Pachova

The Pachova are a sentient species native to Ansalon, often disparagingly referred to as Skaven or Vermin. They have a history of slavery and oppression, serving as captives of the Elves, Cyclopses, and Vulpin. Despite this dark history, Pachova have strong familial bonds and tight-knit communities that are self-sufficient and independent, even resorting to banditry and thieves guilds when other races refuse to deal with them.

Appearance:

In appearance, Pachova resemble rats, with small, slight frames that are surprisingly strong. They have a thin coat of oil on their fur that protects them from mud and debris, and their excellent sense of smell and eyesight allow them to navigate dark or lightless areas. The Pachova are also resistant to disease and poison, but their immunity also makes them common carriers of disease, further damaging their reputation.

Culture:

Pachova communities are often segregated and live in cramped conditions, either underneath cities or in shantytowns. Despite their poverty, Pachova will never turn away another member of their species in need and will offer help whenever possible, regardless of the race of the recipient. The Pachova value resourcefulness and despise waste, leading them to be creative with their traditions, inventions, and food.
The Pachova know how to speak the language of rodents. This knowledge is not innate, but rather passed down generation to generation. While this language gives them no control over rodents, it does give them a chance to form friendships and alliances. Pachovan communities often rely on large warrens of mice and rats for information and scavenging in cities. In forests they communicate with chipmunks for information, beavers and capybara for help logging and as beasts of burden, and voles and groundhogs for help farming. Rather than keeping them in captivity, the pachova trade and work alongside these creatures.
The Pachova are not particularly religious, with a history of being oppressed by religious powers in Ansalon. Their tight-knit communities are often self-sufficient, with the practical scavenging leading to interesting food dishes and creative traditions. Despite their reputation as thieves and bandits, the Pachova have a strong moral code that prioritizes helping their own community and offering assistance to others in need.
Traditions:  One important ritual of the Pachova is the annual "Blessing of the Harvest". It is held to celebrate the end of the growing season and to thank the earth for its bounty. The Pachova gather together to perform songs and dances, offer prayers give thanks for plentiful food, tell stories of those who have passed since the last harvest, and to reflect on the cycle of life and death.
Another ritual is the "Communion with the Rodents". This is an intimate and personal practice where a Pachovan will spend time in solitude communicating with rats, mice, and other rodents. They will share food, exchange stories, and listen to the songs of the rodents. This ritual strengthens the bond between the Pachova and their animal companions, and promotes understanding and cooperation between species.
The Pachova also have a tradition of marking important life events and transitions, such as coming of age, marriage, and death, with simple but meaningful ceremonies. These events are celebrated simply but with large communities often with food, songs, and dances. The ceremonies serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of their people and the strength of their community. 
Foods:
"Streetside Casserole": A hearty, filling dish made from the ingredients readily available to Pachova living in the slums. So called because many of the ingredients are scavenged "street side", from scraps or waste. The base of the dish is a mixture of grains such as barley or oats and root vegetables like turnips or potatoes which are cooked long and slow in a deep broth. The broth is made from whatever scraps could be collected and various leftovers from other dishes, ensuring that nothing goes to waste, a long cooking time helps render the collagen and every scrap of nutrient from potato skins and beef bones. The casserole is then topped with scraps of meat (often gleaned from butcher shops or taken from traps) and flavored with spices such as nutmeg, sage and bay leaves (usually gathered by friendly rats). The entire dish is baked until the flavors meld and the top is golden and crisp. This dish provides much needed sustenance for the Pachova and is often served at community gatherings and shared among families.
"Bug-Bag": One of the most plentiful sources of food available to the pachova are bugs, from termites to ants to cockroaches insects provide their most consisten source of protein. The Pachova have developed a number of seasoning blends and preparation techniques to ensure each bug has a crispy exterior that gives way to a succulent meaty inside. Often carried in bags once prepared the roasted insects can hold their external crunch and intenral moisture for days, making them long lasting and delicious.
Inventions: The Pachovan Scrap Lamp - A simple but effective solution for lighting the cramped and dark communities the Pachova often inhabit, the Scrap Lamp is made from repurposed materials and can run on a variety of fuels, including used cooking oil and even discarded wine. What sets it apart is its design, featuring multiple arms which can be adjusted to direct light wherever it's needed, and saving fuel for where it isn't needed making it a versatile and practical invention.
The Pachovan Reinforced Cart - A durable and practical solution to transportation, the Reinforced Cart is made from repurposed materials and is often seen hauling goods and people throughout the shanty towns and narrow alleyways of the Pachova's communities. It is constructed with reinforced sides and a sturdy frame to withstand the wear and tear of heavy loads and uneven terrain, and its wheels are specially designed for a smooth and stable ride, even over cobblestone streets and rough terrain. The Reinforced Cart is a symbol of the Pachova's ingenuity and resourcefulness and is widely used by merchants and vendors throughout Ansalon.

The Story of the Friendly Rat

Long ago, in the time when the gods still walked Ansalon, the Pachova were slaves of the Vulpin and Elves. Despite their oppressed state, the Pachova remained resourceful and clever. They lived in cramped, dark conditions and had to be resourceful to survive. One day, a powerful druid was had been captured by the Vulpin and Elves and was unable to escape his imprisonment, even with his powers to change into many different animals. The Elves planned to force the druid to give them the secrets of his magic, to bend him to their service. The druid was strongwilled however, and the Vulpin and Elves struggled to force him to divulge the secrets of the wood. 
One day when passing the druid, a small Pachova named Grit, moved by his pain and the knowledge of the pain of captivity, snuck up to the druid and told him that he would help find a way to free him. Despite his small stature, Grit was known for his cleverness and cunning. He was not intimidated by the druid's powers or by the powerful hunters who had captured him, he would help. The Druid smiled at the kindness but dismissed Grit, for if his powerful magic could not free him how could a small pachova break his bonds?
But was undeterred and set to work to find a way to free the druid. Every night for a cycle of the moon Grit would sneak out of his quarters and into the hunting camp where the druid was chained. Every night the druid would tell grit that his efforts were useless, and that he would not free him, and every night Grit told the druid that he would be surprised what the persistence of small folk working together could accomplish. 
Unknown to the druid each day Grit secretly hid away most of his already meager rations, leaving himself only just enough to survive on. Each night when he visited the druid he mixed the rations with water to form a paste, and spread it on a single link of the chains that held the druid. Every night when Grit left, rats and mice would scurry out of the forest and lick and chew on the link to eat the hardened paste. 
After a whole cycle of the moon Grit was barley more than walking bones, but every night he visited the druid, and told him not to give up, and sang him Pachovan songs of hope and freedom.
On the 32nd night, the druids chains broke, but thanks to grit's encouragement his spirit never did. Secrets still in tact the druid was free! 
He told Grit that because grit had starved himself to help the druid with these small rodents of surprising strength the druid would return the favor and give Grit a gift so that he would never go hungry again. The druid was so grateful for Grit's help that he gifted the young Pachova with the ability to speak to and understand the language of all rodents. 
After the druid left Grit could have used his gift to live an easy life, to run escape himself and ensure he had enough food for the rest of his life. But instead of hoarding his gift, he taught the other Pachova the language of rodents and how to befriend them. This was a dangerous choice, and one day a vulpin caught him teaching other pachova, which was illegal regardless of the subject, and had him executed. Though he passed away, his gift is still carried by the pachova to this day, and the druids promise that they will never go hungry has not been broken
Grit's story has been passed down from generation to generation and is told as a reminder to the young Pachova of the importance of helping those in need, even if they appear to be more powerful than you. The Pachova continue to teach the language of rodents and their ability to befriend them is a testament to their resourcefulness and determination, even in the face of oppression.