Rahtu are native to Laverran and were introducted by humans to the rest of the world. Rahtu dominated countries include the Andal Empire, the many tribes of Knodgi, deep caves of Potsun and some smaller states scattered around the world. Besides these places, diasporas of rahtu can be found in every human country. Consequentially, they are just as widespread and well-known as humans.
Appearance
These funny creatures are smaller than average human, and remind predatory monkeys with lion tails, sharp claws and deer ears. Rahtu are cunning and energetic, and though they look like uncivilized animals to human eye, do not underestimate their intelligence.
Rahtu have thick fur in all shades of brown from goldenish yellow to almost black. Northern rahtu, living in dense forests, are bigger in size and have darker fur, while their southern relatives are smaller and are as golden as sands of the Belting desert. Nocturnal rahtu have grey fur with darker backs. It is quite common to have white spots on one’s chest or belly. Rahtu’s eyes are usually brown, with yellow being more rare. Blue and green shades are almost never seen.
Personality and culture
Rahtu are avatars of extraversion. They live in huge groups of relatives and friends. Having more than twenty people sleeping in the same room is rahtu’s idea of comfort. They are noisy, very emotional and extremely open (so open they often do not even wear clothes or hide expressing of natural…errr…needs). Rahtu settlements and diasporas are known for their massive carnivals and ridiculously crowdy dance parties. All this could have led to rahtu’s houses and settlements becoming a source of dirt and disease, but happily these creatures are also very cleanly. They almost do not smell.
Most rahtu are very chill and straightforward in their behavior. Their common life philosophy is: «You do not know what happens tomorrow, so live today!»
As said, rahtu live in big clans. Ususally, such clans are led by the eldest female. Within the clan, status is defined by your age, experience and popularity. All adults in the family raise kids together and make no difference of who is who’s. When it comes to love, rahtu are just as open as with everything, and would mate with everyone they like. Consequentially, they do not have a clear concept of a father; instead, they call «father» every male older than themselves.
Magic
Rahtu are not very inclined towards sorcery, unlike humans. They also not have that many magic schools, so if one wants to study the Art, they usually travel to human lands.
Religion
Absolute majority of Rahtu worship a small pantheons of gods known as the Family. Chief deity is the Great Mother — caring and kind goddess representing everything good. She has a kid, commonly refered to as Little Devil, or the Pup — a mischievous boy whos shenanigans lead to all kinds of trouble. Rahtu of Triada also worship (and fear) the Beast — representation of unbelievable evil and insatiable, all-devouring hunger. Rahtu of the Andal Empire are more patriarchic and bellicose, and worship the Great Father — a deity of war and catacsysms.
Rahtus in diasporas may occationally worship human god or various spirits.
Names
Rahtus are simple folk. Their names often can be ordinary words and phrases in the language this rahtu family speaks: «Little Stone», «Swift Legs», «Sunshine», et. More educated rahtu like to use words from other languages they know — a way to show off in front of their neigbours. As surnames, they use their mother’s name or the clan name. So examples of names can be as silly as:
«Pebble of Flowers», «Tree, son of Leaf», «Spear of Hunters» and et cetera.
Rahtu of noble origin — such as landlords of Andal — are more picky about names. Also, they always use clan name instead of mother’s name. Their names are likely to be:
«Warrior of Lions», «Eagle of Seas», «Flame of the Desert»
Subspecies
Far to the South of civilised lands, in hidden valleys of Dead mountains shy grey rahtu leave their caves to hunt during the night. Eternity ago, they fled wars and conflicts of the North, hiding themselves from the world. These rahtu are silent and live in much smaller families. Unlike their cousins, they can see in the dark like a cat, and are much more prone to magic.
Twilights have slihtly different beliefs. Alongside with the Family, they worship the mysterious Stareyed Lady, who taught them wizardry, and the Nightbringer from the Dragon Gods.
Rahtu and Humans
Rahtu and humans have a thousands-years long shared history. In the past rahtu were enslaved by humans, and after centures of servitude they fought back their freedom. Many years passed, but to this very day some rahtu — particulary of the Andal Empire and (to lesser extent) in the Triadian Golden Fields — have burning hatred for humanity. It’s not safe for a human to travel there. Rahtu in diasporas and on the North of Laverran are much friendlier, as they suffered much less opression. Twilight rahtu never had lasting conflicts with humans due to their secluded lifestyle.
Racial Traits
Ability Score Increase
Your Agility increases by 2.
Company-loving common rahtu have Charisma increased by 1.
Shy and thoughtful twilight rahtu gain +1 Intelligence.
Age
Rahtu mature faster than humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 15. They live up to 70 years.
Alignment
Rahtu tend to be loyal to their friends and their principles. Evil rahtu are expelled from their society and are doomed to perish alone.
Size
Rahtu are smaller than humans, and can be from 4’3» to 5’6» ft tall. Northern rahtu and males tend to be bigger. Yours size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Close to Wilderness
You gain proficiency in one skills of the following: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception, Survival, Athletics
Sharp claws
Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 20 feet. In addition, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Animal Body
Thanks to your beastial build, you can run on four feet better than on two. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. You should have no weaponsin your hands if you use this trait.
Pack Tactics (Common Rahtu)
Learning from young age how to act together with a friend, common Rahtu always know when to rush for help. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Darkvision(Twilight Rahtu)
Thanks to centuries of nocturnal life, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You 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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Languages
Depending on your ancestry, you can speak, read, and write Rahtuan, Andalian or Kaeshee-til. You may know Common.