Rat Kin

The "Rats" or Rat Kin are a race of humanoid rodents that live across Abexilas and formerly both Rathnir and Eldham. They are characterized by their grey hair that covers their bodies in full and large, round ears. Most prominently the largest population of Rat Kin lived in Northwest Eldham in the Rattican and its surrounding territories. Rattican scholars taught that Rat Kin originated from a continent adjacent to Eldham, but there is no substantial evidence nor reputable written accounts that support this theory.
== Biology ==
The Rat Kin are humanoid in form, with two arms and two legs, and five digits on each limb. Rats often also have a tail about 3 feet in length starting at the base of the tailbone. They usually stand between 4-6.5 feet in height. Rats are characterized by their full body of hair which is coarse and usually shades of grey but sometimes lean towards browns or black. Their hair usually does not cover their hands, feet, or tail, revealing their lighter skin. Rats are also characterized by their large round ears, prominent noses, and long front teeth.
=== Diet ===
Rat Kin are omnivorous and require a mixed diet of plant and animal product to remain healthy. The tribal culture of the Rattican and Rattikhanate prescribed a diet of recycled nutrients. This involved Rat Kin consuming their own feces repeatedly until it was so drained of any chemical compound that it would turn stark white. Most modern Rat Kin reject this practice, deeming it an outdated and dangerous example of religious abuse. 
== Sub Groups ==
There are three primary sub-distinctions of Rat Kin. Pure-Blooded Rats, Half-Breed Rats, and Demi-Rats. Historically, all three groups have lived in communities simultaneously with each other.
==== Pure-Blooded Rats ====
Pure-Blooded Rats are full Rat Kin. They are the ones most recognizable for being Rat Kin and all share in their full-body grey hair, large ears, and animal-like faces. Historically, some of these groups have rejected the other subgroups, calling them lesser or impure.
==== Half-Bred Rats ====
Half-Bred Rats refer to any other race, most commonly humans and elves, that share some Rat Kin genetics. It is unclear how exactly these mixes were initially created, with some citing dark magic or advanced alchemy. This group often look like their human or elf counterparts, but with distinct rat features such as large ears, teeth, or even sometimes a tail.
==== Demi-Rats ====
Demi-Rats are beings accepted into Rat culture and society that share no genetic ties to actual Rat Kin. These have been very common throughout rat society but have often been looked down upon for being “non-rat.” 
=== Inter-Rat Relations ===
Historically, the different groups of Rat Kin have not always been accepting of one another. Zealous Pure-Blood practitioners of the Ratist faith have often shunned and cast out Half-Bred and Demi-Rats. Both of these groups are to this day not permitted to live in Pure-Blooded settlements such as the Rattikhanate.
Category:Races