SCALBRANER

A Scalbranian's description can vary depending upon the amount of suitable sustenance and the environment in which they live. In harsh climates and where food or water is scarce, and if born in that situation, they are shorter than if living in plentiful locations and in temperate climates. Scalbranians are then 100-140 pounds in weight and perhaps as short as four feet eight to five feet three in poor lifestyles, but typically five feet to five feet eight inches in height, and between 120 to 180 pounds in weight in good lifestyles. Height is dependent upon birth, Scalbranians do not shrink once their height has reached its natural maximum. All Scalbranians have good strong bones, fine, angular features, near almond-shaped eyes, and long, straight, dark brown or black hair. Hair is usually wild, unless coated in one of the many paints or plant dyes that they use from time to time. Eyes are black or dark yellow if subterranean since birth. Skin colour is a pale white but they are invariably dirty or covered in skin pictures or paint.

Quick and nimble, Scalbranians are used to covering rocky or underground surfaces and living in low burrows or caves. This has gained them long and flexible limbs and they tend to stoop with their head held back against their shoulders. They tend to be scavengers, hunters or trappers, rarely gathering or farming any plants or animals. Scalbraner tribes never keep livestock or use mounts. They view animals with any vein of intelligence as being possessed of a spirit and should be respected as spirits are powerful. Sentient races are viewed even more reservedly and Scalbranians are extremely wary of strangers. Evil races are considered to be no different from Good races as few can be trusted in their view.

The Lake Plains and the Kannat Mountains are the lands of the Scalbraner tribes. Wherever there is adequate homes in the form of tunnels, caves or dens, dug out from those begun by other large animals. Tribes are their society base and although they may move home depending on the season, they tend to be within a couple of days travel from each other at most. Forests are occasionally inhabited, but mostly as a Wake or temporary settlement.

The tribe is one of hierarchy and control is direct from the top. The leader is called a 'Hoskeg', and they dictate the movements of the tribe. Only the 'Darsha' (Spirit Talker), if there is one, can question the Hoskeg and even then they must be careful and honour the Hoskeg's right to rule. Hoskegs are privileged to be the first to breed with females that have come of age. After this mating, any female may be taken by any male at any time. Females have limited say in any matter and are used as mothers and work beasts, although every member, even the Hoskeg works for the benefit of the tribe. All males and females partake in all aspects of daily activities and tasks, males tending toward outside and confrontation tasks, but females can undertake these if needs be. During harsh weather or in times of little work, males will aid the females in any tasks in the home.

There are, what could be described as, several different classes within Scalbraner society. After the Hoskeg and Darsha the tribe is composed of Zarinura (Track Hunters), who find food and scout new locations as well as gathering any herbs needed for illnesses or paints; the Sculn (Makers), who gather nearby produce to make tools and items the tribe may need; and the Uoshwra (Defenders), who remain at the tribe home, most of the time and are often the largest or fiercest tribesmen who are expected to throw away their lives in defence of the tribe, should a great evil comes to the settlement.

Children are typically born singularly, and cared for by any of the females or males in the tribe. Males mature at around 7 Dodecates, and are expected to work as any other member; while females are considered immature until 10 Dodecates have passed or when their cycles of female maturity begin.

Skins are worn when available, adornments include bones, teeth and claws as well as feathers, distinct stones and crystals and anything else of interest and seeming importance. Every item is regarded as having some influence upon or by a spirit and all are considered to be part of the world around them. This occasionally leads to difficulties where Scalbranians infringe upon other race's settlements and take their property or items. It is generally easy to scare off Scalbranians when confronted with large numbers or when they are not in their territory.

Tools are predominately bone or stone based, but where they do trade with civilized societies, they will swap food, skins or precious stone rocks for pots, weapons, or any metal or hard to construct items.  They do produce their own bows, arrows, slings and sling stones, spears, small throwing axes and rope, all of which they utilise in their hunting. Ropes are made either from animal sinew or animal fibres or from grasses and other tough plant fibres.

Darsha use Manc. In the form of trances, unguents, potions and poultices. They can also commune with spirits of nature, either plant or animal and can even, if powerful enough summon elementals to do their bidding. Darsha may also use spirits to determine future events, but only in the far, distant future or within a very short time frame. The Darsha must be imbued with Manc and then be taught it by another Darsha, or by a spirit Darsha, called a Valoosh. The Valoosh is the spirit of a previous Darsha that can either be summoned by a Darsha or comes of its own accord, primarily to teach or warn a tribe's Darsha of some event to happen in the near future.

Darsha worship nature spirits and hold in high regard fire, water, ice, stone and blood, although they have no religion. They also revere any icon or picture. Reproduction of an image is considered a power and the Darsha has the right of destruction of any work carried out by other tribe members, if they deem the work disrespectful or dangerous. Many Scalbranians make small paintings or scar-markings on their skin and these are rarely considered bad by the Darsha. Where a tribe does not have a Darsha, the Hoskeg has say over works of craft.

Scalbranian language is Sandan, a guttural, but at times soft and melodic language, especially when singing or chanting. They are skilled at mimicking, both animal sounds and languages spoken by other races, even if they can not understand what is being said. A lot of gestures are used at the same time as spoken words when in the tribes settlement. Outside or when hunting the words are spoken more quietly and short hand-gestures and body movements send signals to other members without sound and across distances. A hunting party of Scalbraner can organise and commit an ambush of a large animal or group of animals with nothing more than foot, body, head and hand movements.

Apart from singing around camp fires or at births or deaths, Scalbranians make rattles, drums, whistles and bone stringed instruments called Putrell. Generally their music is highly rhythmic and can be quite captivating and possessing, it usually builds from a gentle play to a great climax of fervour and powerful playing that is often accompanied by a group of dancers performing some age-old ritualistic dance in time to the music.

Names of Scalbranians are generally single, short and similar in form, with no difference between sexes. Many names mean something, explained by the namer at the time of giving. The Hoskeg and Darsha may elect to give another name for a member due to some act they performed or committed. An individual is always merited alone, any siblings or known parents never benefit or suffer directly because of the actions of a single tribe member.

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