Mac Tirad

in: Races, Vargans

Pride, integrity, honor, and family are at the forefront of every Mac Tirad Vargan’s mind. These renowned fighters operate like a pack, with a singular leadership figure. Calling the northern reaches of the eastern continent their home, the Mac Tirad share a homeland with both the Caledonii and the Nords and, In some cases, have been known to integrate into both respective societies of those differing cultures. Unfortunately, this has often been the catalyst for conflict and resentment within their tightly-knit packs, as well as with the numerous human clans who view the Vargan as little more than bi-pedal beasts. Valued for their ferocity and loyalty, the Mac Tirad have been known to fight for groups all across the world in exchange for coin, resources, and other vital assets that benefit their packs at home. Even so, these Vargan packs are not solely composed of warriors or raiders; they are self-sustaining communities with individuals serving in other positions such as healers, cooks, hunters and gatherers.

## The Basics

* **Other Names:** Vargan
* **Slang:** Animal references are often offensive to beastkin. “Cat Girl” “Dog Boy” and so on are often seen as an insult.
* **Appearance:** Wolfish in nature, the Mac Tirad looks starkly different to any other Vargan. Larger, stronger, and with a much more ferocious nature in their appearance. They have hair that ranges from black, gray, brown, and sometimes white. Their canines are sharp and prominent, extending beyond their lips. A Mac Tirad typically has a larger, bulkier tail than that of the Sagai and it matches the rest of their hair in color. In comparison to the Sagai, the Mac Tirad Vargans are not only taller in stature, but bulkier in form, with naturally muscled physiques. They’re more physical than their Sagai counterparts, often wearing heavy hides and armors to survive the harsh nature of the northernmost regions of the world.
* **Lifespan:** Upwards of 60 years
* **Height:** 165 cm (5’5”) to 185 cm (6'1")
* **Culture:** Calling the northern reaches of the eastern continent their home, the Mac Tirad share a homeland with both the Caledonii and the Nords and, In some cases, have been known to integrate into both respective societies of those differing cultures. A pack-minded group, the Mac Tirad put great value in familial ties, honor, integrity and strength. It’s not unheard of to encounter this group of Vargan beyond their usual borders, often venturing abroad in search of means to sustain their clans through hired work. Those who call themselves Mac Tirad come from self-sustaining communities with individuals serving in other positions such as healers, cooks, hunters and gatherers. The packs have a single leadership figure in the form of their strongest male, with the partner of this particular position being little more than an honorary supporting role.
* **Common Character Roles:** Hunters, Warriors, Scouts, Gatherers
* **Common Allies:** The Mac Tirad Vargan do not have established allies but they have been known to be friendly with both the Caledonii and the Nords in the lands they reside in. That friendliness is a case-by-case basis, however, and often tenuous.
* **Common Enemies:** Anyone outside the pack that is not otherwise embraced or tolerated. It’s always a case-by-case basis, though those without honor or integrity are always met with disapproval and in more extreme cases, outright hostility.
* **Religion:** They do not have a set religion of their own. If they choose to, the Mac Tirad draws from local areas, though this is not inherently commonplace. They’re a practical and secular group by nature, deferring to the strength of arms and a moral set of rules bound by honor, commitment to family and integrity.
* **Views on Magic:** While the Mac Tirad do not typically condone the use of magic themselves, they have a respect for the skill it takes to wield it efficiently. There’s an unspoken understanding of wisdom associated with those who wield such potent abilities, though the practitioners of darker spheres of magic will almost always be met with a violent response by any true Mac Tirad Vargan.
* **Weaknesses:** Duty Bound -Will not consider backing down when it is a matter of duty to accomplish a task, even to their own detriment.
* **Quirks:** Loyalty; Honor Bound; Wolfish Behaviors

## Appearances

The Mac Tirad have canine ears and tails with fur varying in color usually between gray, white and black. They normally dress in tribal fashion though this can culturally vary between the styles of the tribal forest peoples of the Caledonii to having a more Nord-like appearance, though they are incapable of natively doing their own metalwork and so any metal will have either been stolen or traded for. Their eyes often more resemble those of dogs or wolves than men, and can vary in color in the same way those animals can. Their hair is usually black, brown, gray or white.

## History & Culture

The Vargans see themselves as keepers of a proud warrior tradition, though they are decidedly primitive even by the standards of the Caledonii and especially so by the more northerly Nords who they sometimes also encounter. The further north the tribe of Vargans, the more strongly they tend to resemble wolves and the more their culture begins to blend with that of the Nords, though even then they are far more tribal and atavistic compared to the steel-making and raiding culture of the far north. All Vargan, Sagai and Mac Tirad both, are known for keeping a lifetime partner. They seldom move on to another in the absence of their first, though this is more commonplace a practice with the Mac Tirad than it is the Sagai with the Sagai being less family oriented.

### *Leadership*

The Mac Tirad follow a very simple pattern of government within their clans, or packs. A Vargan that leads the Mac Tirad has earned his position through strength of arms. The leader, often taking the role of an Alpha in pack terms, is always the strongest warrior of the group and rules in a singular fashion. This is a singular position of power, not shared and only contested through martial challenge or the death of the current leading entity.

## Racial Abilities & Weaknesses

### Nightvision

All beastkin are capable of seeing in the dark.

### Aspect of the Wolf (Mac Tirad)

With this aspect a Mac Tirad Vargan is immune to having their mental state altered by magic. They cannot be forced into actions that they would not normally take and would never willingly betray an ally. Spells to which they are immune are Incite Rage, Instill Confusion, Charm, and the Enthrall curse.

### Duty Bound (Mac Tirad)

These Vargan will not consider backing down when it is a matter of duty to accomplish a task, even to their own detriment.