Rougarou

Written by ajamie

"Happiness is a warm puppy." ― Charles M. Schulz

Fiercely loyal and astoundingly kind, rougarou resemble upright dogs, and are often mistaken for werewolves by the untrained eye.
Deeply traditional, rougarou are proud of their culture and its seek its preservation above all else. For a rougarou, life does not stop after death. While this race acknowledge the existence of the gods, they do not usually worship them. Instead, they choose to honor their ancestors, the rougarou that came before them. Their religion revolves around the ritual celebration of the deified ancestors and tutelary deities of rougarou with the same surname organized into lineage societies (packs) in ancestral

by Steve Prescott

shrines. The ancestors are rougarou who have become godly beings keep their individual identities. Not every rougarou who dies becomes a god of course. But there are specific pack lineages who are said to be descendants of the rougarou that ascended to godhood.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Rougarou are a sexually and magically reproducing race. Magic can be used to aid in reproduction for non-compatible sexes, and reproduction with other races where biology is a challenge.

Growth Rate & Stages

Rougarou grow at a slow pace. Their life cycle includes:

• Infancy - Birth to 3 years
• Puppyhood - 3 to 10 years
• Adolescence - 10 to 19
• Adulthood - 19 years and onward.
  
  

Ecology and Habitats

Rougarou have a strong preference for extremes, whether that be the bone chilling cold of the Frost Territories, the tropical heat and humidity of Fire’s Domain. Perhaps due to their dense coat, which ensure to keep them cool in either weather.
Some individuals are known to enjoy the temperate climate of the Caheath Commonwealth.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Rougarou prefer to remain in or near their birthland in large, close family units referred to as packs. These packs need not be wholly rougarou though, as members of this race are well known to adopt individuals of all kinds into their family. And for any rougarou, family is everything. All they do, they do for the benefit of the pack. Anything that they need help with, the pack has first council. Some rougarou that live closer to nature choose to live simple lives, hunting and foraging for their daily needs, crafting and trading with outsiders to survive.
To survive harsh life in the Badlands, rougarou often resemble wolves of all kinds, dingoes, wild dogs, or coyotes dependent on exactly where their pack lives.
However, it is not unusual, however, to find young rougarou living amongst other races. When a pack gets too large, the youngest will venture out as a part of their coming of age ceremony. They will often spend up to a year travelling, gaining experience and learning about different cultures. In this way, these younglings will eventually create their own packs and families, forming strong and unbreakable bonds.
Some of these individuals are known to chose the urban lifestyle of outsiders, and are not usually looked upon fondly by their more traditional kin. These non-traditionalists do not always adhere to rougarou culture, instead choosing to adopt the culture of their newfound friends and family. They might choose to share their true names with these outsiders who have become family.
This intense need to keep traditional values and dislike for those who break them does not mean that rougarou are an unkind race. Kindhearted by nature, they freely trade with outsiders, and are known to adopt individuals outside of their race as family. Orphans, the unwanted, and the disadvantaged will always know the warmth of their open, furry arms.
As a result, most rougarou are friendly and sociable. They see little point in conflict when there is ample opportunity to make new friends. Known for their empathetic abilities, outgoing and hyper disposition, adorable puppy-dog eyes, rougarou are often the preferred member of any friend group.
Regardless of where they settle, rougarou are a loyal, charismatic, and sociable bunch. And they are the first to lend a helping hand.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Darkvision: Rougarou vision is far better than humans. They have a dog's low level night vision and can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. They can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Keen Senses: Rougarou have acceptional hearing, and a keen sense of smell, not unlike that of a dog or wolf.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

In addition, the rougarou people often chose positive, energetic names for themselves that reflect their personalities. Individuals have three names:

1. The first name, referred to as their 'Hope Name', is granted by their parents. It embodies the parents hopes for the child.
2. The second name, referred to as their 'True Name' is the name an adult rougarou will choose for themselves after their adulthood ceremony and right before leaving home. Often, it can take a year or longer for rougarou to choose their True Name. These names can be a great range, from short and catchy, to grand and silly, and everything in between. A rougarou can choose to be referred to as either their first or true name.
3. And finally, the last name, referred to as their 'Pack Name', is a descriptor that can identify a pack and is usually based on scent.

The following list of sample rougarou names:
First Name: Brightheart, Happy, Kindness, Brave
True Name: Dello, Jax, Brahms, Fenka, Pepper, Sir Sniffin
Family Name: Wheathound, Grasshound, Sugarfoot, Petrichorhound

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Rougarou prefer to remain in or near their birthland in large, close family units referred to as packs. These packs need not be wholly rougarou though, as members of this race are well known to adopt individuals of all kinds into their family. And for any rougarou, family is everything. All they do, they do for the benefit of the pack. Anything that they need help with, the pack has first council. Some rougarou that live closer to nature choose to live simple lives, hunting and foraging for their daily needs, crafting and trading with outsiders to survive.
However, it is not unusual, however, to find young rougarou living amongst other races. When a pack gets too large, the youngest will venture out as a part of their coming of age ceremony. They will often spend up to a year travelling, gaining experience and learning about different cultures. In this way, these younglings will eventually create their own packs and families, forming strong and unbreakable bonds.
Some of these individuals are known to chose the urban lifestyle of outsiders, and are not usually looked upon fondly by their more traditional kin. These non-traditionalists do not always adhere to rougarou culture, instead choosing to adopt the culture of their newfound friends and family. They might choose to share their true names with these outsiders who have become family.
As a result, most rougarou are friendly and sociable. They see little point in conflict when there is ample opportunity to make new friends. Known for their empathetic abilities, outgoing and hyper disposition, adorable puppy-dog eyes, rougarou are often the preferred member of any friend group.
Regardless of where they settle, rougarou are a loyal, charismatic, and sociable bunch. And they are the first to lend a helping hand.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The intense need to keep traditional values and dislike for those who break them does not mean that rougarou are an unkind race. Kindhearted by nature, they freely trade with outsiders, and are known to adopt individuals outside of their race as family. Orphans, the unwanted, and the disadvantaged will always know the warmth of their open, furry arms.

Details

Lifespan

Rougarou reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Average Height

4'0ft to 7ft

Geographic Distribution

• Caheath Commonwealth
• Fire’s Domain
• Frost Territories
• Weodun

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Appearance Note: To survive harsh life in the Badlands, rougarou often resemble wolves of all kinds, dingoes, wild dogs, or coyotes dependent on exactly where their pack lives.

Those who choose to live in urban areas with other races for generations of urban life also adapted to their surroundings. These rougarou resemble various dog breeds, e.g. German Shepards, Huskies, Pomeranians, etc.

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Character Creation Details

You must be a part of my campaign to access character creation for my homebrew race. Please use DnDBeyond for stats, but WorldAnvil for lore & worldbuilding: DnDBeyond Rougarou