The People of the Rat

Ratkin were discovered emerging from the Great Eastern Jungle several decades ago. They are the smallest known species of Beastman, with average individuals standing only a foot in height. Males can be slightly larger, but this sexual dimorphism is not severe enough to warrant separate statistics.  Rat beastfolk cloister together in communities whenever possible. Some of these communities can number thousands of individuals.

To accommodate the high birth rate common amongst the rat people, the ratkin have many customs - some rat folk cast out young males when they come of age, which can lead to problems with banditry in nearby settlements. Others popular methods of dealing with the issue include relying upon exceptionally harsh coming-of-age rituals, traditions of ritual sterilization using maiden tea, or even more extreme methods such as 'savaging' (the practice of devouring the flesh of the newly born). Ratkin are disturbingly unfamiliar to humans, despite a distant relation, and they rarely find acceptance in human settlements.

Whether invited or not, however, Ratkin often find scavenging the resources of human beings to be a easy source of quality food. This has led to many conflicts between the two races. In some regions, the Ratkin are killed on sight, and a bounty is offered on ratkin tails. Other kingdoms reluctantly accept the creatures as menial laborers, vagabonds, or social outcasts... in many cases, simply because they are so difficult to completely eradicate. Due to rapid reproduction and high mortality, Ratkin culture varies considerably from region to region. In some cases, Ratkin are nearly entirely barbarous, eschewing clothing and relying upon tooth and claw to raid human granaries. In other communities, they can speak complex rivertongue and exhibit intricate dress, custom and taboo.

Although many residents of the Scavenger Lands believe Ratkin to be stupid, they would be surprised to discover that they are as clever as any human. Ratkin rarely seek the friendship of human beings, due to a widespread belief that the larger creatures are mentally simple, physically ponderous and overly gullible. Most Ratkin would openly ridicule the suggestion that they are closely related to humanity. Some exceptions to this rule exist however, and some of the oldest and most traditional Zeran Immaculate communities within the Hundred Kingdoms hold that Ratkin are sacred creatures. There, they are afforded great respect and even worship. When pampered in such a fashion, Ratkin can become more enamored with humanity and even fiercely protective.

Most Rat People worship a Lunar Exalted known as 'Zera'. The faith of the ratfolk is not as sophisticated as the Zeran Immaculate belief system which is common amongst the Scavenger Lands. It has no formal name or dogma. Rat people pass on the 'Secrets of Creation' with strictly oral traditions and no canonical scriptures to reference. Therefore, beliefs regarding who or what Zera is can vary widely from tribe to tribe. Generally, rat people would maintain that the Zera was the first Ratkin, a primal mother that begat all other ratkin through some sort of immaculate conception. Some ratkin worship this figure as a benevolent deity, while others fear it as a malevolent force which will punish the disloyal. Numerous legends exist regarding the interactions of the Rat People with this progenitor-being, but they are inconsistent and unreliable, usually used to illustrate important social lessons and taboos to the young.

Mutations

Claws/Teeth          

Enhances Senses: Hearing, Touch, Smell          

Wall Walking

Night Vision

Miniscule

Fur

Short Gestation