The First of the Boundlings - the Draudge

[HyveMynd]

The Draudge (pronounced like "dr AWE j")

<<brief history>>
As the early years of the Binding Wars unfolded, the High Kings of <<insert kingdom name here>> were faced with the task of reconstruction and unification on a large scale. Conquering the neighboring regions had been easy enough, but ensuring that they remained part of the foundling empire was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Riders dispatched from the newly installed regional barons were reporting population unrest that could slowly build into full scale rebellion in several areas. Knowing that they would be unable to continue their outward expansion while fighting a war within their own borders, the High Kings took council together. They agreed that the best way to sooth the populace was to improve the quality of life through new civic works. However, the problem remained of where to raise the labor necessary for such large scale projects. Almost all of <<kingdoms>>'s workforce was engaged in the war effort, and the other regions populations were still decimated from the fighting. Without help the reconstruction would move at a snails pace, dooming the empire to tear itself apart. Once again the High Kings turned to the art of Binding for a solution.

The Bindhalls had made great progeress in their craft so far, thanks to the wars; producing arms and equipment at an astonishing pace, significantly reducing the casuality rate with their battlefield fleshbinders, even breeding improved mounts and pack animals. But this request was to test their skill like never before. They were asked to create a ready supply of cheap, expendable labor for the reconstruction efforts. The bindwrites retreated into their halls and began their monumental task. After nearly 15 years of frantic research and experimentation they finally presented the results of their toil: the Draudge. Rumored to be a Bind-induced combination of captured slaves and reptilian packbeasts, the actual creation process was a closely guarded secret. Met with skepticism at first, their usefulness could not be long denied however. Within a decade the use of Draudge labor had spread throughout the empire, holding together what would have surely fractured under the strain of reconstruction.

<<physical description>>
Draudge are large, barrel-chested, vaguely reptillian humanoids that stand roughly three meters in height. Their legs, while mot much longer than a human's, are thick and bowed. Four flat nails rim their broad, conical feet, identical to the ones on their four stubby digits. A strongly curved spine gives them a constantly stooped appearance; the head is thrust forward, level with the powerful shoulders, and the fingertips almost brush along the ground.It is not uncommon to see Draudge ambling along on all four limbs when not cattying a burden.The beastial head is just one of several prominent feature that started rumors of pack lizard ancestory. Draudge skulls are long and wedge shaped, ending in a high muzzle topped with slitted nostrils. The eyes are widely spaced, deeply set, and crowned with horny protuberences. These tough outgrowths continue along the neck and head, flattening into broad disks that cover most of the back and shoulders. Short, coarse hairs sprout intermittenty from between the plates along the spine down to the small triangular tail.

more will come along as i develop it. the draudge are going to fill the "warring, hordelike baddies" spot usually taken by orcs and goblins in my campaign setting. which means that they eventually have to break free of their masters and start their own civilization. i've decided that "the draudge wars" that come later in history are what cause the "binders" to create other playable races. though i'm not entirely sure why since their bindcraft (aka magic) would have evolved to be quite potent by then. just one of the many kinks i still have to work out. anyway, what do you think of the concept so far? just looking for some general feedback from the group here.

[HyveMynd]

wow. did i forget to check some kind of box that allows people to post comments?