Herdic Animal Races of Shotari

Description and location-

  • Origionating from the region known as Herdlend , these races have coexisted for centuries forming thier own mixed culture.

Gods-

Cultural Aspects-

Elegant Etiquette and Manners:
  • Politeness and decorum are highly valued in this society, with strict rules governing social interactions and behavior.
  • Elaborate rituals and ceremonies accompany everyday activities, from tea parties to formal gatherings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper etiquette.
  • Refined speech, graceful gestures, and impeccable dress are expected of all citizens, reflecting a commitment to sophistication and refinement.
Obsession with Status and Prestige:
  • Social status and lineage play a crucial role in determining one's place in society, with noble families and aristocratic bloodlines holding sway over politics and influence.
  • Ostentatious displays of wealth and opulence are common among the elite, who vie for recognition and acclaim through lavish balls, extravagant parties, and extravagant displays of extravagance.
  • The pursuit of status drives individuals to pursue success and recognition, fueling ambition and competition within the rigid social hierarchy, even if only seeking to be the best within thier own restiructive roles in sociaty.
Cultural Unity and Diversity: 
  • In Herlend, each race is celebrated for their unique contributions to the advancement and prosperity of the nation. The society prides itself on the diversity of its population, recognizing that every race plays a vital role in the functioning of the mechanized society.
Interdependence and Cooperation: 
  • The cultural ethos of Herlend emphasizes the interdependence and cooperation between different races, highlighting the importance of unity in achieving common goals. Each race is seen as a cog in the larger machine of society, with their contributions integral to its smooth operation.
Respect for Tradition and Specialization: 
  • Herlend also places a strong emphasis on respect for tradition and specialization. Each race is expected to honor their ancestral roles and excel in their designated fields, contributing to the overall success and innovation of the society.
  • This has however led to tensions and disparities within some of the population, as certain races enjoy greater privileges and opportunities than others based on their societal status.
Meritocracy and Belief in Superiority:
  • While Herlend promotes the idea of meritocracy and equal opportunity, the strict division of labor based on racial roles has led to some races developing a sense of superiority over others. Those in positions of power or in roles deemed more important may hold beliefs of superiority, viewing those in menial or less prestigious roles as lesser beings.
  • Ostentatious displays of wealth and opulence are common among the elite, who vie for recognition and acclaim through lavish balls, extravagant parties, and extravagant displays of extravagance.

Specific Racce Traits

Heregon (Rabbit People):
  • As farmers, Heregon are responsible for agriculture and food production in the society.
  • They are skilled in horticulture, crop cultivation, and animal husbandry, specializing in crops that require meticulous care and attention to detail.
  • Heregon communities are centered around vast farmlands and agrarian settlements, where they live in quaint cottages surrounded by lush greenery.
  • In the army, Heregon often serve as forward scouts and scavengers.
Minitaurs:
  • Minitaurs are the backbone of the industrial sector, known for their physical strength and craftsmanship.
  • They work in factories, mines, and workshops, producing goods ranging from machinery to textiles.
  • Minitaur neighborhoods are characterized by bustling industrial districts, filled with the clang of machinery and the scent of smoke from factory chimneys.
  • In the army, Minitaurs oftern serve as front line combatents and hand to hand specalists
Loxodon (Elephant People):
  • Loxodon serve as spiritual leaders and guides, revered for their wisdom, patience, and connection to the divine.
  • They preside over temples, shrines, and sacred rituals, offering counsel and guidance to the community.
  • Loxodon temples are architectural marvels, adorned with intricate carvings and towering spires, serving as beacons of spirituality and enlightenment.
  • In the army, Loxedon aften serve as paladins or clerics in shock trooper teams.
Leonin (Lion People):
  • Leonin hold positions of power and authority within the government, serving as administrators, lawmakers, and diplomats.
  • They govern cities, oversee public policies, and maintain law and order, ensuring the stability and prosperity of the society.
  • Leonin palaces and government buildings exude grandeur and opulence, reflecting their status as esteemed leaders and rulers.
Owlin (Owl People):
  • The Owlin are small, feathered beings with owl-like features, including sharp talons, keen eyesight, and tufted ears. Their feathers range in color from earthy browns and grays to vibrant hues of orange and white. They have nimble fingers and dexterous claws, ideal for intricate craftsmanship and delicate work.
  • The Owlin are revered artisans and craftsmen, known for their skillful workmanship and attention to detail. They specialize in a wide range of trades, including woodworking, metalworking, pottery, and textile weaving. 
  • They can often be found assistin Minitaurs in the indusrty, and Owlins with exeptional inteligence and insights can find themselves in the esteemed position of Artificers and Inventors, who design the advenced technilogical machines Herlend is known for.
  • Their creations are highly sought after throughout Herlend and the continent at large for their beauty, quality, and functionality. 
  • The Owlin play a vital role in the economy of Herlend, producing goods that are essential to daily life and trade.
  • In the millitary, Owlin can be found as engineers, mechanics, Artillary officers, and ocasionally tactitian advisers to Leonin comanders. 
Kenku (Raven People)-
  • Known widly for thier inability to speak, but instead mimic any voice or sound that have previously heard to communicate
  • In sociaty, they are largely shunned or ignored, despite their unique gifts adn abilities.
  • In herdlend, they are one of the few who prefer magic to machines, and the most talented Kenku serve as the sole mages within herdic sociaty. 
  • In the millitary, they operate as spies and inteligence officers, using their unique racial and magic abilities to blend into forign sociaties, and take perfect acounts of anything they witness. 
Shotari Kobolds:
  • Kobolds are the laborers and workforce of the society, performing various manual tasks and menial jobs, working closley with Minitaur masters and overseerers.
  • They work in construction, transportation, and other essential services, often in challenging and hazardous conditions.
  • Kobold neighborhoods are densely populated urban areas, where they dwell in crowded tenements and makeshift dwellings, toiling tirelessly to support their families.
  • Some kobolds who prove themselves to be crafty may find favor with thier Minitaur masters, and be placed into positions of tinkering and experimentations.
  • Discrimination against Kobolds is common place, both because of their social status and for their resemblence to their ansestrial dragons and Yuan-ti Kin in Wildreach.
  • In the army, Kobolds are often used as a labor force, or ocasionally, as cannon fodder.
Tortles:
  • Tortles are renowned sailors and navigators, mastering the seas and exploring distant lands.
  • They serve as sailors, fishermen, and maritime traders, conducting trade and commerce across vast oceanic expanses.
  • Tortle harbors and docks bustle with activity, as ships come and go, laden with exotic goods and treasures from distant shores.
  • In the millitary, Tortles hold positions in the Herdic Navy as sailors, navigators, and gunnery officers.
Hips (Hippo People):
  • Hips are skilled seafarers and shipbuilders, crafting sturdy vessels capable of braving treacherous waters.
  • They work as shipwrights, navigators, and maritime engineers, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime transportation.
  • Hips shipyards are bustling hubs of activity, where massive vessels take shape under the skilled hands of Gif artisans and craftsmen.
  • In the military, the Hips often use thier physical strength as boarding teams in ship to ship combat.

Other Notes-

  • They exist in a steam punk sociaty, with advanced technologies, and are known for their distinctive vehicals and moving fortresses, often designed to resemble animals.

History-

Ancient Tribalism:
  • In the distant past, the land was inhabited by various tribal societies, each led by a dominant race and vying for control of territory and resources.
  • These tribes lived in relative isolation, engaging in intermittent conflicts and alliances with neighboring groups, while also developing unique cultural practices and traditions.
Unification:
  • A period of upheaval and conflict ensued as powerful leaders emerged among the tribes, seeking to unite the disparate factions under a single banner.
  • Through diplomacy, warfare, and strategic alliances, one charismatic leader succeeded in forging a coalition of races, establishing the foundations of a unified society.
  • This era of unification marked the beginning of a centralized government and the consolidation of power under a ruling elite.
Servitude of Dragon Overlords:
  • Following a period of relative peace and prosperity, the fragile unity of the society was shattered when powerful dragons descended upon the land, subjugating its inhabitants under their draconian rule.
  • For centuries, the people lived in fear and oppression, forced to serve their draconic overlords and endure their tyrannical reign.
  • This dark chapter in history saw the suppression of cultural identity and the imposition of draconian laws, as the dragons exerted their dominance over all aspects of society.
Participation in "The 15":
  • Faced with the tyranny of the dragon overlords, a coalition of rebellious factions from across the realm banded together to overthrow their draconic oppressors.
  • Notable mebers of "The 15" were the herdic heroes Sir Henry Blackthorn, Greta Iron Fist, and Bren Wildheart.
  • The Herdic culture and technology played a pivotal role in this alliance, contributing its resources, manpower, and strategic expertise to the cause.
  • Through perseverance, sacrifice, and unity, "The 15" succeeded in toppling the dragon overlords, liberating the land from their tyranny and ushering in a new era of freedom and self-determination.
Establishment of Current Societal Norms:
  • In the aftermath of the Dragon War, the society underwent a period of reconstruction and reformation, as it sought to rebuild and redefine itself in the wake of the conflict.
  • Over the past 300 years, the society has evolved into a Victorian-inspired culture characterized by elegance, hierarchy, and tradition, with its racial divisions firmly entrenched in the fabric of society.
  • In keeping with its mechanical developments, sociaty is seen as a machine, with each member playing a disticnt, and ireplaced role. 
Cultural Renaissance and Technological Advancement:
  • In the centuries following the Dragon War, the society experienced a period of cultural renaissance and technological advancement, marked by innovation and progress in various fields.
  • Advances in science, industry, and the arts propelled the society forward, ushering in an era of unprecedented prosperity and growth.
  • This period of renewal and rejuvenation laid the groundwork for the establishment of the current societal norms, shaping the culture into what it is today.