Froglins

Deep within the warm wetlands of the south-western region of Urdus, affectionately called the Purple Glades by their neighbors, live a species of grung-like beings known by said neighbors simply as Froglins. Lacking the bright colors of their tropical counterparts, Froglins have adapted to the toxic Urdusian wetlands by being more reliant on physical resilience and agility, as opposed to aggression.

Peculiar Swampfolk

A Dangerous Home

South-western Urdusian wetlands are known for the nocivity of its air, water and soil on humans, and most demihumans species. While not outright deadly, the gas permeatting the area, en encouraging the presence of resistant monsters, makes it an inhospitable place for most. The Froglins, however, having adapted to it, are perfectly at home in the Purple Glades and thrive on hunting monsters and animals much bigger than themselves! The hunting parties, called prowls, take place at night and can include between ten and twenty Froglins on average. Their meals mainly consist of hunted prey, though they are not obligate carnivores and will add some of the toxic plants of the Glades to their diet, to which they seem immune. Froglins settlements, typically found near caves, or other nooks and crannies, mingle mud-carved lairs and hanging, primitive treehouses above the swampwater.

Waterbound communities

Froglin society is based heavily on water; they rely specifically on the swampwater of Urdusian swamps as the materials that causes its toxicity also seem to have beneficial effects on Froglins ; Scholars of the nearby Academy of Plumwell who have attempted to study the froglke people have theorized that bathing in the toxicity of the Glades has become over time as much of a necessity for them as air and food. Several settlements have been reported, and all seem to follow a similar way of life: A Froglin community (commonly refered to as a den), is ruled by a caste of a dozen or so highly experienced hunters, who make their homes semi-submerged in the swamp's water, half digged in the clay and mud, and half built out of wood. After them in the hierarchy come their mate(s), who live in their dens, then guards, then proeficient gatherers, then builders, and then the rest. The lower the rank, the higher hung in willow trees is the lair.

Critters of the night

Despite having reached some level of civilisation and advancement, Froglins stay very isolated from other species; this is mainly due to their reliance on the swampwater of their home, which other species tend to avoid. As such, Froglin communities are typically wary of strangers, and do not open their homes easily. In fact, neighboring villages would be the first to tell you tales of prowls of the amphibious monsters, devouring sheeps and capturing disobedient children in the dead of night. Froglins can indeed be quite the scare for the uncareful who steps too close to their lands: Being nocturnal, their eyes have adapted to the darkness of nighttime swampwater, causing them to sometimes glisten coldly at the slightest bit of light. Thier hunting cries can be heard in the small hours of the morning, after a successful kill, feeding into the scare.

Appearance

Froglins may look relatively small, compared to humanoid species, but they are significantly bigger and bulkier than their Grung brethren, averaging 3"5 (~100cm) in height. Yet, they are surpsingly light and nimble, and naviguate muddy swamp soil with ease. Their skin ranges from dark brown to light green, typically wpotted with black.