Vanagandari

The Vanagandari, known more commonly as Wolfmen are a race of wolf-like humanoids native to the cold forests of Scaurai. Considered a simplistic and somewhat savage culture by the civilisations of Aurelia, the Vanagandari exhibit ancient shamanic practices and are feared warriors to many.

Biology

Vanagandari resemble anthropomorphic wolves, standing three metres tall and weighing on average around two hundred kilograms (440 lbs). Most Vanagandari are of grey fur and are of muscular stature, although colours of black, white and brown fur are not uncommon. Vanagandari possess opposing thumbs and have retractable claws akin to that of their animal cousins. Tails in Vanagandari culture vary from individual - some have lengthy plumes of tails while others have none at all. There is not a lot of discernible features between that of a male and female Vanagandari aside from a slightly shorter stature and pronounced mammary glands in females.

History

History concerning the Vanagandari is only passed down by word of mouth, and there is little written account from them regarding their origins. The Vanagandari believe that they themselves were once primitive wolves given conscious spirits by a divine nature spirit or deity; Wulven is generally considered the deity in question, although in Vanagandari culture the spirit goes by innumerable names. The Vanagandari have existed in Scaurai's forests for a number of millennia.

Society

Culture

An ancient culture heavily entwined with nature, the Vanagandari are shamanic and look to spirits of nature for cultural guidance. Their pantheon is a loose and vast collection of named spirits, sometimes believed to be the ancestral spirits of their kin. They are keen hunters and often measure their worth in their skill of hunting and military prowess, although some are healers and scribes. Most cultures from Scaurai tend to steer clear of the Vanagandari's territory, as they believe that most that surround them are unworthy of traversing the sacred ground of their spirits.

Language

The Vanagandari speak an ancient language that is unique to their culture; few have made attempts to decipher their language and as such some Vanagandari are capable of speaking basic common tongue as a method to deter unwary travellers from their grounds. Vanagandari are naturally inclined to be able to communicate with wolves, and often, wolves act as messengers and the eyes of the Vanagandari in their own lands.

Relations with other races

Cultures in Scaurai are known to be wary of the Vanagandari, as they are superior fighters and can survive in the hardiest of climates that the continent has to offer. Some of the more inland cultures of Scaurai respect their boundaries however, and some efforts have been made to have peaceful coexistence with them. The Vangandari however fear the presence of the Skaurovirn to the north.