Grugach (Wild Elves)

Classes

Backgrounds

Feats

Elves

Though the Elves have lands of their own, there is significant interaction between them and the people of Novaria. The different sub-races of Elves have similar lifespans, speak dialects of the same language and share the pantheon of deities. Despite having these things in common, they also have several different cultural and physical traits.

Base Age: 110 Years
Aristocrat, Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer: +4d4
Bard, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger: +6d6
Adept, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Wizard: +10d6

[ Erian Elves ] [ Grugach ] [ Sylvan Elves ] [ Half Elves ]

Grugach

Base Height (M/F): 50"/45"
Height Modifier: 1d12
Weight (M/F): 80/70
Weight Modifier: Height Modifier x1d4

Native Languages: Elven
Bonus Languages: Orc, Goblin, Sylvan

Ability Adj.: +2 Str, -2 Int +2 Listen, +2 Search, +2 Spot, +2 Hide

Base Speed: 30 ft.

Special Abilities

+2 Listen

+2 Search

+2 Spot

+2 Survival
Immunity to sleep spells and effects

+2 save vs. enchantment spells or effects

Weapon Proficiency in longsword, net, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow and composite shortbow.

Lowlight Vision: 2x far as humans in dim light (moonlight, starlight, torch light, etc.)

Favored class: Barbarian.
Religion: Traditional Elven, Animism

Description
Grugach are smaller than average elves by about a foot and a half. Their skin, once the customary muck and goo has been washed away, has a tannish tint to it. Grugach have black or brown hair, which they usually keep in braids, dreadlocks or a combination of both. The only eye colors known among the Grugach are brown, green and hazel.

Origins
The Grugach inhabit the swamps and marshes of Tanglewood Bog at the mouth of the Arandair River. Once a series of clans among the Sylvan Elves, the Grugach were renown for their lack of tolerance for trespassers. Their methods for dealing with such violators were found apprehensible by the Sylvan High Council and they were subsequently exiled to Tanglewood Bog.

Views
Grugach pretty much have one universal view: "If they aren't Grugach, they're dead." There is some diversity, however, on what meaning of "dead" the Grugach apply to different races. Grugach will often try to capture other Elves, humiliate them and then guarantee their freedom if and only if they can make it out of Grugach territory before they are hunted down. Human trespassers are usually captured if they are alive after first encountering Grugach, but are often made into slaves. Halflings, especially Tallfellow, that manage to steal their way into Grugach territory tend to be treated with suspicion and, provided they don't attempt to steal anything from the Grugach, are allowed to pass unmolested in exchange for stories, weapons, jewelry or other goods. Of Dwarves the Grugach know very little but from ancient stories and it is likely that finding out an opponent is a Dwarf, they would rather kill them than capture. Grugach slay humanoids on sight, offering no quarter.

Outside the swamps, Grugach keep to themselves and are generally distrustful of everyone, expecting not to be treated any better than they treat others. Though they can learn to accept the presence of others if forced to, Grugach retain little patience with humanoids and will often attempt to kill them outright without provocation.

Culture

In their own environment, Grugach tend to live spartan lifestyles. They own very little that cannot be carried with them while on the move between semi-permanent thatch hut settlements. Though to others, Grugach may not tend to care about art and other fineries, the Grugach take pride in their ability to work wood and many a bard has met their end attempting to acquire a Grugach fashioned woodwind.

Differing Grugach tribes have different ideas concerning gender equality. Some tribes are patriarchal and others are matriarchal. Regardless of the dominant gender in the tribe, males and females are treated with relative equality, though preference may be given to one or the other respectively.

Though the Grugach are taught something of all the Elven deities, most only ever pay homage to Fenmarel Mestarine, the Elven god of outcasts. There are few Grugach clerics, most of which serve directly under a Grugach chieftain. Most Grugach worship Fenmarel individually, only seeking out Fenmarel's clerics to interpret dreams and other omens.