Varnskyr

With furry snouts tipped with sensitive black noses, pointed ears, and a long mouth filled with sharp teeth, Varnskyr remind Humans of a predator from ancient legends. Combined with keen intelligence, cunning and swift speed, and the Varnskyr are a species not to be trifled with.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Varnskyr have a canine-like appearance, especially in their head and lower legs. They are otherwise humanoid, with two lower legs and two arms. Their skin is covered in fur, and they have a tail (rarely more than one). They typically stand between 1.5 and 2.1 meters tall.
There are three subspecies of varnskyr in existence:

The Taalvi (or "northern") varnskyr are characterized as having a broader snout, shorter ears, a shorter torso and a longer tail. They are powerfully built, with a large, deeply descending rib cage, a sloping back, and a heavily muscled neck. The Taalvi varnskyr's legs are moderately longer than those of other subspecies, which enables them to move swiftly, and to overcome the deep snow that covers most of the northern lands of their home world during the long winters. Their ears are relatively small and triangular, and their head is large and heavy, with a wide forehead, strong jaws and large heavy teeth suited to crushing bone. Their fur is very dense and fluffy winter fur, with a short undercoat and long, coarse guard hairs. Their fur is generally white, brown, black or gray, or a combination of those colors.

The Sakaali (or "southern") varnskyr are generally shorter and sleeker than their northern brethren, rarely topping 2 meters. Sakaali varnskyr have a relatively long snout and tall narrow ears, while the tail is comparatively short. Fur color varies individually, from yellowish to silvery grey to black. Both striped and speckled fur is not uncommon. Sakaali fur tends to be short, flat and sleek.

The Kettsu (or "hidden") varnskyr are the shortest of the subspecies, typically topping out at 1.8 meters. Their snouts are long and narrow with short, triangular ears. Their fur is very long, dense and fluffy, and typically is a rusty reddish with white or black highlights, but other colors are not unheard of. Kettsu have been known to rarely be born with more than one tail; the most recorded is four, but legends tell of a nine-tailed Kettsu.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gruemor reproduce sexually, usually having two to three offspring at a time.  Female varnskyr have four mammae that are small and relatively indistinct from the body.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Varnskyr are mainly carnivores, although they are capable of eating fruits,vegetables and starches.  Throughout their history, varnskyr have been hunters, and on their homeworld of Jordskyr, many varnskyr continue to practice hunting as a sport and for food.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Varnskyr possess typical sight and hearing capabilities. Their sense of smell is highly advanced, to the extent that they can track a target by scent alone over a half kilometer away. 
Varnskyr cannot develop mystical abilities at all.  At the same time, their unique makeup also makes them immune to most mystical attacks and powers, unless that power interacts with the physical world.  As an example, a varnskyr would be unaffected by a mystic trying to control their mind or even a bolt of supernatural energy.  However, if struck by a ball of magically conjured fire, they will still be burned and take damage.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

While Varnskyr wear a wide variety of clothing, from functional to exotic, the iconic garment worn by them is the kaverro, a coat-like garment that covers the wearer from the shoulder to the knees. Kaverros are crafted from kavaam hides, with the spines still attached or woven into the leather. Chemical treatment makes the leather water-resistant. Embellishments include dying the spines in fashionable colors and weaving them into the coat in intricate designs, or sewing decorative embroidery along the collar, cuffs, and hem.
There are as many variations as there are different settlements and clans. The Taalvi generally craft their kaverros simply, without much adornment or dyeing, and sometimes with a hood. The Sakaali will often make sleeveless kaverros, knotted around the waist. Many kettsu pattern their kaverros with geometric shapes and wave-like stripes.

History

Varnskyr evolved on the planet Jordskyr, which in their language roughly translates to "hunter's home" or "hunter's world".  Descended from pack predators on a planet filled with larger and more dangerous animals, the Varnskyr began to evolve in different ways depending on their geographical settlement.  Taalvi, or northern, varnskyr settled in the northern climates, especially the coniferous forests and mountains.  There, they formed loose collections of families and waged wars against other such clans for food, resources, and territory.  Taalvi were the first to mine iron and develop steel, then invent a gunpowder amalgam from minerals they discovered in their mines.  Over time, these settlements began to merge with strong leaders and powerful settlements overcoming smaller ones.  The rule of the strong was always present in the north, as was the reverence for the heritage of hunting.
Sakaali, or southern, varnskyr traveled to the deserts and sparse prairies to avoid larger predators.  Unlike their northern cousins, they collaborated closely with each other for the sparse resources.  Their settlements were concentrated around water sources, and they developed technology that permitted them to fuse sand into stone blocks and bricks to build their structures.  They also were the first to invent glass and used it widely, at one time even developing a monetary system of glass coins.  They also discovered how to harness electricity and solar power, giving them access to energy for industrialization well before the other varnskyr.  Sakaali settlements tended towards a more socialist group outlook instead of the rugged individualism of the north, and their civilizations and traditions became elaborate and formal in nature.
The Kettsu, or hidden, varnskyr were long thought a myth until their declaration during Jordskyr's Unification Period.  Kettsu settled in hidden underground villages known as paamaja.  They would roam the dangerous savannahs and rolling plains, and establish wild orchards of fruit and unkempt gardens of vegetables.  These seemingly "natural" gardens and orchards were called laaksoon, and coupled with the hunting of small game and wild kavaam, the Kettsu were able to avoid detection from both the larger predators that roamed Jordskyr and their northern and southern cousins.  They also would sneak into settlements of the other subspecies to spy on their accomplishments and steal technology and resources.



Just prior to the planet's discovery during the Second Breath, a northern varnskyr leader named Rauhan Tekija finally absorded the last holdout settlements of the northern varnskyr and began to explore south.  Upon discovering the Sakaali, Tekija went on a brutal campaign to conquer them.  The fighting was brutal; while Takija's Taalvi forces fought with muskets and bayonets, swords and hardwood bows, the Sakaali responded with bronze weapons, floating platforms suspended from hot air balloons, and poisionous traps.

After several years of bloody conflict, Tekija was finally besieging the last and largest of the Sakaali strongholds and victory seemed certain.  On the day of the battle, Tekija was found murdered in his tent.  On a mesa overlooking the massed armies was a small group of strangely colored varnskyr, wielding short-barreled rifles.  They declared themselves the Kettsu, the hidden varnskyr, and that they had killed Rauhan Tekija for the Sakaali's promise of alliance and, more importantly, surrender to the Taalvi force.  However, there were conditions - the stronghold was not to be ransacked or looted, and peace negotiations would occur in good faith. 

Tekija's son Raano saw the wisdom in what was being offered and agreed to ther terms.  He also realized that his father would never have agreed to be so merciful and that his death was necessary to achieve this peace.  Raano entered into a truce with both other subspecies that finally unified the varnskyr, becoming the first Keisari of Jordskyr. 

After unification, the varnskyr developed rapidly, achieving a post-industrial technology level before being discovered by Imperial explorers during the Imperial Era of the Second Breath.  Since then, varnskyr have joined the Empire as full partners and embraced the wider galaxy.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Varnskyr get along well with most other species.  Early in their interactions in the galaxy, they acquired a reputation for violence (not wholly unfounded), so many species will tread warily around them.

Attributes: 6 HPs
Varnskyr start with 2 Heritage Traits:

• Expert Tracker - gain advantage when Testing to track a target in the wilderness.  While outside, can also locate true north without Testing.
• Innately Powerless - varnskyr cannot take any mystical trait, but are also not affected by mystical powers, unless combined with a physical element (a mystic blast will do not damage, but a fireball will).  Varnskyr are not detectable through mystical energies or spells.