Pekkan/Wejack

Upright, furred humanoids strongly resembling mustelids, found west of the Daron River in territory administered by Hemithia .
The Pekkan are roughly the same height as halflings, with longer bodies and much shorter legs and arms. They run on all fours, but walk (a bit slowly) and stand upright with ease. They have fur in shades of brown (from black to red) and short, rounded ears over a weasel-like face with a shortened muzzle and slightly higher forehead. The head is also a bit longer behind (the brain being elongated rather than more round like humanoid sentients.) They have faint facial markings, nearly badgerlike, that become more prominent as they age. They have heavy, clawed forepaws with opposable thumbs. They have a heavy short tail that tapers quickly and thick, weatherproof fur with a reddish (grey-to-white with age) undercoat that sheds in springtime. They spin and weave their own undercoats into patterned blankets (getting different colors from different Pekkan, as a symbol of the tribe's unity) and other objects.

It is unclear to scholars why the Pekkan have not advanced with the rest of the inhabitants of eastern Vestri. Most of them don't understand Common and even those that do understand speak no more than a few words of it, due to a difference in vocal apparatus. The protective druids have learned Pekkan in order to allow them to develop without inserting ideas from the culture across the river.

Pekkan technology is Late Copper Age (chalcolithic), with some articles of bronze and iron traded for with Hemithians and held in great esteem. Non-Pekkan Druids maintain their range, by force if needed, and keep out people who might want to prey on the Pekkan, but otherwise do their best not to interfere with the tribes themselves. During the time of the Eastern Empire, the Pekkan were hunted for their skins and forced into hiding. Once the Eastern Empire was destroyed, the druids again were able to keep watch to insure the Pekkan were not 'forced' in their growth.

Conservation Status

Protected