Ram Rex
Ram Rex are itinerant Ovinex who, for whatever reasons, lack the cognitive development required to exist peacefully within Ovinex society.
Constituting roughly 5% of a given Native Ovinex population, Ram Rex are frequently found roaming the wilds near the settlement from which they originated, serving as a form of passive defense against intruders. Because they constantly fight each other for territorial dominance and lack much in the way of fear, Ram Rex population growth is kept in check by a high mortality rate. Ram Rex are significantly less common among Civil Ovinex populations; this is believed to be due to different breeding habits among Civil Ovinex (emphasizing sociability, especially within the Baxbr subculture and its precedents) and the presence of formalized educational institutions where psychosocial interventions are available. Ovinex fear the Ram Rex for their unthinking aggression and as symbols of regression to a more animalistic state, but Ovinex also revere Ram Rex for their endurance, dynamism, and connection to the chaotic spirits of nature.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
While Ovinex are generally less intelligent than their humanoid kin, most Native and Civil Ovinex are nevertheless capable of complex social interactions and personal restraint. Ram Rex, on the other hand, are either nonverbal or minimally verbal and possess nasty attitudes borne of unchecked primitive drives (i.e. rut). As such, Ram Rex rarely speak except in primitive mands, such as "feed," "give," or "mate."
Culture and cultural heritage
Because they are dangerous to the Native Ovinex population that gave birth to them, Ram Rex share a history of exile from civilization. Occasionally, a Ram Rex will perform an act of heroism or demonstrate some other quality that persuades the Native Ovinex to readopt their 'lost sheep'; these Ram Rex are frequently the subject of Native Ovinex myths and legendry, being portrayed as 'wild man' heroes for their ability to blend the chaotic spirit of an animal with the enlightened spirit of a sentient being. On the other hand, Ram Rex who are clever enough to band together with others of their own kind often become dangerous highwaymen in Native Ovinex lands, eventually meeting their fates under the ba'amba of Gam Pfa'a-practicing island rangers.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Ram Rex typically demonstrate a shallow intellect from as early as birth, though individuals are acknowledged by other Ovinex as kin unless and until one also demonstrates an inability to remain at peace with their Ovinex peers. The risk that a given Ovinex might be born a Ram Rex appears to be genetic, though incident rates have been declining over time. It is believed that modern 'Ram Rex' are, in fact, the descendants of interbreeding between early modern ovinex and ancient subspecies of pre-ovinex - the 'true' Ram Rex species are extinct in the wild, having evolved into Ovinex only within the last tens or hundreds of thousands of years.
Early intervention can sometimes prevent an Ovinex from 'turning Rex.' Rarely, an otherwise normal adult Ovinex will turn Rex as a result of severe, prolonged stress. In these cases, the individual has around a 75% chance of returning to his normal state once the stressors are removed. The ovinex treat these occasions as a time to 'reintroduce' the victim to the flock, with a baptism in the sea serving as a symbolic rebirth free of one's Rex tendencies. It is believed by Rostran observers that this rite also serves the purpose of psychologically 'grounding' the victim so that, with a sign of social acceptance and renewed responsibility fresh in his mind, he will have an easier time keeping hold of his emotions in the future.
Coming of Age Rites
Rostran Archipelago Confederacy sociologists observe that the exile of Ram Rex upon maturity represents signs of a developed criminal justice system among the Native Ovinex. Up until a Ram Rex reaches the age of maturity, the tribe will attempt to reform him through various methods, though Native Ovinex educational and psychological institutions remain rudimentary. Eventually, however, tribal elders come to the conclusion that the individual, in full possession of his 'horns' (meaning adult responsibility for his own actions), must face punishment and either be reformed or remain outside of civilization for the mutual protection of that civilization and the Ram Rex himself. Unfortunately, once a Ram Rex is exiled from the tribe, he is seldom able to reintegrate should he desire to do so.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Native Ovinex culture regards the death of a Ram Rex, whether naturally or through violence, as a somber occasion. Ovinex see their own struggles with their past - their aggression, raiding, and slave-taking - embodied in the feral Ram Rex population. As such, the death of a Ram Rex represents a final failure to rise above the basic nature of an Ovinex as an animal, a fate that all sentient beings (including humanoids) risk falling into in a moment of moral weakness. Ram Rex can, therefore, expect a simple funeral when their body is eventually discovered. Similarly, activities which might result in the death of a Ram Rex before they might have a chance to 'return to the flock,' even if justified in the name of protecting others, are not taken lightly by Ovinex.
Common Myths and Legends
Mupfa Ta'ang is a Ram Rex folk hero strongly associated with the Ovinex spirit of resistance. Ta'ang earned his way back into Native Ovinex society after protecting a village against a group of Ram Rex raiders using only his horns, fists, and a broken ba'amba. To this day, the phrase 'strong as Ta'ang' is an Ovinex idiom roughly meaning 'implacable in the face of sure destruction,' though an ironic context can also change the meaning to imply unthinking stubbornness.
More recently, some mythology has begun to develop around the slaying of the famous Greenwell Mangrove Monster a truly bestial Ram-Rex cannibal who had become verdialized when, unbeknownst to anyone, he ate a missing verdial tourist. A group of Island Rangers, inlcuding the famous martial artist Ame Pfren, waded into Greenwell Mangrove and slew the Rex to elminate the danger for ovinex and Rostran travellers.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Ram Rex are almost exclusively male, though freemartins occasionally fall into the category of Ram Rex if sufficiently aggressive. While female Ovinex are sometimes borne with a similarly low verbal intelligence, they generally lack the aggression required to be classified as Ram Rex.
Parent ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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