Alfiran, Ratfolk (Ratfolk)
"One who flees lives another day, one who speaks kindly receives more pay, and for those who swindle the best, fortune does not look far away."
To the people at large, Alfiran find the most difficulty with life in Nex. They are deft of foot and are sometimes drawn to a criminal lifestyle. Though this is true of some Alfiran, they are no more violent or larcenous than others, but old stereotypes linger, especially with them. Many fail to understand the tough lives Alfiran lead are not entirely of their making.
History
Alfiran have always been a neutral poeple, preferring to dabble in commercial affairs compared to militaristic ones. It is not known if they originated in the underdark or just took shelter in it during Earthfall. While other races had aggression and brute force, the Alfiran had cunning and the ability to flee. Despite the odds, their excellent fleeing abilities allowed them to survive in the brutal Underdark, until one day, they eventually escaped to a livable surface. Here, the Alfiran did not believe they would be able to fight with the surface-dwellers. So, instead they adopted a nomadic lifestyle, relying on thier speed to evade conflicts, or quickly get access to an oasis as necessary. As society developed, they became merchants, tradesmen, and artisans, giving what other races needed, provided they had the right price. By the time of the Qadiran invasion, they commonly held stations such as merchants, alchemists, and acclaimed keepers of records, librarians and warehouse managers, among other phyiscal organisational roles....and then, Nethys came along the Sphinx River from the south. Still man but appearing as a god, flying through the air. Though Nethys came to treat with the Alfiran clan, the clan did not know this. Seeing the flying human, crackling with raw elemental power, come towards them.. the Alfiran fled. They did not make contact with Nethys, Azghaad and the others for a few years yet. - Alfiran story of their first contact with Nethys.Alfiran have become accustomed to hard lives since the fall of Osirion. Hunted by the Difae Shirun for being Alchemists, and socioecionimcally constrained outside of being merchants, or organisers of anything significant, they find themselves separated from what many feel is their calling. Many clans tried to leave. Merchants went to Katapesh, Alchemists to Nex, some clans formed enclaves in Rioja, though most fled to a Osiriani speaking nation of Northern Gurund.
Society
Alfiran live in very large extended families, known as clans, often in comparatively small locations. These clans intermingle through a combination of formal events, friendships and relationships. Alfiran commonly have a disdain for authority figures and those in high standing. Many Alfiran have little respect for such people as they believe in protecting themselves and righting wrongs done to them on their own. Many Alfiran feel that acceptance and acknowledgment for their kind doesn't come easy. Though Alfiran are cautious, they are neither fearful nor stupid, and the opportunity to face enemies and beat traps gives Alfiran a sense of challenge. For Alfiran, the chance to complete a task no one else can gives them the best chance to earn their keep with a group, if not the world. Alfiran dislike the norms placed on them, but while they don't seek to affect such change in attitude on a large scale, they place great value on the opinions of those few they come to trust. This trust comes with time and much effort and can be lost easily if abused. The leader of an Alfiran clan is oversees the clan similarly to a Pharoh, though the ruler is decided every three years by a contest which varies by clan.City Dwellers
Most Alfiran clans in Osiriani Cities are dominantly criminal, and operate similar to what one would expect in a more honorable thieves' guild; Pickpocket from those who have more than they need, never steal from another from the group, and never travel without an accomplice. These three unwritten rules have allowed most Alfiran societies to prosper as places of prosperity, at least for those who live there. Commonly, their leader is decided by a contest for who is the best thief in the land.Criminal Activity
Known for guerilla methods, scare tactics, stealth, cunning, planning and cowardice, Alfiran strikes generally leave no room for opposition, either becuase you're not there, don't notice, can't catch them, or are so heavily outnumbered that you wouldn't consider fighting.- In occupied Osirion cities, Alfiran specialize as pickpockets and infiltrators.
- On the roads, they are often bandits, with the entire clan coming for an underprotected cart as a swarm.
Honest Work
Some city dewllers exclusively conduct ligitimate business, while others do it as a front, to make money on the side, or to alay suspision.- Trappers
- Guides
- Hunters
- Scouts
Physical Description
Anatomy
Alfiran look like a hybrid of a thin human and a rat. They are shorter than humans, and appear almost frail. They have heads shaped like a rat's, with an elongated skull, thin lips, a humanoid nose, and black orbs for eyes, but no cleft in the mouth and no whiskers. The fur that grows on their bodies is thin, but dark, giving them an obscured appearance in dark conditions, though Alfiran commonly have fur colors ranging from light browns to dark gray and black. Like all humanoids, Alfiran walk on human-shaped feet, not animal-like paws. They have short, thin tails.Clothing
Alfiran prefer simple clothing with dark hues, preferring black with dark blues, greens, and browns. Most of their clothing is a bit loose fitting for comfort with little in the way of elaborate features or ornamentation. They especially try to keep anything metal covered so nothing shines.Relationships
Ratfolk are typically not seen as the most trustworthy by most races, due to their reputation of pickpocketing even those that they invite into their home, however their ability to procure the most expensive items and reagents in the land makes them a necessity for most trade nations to trust.Alfiran Personality
Merchants or tinkerers by trade, cowards by mind, and agile by nature, Alfiran are common for being swindlers, merchants and craftspeople. Alfiran commonly:- Alfiran have great organisational skills and memories for where they put things.
- Are hoarders.
- Have pride in their large extended family, and stay in contact with everyone in it.
- Like to travel near and far in search of new experiences, likely collecting trinkets along the way.
- Mistake you for a wererat or another monster.
- Are surprised by your careful grooming and other fastidious habits.
- Think you’re crowding them and invading their personal space.
Alfiran Names
Male: Twitch, Tiq, Zez, Skat, Rirzet Female: Vech, Frukehm, Jumu, Kuni, Tetich Group: Whiskers And Claws, Mountianside, Sight, Scars
You can drop to all fours to increase your movement speed to 35 ft. While on all fours, you cannot hold objects in either hand. Stand up.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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