Ratfolk

Ratfolk are small, rodentlike Humanoids with twitching snouts, bony feet, and long, pink tails. They are about the same size as Halflings and of a slimmer build. They often wear hooded cloaks or long robes to conceal their true Nature from the gaze of casual onlookers. Many believe ratfolk are exceedingly rare (if not entirely fantastical) but this is only because they are by nature very secretive and insular, preferring to avoid dealing with other races directly. Indeed, some of the only interaction some ratfolk warrens will have with nearby settlements is to make bribes or otherwise influence local officials to avoid their warrens getting discovered. Some scholars believe that ratfolk population may outnumber all other demographics if the area they are in is rich enough in resources, though few put stock in such outlandish flights of fancy.
Ratfolk can be found throughout Verimitha. Though mostly considered to reside in the sewers and tunnels metropolitan areas like Highwater or Sternburg, ratfolk can be found almost anywhere on the fringes of society. By their nature ratfolk survive by scavenging off the settlements they reside near. They are natural tunnel builders, so even a small settlement may host a small underground warren nearby (or underneath), and there have been times in the past where huge networks were discovered that connected several areas into a large "underkingdom." They are nearly universally despised by other races as they are seen as spreaders of disease, thieves and scavengers.
Survival of their clan is paramount and this can occasionally lead to problems with the settlements they reside near. While their loyalty to their clan is nearly all encompassing, when it comes to the survival of the clan there is no such thing as pity, compassion, or compromise. While resources are abundant, warrens can grow quite large and host multiple clans with relatively little conflict. When food becomes scarce, however, clans will quickly turn on each other in a bid for dominance. When this happens, the losing clan is almost always wiped out and cannibalized by the victorious clan.
If a scarcity of supplies continues, the remaining clan will use the resources from their cannibalized rivals to regain their strength and then raid settlements near their warrens. Even if things go poorly in the raids the deaths of those in the battles on both sides means food for the clan is gained while the resources needed to maintain the clan has diminished. When successful the surviving clan will take great pains to cover up ratfolk presence in the raid - often planting evidence steering the suspicion to roaming gnoll bands. Indeed, when a clan reaches this critical level of food scarcity their brutality is not that dissimilar from that of the common gnoll.
Ratfolk enjoy collecting interesting Trinkets and baubles, and hoard these items in their homes, often in preference to more valuable (but dull) gold and silver coins.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Among themselves, ratfolk use names that Identify their Family and their place within the Family, in the same mold as Human Names like Ivan Ivorson. They seldom use these names among non-ratfolk, however. Instead, they seem to derive perverse pleasure and great humor from giving themselves nicknames that make Humans and elves uncomfortable, such as Plaguesores and Stinqface. Ratfolk are infamously hard to offend, so the more offensive the nickname, the more it amuses them. These nicknames are no different between males and females.
Ratfolk Nicknames. Bloodylips, Carrionsqarfer, Fleshstripper, Gutspill, Puslicker, Rotstench, Sewergass

Lifespan

Ratfolk have shorter lifespans than Humans, reaching Adulthood at around age 12. They live up to 60 years.

Average Height

3 feet tall

Average Weight

40 pounds