Hyae

Hyae are a recently emerging race of berserkers, that attack settlements along the frontiers and borderlands of civilization without warning, slaughtering and devouring their flesh or capturing their victims. Hyae are dangerous because they strike at random. They emerge from the seas and wilderness, plunder and slaughter, then move elsewhere or return home. They attack like a plague of locusts, pillaging settlements and leaving little behind but razed buildings, gnawed corpses, and befouled land. Hyae choose easy targets for their raids. Armored warriors holed up in a fortified castle may survive a rampaging Hyae horde unscathed, even as the towns, villages, and farms that surround the castle are ablaze, their people slaughtered and devoured.

Background

Hyae's origins are much older than the rest of the world knows, they were created in the 5th Century by the mad mage Gorgan who developed the race from the Silvertail Hyenas to aid the Salamanders in their war of the world, due to further developments in the war, him being outcast and hunted he he had to abandon the island and it's secret laboratory. And there they remained Sequestered away from the other races developing their own society, culture.

Culture

Hyae's are mostly based on the Vikings. They can go into a "beserker" rage and think of nothing but bloodshed and killing, ignoring their own injuries. In such a case they will have to be calmed down by fellow Hayae. Collectively The Hyae's people possessed a truly savage disposition. They preferred to live as raiders and pillagers, rather than cooperate with nearby settlements. Their religious and philosophical pursuits reflected their war-like nature.

For such a savage race they prefer to protect nature seeing nature and the primal forces, No Hyae would willingly cut down a living tree, or quarry outside a natural cave. Which leads them to go on raids with stolen ships on those unfortunate enough to have tried to explore their home island.

Art, Leisure & Architecture

Outside of their home island Hyae rarely build permanent structures or craft anything of lasting value. They scavenge such items from the corpses and homes of their fallen victims, stringing ears, teeth, scalps, and other trophies from their foes onto their patchwork armor, when they return home they use the materials they hunted to craft weapons, armor, tools or used materials like wood and stone stripped from homes to further expand their island.

The Artitecture on Home Island was curious a lot of permanent and original buildings are of a Anasazi architecture, built into the mountain on Home island. Perched on the sides and tops of the mountain the Hyae constructed villages up in the peaks of the island's mountains, connected by rickety bridges made from jungle vines. Their homes were simple huts woven from plant fibers or where large houses made of stone and wood, both were sturdy enough to provide shelter from tropical storms. Down the mountain there is a large harbour, with lots of warehouses and storages to store the loot from the raids.

Arts and crafting in Hyae culture were limited by the resources they had at hand on Home Island. As a result, Hyae were skilled in crafts like flintknapping, tanning, stitching, creating simple pottery, bone-carving, and painting. However one metal that the Hyae love above all is silver, they coat their blades in it, adorn themselves with jewelry made from it, having some kind of silver jewelry was seen as presentable.

Hyae art was often colorful and expressive. Art was one of the few things that Hyae understood to be non-competitive; they fully appreciated that art couldn't have a winner. Hyae believed that art should be used to show people something they couldn't see in the real world. Hyae decorated their tents, caves, weapons, and clothes with abstract designs of things they had seen beyond their home.

Ideals/Religion

While the Hyae are wary of Magic, they respected the powers of their tribe's shamans and artificer. They believed their other-worldly abilities originated from their deceased ancestors. They held their dead brethren in high regard, and interred them in cairns on the shore of their island.

Leadership

Hyae society is ruled as a Matriarchy with distinct groups of Hyae that live under it, the groups don't have a set naming scheme, sometimes called houses other times called clans. These groups are overseen by the greatest of all Hyae known as "King" who oversees the entire island where the Hyae live as the top position. The title isn't gender specific due developing language. When the previous King dies the next female or herm in line takes over but as by tradition they must partake in some kind of contest of strength/combat oriented contest to elect the next King to make sure the strongest Hyae will hold the position. If nobody wishes to fight for the position then the next it is passed on to the closest female relative. Cubs take the rank directly below their mothers at birth.

Gender Roles

In Hyae society females as more valuable than males, who were considered worthless. Females are larger than males, and dominate them. This gives female Hyae absolute power. Males who hoped to find any place of power often resorted to ends as treacherous as the females that ruled the Hyae, hoping to perhaps win a coveted place as the mate of a powerful band leader.

Shamanism or artificer was a route for power for male Hyae. While they were still socially inferior to female Hyae, even accomplished male Pack Lords were in danger of being executed for perceived insults and disobedients. Generally, men tried currying favors with females and advance their station by attaching themselves to them (for example, by gaining high positions in a war band, or becoming playthings).

It would be easy to imagine that Hyae females, by comparison, had it much easier. However, this was an illusion, and their prestigious position came at a high cost. The drive to gain more power made the competition between female Hyae, particularly those who belonged to powerful houses, violent, aggressive and lethal in a way that males didn't have to deal with. The real threat to any female Hyae was a Haye that developed Hermaphrodite charistics. Herms are viewed in a league of their own and subvert nearly Hyae society expectations it was seen as a blessing.

Sex and Slaves

Hyae among other actives primarily enjoy sex for pleasure, most females will dominate a male usually with their pseudo-penis, sometimes same sexs pit against each other in displays of dominance. When a herm joins the fray they normally dominate the scene. If a Hyae is not feeling brave enough to take on one of its own, they can sometimes make use of slaves they have captured from previous raids.

Slaves are often not kept around for long as Hyae don't wish for any of them to escape and harbor revenge. It is very rare that a Hyae can bring back a slave, either Hyae wish for labor or amusement, but sometimes they capture someone for their desirable traits, an elf for their smarts, a bovine for brawn. Unless otherwise slaves are either starved, worked to death or straight up murdered after a month.

[Rising Divine]

[For years Hyae had very little in the way of religion, they respected the way of their ancestors and past matriarch. Some Hyae would teach warriors of the past linger in the world as mighty spirits, who can guide and protect the living.

However sometime around the 13th Century, after a week long competition a new King arose Gwyn from the Sidonie Warband, she was the strongest warrior among Hyae and lead to many prosperous and secret raids that left the rest of Mekkan Clueless and unnoticed. She drew upon shamanistic powers unlike that which had ever been seen in the tribe before, Able predict things before they have and had great insight, conjures manifestations of nightmares. She continued to live for over 2 centuries she gathered a following and worship.

By the 16th Century those who were blessed in the Path of Gwen can better fight to protect their tribes and their allies. In order to cement ties to their patron Gwen, Hyae Bezerkers who follow the path cover themselves in elaborate tattoos that celebrate their ancestors’ deeds beside Gwen. These tattoos tell sagas of victories against terrible monsters and other fearsome rivals on the main continent.] (Draft)

Ethnicities

Hyea are extremely tall, the average member of the race standing on average between 6' and 8' feet tall (1.8 to 2.4 meters), Hyea are have a mixture of being quite bulky and lean, weighing in usually between 127–154 kg and the race cuts an impressive visage. In part because of their height and musculature Hyaes are much quicker compared with many other races and are strong enough to stand up to a bovine or even be stronger. Hyea skin is commonly a blue or blue-grey, and their furry hide is light or dark brown marked sometimes with spots or stripes. Many Hyea also have a dirty yellow to reddish-gray crestlike mane that stands on end when a Hyea is angry. This fur has a metallic properties and can deflect small blades and is very thick to cut through. They had long and large bushy tails with the tips made out of hardened silver fur which could effectively be used like a flail.

Female Hyea are considerably larger and bulkier than the male by size towering around 6' - 8' feet tall, with males being shorter and leaner around 5' - 6' feet. If undressed a Hyea may look, a male and female could look similar in appearance as the genitalia of the female closely resembles that of the male; the clitoris is shaped and positioned like a penis, a pseudo-penis, and is capable of erection. The pseudo-penis can be distinguished from the males' genitalia by its somewhat shorter length, greater thickness, and more rounded glans. The third gender in the tribe are the Hermaphrodites, either herms at birth or develop Herm traits later in life, this sacred quirk in the Hyea race is not genetic and is quite random. Herms tend to go through quite a growth spurt, and end up being a foot taller than average even stronger than females and faster then the best of males. Females develop testicals increase in penile growth. Males growing in height developing breast tissue and addition female sex organs.

Hyea have very short lifespans when compared with other races, living only 60 or so years on average. A Hyea is capable of fending for itself after only a year, and is considered an adult at 12 years of age. They remain vigorous until the end; death by old age is marked by a catastrophic decline over a space of a few days. This unusual lifecycle is tied to the supernatural origins of the Hyea. Likely related to Aquamarine growth acceleration technology or the species they are based on.

Arms and Conflict

All Hyea are trained how to fight at a young age, and were always at the peak of their physical condition and their fine-tuned hunting skills made them competent warriors at a moment's notice. Hyea wore whatever kind of armor they desired despite their thick metallic fur providing protection most wore half-plate or whatever they scavanged combien with their impressive vitality and pain tolerance, made them unstoppable warriors, especially when berserking, furthermore their deadly tails warded off attacks from behind. In terms of weapons apart from their natural silver claws, a Hyea would wield any kind of weapon they liked typically a martial slashing like a axes or swords combine with their raw strength and agility can cut down enemies swiftly, some elites used a multi headed flail with Cat o' nine tails properties but with long silver chains. Hyea are also quite smart and also favor long ranged weapons, such long or short bows, spears and javelins. In combat they are also known for their laughing laughs and mockeries of those who can stand up to fight them.

Hyea are quite competent and have learnt how to deal with mages ganging up on a caster or rushing and pelting them from range. Despite having no magic to counter, they are strong enough to tank through most hits and can typically out run magic users of non-speed focused types.

Skilled Strategists.

Hyea are extremely intelligent, they may lack education like the rest of Mekkan however they can plan very quickly and know if something is to risky seeming to have an uncanny sense of when to move and when to strike, able to exploit the weakness of their enemy like a pack of hungry wolves. Those that show aptitude for the nuances of warfare at an early age are considered chosen by groups and are groomed to serve in war bands. These individuals are captains that follow the orders of the Pack Lord, leading a portion of the bands warriors into the thick of battle and bringing a measure of strategy to the assault. Even toppling a very well fortified and guarded settlement.

War Bands

When the Island is need of supplies and materials a Hyae war band is pulled together likely to contain a variety of Hyae and other creatures, and no two of these groups have the same composition.

The Hyae that make up the rank and file have different attributes and thus different roles in the war band’s assaults. Augmenting the warriors that comprise the bulk of the force are the hunters, specialists in sneaking and attacking at range, and the gnawers, which rely on natural savagery and bezerking to tear apart their foes. A pack of silver tailed hyenas is always part of the band, and sometimes these beasts are as numerous as the Hyae themselves. One that enjoys Gwyn’s favor might be led by a flind — the scarcest and strongest of all Hyaes. It’s also possible, though quite rare, for a war band to include slaves — other races that have dedicated themselves to the Hyae and attached themselves to the war band to prove their loyalty.

Pack Lord

Most war bands are led by pack lords. These champions often get the best pick of loot and are formidiably strong. They mark their hides with bloody runes, which sometimes grant supernatural bursts of speed and strength. Pack lords favor big, heavy weapons, such as glaives and axes.

Skirl Master

These Hyea have spent their lives mastering the craft of sailing war ships, they often plow their boats right in close to shores to drop off the majority of the war band, and then are just as ready to leave and help loads on materials. A Skipper Master is always accompanied by a Quarter-Skipper, Also known as a first mate, a Quarter is second in command to a Skipper Master.

Warriors

Common Hyaes comprise the bulk of a war band. They fight mainly with spears fashioned from wood and bone. Their ferocity makes them formidable enemies.

Hunters

When a war band is on the move, the hunters travel in a wide arc around the perimeter of the force. Hunters are more adept than other Hyea at sneaking and moving through an area undetected, which makes them useful for reconnaissance. Sometimes a team of hunters is used to silently pick off sentries on patrol before they can raise an alarm, which makes the upcoming onslaught by the rest of the war band even more lethal.

Gnawers

All Hyea are ruthless and brutal, but the gnawers in a war band use their quickness and agility to augment their savagery. At the start of a raid, gnawers lurk around the edges of the Hyea forces, hoping to jump on enemies that become isolated. When a gnawer springs into action, its blades and teeth turn it into a whirling dealer of death, able to dash from one target to the next as though it had been shot from a bow.

Flinds

A flind is an exceptionally large and strong Hyea. No war band contains more than one flind, and such a creature is always the leader of its band.
Because flinds are so rare, they are seen as Gwendolyn's special messengers, gifted with a keen eye for omens and prety and an ear that could hear a pin drop from a mile. Each day, a flind consults the signs around it and determines the war band’s direction to continue raiding or head home via a stone gifted to them by Gwendolyn.

During a battle, a Hyea that delivers the death blow to a flind claims its stone and becomes a flind itself. The death or disappearance of a flind for any other reason causes a war band to descend into brutal infighting. Sometimes a new leader emerges from the warband after putting down its rivals; more often, the band fragments and are forced to return home.

Other Roles

Not all Hyea are bred or yearn for battle Hyea innate have a very high intellect but some are as smart as Elves and are the thinkers in the society: Either they become Shaman powerful warriors, healers and mages with a basic level of understanding of mana; or they become Artificer engineers Masters of unlocking magic in everyday objects in addition to being supreme inventors and engineers.

Shamans

Hyea are suspicious and resentful of most kinds of magic. Seldom do they choose to become shamans. Instead, the role is thrust upon those who are born with understanding. To be a shaman is to stand apart from the tribe, with one foot on the land of home and the other on the land of the beyond (Mekkan). Other Hyea fear and respect a shaman’s power.

An Hyea shaman must possess a sacred satchel to cast spells. A sacred satchel is made of leather from a sea beast that comes from the trench and it contains "sticks", bones, feathers, tufts of fur, and "stones" that have been “touched” by magic or mythical creatures. Typically Sticks and Stones are either staves or wands pillaged elsewhere in Mekkan and the stones are Mana Crystals they found in raids. It takes a months or a good day for a shaman to assemble a sacred satchel,full of trinkets from Mekkan, if they run low on supplies in their bags, sharmans often join warbands to replenish supplies and are rewarded them for their services.

By exploring the Undermountain on Home Island, Hyea shamans can also learn "secret rituals" which are experiment notes left behind by Gorgan. These rituals almost always require some sort of blood sacrifice, and their effects are usually transformative. For example, some shamans know a ritual that allows them to hatch giant ravens from normal raven eggs, and some shamans can transform themselves into hybrided beasts like griffons or Sea Lions by performing a ritual that requires them to drink copious amounts of blood or draw symbols with mana crystals. However a lot of the time these "rituals" often lead to Shamen or Subjects dying in the process or being malformed, the practice of which is often discouraged.

Artificer

Are often the mechanics, crafters and architects of Home Island. Their main job is to make sure the island is maintained, warband ships and weapons are up to scratch and to research strange magical objects found from across Mekkan. Most stray from innervations and tend to build upon the iterating on familiar designs. However, nothing excites an artificer quite like uncovering a new metal or discovering a source of elemental energy. In artificer circles, new inventions and strange discoveries create the most excitement.

Unlike Kito'an Artificer forge equipment without mana, but the metals they often use are stolen from Kito'an they understand the difference between the metals but can't extract the steels innate magic, though unlike normal Hyea craftsman Artificers might be able to forge pyro-metal into a flaming sword with diminished properties, or fit a stolen ballista with a cryo-metal head, but typically the abuse such items go through means they don't last.

If an Artificer is found in a war band they are often wielding very unusual weapons to experiment with.