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Vorshek
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With the exception of in Chur'An and some domesticated Vorshek kept by the Var,
most Vorshek live solitary existences, with males and females coming together only
to mate, and very rarely at that.
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ORIGINS & ORGANIZATION
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Most Vorshek are basically solitary, and have an intelligence only marginally above
the level of an animal. While Vorshek are capable of speech and learning, most Vorshek
know only a few dozen words. Like several other Haelfinan creations, wild Vorshek
typically speak a debased derivative of Haelfiri known as Ureldrek; however it is
so far distant and debased even from Ureldrek that it's almost a distinct dialect.
Varic Vorshek speak simple Varic.
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In the wild, a Vorshek female mates typically 3 to 5 times over the course of their
lifespan, with males drawn from as far away as 500 miles to compete for her attentions
by the distinct musk exuded during this time. Due to their rarity however, oftentimes
there is only one such suitor and sometimes there are none. Often if a female is
ready to mate and no suitors arrive, the female will take this as a sign to relocate
and will seek out an area with at least one male and resettle in the vicinity so
that the situation wont be repeated when she is next ready to mate.
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After mating has been accomplished the sire remains in the area during the fifteen
month pregnancy, providing food and protection for the increasingly gravid female.
However, once the children are delivered and the female has recovered sufficiently
to hunt on her own, the father departs the area and returns to their own territory.
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Female Vorshek typically deliver one child, but litters of two or three are not
unheard of. However, the principle problem is that these babies require such large
quantities of food to grow into adulthood that usually when there is a litter of
several, the strongest child takes most of the food and the others die of starvation.
Children remain with their mothers for around twenty years, after which time they
are chased off to find their own territory.
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CHUR'ANESE VORSHEK
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Chur'Anese Vorshek are an intelligent, civilized people of average intelligence
that are fully integrated and accepted into the primarily Human Chur'Anese society.
They lead normal lives, have trades, jobs, and homes of their own, form long term
relationships, and for all intents and purposes are indistinguishable from their
Human co-countrymen.
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The Chur'An are one of the Eld-folk descendents of the Humans that stayed loyal
to the Haelfinan in ancient times. In many ways the Chur'An's ancestors were the
most loyal for they remained behind on the continent to guard the retreat of their
Haelfinan masters and the other Eld-folk that took ship to flee the vengeance of
the Var and their Human allies.
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The Haelfinan left many of their other remaining servitor races and creatures behind
in the volcanic and fell lands as well to aid in discouraging pursuit. The Chur'An
took control of most of these, including the Vorshek that remained loyal. Surprisingly
the Chur'An survived, thanks in large part to the inhospitable nature of the volcanic
lands they happened to be in; which the Haelfinan had deliberately chosen for their
departure point as the active magma flows and volcanic nature of the land was a
natural defense against the subterranean Var. Also, once the Haelfinan had fled
the continent, the Var realized there was little point in wiping out a relative
handful of Human loyalists and ceased advancing (particularly in what promised to
be a hard fight).
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Over the millennia the Chur'An have continued their relationship with their Vorshek
and have effectively elevated them quite a bit. Vorshek exist as a community within
the greater Chur'Anese culture. Over the years they have taken on Chur'An values
and culture, live in houses, have jobs and trades, and are basically not very different
from their Human counterparts save that their extended lifespans lead to interesting
cross-generational relationships with Human families. Chur'Anese Vorshek have improved
over long millennia and are quite a lot more intelligent than other Vorshek, and
are as civilized as any other Chur'Anese citizen.
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Unlike savage Vorshek, Chur'Anese Vorshek mimic the mating patterns of their Human
allies, forming family units, generally practicing monogamy, and the females heat
is much less marked. The tell-tale male-attracting musk is also partially baffled
by the use of perfumes and baths.
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LHYGGY SNIAGHTY
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Most Vorshek fighting in the Chur'Anese militia merely serve as part of their regional
militia like their Human counterparts. However well trained warriors, Vorshek and
Human alike, that serve on a semi-regular basis rather than just during times of
need, and that have better training and equipment and are paid for their service
are usually part of special semi-standing units that are partially mobilized at
all times.
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However in addition to their standard mixed units, Chur'An also maintains a very
elite segregated unit of around 500 war-trained Vorshek called the Lhyggy Sniaghty
(thoo-EEK-ay snee-KOT-ay), which translates loosely as "Falling Avalanche
Brigade", that is quite devastating as heavy infantry and is greatly feared
by their neighbor, the expansionary Empire of Zed.
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This unit has a very long history, having existed in various sizes, guises, and
states of readiness for several millennia, all the way back to the time of the Varic
Wars. Like almost all Chur'Anese forces most of the unit is not kept as a fully
staffed and ready standing force, but at least a quarter of the unit is kept on
hand at all times near the Zedeshi border, with individual members cycling into
rotation according to a schedule. During times of war or heightened tension more
of the unit is mobilized, of course.
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CYRYROUYL
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The Chur'Anese are also in the process of developing a newer elite force of
war-trained Vorshek specifically intended to counter the Zedeshi phalanx called
the Cyryrouyl (keer-ree-ROO-ill), which translates loosely as the "Charging
Bull Brigade", which isn't as heavy hitting as the Lhyggy Sniaghty, but is
faster moving and is used as shock troops rather than as heavy infantry. This unit
currently has around 100 war-trained Vorshek.
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The intent is for the Vorshek of this unit to use their naturally long reach in
conjunction with the extra reach of appropriately sized hook axe polearms to hook
the edges of a shield wall and yank the wall apart, while keeping out of the reach
of the defender's own spears. Once a shield wall is in disarray, the polearms' axe
head is also well suited to slay the mostly leather clad Zedeshi Legionnaires.
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Thus far the unit, in its eight year existence, has done well in border clashes
with Zedeshi border patrols that have strayed too far into Chur'Anese lands and
the unit's future prospects are good. It is currently kept as a fully standing force,
but as it grows larger it will likely follow a ready reservist pattern similar to
the well established and proven Lhyggy Sniaghty.
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VARIC VORSHEK
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In some Varholds lines of Vorshek have been kept as effectively domesticated beasts
of burden for millennia, harnessing their great strength to work various mechanical
devices and to move heavy mining carts for the most part. These Vorshek are clothed
in sturdy working attire (more to appease the sensibilities of the Var than for
any practical reason), and kept in what amounts to large but reasonably comfortable
kennels. Females in heat are kept separate from males and bred according to meticulously
tracked pedigrees much like dogs or horses among some communities of Humans.
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APPEARANCE & DRESS
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Vorshek (Wild)
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Vorshek (Chur'An)
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Vorshek are very tall and extremely sturdy humanoids that look dangerous and tough.
They typically stand between seven and nine feet tall (though some specimens are
larger or smaller), but are often somewhat hunched, with heavy shoulders. They also
have long, thick necks that are surprisingly flexible. They are dense and weigh
in between 800 and 1000 pounds, but some specimens weigh considerably more than
that even. They often hunch over in a "knuckle-dragging" stance, supporting
some of their great weight with whichever arm they are not currently using.
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Vorshek have large noggins, big teeth and legendary noses. Most Vorshek have large
mouths, and in conjunction with their long necks can make vicious biting attacks
very effectively. Some Vorshek grow thatches of thick fur in various places about
their person, but many are as bald as a baby's behind their whole bodies over. Their skin
tone usually ranges in greyish colors, from a stereotypical bluish grey to a more
elephantine grey. Their skin also sometimes has a knobby, pebble like texture, particularly
among older specimens. The females look much as the males save that they have ponderous
dugs, which some bother to cover and others do not.
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Save for the exceptions already noted, some wild Vorshek go nude, while others wear
rough hides to some degree or another.
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Chur'Anese Vorshek have some cosmetic differences from their wild kin; most noticeably
their craniums are more domed, their mouths are much smaller, and their noses are
not as distended. Further, Chur'Anese Vorshek wear at least some clothing, generally
breeches and occasionally loose draped tunics.
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GENERAL CHARACTER
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Most Vorshek are actually relatively peaceful, despite their fierce appearance.
If left alone they generally are content to eat and sleep and amuse themselves in
simple, primitive ways. However, when angered or frightened, they can become dangerous
and savagely lethal.
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Some Vorshek have been known to form attachments to people of other races that have
been unusually kind to them, particularly when they are younger, and to be very
fierce protectors of those people...often to the protectee's chagrin as Vorshek
generally don't make the best decisions.
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Chur'Anese Vorshek on the other hand are not primitive and share the same externally
stoic and xenophobic, internally warm and friendly attitudes of their Human co-countrymen,
as well as the fierce individualism they are so renowned for as a people.
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PACKAGE DEAL
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Cost
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Ability
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15
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Irresistible Might: +15 STR
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20
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Durable: +10 CON
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20
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Tough: +10 BODY
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10
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Intimidating: +10 PRE
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15
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Big Bite: HKA 2d6 (vs. PD) (30 Active Points); Extra Time (Full Phase, Delayed
Phase, -3/4), Reduced Penetration (-1/4)
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5
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Infravision: Infrared Perception
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4
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Resistant: Damage Resistance 4 PD/4 ED
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15
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Rugged: Armor 5 PD/5 ED
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10
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Heavy: Knockback Resistance -5
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5
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Long Arms: Stretching 1"
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11
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Vorshek Blood: Regenerate 1 BODY / TURN, May Heal Limbs
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4
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Impressive Nose: +2 PER Smell / Taste
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2
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Longevity: 300 years
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Value
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Disadvantages
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-20
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Normal Characteristic Maxima
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-20
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Distinctive Feature: Vorshek (Concealable w/ Magic, Noticed, Often Extreme Reaction)
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-5
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Physical Limitation: 800-1000 lbs, 7 to 9ft tall, but hunches over
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-3
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Dense: -3" Leap
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-2
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Heavy As A Stone: -2" Swimming
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-8
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Dumb As A Post: -8 INT
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-3
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Ugly: -6 COM
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+75
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Total Cost of Package
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Options
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Cost
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Ability
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+7
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Raise Regenerate to 2 BODY / TURN
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+7
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Raise Regenerate to 3 BODY / TURN
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CHUR'ANESE VORSHEK
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-15
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Remove Big Bite
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+5
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Remove Dumb as a Post -8 INT, replace with Dim: -3 INT
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+65
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Total Cost of Package
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