Beastkin {Shifters, Tabaxi, Leonin, etc.}

Description

As a whole, the beastkin are a varied species, with some simply displaying a few animal characteristics or shifting abilities, while others are more animal than human. They are as intelligent as the humans they originate from, although they tend to be more emotional and chaotic in their personalities. They all have some sense of control, but when pressured their predatory instincts may come out at any time, they were built that way after all. They are typically physically fit and lithe, and make (not so) natural-born warriors.

Origins

The beastkin are originally from Valleia, a now dead empire that was located in what is now The Broken Plains. The Valleians had a long-standing tradition of calling upon animal spirits, and the shamans who did so held a powerful position within their tribes. Their renowned Berserker troops were a product of people who, through shamanistic rituals of some kind, were brought in close contact with animal spirits and started to take on some of their aspects. These fearless and feral warriors were part of what made the valleians a force to be reckoned with back in the day. Nowadays, much like the Valleian Empire itself, these rituals have long been lost. But the traits they imbued in their warriors have been passed down through their bloodlines for ages. These are the beastkin.

Culture

The Valleians themselves were a seafaring and travel-hungry people. They spread far and wide, although relatively few of them actually settled elsewhere for good. Still, enough of them have done so that their descendants can be found all around the globe and thus, so can the beastkin. Since they have been spread around for so long, it is difficult to still ascribe a single unified culture to all beastkin. However, due to their nature they do all share certain characteristics and they have also held a couple of traditions of Valleia. Especially those still found in the Broken Plains or near there (e.g. Middenland).
As bred warriors with animal instincts, they are a naturally combative people and they place a high degree of importance on honor in battle and living one's life honorably. This application of honor is amplified in daily live by the fact that beastkin tend to live in small groups or tribes and thus rarely have a central government that has a monopoly on violence. To the beastkin, honor is a combination of courage and personal integrity. Personal safety comes from family friends and allies, and to retain those bonds you have to show that you are someone who can be depended upon, who will keep their word. A person of integrity.

Courage is a major aspect of honor as well, and is somewhat related to fate and death. For each must die someday. And while everyone has the freedom to affect their lives and how they may end, that end is inevitable. How bravely a beastkin meets his doom, once he knows it is upon him, shapes his honor and character. It is also for this reason that beastkin more rarely employ resurrection magics. Having faced one's death honorably is the most satisfying end one could have, and reversing that would be nothing but a denial of fate and a blemish upon their honor. Curiously enough, this aligns them more with Hrimrur than any other of the sapient species, although it would still be a stretch to say that worshipers of Him are common among them.

Religion

Worship of the Gods varies massively between the different beastkin populations. For example the Cat-Eye Tribes in Sabara worship Alessar above all, while beastkin from Middenland may gravitate more towards Sicere or even someone else entirely. More exclusive to the beastkin is a kind of animal-based shamanism similar to the kind that created them ages ago. They no longer possess the rituals to turn humans into their own kind, but they still have many other ways of calling upon the animal spirits for guidance or aid. They also often employ animal totems that represent their guardian spirit of choice and each warrior carries one such small totem with them into battle. They are often called Totem Warriors for this reason as well.

Lifespan

They are quick to mature, both physically and emotionally. They reach adulthood around 12 years old and rarely live beyond 70 years.

Average Height

Anywhere from 4'5 to 7 feet tall, depending on the specific subrace.

Average Weight

Anywhere from 50 to 150 kg, depending on the specific subrace.