Brunok
The Brunok are a battle-driven and aggressive subrace of Faunari with deep roots in their boar-like heritage. Unlike the more peaceful, towering Bovaur, the Brunok are stockier, muscular, and have a predilection for combat and confrontation. Their society revolves around honor through strength, with a focus on fighting prowess, defending their territory, and asserting dominance over their rivals. They are often described as territorial, impulsive, and fiercely protective of their kin. Easily enraged, easily manipulated, not easy to take down.
The Brunok are a muscular, solidly built subrace of Faunari that stand out due to their wild, earthy appearance and their short but thick, robust frames. They are known for their gritty resilience, fierce temperaments, and protective instincts, all of which are reflected in their physical forms.
While the Brunok may maintain some alliances with neighboring Faunari races or those who respect their might, they have little patience for weakness. They view other races with a sense of disdain unless they prove their strength in some way, whether through battle or respect.
They tolerate those who offer respect, but ultimately, the Brunok are fiercely territorial and will not hesitate to strike down any who they believe threaten their way of life. However, if another race shows the same tenacity and fighting spirit, the Brunok may see them as worthy allies or rivals—in battle, everything is earned. The Brunok are a people defined by strength, bravery, and a battle-hardened culture, where warriors lead by example and the harshest of trials prove one’s worth. They fight with ferocity, protect their land with pride, and value honor through combat above all else. Their world is one where the strongest thrive, and where strength alone dictates the respect of their peers.
The Brunok society places a heavy focus on warrior culture. They thrive in battle, and their honor system is tied to violence and competition. This is not a people to shy away from a fight; instead, they see battle as a necessary and sacred part of their existence. Physical prowess is a measure of status, and from a young age, Brunok are taught to embrace the combat lifestyle. Training is brutal, with each young warrior expected to become skilled in hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, and tactical leadership. Raids and territory wars with neighboring clans or rival tribes are common, and the Brunok are often seen as aggressors, particularly when it comes to protecting their territory or resources.
Ruthlessness is celebrated, particularly in the context of warfare. Brunok warriors are trained to show no mercy to their enemies. In fact, the greatest honor a Brunok warrior can achieve is to strike down an enemy with overwhelming power, decisively and without hesitation. The Brunok maintain strict territorial control. Their lands are sacred to them, and any encroachment—be it from another tribe or from non-Faunari—will result in swift and violent retribution. Raids for plunder and territory expansion are a regular part of their way of life.
When a Brunok dies in battle, their soul is said to return to the Great Wilds, where their strength becomes part of the land they fought to protect. Their spiritual beliefs focus heavily on the notion of warrior honor, with funerals held for fallen warriors, often involving ritualistic combat or sacrifices to appease the spirits of the land. Skulls and tusks of enemies slain in battle are often kept as trophies, and they are displayed in prominent places as a sign of the warrior’s bravery and success in combat.
While the Brunok may be quick to anger or strike, their loyalty to each other is unshakable. Once bonded by blood or trial, the Brunok stand together as one, facing all threats head-on. They value the brotherhood of the warrior and often form deep, lifelong bonds with fellow soldiers who fight alongside them. Loyalty to one’s clan is paramount. Betrayal is seen as one of the greatest crimes, and anyone found guilty of treason is typically executed.
Basic Information
Behaviour
Ruthlessness is celebrated, particularly in the context of warfare. Brunok warriors are trained to show no mercy to their enemies. In fact, the greatest honor a Brunok warrior can achieve is to strike down an enemy with overwhelming power, decisively and without hesitation.
The Brunok maintain strict territorial control. Their lands are sacred to them, and any encroachment—be it from another tribe or from non-Faunari—will result in swift and violent retribution. Raids for plunder and territory expansion are a regular part of their way of life.
When a Brunok dies in battle, their soul is said to return to the Great Wilds, where their strength becomes part of the land they fought to protect. Their spiritual beliefs focus heavily on the notion of warrior honor, with funerals held for fallen warriors, often involving ritualistic combat or sacrifices to appease the spirits of the land.
Skulls and tusks of enemies slain in battle are often kept as trophies, and they are displayed in prominent places as a sign of the warrior’s bravery and success in combat.
The Brunok society places a heavy focus on warrior culture. They thrive in battle, and their honor system is tied to violence and competition. This is not a people to shy away from a fight; instead, they see battle as a necessary and sacred part of their existence.
Physical prowess is a measure of status, and from a young age, Brunok are taught to embrace the combat lifestyle. Training is brutal, with each young warrior expected to become skilled in hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, and tactical leadership.
Raids and territory wars with neighboring clans or rival tribes are common, and the Brunok are often seen as aggressors, particularly when it comes to protecting their territory or resources.
Additional Information
Social Structure
The Brunok live in clans, but unlike the Bovaur’s familial-based structure, the Brunok clans are much more competition-driven. The strongest and most fearless warrior rises to the top, with leadership often decided through combat trials or displays of sheer brutality. Leadership is not determined by age or wisdom, but by raw power and the ability to lead from the front.
The title for the clan leader is the Warchief. This is the individual who is seen as the strongest, most capable, and willing to put themselves in the line of fire for their people. A Warchief commands with authority, and their leadership is a direct reflection of their personal martial prowess and their ability to inspire fear and respect from others.
Challengers to the position of Warchief may attempt to usurp the leader in a combat trial. This trial can be one-on-one or in a duel between champion warriors, depending on the specific clan's traditions. If the Warchief is defeated, they lose their leadership and the new victor becomes the Warchief.
Warband leaders are powerful warriors chosen to lead smaller units within the clan, each with a different focus (e.g., scouts, heavy infantry, or raiders). They report directly to the Warchief and are tasked with organizing the Brunok in times of war or defense.
Facial characteristics
The face of a Brunok is one of their most distinguishing features. Boar-like in appearance, their snouts are wide and flat, and often end in a short, blunt nose resembling that of a boar or wild pig. Their teeth are prominent, with sharp tusks that jut outward from their lower jaw, often curving upward in an intimidating display.
- Tusks: Brunok possess large, curved tusks, which can vary greatly in size, shape, and sharpness. Some have smaller, stubby tusks, while others sport massive, spiraled tusks that can be used as weapons in close combat.
- Eyes: Their eyes are small but fierce, often deep brown, amber, or dark gray, with a sharp gleam that reflects their ferocity. Some Brunok may have more wild, untamed eyes, while others have a more calm, calculating demeanor.
- Ears: Their ears are generally rounded and thick, much like a pig's, though some may have ears that are slightly pointed or drooping depending on their specific subrace. The ears are highly sensitive, able to detect even the slightest sounds in their environment, making them excellent scouts or hunters.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Earth, Wind, Sound affinity. Charge attack, Head tusk attack, additional armor and speed bonus.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Despite their warrior culture, Matriarchs (female clan leaders) are respected and hold significant sway in matters of community and strategy. While the Warchief is the head of military leadership, the Matriarchs are responsible for making decisions about family life, fertility, and nurturing the next generation of warriors. However, it is not uncommon for strong women to become Warchiefs themselves if they prove their martial skill in the duel for the position.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
The Matriarchs also oversee the rituals and spiritual aspects of the clan, keeping track of traditions, and ensuring that each warrior’s soul is prepared for the afterlife after battle. They also maintain the clan’s connection to nature through their earth-based rituals.
Brunok typically stand between 4 to 5 feet tall, with wide, sturdy frames that give them an imposing presence. They have powerful limbs, often thick with muscle, and their torsos are built for endurance and strength, much like wild boars or domesticated pigs bred for heavy labor.
- Height: 4 to 5 feet tall, with a wide, barrel-chested build.
- Build: Muscular and stocky, their limbs are short and stout, perfect for charging and withstanding heavy blows.
Their lower bodies often have the powerful hindquarters characteristic of pigs, with strong legs that are ideal for quick bursts of speed when charging, though their overall build tends to be more compact than the tall, lean figures of other Faunari subraces. They are built for resilience rather than agility, making them excellent tanks or warriors in battle.
Brunok's arms and legs are powerful and stocky, with large, muscular limbs built for both strength and stability. Their hands are large and robust, resembling those of wild pigs, with thick fingers and strong claws that they use for digging or grappling. Their legs are sturdy and end in hooves that are capable of providing traction and stability in almost any environment, but can also be used as a weapon in combat—kicking or stomping with great force.
- Hooves: Their hooves are broad and strong, perfect for digging or charging. Some Brunok have sharp hooves that they use as weapons in close-quarters combat.
- Arms and Legs: Stout, thick arms and legs capable of quick movements and powerful charges. Stocky build with prominent, strong limbs.
The Brunok's skin is typically rough and leathery, often in shades of gray, brown, or reddish, reflecting their rugged, earthy nature. They may also have patches of bristly fur along their necks, backs, and shoulders, resembling the thick coarse hair of wild boars or wild pigs. The fur can vary in thickness and length depending on the subspecies of Brunok, with some possessing shorter, smoother fur, while others may have longer, shaggy hair around their neck and shoulders.
- Skin: Typically thick, leathery, and tough, often in shades of gray, brown, or tan.
- Fur: Short or long bristly fur, especially around the neck, shoulders, and spine. Some Brunok may have spotted or striped patterns depending on their lineage.
- Tattoos or Markings: In certain tribes, Brunok may adorn their skin with tribal tattoos or scars, marking their achievements, battles, or rites of passage.
The tail of a Brunok is short and thick, ending in a tuft of bristly fur, similar to the curled tails of pigs. The tail may be used as a visual indicator of their mood or feelings, much like a boar's tail can indicate agitation or aggression.
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