Satyr

>    *“The Satyrs are revellers, party-animals if you will. Their stamina is shocking. They can outlast a Dwarf in drink and outlast an Orc in dance. That’s not to say they’re not dangerous, though. There’s a reason the other Beast-Bloods trust them with the hunting.” -* quote from Mary Livingstone, famous Imperial explorer, recounting her experiences with the Beast-Bloods.
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Satyrs, like practically all Beast-Bloods, are united through a combined experience of prosecution and genocide. They once populated lands all over Morrion, especially the modern regions of Raiontaine and the Imperiacht, but when new nations arose they were forcefully exiled into the Darkwoods with the other ‘Beast-Blood’ races. Even now, the Satyrs are looked down upon by their own Beast-Blood brethren, with many considered weak and unreliable revellers.

## **Physical Description - Aspect of the Deer**

Satyrs are known to appear somewhat like a cross between a man and a deer, though they appear exactly like neither. They stand at roughly the same size as a Human does, though averaging at the smaller end, ranging between 4 feet to 5 feet. They are also quite thin and weigh between 120-160 pounds on average in males, with females weighing only slightly less. Though they appear to be on the lighter side when compared to Humans, Satyrs are surprisingly strong - a 150 pound Satyr can easily overwhelm a 200 pound Human.

With a ‘Human-half’ and a ‘beast-half’ the colouration of Satyrs varies a lot. The skin of their upper-half is just as diverse as a Human’s is. A Satyr can have light skin, dark skin, and almost everything in-between. The fur of their bestial, deer-like lower half also varies as well. It can range from dark to chocolate brown, grey, black, to even light shades of orangey-red. Outside of its legs, a Satyrs most striking feature are typically its small horns. One’s horns are an important symbol in Beast-Blood culture and the Satyrs are no exception. Their horns are smaller than Fauns and Minotaurs and usually stand on a point, appearing almost devil-like, but the Satyrs care much for their horns and, like the other Beast-Blood races, will tend to them diligently. Like stags, males will sometimes rut to assert dominance but disputes are not exclusively settled in this way.

## **Mentality - Revellers and Guerrillas**

Most Satyrs reach adulthood at about the age of 25 and can live for up to 250 years. This longevity gives them an interesting perspective on the world, especially considering their historical experiences. That said, most Satyrs will not live into their twilight years. The difficult lifestyle of their society and race means that most elderly Satyr will kill themselves or, in some cases, willingly allow themselves to die for the benefit of the herd.

Satyrs, being downtrodden even within their own country, are known to be incredible survivalists and have a willpower unmatched by most races. Their drive to survive in incredible; where most will give up a Satyr will keep pushing on and, more often than not, succeed in their fight to live on. This has, unfortunately, created somewhat of a stigma against Satyrs for certain behaviours they practice. Cannibalism, for example, is something that most Satyrs will do if no other options present itself. Indeed, when the elderly offer themselves for ritual suicide, their bodies will usually be consumed by the surviving members. Nothing must go to waste in the Darkwoods, including the dead. Despite being willing to eat one another, Satyrs live in closely linked units. They have a deep respect for their kin. Every event, every sacrifice is honoured and remembered by the survivors.

Despite being strict and vicious survivalists, Satyrs also have a reputation for being great revellers and have parties on the regular. To the Fauns, they see this as a symbol of the Satyrs’ weakness. However, they do not realise that these parties are actually just the way in which the Satyrs memorialise and honour their history and their dead. To continue living, and celebrate living, is the best way to honour sacrifices and their ancestors.

Unfortunately for the Satyrs, many races look down on them or even consider them active nuisances. The Centaurs of Roylandia, for example, are well-known for their overt hatred of the Beast-Blood races, Satyrs included. The Satyrs themselves, though, will try to get along with other races should be it be advantageous to their survival. Though they might not necessarily be immediately warm or trusting to their allies, Satyrs can become some of the most loyal and entertaining friends one can ask for. Those few that have been able to appreciate a Satyrs’ ritual party have reported it as being an incredibly fun experience.

## **Society - Plight of the Small Horns**

In the Beast-Blood Confederacy, the Satyrs are easily the lowest-ranking of all the member races. They are the smallest race, the weakest physically and have the littlest horns. As a result, they are considered weak and unreliable, but ultimately necessary for labour, hunting, and sorting out the tasks that the other races do not want to handle. At a Herdstone, Satyrs live on the outskirts of the settlement. They live in small dugouts in the ground, some no better than deep ditches, and that is assuming they are able to build any shelter at all. They are given the smallest food rations, being the smallest race, or they otherwise have to scavenge and hunt for their own meals.

In a herd, most Satyrs serve as trackers and hunters. Due to their small stature and swift speed, they excel in this role. Even those that oppress the Satyrs have to pay respect to their talents at hunting. There is also a large contingent that serve in a herd’s army, though Satyrs are easily the weakest of their warriors. Interestingly, Satyrs also comprise an overwhelming majority of the Beast Shamans. This female-exclusive position is fundamentally vital to the Beast-Bloods’ religion and so gives the Satyrs at least a degree of influence in the wider Confederacy.

Satyrs in other lands are quite rare, as many do not want them there. Those that do, however, have likely earned their place as hunters as trackers - essentially the same roles they serve in the Confederacy. Some also turn to adventuring, in search of respect and equality amongst a group of peers.

## **Satyr Adventurers - Freedom and Respect**

Satyrs that turn to adventuring might be motivated for a simple want of freedom and respect. Much of their race’s history is defined by prosecution and discrimination. Even in modernity, much of this unfortunately persists. In an adventuring party, surrounded by others like them, a Satyr has a higher chance of finding freedom and respect amongst their peers. Ultimately, many Satyr adventurers are simply looking for comrades they can call their equals, a place of belonging.

## **Satyr Names**

Like all Beast-Bloods, a Satyr’s name is derived from the combined language of Beast-Speak. These names are derived through deeds and actions and, as such, are not usually given until the Satyr reaches adulthood. Given their role as hunters, trackers and scouts, Satyr names are often based on aspects of these roles or the wilderness as a whole. Beast-Bloods do not have family names as their language has no term for it. Each Beast-Blood belongs to the herd and, in turn, the herd belongs to the Beast-Blood.

**Example Male Names -** Ufasimba, Owethu, S’bu, Tandie, Lindani.

**Example Female Names -** Thulani, Ishumi, Ogogo, Amahle, Impisi.

## **Satyr Traits**

Your Satyr character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of Satyr nature.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
* ***Age -*** Satyrs reach adulthood at the age of 25. They live to be about 250, but most die from other causes before reaching this age.
* ***Alignment -*** their bestial side and history of oppression has led to many Satyrs taking a more freedom-based, chaotic outlook. Many are neutral or good but evil Satyrs do exist, likely fuelled by a desire for revenge against those that wronged their race.
* ***Size -*** Satyrs are usually between 4-5 feet in height and weigh anywhere from 120-160 pounds on average. Your size is medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Darkvision -*** adapted to a life in the blackness of the Darkwoods, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***Experienced Survivalist -*** you are proficient in the Survival skill.
* ***Bestial Body -*** due to your bestial lower half, normal articles of clothing do not fit you as well as some other races. Any garments you wish to wear on your lower half must be changed to fit your bestial legs or come from a race similar to your own, like a Faun or another Satyr.
* ***Clever Wordplay -*** you are proficient in the Persuasion skill.
* ***Party Animal -***  you have advantage on saving throws against anything you ingest and on Investigation checks to locate groups or social gatherings. In addition, you can dance, sing, or play music without experiencing exhaustion.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read and write Common and Beast-Speak. Satyrs typically speak with guttural voices. Animal sounds like grunts and snarls might be woven into their sentences, like most Beast-Bloods. Their voices, though low-pitched, are not as low as Fauns or Minotaurs however.