Vodoni

The Vodoni are a mysterious, sometimes violent spacefaring humanoid race. They were first encountered as merchant ship in the Known Spheres by the Knights of the Reluctant Circle in Fairiespace about two years ago (March 853 TU, by the Greatspace calendar). Since then, they have grown in influence and presence. They have been instrumental in averting threats in various spheres, including providing ships and loans to the struggling ruling House Shambrath in Greatspace, following the chaos sewn by the vampire T'Laan; fighting the Drow/Illithid alliance in Darkspace; and ferrying heroes across the planet of Archin in Pirtelspace, when it nearly succumbed to the threat of the dark god Kyuss.
However, there have been persistent rumors of excessive violence, even massacres, perpetrated by the violent, wolf-like Vodoni enforcers.
According to reports from the Knights of the Reluctant Circle, they are ruled by Emperor Vulkaran the Dark, Master of the Twelve Spheres and Ruler of All Known Space. Supposedly, the empire spans at least 12 spheres, of which only Zalanispace, accessible from Greatspace, is known.
After their recent defeat of the Drow and Illithid forces in Darkspace (November 853 TU), they have occupied the sphere of Darkspace, and apparently made it the 13th sphere in their empire.
They are reputed to be able to open portal between their ships, enabling rapid communication and movement of small numbers of people. They used this to help repatriate some of the refugees from Greatspace who had been sent to Darkspace by T'Laan.
Types of Vodoni

• Vodoni breeder: Warrior-magicians, appearing much as normal human beings, except they keep their heads shaved and are heavily-tattooed. They wear great flowing silver robes with deep purple satin rivulets stitched throughout. They are the nobility of the Vodoni empire, and often encountered as captains of Vodoni ships in the Known Spheres.
• Vodoni enforcer: Half-man, half-wolf beast-warriors. Normally, the enforcers appear as wolf-like humanoids, but whenever they go into a blood rage (i.e. berserk) the enforcers take on a decidedly rabid appearance. Enforcers are tremendous fighting machines, honed to battle for glorious honor and their very existence.
• Vodoni conqueror: Big, bad, and wolf-like, these monsters are the next stage in enforcer evolution. They are much like the enforcers except that they are even larger and more powerful. So far, none have been encountered in the Known Spheres, and are known only by rumor.

Vodoni Ships

• Vodoni Butcher (Werewolf): The workhorse of the Vodoni naval forces, the Werewolf is a powerful heavy warship. The Werewolf appears as a huge, red-winged wolf with open jaws to rip, tear, and grab a hull when ramming. The Werewolf is heavily armoured, and is designed to close with enemy ships as quickly as possible so that targets can be rammed and boarded.
• Vodoni Scout (Nightwolf): The light scouting vessel of the Vodoni, the Nightwolf was the first of the Vodoni ships to be encountered in the known spheres. Appearing as a winged wolf in flight, the Nightwolf is usually painted blue or black, to make it more difficult to spot. The light, maneuverable Nightwolf is intended to flee from all but the weakest of foes, and is equipped with light weaponry which is designed to discourage pursuit.

• Vodoni Assassin (Hunter-Killer): A less common ship than the Werewolf, the Hunter-Killer is intended to serve as a command vessel for Vodoni forces. The Hunter-Killer appears as a twin-headed, smiling she-wolf with a huge wing-like swiveling sail.