The Wilder Folk
The Wilder folk of Ashen are a lost people. Once human, these survivors of the great catastrophe that changed the face of the world, fought hard to carve a place in the new world, but have also become shaped by it.
Separated geographically, the Wilder folk made homes in the ruins of the old world. As the world healed and reshaped itself so too did the isolated clans of the Wilder Folk bend to the will of the forces of nature, taking on general characteristics of the environment. The clans of the Mountains became like the impenetrable rock fortress they built, their skin changing to hues of mottled grey and greens to easily stalk amongst the stone pathways. The Forest clans, building entire villages high in the canopies became quicker and more adapt to hunt amongst the foliage, their skin taking on greenish tinge. The River Clans, a nomadic people, thrived on the grassy plains, following the great herds becoming heavily weathered under the beating sun and seasonal rains. Finally the Clan of the sand or Sand People, retreated underground to build a great city to avoid the baking sands of the deserts. Only ever seen in protective heavy robes, wrapped in cloth, their skin has turning pale in the darkness, while their eyes changed to the hue of purple, enabling them to see in the pitch black world. The Wilder Folk are the real survivors of this world, adapting to their environment to survive. They live in harmony with the natural world, surviving as hunters and gathers, but they are fiercely protective and loyal warriors to their respective clans. This has lead to clashes between clans, especially when resources become low. The cultures of humans and elves, in their many migrations from the west, have encroached on the Clan territories. With swords and sorcery the clans have been forced further into isolated areas with each new expansion. In the western kingdom of Khaar'l, most of the clans have been pushed south and live in the lands between the River Blackwash and the Tearamata Moutains. To the west of the mountian walls lie the Drylunds, a vast parched desert rumoured to be the home the underground city of the Sand People and further south lies the Hissing Grasslands, rumoured to be populated by snake worshippers. The term orc is a derogative word, used to describe any of the Wilder Clans, especially by the kingdoms of mankind. Many of the clans adorn their bodies with medallions and charms made from the bones and horns of hunted animals, a sign of respect amongst the clans. This has led to the misconception by mankind that they have tusks, although some members amongst the clans do like to sharpen their teeth to points. |