Axa redux

[snakefing]

Beast Men
Like all the other races I am talking about here, the beast men races are fully human. They are just sufficiently different that other races see them as being "bestial" or "animalistic" in form. Of course, they don't see themselves that way; each race has its own identity and culture. The three so-called beast races are F'rigan, Kadaan, and Minaran.

Kadaan
The Kadaans share the large island that forms the eastern and southern boundaries of the Raanic Sea with the Minarans. They inhabit the southern parts of the island. Physically fairly short and compact, Kadaans average 160-170 cm (5 ft 3 to 5 ft 7) in height and 60-70 kg (130-155 kg). Reddish, sun-baked skin makes them very distinct in a crowd. In proportion, they are built like humans, but have strong claws in place of fingernails and a protruding jaw that exposes their prodigious teeth. The combined effect gives them a rather ferocious appearance, which explains why other races classify them as beast men.

For the most part Kadaan warriors use weapons like any other person; but the Muduran Brotherhood is a widespread cult that focuses on unarmed martial arts. The Mudurans will sharpen their claws, giving them a dangerous advantage in unarmed combat.

Small fiefdoms ruled by hereditary leaders make up the bulk of Kadaan territory, with ever-shifting allegiances and alliances. Kadaan are very fecund, and overpopulation leads to frequent conflict over territory and resources. They are also known to take to the sea for raids on neighboring areas.

Kadaan technology is poor, but a strong cultural focus on Earth and Metal magic allows them to make good quality items of clay, brick, and metal regardless. Their religion tends to be equally crude with a focus on strength, luck, and power. Some shamans focus on spirit magic, drawing on the power of ancestral spirits.

[LordVreeg]

DO the beast men dress in furs, imitate animals, as well as have the claw and jaw features?  Do the protruding jaws change their speech and affect their languuages?

[snakefing]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Work has been crazy, the kids are nuts, etc. But back to the questions...

The beast men should be thought of mostly as people who have picked up some physical features that would be viewed by us (and other people in that world) as "animalistic". This doesn't mean they have picked up any related mental or cultural traits.

For example, the F'rigans are quite civilized, build simple houses, have a town mayor, etc. Having some degree of fur, they don't need as many clothes as the Hairless Ones do. In my mind's eye, I see them dressed in loose breeches with some kind of leather straps on their chests that they use to hold tools, pouches, and the like. They don't have much skill in fine textiles, although the wealthier ones might trade for a fancy silk shirt or something. In cold weather they'd dress in warm woolen or fur coats just like anyone else.

The Kadaan are a completely separate race, in a different part of the world. They aren't as socially advanced, with somewhat cruder forms of governance based more on force and clan relationships. The typical Kadaan worker will keep his or her claws filed and trimmed so as not to interfere with work. They tend to be a bit fastidious about dental hygiene - the better to show off their pearly whites. As mentioned, some warriors do sharpen their claws, but this can be impractical in daily life.

The Kadaans have hair much like other people, so they need normal clothing. Since they aren't terribly advanced, that would be leather, furs, and/or crude textiles. I have to think a bit about whether it makes sense for them to be tending some kind of sheep or goats for wool, or creating cloth from fibrous plant material, or just sticking with hides.

For the second question, the change in jaw shape and dentition would certainly affect their language, probably making certain sounds that involve the lips impossible for them - like 'p', 'b', 'm', 'f'. I hadn't really thought that much about it. Maybe limetom would have some input on that.