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| shared_worlds:thick_as_thieves_races [2015/06/02 19:16] – [Crustfolk] Petike | shared_worlds:thick_as_thieves_races [2020/11/28 03:45] (current) – [ADDITIONAL FACTS AND OVERVIEWS] petike |
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| __Singular names for the sexes:__ newtman / newtwoman \\ | __Singular names for the sexes:__ newtman / newtwoman \\ |
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| These beings are amphibious humanoids with greenish skin, large eyes with dusky sclera and earthily-colourful pupils and many newt-like characteristics, including prominent swimming membranes on their feet and hands. Out of all the beastfolk species of Aporue, they are the closest to humans in terms of outward appearance. While sexual dimorphism in the species is just as distinct as in the case of humans, there are notable biological distinctions. For one, newtwomen completely lack any sort of mammaries, yet in terms of reproduction, they are effectively [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivipary|viviparous]] - though in an amphibian/reptilian, rather than mammalian way. The whole species is known in naturalist/anthropologist circles under the scientific name "enormoeyed newtman", To the average human settlers, its members are simply dubbed with terms like "newtfolk", "swampfolk", "marshmen/marshwomen", "nixies", and more derisively, "piss-swimmers" or "toadtongues". Newtmen inhabit marshy and swampy areas and though their material and spiritual culture is more primitive than that of any of the human species, they are in no way unintelligent or mentally inferior. Oddly enough, they practice well-developed (if primitive) fish and mollusc farming and often tame waterfowl (e.g. herons, cormorants, grebes and coots) as pets or hunting animals (to them, cormorants are like hunting hounds). Newtfolk often wear at least some basic clothing, but it is notably very simple, cheap and often slightly loose (though not baggy). They care very little for fancy, non-practical clothes, and you wouldn't catch most of them alive wearing such "unnecessarily excessive apparel". Unfortunately, this has inadvertently fueled some human and beastpeople social prejudices towards the newtmen, usually having to do with the fact that they're "dressed like the most shoddily-clad commoner", "dressed as a bunch of beggars and vagrants", etc. In some human-dominated regions that they inhabit, the newtfolk are treated rather well. Elsewhere, very badly. In the case of the [[thick as thieves countries#melza|Melzan city state]], their treatment by the (mostly human) locals is somewhere in the middle. While most local people are indifferent or begrudgingly tolerant of them, you occassionally see the local hate group yelling slurs in the vein of "piss-swimmers" at newtmen visiting the streets and public spaces of the city (usually to trade and buy supplies). A few years ago, newtmen protested in the streets of the city for the first time in its history. They were angered, because local sensationalist pulp fiction author Čelar Kapek wrote a dystopian novel in which the humanfolk were dominated by an evil, thinly-veiled analogue of the newtmen. \\ | These beings are amphibious humanoids with greenish skin, large eyes with dusky sclera and earthily-colourful pupils and many newt-like characteristics, including prominent swimming membranes on their feet and hands. Out of all the beastfolk species of Aporue, they are the closest to humans in terms of outward appearance. While sexual dimorphism in the species is just as distinct as in the case of humans, there are notable biological distinctions. For one, newtwomen completely lack any sort of mammaries, yet in terms of reproduction, they are effectively [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivipary|viviparous]] - though in an amphibian/reptilian, rather than mammalian way. The whole species is known in naturalist/anthropologist circles under the scientific name "enormoeyed newtman", To the average human settlers, its members are simply dubbed with terms like "newtfolk", "swampfolk", "marshmen/marshwomen", "nixies", and more derisively, "piss-swimmers" or "toadtongues". Members of the species have odd voices, somewhere half-way between raspy sighing and a somewhat singsong intonation. Newtmen inhabit marshy and swampy areas and though their material and spiritual culture is more primitive than that of any of the human species, they are in no way unintelligent or mentally inferior. Oddly enough, they practice well-developed (if primitive) fish and mollusc farming and often tame waterfowl (e.g. herons, cormorants, grebes and coots) as pets or hunting animals (to them, cormorants are like hunting hounds). Newtfolk often wear at least some basic clothing, but it is notably very simple, cheap and often slightly loose (though not baggy). They care very little for fancy, non-practical clothes, and you wouldn't catch most of them alive wearing such "unnecessarily excessive apparel". Unfortunately, this has inadvertently fueled some human and beastpeople social prejudices towards the newtmen, usually having to do with the fact that they're "dressed like the most shoddily-clad commoner", "dressed as a bunch of beggars and vagrants", etc. In some human-dominated regions that they inhabit, the newtfolk are treated rather well. Elsewhere, very badly. In the case of the [[thick as thieves countries#melza|Melzan city state]], their treatment by the (mostly human) locals is somewhere in the middle. While most local people are indifferent or begrudgingly tolerant of them, you occassionally see the local hate group yelling slurs in the vein of "piss-swimmers" at newtmen visiting the streets and public spaces of the city (usually to trade and buy supplies). A few years ago, newtmen protested in the streets of the city for the first time in its history. They were angered, because local sensationalist pulp fiction author Čelar Kapek wrote a dystopian novel in which the humanfolk were dominated by an evil, thinly-veiled analogue of the newtmen. \\ |
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| __Stealth, combat and thieving talents:__ In the realms of professional thievery, newtfolk are famous not only for their swimming skills, but also for their immense (some would say slippery) acrobatic capabilities and their unique natural capabilities of blending in with underwater terrain, particularly if it contains foliage. The latter is enabled by a degree of mimicry abilities inherent in a newtman's or newtwoman's smooth, greenish and rather alien skin.\\ | __Stealth, combat and thieving talents:__ In the realms of professional thievery, newtfolk are famous not only for their swimming skills, but also for their immense (some would say slippery) acrobatic capabilities and their unique natural capabilities of blending in with underwater terrain, particularly if it contains foliage. The latter is enabled by a degree of mimicry abilities inherent in a newtman's or newtwoman's smooth, greenish and rather alien skin.\\ |
| __Singular names for the sexes:__ wolverman / wolverwoman \\ | __Singular names for the sexes:__ wolverman / wolverwoman \\ |
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| Also referred to colloquially as the "gulomen" or "wolverinemen". Known to be the most warrior-minded of the mustelid peoples, the wolverinemen can be very fierce in battle and can turn all rabid whenever you insult them or provoke them. While they have their own particular code of ethics, not always understandable to others, they are generally a honourable (if oft-foolhardy) bunch. Just like other human and beastfolk species, they inhabit several landmasses of the known world, but always stick to their cold, northern fringes. This to them is their ideal environment, their true paradise on earth. The material culture of the wolverinemen, while certainly still pre-industrial, is fairly advanced and well developed. Though they still use tools, weapons and even bits of armour that utilise stone, volcanic glass, bark, antlers and bones, the ones from the RP's landmass have a long and distinguished history of metallurgy. Bronze tools and weapons have been abandoned several centuries ago, and most of the contemporary ones are of iron and steel. But the wolverinemen are also proficient in goldsmithery and silversmithery, which has brought them much fame. Their simple jewellery, usually made from mundane or precious metals and adorned with more mundane gems (malakhite, garnet, volcanic glasses, etc.), is a well-respected and well-selling good that provides them with a fairly solid income. In addition to hunting, they also herd reindeer and elk, fish with harpoons and rods (sometimes utilising simple canoes and monoxyls) and trade with furs and bone or tooth trophies. Some tribes and polities of wolverinemen even establish their own fur farms and fish-raising ponds and dykes. Outside of flax growing and the occassional growing or trading of herbs and lichens as spices for their meaty diet, the wolverinemen don't really have a settled agriculture in the traditional sense. The wolverinemen of other landmasses tend to be different in customs and material culture and are often more prehistoric or archaic in this regard. Though wolverinemen trade with humans from near and far - especially via human channels like the nomads of northern Metsämaa - there has always been a degree of tension, friction and distrust between them and humans (particularly mining prospectors from abroad). Some other species of beastpeople don't have it easy either. It doesn't help that the wolverinemen consider most of their mustelid cousins to be "wimps and weaklings, pampered by the use of modern technology". Many individual wolvermen use patronymic-style surnames, rather than true family or clan names, utilising "-narf" as a suffix for sons and "-núar" as a suffix for daughters. E.g. "Harvenarf = son of Harve", "Harvenúar = daughter of Harve". \\ | Also referred to colloquially as the "gulomen" or "wolverinemen". Known to be the most warrior-minded of the mustelid peoples, the wolverinemen can be very fierce in battle and can turn all rabid whenever you insult them or provoke them. While they have their own particular code of ethics, not always understandable to others, they are generally a honourable (if oft-foolhardy) bunch. Just like other human and beastfolk species, they inhabit several landmasses of the known world, but always stick to their cold, northern fringes. This to them is their ideal environment, their true paradise on earth. The material culture of the wolverinemen, while certainly still pre-industrial, is fairly advanced and well developed. Though they still use tools, weapons and even bits of armour that utilise stone, volcanic glass, bark, antlers and bones, the ones from Aporue have a long and distinguished history of metallurgy. Bronze tools and weapons have been abandoned several centuries ago, and most of the contemporary ones are made of iron and steel. But the wolverinemen are also proficient in goldsmithing and silversmithing, which has brought them much fame. Their simple jewellery, usually made from mundane or precious metals and adorned with more mundane gems (malakhite, garnet, volcanic glasses, etc.), is a well-respected and well-selling good that provides them with a fairly solid income. In addition to hunting, they also herd reindeer and elk, fish with harpoons and rods (sometimes utilising simple canoes and monoxyls) and trade with furs and bone or tooth trophies. Some tribes and polities of wolverinemen even establish their own fur farms and fish-raising ponds and dykes. Outside of flax growing and the occassional growing or trading of herbs and lichens as spices for their meaty diet, the wolverinemen don't really have a settled agriculture in the traditional sense. The wolverinemen of other landmasses tend to be different in customs and material culture and are often more prehistoric or archaic in this regard. Though wolverinemen trade with humans from near and far - especially via human channels like the nomads of northern Metsämaa - there has always been a degree of tension, friction and distrust between them and humans (particularly mining prospectors from abroad). Some other species of beastpeople don't have it easy either. It doesn't help that the wolverinemen consider most of their mustelid cousins to be "wimps and weaklings, pampered by the use of modern technology". Many individual wolvermen use patronymic-style surnames, rather than true family or clan names, utilising "-narf" as a suffix for sons and "-núar" as a suffix for daughters. E.g. "Harvenarf = son of Harve", "Harvenúar = daughter of Harve". \\ |
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| __Real world frame of reference:__ While it would be a bit of an oversimiplification, most of the wolverinemen of the Aporue continent could be described as somewhat similar to the Norsemen/Vikings of late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. However, they are distinctly land-bound and have little interest in maritime matters. Their overall culture also has many parallels to the real world's Paleoasiatic peoples and even Greenlandic Inuits. In political matters, some of the wolverinemen have a Scandinavian-style proto-nobility of sorts, while others use a more peasant-centered system of governance. This latter system is somewhat comparable to Iceland during the Icelandic Commonwealth era, with rather democratically-styled public council meetings and rich peasants and landowners in lieu of actual nobility. The nomadic human tribes of northern Metsämaa who the wolverinemen share some technology and customs with are comparable to real world Saamis, a.k.a. Lapplanders. The wolverinmen of the more distant landmasses are, expectedly, something of a northernly Native American analogue - in the mold of Inuits, Yupiks, Aleutians, Tlingits and Nootka.\\ | __Real world frame of reference:__ While it would be a bit of an oversimiplification, most of the wolverinemen of the Aporue continent could be described as somewhat similar to the Norsemen/Vikings of late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. However, they are distinctly land-bound and have little interest in maritime matters. Their overall culture also has many parallels to the real world's Paleoasiatic peoples and even Greenlandic Inuits. In political matters, some of the wolverinemen have a Scandinavian-style proto-nobility of sorts, while others use a more peasant-centered system of governance. This latter system is somewhat comparable to Iceland during the Icelandic Commonwealth era, with rather democratically-styled public council meetings and rich peasants and landowners in lieu of actual nobility. The nomadic human tribes of northern Metsämaa who the wolverinemen share some technology and customs with are comparable to real world Saamis, a.k.a. Lapplanders. The wolverinmen of the more distant landmasses are, expectedly, something of a northernly Native American analogue - in the mold of Inuits, Yupiks, Aleutians, Tlingits and Nootka.\\ |
| __Varieties or races:__ They are actually two biologically distinct species. | __Varieties or races:__ They are actually two biologically distinct species. |
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| Two different species, but with the same general basis and culture. Look like humanoid versions of their animal namesakes (though lobstermen use four legs for standing and walking, making them somewhat centaur-like in body shape). Some external nicknames they've gained include "Crustfolk", "Crusties", "Crays", "Shellers", etc. They live along certain seacoasts of various landmasses, including the RP's story-relevant landmass. Lobstermen and crabmen usually utilise coastal caves as shelters and settlements, be they flooded or accessible on dry foot. Despite what many naysayers claim, their material and artistic culture is not all that primitive - they are capable of making simple tools from stone, bones, seaweed and driftwood, and their geometrically-themed cave paintings and rock carvings definitely betray a deeper and more spiritual form of creative sapience. Unlike other sapient spieces of the setting, their language is very alien in its articulation and structure (and also actually rather uncomplicated when compared with the languages of other species). Their livelihood is very sea-focused: They hardly ever venture beyond the beaches, cliffs and caves of the seacoasts to search for additional sources of nourishment. Fish, molluscs, smaller crustaceans, sea plants and even just plain old seabed detritus is all fair game for them. They are purely hunter-gatherers and do not have any sort of recognisable agriculture, not even domesticated sea creatures or aquaculture (fish-raising). However, several naturalists graced with the chance to study lobstermen or crabmen tribes have discovered that the two species tend to build simple stone water tanks, in which they temporarily store fresh catch, such as fish and tasty molluscs. As already mentioned, these peculiar beings have had a bit of a bad lot for a big chunk of their history. To other species, their language was alien and they were frequently dubbed as hideous and little more than smarter pests. In the past, they were often either hunted as animals (due to not being regarded as particularly sapient or due to being regarded as abominations) or captured and enslaved by other coastal and maritime cultures, particularly the sea branch of the ottermen species. The latter example has led to a lot of lingering tension between the two groups, with many ottermen and many lobstermen/crabmen sharing mutual prejudices and fears towards each other even to this day. In the olden days, many ottermen slavers and nobles regarded lobstermen and crabmen as little better than thinking livestock that constantly chirps and clicks a string of unintelligible gobbledygook. Chances are, when an otterman and a member of the crustacean beastpeoples meet nowadays, things are bound to get heated or ugly very quickly. The lobstermen and crabmen don't have overly cordial relations with humans either, given the humans' ingrained views of the two species as coast-dwelling humanoid game, or catch-stealing, coast-squatting monstrosities. Presently, though most places have banned the enslavement and hunting practices of the past, the lobstermen and crabmen are still not welcome with open arms by others, and thus tend to mostly keep to themselves. Some are more eager to do so than others - certain tribes are so infamously paranoid and distrustful of other sapient species, that they attack (and often even kill) their tresspassing members on sight. \\ | Two different species, but with the same general basis and culture. Look like humanoid versions of their animal namesakes (though lobstermen use four legs for standing and walking, making them somewhat centaur-like in body shape). Some external nicknames they've gained include "Crustfolk", "Crusties", "Crays", "Shellers", etc. They live along certain seacoasts of various landmasses, including the coasts of Aporue. Lobstermen and crabmen usually utilise coastal caves as shelters and settlements, be they flooded or accessible on dry foot. Despite what many naysayers claim, their material and artistic culture is not all that primitive - they are capable of making simple tools from stone, bones, seaweed and driftwood, and their geometrically-themed cave paintings and rock carvings definitely betray a deeper and more spiritual form of creative sapience. Unlike other sapient spieces of the setting, their language is very alien in its articulation and structure (and also actually rather uncomplicated when compared with the languages of other species). Their livelihood is very sea-focused: They hardly ever venture beyond the beaches, cliffs and caves of the seacoasts to search for additional sources of nourishment. Fish, molluscs, smaller crustaceans, sea plants and even just plain old seabed detritus is all fair game for them. They are purely hunter-gatherers and do not have any sort of recognisable agriculture, not even domesticated sea creatures or aquaculture (fish-raising). However, several naturalists graced with the chance to study lobstermen or crabmen tribes have discovered that the two species tend to build simple stone water tanks, in which they temporarily store fresh catch, such as fish and tasty molluscs. As already mentioned, these peculiar beings have had a bit of a bad lot for a big chunk of their history. To other species, their language was alien and they were frequently dubbed as hideous and little more than smarter pests. In the past, they were often either hunted as animals (due to not being regarded as particularly sapient or due to being regarded as abominations) or captured and enslaved by other coastal and maritime cultures, particularly the sea branch of the ottermen species. The latter example has led to a lot of lingering tension between the two groups, with many ottermen and many lobstermen/crabmen sharing mutual prejudices and fears towards each other even to this day. In the olden days, many ottermen slavers and nobles regarded lobstermen and crabmen as little better than thinking livestock that constantly chirps and clicks a string of unintelligible gobbledygook. Chances are, when an otterman and a member of the crustacean beastpeoples meet nowadays, things are bound to get heated or ugly very quickly. The lobstermen and crabmen don't have overly cordial relations with humans either, given the humans' ingrained views of the two species as coast-dwelling humanoid game, or catch-stealing, coast-squatting monstrosities. Presently, though most places have banned the enslavement and hunting practices of the past, the lobstermen and crabmen are still not welcome with open arms by others, and thus tend to mostly keep to themselves. Some are more eager to do so than others - certain tribes are so infamously paranoid and distrustful of other sapient species, that they attack (and often even kill) their tresspassing members on sight. \\ |
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| __Real world frame of reference:__ Granted, these two species are quite out-there and outwardly alien, but I think it's a fair comparison to call them a crustacean equivalent of Neanderthals. As noted above, their tech and culture is something of a sea-themed version of the real world human Paleolithic.\\ | __Real world frame of reference:__ Granted, these two species are quite out-there and outwardly alien, but I think it's a fair comparison to call them a crustacean equivalent of Neanderthals. As noted above, their tech and culture is something of a sea-themed version of the real world human Paleolithic.\\ |
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| ^ **Main category** ^ **Formal name ("-folk" moniker)** ^ **Colloquial names** ^ **Terms for male/female** ^ **Slurs and derogative names** ^ | ^ **Main category** ^ **Formal name ("-folk" moniker)** ^ **Colloquial names** ^ **Terms for male/female** ^ **Slurs and derogative names** ^ |
| | Humans ("Humanfolk") | Bigfolk | Men, Manfolk | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Longshanks, Tallheads, Hoity-toities | | | Humans ("Humanfolk") | Bigfolk | Men, Manfolk | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Longshanks, Tallheads,\\ Hoity-toities | |
| | Humans ("Humanfolk") | (Common) Smallfolk | Rarachs | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Shorties, Imps, Gnomes | | | Humans ("Humanfolk") | (Common) Smallfolk | Rarachs | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Shorties, Imps, Gnomes | |
| | Humans ("Humanfolk") | (Montane) Smallfolk | Permons | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Oremunchers, Lantern-luvvies, Dwarfs | | | Humans ("Humanfolk") | (Montane) Smallfolk | Permons | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Oremunchers, Lantern-lovers, Dwarfs | |
| | Humans ("Humanfolk") | Midfolk | Man-Rarachs, Man-Permons | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Hybrids, Half-breeds | | | Humans ("Humanfolk") | Midfolk | Man-Rarachs,\\ Man-Permons | Man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Woman | Hybrids, Half-breeds | |
| | "Sprite" Beastpeople | Newtfolk <nowiki>/</nowiki> Nixfolk | Newties, Nixies, Sprites | Newtman <nowiki>/</nowiki> Newtwoman \\ Nixman <nowiki>/</nowiki> Nixwoman | Piss-swimmers, Toadtongues | | | "Sprite" Beastpeople | Newtfolk <nowiki>/</nowiki> Nixfolk | Newties, Nixies, Sprites | Newtman <nowiki>/</nowiki> Newtwoman \\ Nixman <nowiki>/</nowiki> Nixwoman | Piss-swimmers, Toadtongues | |
| | "Furred" Beastpeople | Hedgefolk | Hedgers | Hedge(hog)man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Hedge(hog)woman | Spikeys, Pricklebacks, Hogs | | | "Furred" Beastpeople | Hedgefolk | Hedgers | Hedge(hog)man <nowiki>/</nowiki> Hedge(hog)woman | Spikeys, Pricklebacks, Hogs | |
| ==== Source ==== | ==== Source ==== |
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| **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=9730913#post9730913|Sapient Species, Fauna and Flora]]** | **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-9730913|Sapient Species, Fauna and Flora]]** |
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| (Last modified 2st October 2014 6:20 PM.) | (Last modified 2st October 2014 6:20 PM.) |
