Squatfolk of Ordia

Basic Information

Anatomy

Squatfolk vary in size, but a vast majority are under 4 feet tall due to their smaller dwarven ancestors. Males and even some females are known for possessing great amounts of body hair.

Genetics and Reproduction

Squatfolk are smaller in size and take less time to reproduce. The gestation period is between 5 and 7 months varying by woman. Twins and triplets are common among squats, as well.

Growth Rate & Stages

Squatfolk mature at a rate similar to humans, but reach adulthood at the age of 16 or 17.

Ecology and Habitats

Squatfolk tend to live in areas where they can keep to themselves. Many in Ordia dwell in villages in Dhaversland in the Ain'donum, and just as many populate the Immortal Meadows of Gentrov where they farm and breed cows, the animal that they introduced to Ordia several hundred years ago upon their arrival. They are known to be skilled cheesemongers and dairy farmers for this reason. Moreover, Squats tend to settle near caves for many different reasons that involve diet and staying cool during the summer heat and warm during the winter's cutting winds.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Generally, Squatfolk are known for their love of food, especially cheese and honey. They're well known for being the inventors of mead, a fermented honey wine. They often have such a large surplus of food, sayings are made about them: "Does it ever snow in southern Florestal?" "Aye, when the Squat reserves run dry."

Biological Cycle

Squats are known to have two separate homes: one above ground often made of dirt, wood, or straw, and one underground that they make out of a cave.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Their villages usually consist of a council elected by the elder of their town. These councilmembers specialize in specific areas: crop rotation, cattle, home building, defenses, etc.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

47% Dhaversland, 41% Gentrov, 9% Florestal, 3% Bharak-dur and elsewhere

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Unlike their ancestors, the Squatfolk's ability to see in dark places has diminished with the ages, leaving them with sight capabilities akin to their cousins, the humans.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

While both genders share last names, they possess prefixes with different meanings. Io in front of a surname means "grandson of" and Rec means "son of". Ne in front of a female surname means "grandaughter of" while Noc means "daughter of." If a man is married, his prefix is changed to Ioc (pronounced yock) while the woman's prefix is changed to Mae. Elders and important Squatfolk are given a third name, Cial (pronounced Call) for males and Cean (pronounced like cane), that is said before their surname. Properly addressing an elder would sound something like this: "Goodmorning, Cean Mae'Dhumeil".
Male examples: Tahg Io'Maniel, Earnan Rec'Tuama, Luchlain Ioc'Doirn
Female examples: Maiti Ne'Midhir, Eibhlin Noc'Slater, Art Mae'Beirgin

Major Organizations

Tarbish War-Bull riders.

Beauty Ideals

Styling and keeping a beard and mustache on men. Females with freckles and wavy hair.

Gender Ideals

Men tend to perform hard labor like harvesting and planting crops while women are known to take care of animals like cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, etc. Knowing how to cook is a very notable trait that many Squats find attractive.

Average Technological Level

Squats are a simple folk and hardly take up new technologies. Most still use beasts of burden to transport and till fields.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Brish, Obrish

Common Etiquette Rules

Squats are known for being friendly to outsiders and their great hospitality.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Squats have existed for thousands of years and have since gone beyond their ancestral roots. They believe in their own pantheon of Gods known as The Daughters of Maithen.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

They host banquets at least once per month to break up the monotony of daily life.

Common Myths and Legends

One of the most legendary stories of all time is that of Tarbi Brishbreaker, a woman that trained the bulls on her farm to fight back against an invasion from an enemy human tribe. After thwarting them, she showed her people how to ride and tame the beasts of Northern Ordia. Thus, the legendary Tarbish Calvary was born. The Tarbish are few and far between now, as the tradition has begun to dwindle as the Squatfolk face less and less opposition from the other folk of their respective countries.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Squatfolk tend to stay out of the politics of Ordia and get along well with humans and their kin very well for this reason.

Origin/Ancestry

Brish

Lifespan

They tend to live for upwards of 150 years.

Average Height

2'6-3'8

Average Weight

55-90lbs

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Squatfolk range in skin color greatly from chocolate browns to pale sand.

Geographic Distribution

• Ordia