Ratfolk
Ratfolk are a race of bipedal rodents known for their dexterity and cunning. Often portrayed as sneaky vermin, most ratfolk try to live in harmony with other races. Unfortunately, this bad reputation leaves few opportunities for the ratfolk to better themselves, and every individual that causes problems only serves to cement the idea that ratfolk are untrustworthy.
Rodents of Unusual Size
Ratfolk are much larger than their creature counterparts, standing 3-4 feet tall with long, thick tails. Depending on an individual ratfolk's heritage, it can be white, grey, brown, black, or any combination thereof. Fur length is also dependent on a rat's family; those from the coldest continents will have long, thick fur, while those from the desert or underground can have little to no hair at all. Ratfolk have paws tipped with short, sharp claws, but these are rarely used as in ratfolk culture to fight with the claws is seen as barbaric. Similarly, ratfolk rarely use their sharp front teeth, although in dire situations these can tear flesh and cloth quite easily. A ratfolk's teeth are some of its most prized possessions. They take meticulous care to keep them bright white. Yellowed, crooked, or broken teeth in a ratfolk are a sign that the ratfolk cannot take care of itself, and such a ratfolk is ostracized by others. Ratfolk have a shorter lifespan than humans, reaching adulthood around age seven and living until around 40.Family Burrows
Ratfolk live in large, close-knit families. Since many ratfolk are sensitive to bright sunlight, families take up residence in caves, forests, or even sewers if necessary. They are master collectors, and a ratfolk burrow is typically bedecked with all sorts of junk reused in clever ways. These burrows, large and comfortable, are modified over generations by the family that lives there. Families are matriarchal and often headed by a group of mothers. Most males leave the burrow as adults to find mates and new burrows.A Sly Hero
Ratfolk honor the same deities as most other humanoids, although emphasis on particular deities varies from burrow to burrow. In addition to these deities, however, ratfolk also honor their own hero, Vhiksi. Vhiksi, said to be the first ratfolk to climb from four legs to two and the most clever of all divine beings, is regaled as a trickster and master escapist. There are many tales about Vhiksi which explain why natural phenomena occur, such as the aurora borealis, whose light Vhiksi stole from Elena in order to bring light to her folk living in the northernmost reaches of the world, even in the dead of winter. Ratfolk often tell such stories to their pups before sending them to bed.Subraces
There are several subraces of ratfolk.Desert
Desert ratfolk, as their name suggests, hail from the deserts of Crisel. There, food is difficult to come by and the landscape provides little shelter. Desert ratfolk have short, thick fur, usually brown or yellow, to protect them from sand and heat, and large ears that they press flat to their heads during sandstorms. Their tails are hairless and covered with thick, tough skin. A desert ratfolk has flat, wide hind legs to keep it from slipping in the shifting terrain. These ratfolk live in large, dome-shaped huts covered in a thick layer of cloth and sticks. The hut is then covered entirely in sand so as to blend in with the surrounding dunes and keep the wind out. Inside, ratfolk will typically dig a well to retrieve water. Desert ratfolk eat mostly cacti, but will also catch and consume scorpions and other desert crawlers when the opportunity arises.Silverfur
Silverfur ratfolk are well equipped to survive in the cold tundras of Chiarei. They grow long, thick fur in the cold winters, which they shed in springtime for a lighter coat of brown. Silverfur ratfolk have hairy ears and short, fur-covered tails. This keeps their extremities warm in the snow-cloaked world of the tundra. In the winter, these ratfolk live in deep underground burrows, emerging only to gather food when needed. They do not hibernate; families gather together for the season and tell stories. This tradition has led many silverfur ratfolk to become bards, travelling the world to share their family's wealth of tales. Silverfur ratfolk are also the source of many of the folktales told across the world by all folk. They have the richest history of any single race. Silverfur families are also much more tightly knit than other ratfolk because of this. In the spring, summer, and fall, silverfur ratfolk make small farms on which they grow food for next year's winter. This is also the time when many set off on worldly travels. Of all the ratfolk, the silverfurs are the most widely accepted in other societies.Softpaw
Softpaw ratfolk live in forests across Galactus. Shy and small, these ratfolk are difficult to find when they don't want to be. They are masters of camouflage and often bedeck themselves in garments designed to look like leaves, bark, and moss. Softpaw ratfolk live in burrows dug into hills, hiding the entrances behind cleverly designed doors. They keep their families small in comparison to other ratfolk. Softpaws are excellent craftsfolk and are well known for sturdy wooden furniture, though they rarely choose to sell pieces and instead trade for items that might be of use to the ratfolk's family. Softpaw ratfolk are brown or grey, with short, silky fur and small, nimble tails and paws. They are shorter than other ratfolk, only reaching about 3 feet tall at most.River Ratfolk
The only ratfolk with an affinity for water, river ratfolk are strong swimmers and are often found relaxing in the shallows of bodies of water. They have thick tails and wide paws for better paddling, and are sleek and streamlined. River ratfolk live on or under riverbanks, using reeds and mud to create strong, thick walls for shelter. These ratfolk enjoy fishing, and as a result their diet is a mixture of aquatic creatures and plants. They enjoy living far from crowded places, but often make short trips to cities to sell their excess fish and buy all manner of shiny trinkets to decorate their burrows with. Vain and meticulously clean, one can often find a river ratfolk seated on a riverbank, washing its face or hands. Most river ratfolk are dark grey or black, and occasionally grey-brown. They tend toward the taller end of the ratfolk spectrum, but are also quite thin.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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