Beastmen

background by: Antonio J Manzanedo

"Sirs. It wasn't just the cultists and undead in Grinstead. The bastards have allied with the Beastmen. Not the stunted creatures you saw at Morvudd's lair, either. They had Gor, 9 feet tall with wicked horns and greataxes."
- Sigurd Lupercal

The Beastmen (Khazrai) are a collection of cursed humans native to the Greatwood, created as a response to Imperial aggression by the Rhynari elves. They are a diverse group, but generally possess fur, horns, and cloven hoofs. Their society is strictly hierarchical, with the smaller Ungor being subservient to the larger Gor, and is divided into small villages of 20 - 500 individuals scattered across the forest.

Civilization and Culture

History

By the late 3rd century, the Holmgardian Empire was expanding into the Graahtwood, the territory of the Rhynari elves. Though they put up a fierce resistance, the Valmer were no match for Holmgardian numbers and iron weaponry. Their capital at Belneyra (Grinstead) was sacked, and the inhabitants slaughtered.
The Rhynari retreated deeper into the wood and forged a pact with a Dark Power, Khazra, out of desperation. And so a scouting force of 1,500 Holmgardian rangers disappeared. A larger punitive expedition of 8,000 also never returned.
In the following months, sightings of twisted creatures grew within the Graahtwood, and horrible noises became commonplace. The Holmgardians did not further pursue the Rhynari elves, and to this day, the Graahtwood remains a haunted place.
The twisted creatures became known simply as Beastmen. Though their numbers remain small, they are a constant threat to settlers and merchants in the Graahtwood. Their stealth tactics and dispersed settlements have made them difficult to eradicate, and the Empire soon found that the Graahtwood was barely worth the trouble of settling. So the Empire, the Beastmen, and the Rhynari elves maintain an uneasy balance of power in the Graahtwood.

Other names: Gorok, Khazra

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human