Pachyfolk
Peaceful nomads who travel the more arid regions of Genaeth, pachyfolk are a race of peaceful traders and sages. Traveling in family groups called idanzis, pachyfolk carry trade, news, and their calming presence from one settlement to another, giving and taking each in equal amount. Despite their gentle giant personality, many a ruffian or bandit has has their last breath after angering a pachyfolk.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Beyond having a standard humanoid number of limbs, pachyfolk are unique in their possession of large trunks and other elephantine features. Males boast tusks, but beyond this they are practically identical to females.
Biological Traits
The easiest way to differentiate female and male pachyfolk is the male's very prominent tusks. While some file them down a bit, it is very rare for a male to not have noticeable ivory tusks.
Genetics and Reproduction
They reproduce like normal mammals, though their pregnancies last close to eighteen months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Pachyfolk age slowly, with most only being considered mature after forty or so years. After this, they can live for another two hundred years before dying of old age.
Ecology and Habitats
The vast majority of pachyfolk live in hot and dry areas of both Ceren and Mahaad. They are often considered the stewards of the land they travel, with most idanzis having several druids in their number.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Pachyfolk are primarily herbivorous, with a number of staple Harelian dishes being created by them while traveling throughout the region.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Each idanzi has a small group of elders who lead the group in all matters, with each member having a certain specialty. There is usually a shaman who heads all religious and druidic activities, a veteran who takes care of what physical training is necessary, and a trademaster who manages their stock and cargo. Each elder has an equal say in leadership, with one always working to settle any infrequent quarrels between the others.
Facial characteristics
Most pachyfolk have brown eyes and short, coarse hairs scattered around their bodies. They make up for their very solid faces by having incredibly expressive hand and trunk gestures. Beyond this, most idanzis have some manner of traditional body paint to mark themselves, with paint on their foreheads being especially important.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The vast majority of pachyfolk live in the arid realms of southern Genaeth, mostly in south Ceren, central Mahaad, and southern Jonia. They rarely leave these lands without important reason, due both to tradition and biology.
Average Intelligence
With long memories and even longer lives, it is rare for an pachyfolk to be considered unintelligent. Many are slower than average, but not stupid in any regard, and the eldest members of the race are often considered wizened sages by many other peoples, inlcuding those older than the pachyfolk in question.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Despite their large ears, most of an pachyfolk's senses are comparable to those of a normal human. One difference is their incredible sense of smell, largely due to their large nasal appendages. On the magical side of things, they tend towards divine or druidic magic more often than arcane, though this is largely due to their nomadic traditions.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Most pachyfolk name their children with long, loud names that sound clear when bellowed from their great lungs. Those of elder persuasions might prefer druidic titles or nicknames, but these are rarely meant to be self-aggrandizing.
Historical Figures
Saint Akwamozu: Ordained saint of Shellone, Akwamozu governs her rule over the ideals of burial and ceremony. The rite of death most often associated with mortals, as it is a ceremony that the immortal celestials have no need of. Therefore, it fell to Akwamozu to intern the remains of mortals and ensure that they could not be used for nefarious circumstances. He recorded a variety of ways to do this, and all manners of burial have been passed down to his followers in the years that followed.
Saint Ebele: Saint of Elsana, Ebele was chosen to represent her influence over bodily health and healing. Be it magical or medicinal, Ebele traveled the world learning all forms of healing, spreading this gospel to her followers so they might save the lives of others and spread the word of Elsana. While all clerics are able to cast curative magics and act as healers, followers of Ebele can take these powers further than others.
Scientific Name
Humo Pachys
Lifespan
200 - 250 years
Average Height
11'0 - 13'0
Average Weight
1500 - 2000 pounds
Average Physique
Due to their large bodies and solid builds, most pachyfolk have a very stout physique. Seeing an incredibly thin pachyfolk is very rare, as most are considered unhealthily thin at anything below half a ton.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Much like their bestial brethren, pachyfolk have hard skin ranging from pale grey to lead-like in color. Beyond this, they make use of body paint along their arms, similar to that on their heads.
Related Ethnicities
Comments