Rashers
Before Francisco Perez set foot on Turtle Island, the floating archipelago was home to a peculiar species of small, goblin-like creatures known as Rashers. Even if they are now not as numerous as they used to be, to this day, Rashers are a menace who give headaches to many governors of the Republic.
Rashers may not pose a significant threat individually, but they are rarely encountered alone. Those creatures prefer to work in combat pairs to overpower their foes. If one pair member is injured, both creatures immediately retreat to safety. However, what truly sets the Rashers apart are their shamanic powers. As more Rashers gather in one place, their magical abilities grow stronger. The pinnacle of their power lies in their capability to construct wooden golems. These magical beings, animated by the collective magic of the Rashers, pose a genuine threat to expedition groups venturing into the depths of the jungles. Typically, a group of Rashers operates a single golem, but exceptionally powerful individuals can create golems on their own. While these solo-operated constructs may be smaller, they are still threatening enough to deter expedition groups from further incursion.
Presently, the major islands show no trace of Rashers, but skirmishes with these creatures are still common in less significant places. Many underislands, particularly those of little value to the republic, remain under the Rashers' control, and any expeditions into their territories are considered risky endeavors.
Legends and tales from those who foolishly ventured into Rasher-infested territories speak of a mysterious figure occasionally seen alongside the groups of natives—a horned humanoid riding a creature resembling a goat with a skull for a head. The nature and intentions of those enigmatic beings remain unknown. Some superstitious individuals believe these creatures to be avatars of death itself, prompting them to avoid engaging with the Rashers whenever this figure is present.
A native race living on the Scareguards
Islands. They try to oppose pirates and get
them out of their islands. They possess strong,
shamanic powers, which help them create wood
golems.
The Rashers are tiny and nasty inhabitants of the Scareguards
Archipelago. My ancestors were benevolent enough to be
willing to share the light of civilization with them, but they
were harshly brushed aside. These primitives preferred their
rocks, sacred trees, and sticks. They are an incredibly stubborn
group, and, unfortunately, not as dumb as one would hope. As
a result, they continue to thrive on the islands, making them
inhospitable for other races. On Ragna or Turtle Island, they
frequently launch attacks on innocent citizens, stealing food
and tools. To compensate for their small stature, their guards
always operate in pairs, and when one is injured, they both
retreat. Then, from the shadows, they provide support to
others while tending to the wounded. Some might consider it
clever, but I personally find it to be a rather cowardly strategy.
Although these troublemakers lack the skill to use proper
tools or command significant levels of magical arcana, their
innate magical abilities are undeniably real.
Rasher Golems are what really keeps the Republic of Misty
Waters from fully conquering these islands. When a group of
Rashers gathers, they are able to synchronize their magic and
pour it into a nearby dead wood. It then becomes alive and forms
a wooden golem, which, for lack of a better term, I refer to as the
Rasher Golem. They probably have another name for it, but since
it's hard to communicate with them, we do not know what it is.
They are sturdy. They are strong. They are relentless. What’s even
worse, one needs to deal with them fast, since as long as their
masters are pouring magic into them, they keep on regenerating.
Their only real weakness is how nice they burn whenever you
set them alight. I'm not fully sure if they are always made of dry
wood, or maybe the Rashers’ magic somehow drains the water
from it, but I've never found one that would not burn easily with
just a few sparks.
Rituals and traditions are important parts of their lives. The
Rashers place shrines all over the islands and won't pursue you
if you surrender your weapons. However, one should not expect
that they will ever be returned. There are no clear ranks or castes
among the Rashes, but those who control the golems typically
remove their own ears and any head coverings. I'm not sure how
it benefits them, but it seems to be a part of their traditions.
Rasher Minor Golems on the other hand, are something you
see less often. While they are less dangerous, their mere existence
is a remarkable accomplishment that deserves respect. Typically,
only a group of Rashers can combine their magic to create the
Golem, which means that being able to create it single-handedly
is a testament to one's skills and immense magical potential,
even if it is a much smaller Golem.
Scientific Name
Humanoid
Origin/Ancestry
Goblin
Geographic Distribution
Discovered by
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