:
• One name given to them by their family of Vargr
• One name given by the pack
• And a final name given if they bond with one of the Skratte.
• Typically, a Vargr’s Pack Name is not used around, or spoken of to outsiders. It is received as a private thing within the pack.

Beauty Ideals

• Over the years, as they have become domesticated, the favorable fur color has been white. White male Vargr have a higher rate of mating than black or grey furred Vargr. For that reason, the predominant fur color in packs on Enga is white.

Gender Ideals

• Female Vargr are typically slightly larger than the males, though the difference is very subtle.
• Males take responsibility for finding prey, but the pack as a whole typically hunts them down

Courtship Ideals

• Vargr follow typical patterns found in pack animals for mate selection. Typically the males fight small bouts to see who is the strongest. This is typically a display and there is no real harm done to the participants, though sometimes the fighting gets intense and major injuries or death can occur. Female Vargr then select from the strongest males.

Relationship Ideals

• After mate selection, and after mating, the two have little to do with each other. If the mating is successful, the pups are raised by the pack. To a young Vargr, all the males are Father.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

• Vargr: Sounds to an outsider like barks, growl and yips.
• Common
• Skratte

Common Dress Code

• Unbonded Vargr wear no clothing or anything distinctive.
• Bonded Vargr typically have a saddle and collar. It’s a personal gift from their rider, so it carries based on the tastes of the Skratte.

Common Myths and Legends

• Among the Vargr, the myth of Skoll and Hati are especially loved, since they believe that Skill and Hati are Vargr.

Scientific Name

Skratte Vargr

Lifespan

20 years + 1d20

Average Height

3’ at the shoulders

Average Weight

300 lbs

Average Length

5 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

• Typically fur is white. Several Skratte villages sport populations of black or grey.

Vargr Mount

A Level 4 a Skratte PC, regardless of class, may take a Vargr as a companion and mount.

Due to the special nature of the relationship between the Skratte and Vargr, commands for the Vargr are bonus actions as opposed to full actions and can be made only during your turn. Otherwise, follow the same rules as laid out in the Ranger class found in the PHB.

Vargr

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Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 26 (4d10+4)
Speed: 50 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	13 (+1)	13 (+1)	7 (-2)	11 (+0)	10 (+0)

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Skills: Perception +4
Senses: Darkvision, 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages: Common, Skratte, Vargr

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Keen Hearing and Smell: The Vargr has advantage on Wisdom (Perception)checks that rely on hearing and smell.

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Actions:
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, Reach 5 t., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) Piercing Damage.
If the Target is a creature, it must suceed a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.