Tarabuthians (Near Humans)

Same as Humans, but their ancestors found their way into the swamps instead of the plains.

### Home Nations/Region

The Artax swamps and the city of Yanuditlihi

### Faith

The tribes of Tarabuth were one of the first to embrace new cards of the deck and make them their own.

Warriors Embrace the six of swords, the Berserker. Tradesmen embrace the three of coins, the Trader. Shamans and spiritual leaders embrace the two of Stars, the Diviner. The younger generation of Tarabuthians who have not lived their whole lives inside of the swamp gravitate to the five of Glyphs, the Druid.

### Culture

The Artax Marshes are home to one of the strangest groups of humans on Bil’Hanna. Blessed with ferocity and passion, but burdened with a terrible curse. These proud people can be found in movable elevated homes to protect themselves from flooding. While considered by the outside world to be a simple people, they are rich in culture and their wares are often desired by the outside world. The great beasts that live in the marshes tend to be three to four times the size of those that live outside, especially the grave alligators (More on grave animals below) that can grow up to thirty feet in length. In recent years the number of these animals has exploded to the point that most of the Tarabuthian tribes now live along the outside of it, instead of inside.

The tribal warriors are renowned for their prowess in battle. They usually lean to one extreme or the other when it comes time to take up arms. Either cold hard determination, or raw berserking passion. The same goes for most other emotions. They love completely or not at all. Forge friendships they are willing to die for or a complete apathy for a person.

Though when dining with the Tribes, you will almost never find meat on the table. Meat is only consumed before a hunt or battle, and only after it has been purified in a long and arduous ritual by the tribal headsmen. This is because unpurified meat can cause, “The Changing.”

The connection between the Grave Beasts of the Swamp and the Tribes of Tarabuth is a strong one. The great carnivore is an apex predator of the swamp, but it will never eat the flesh of a Tribesman, because every Grave Beast was once one of them, or is descended from them. They are an abject lesson inflicted on a whole culture. It is said that even when outsiders live among the tribe for long enough, they too can experience the Change. It is considered a mark of personal shame, though every family has this mark, having previously lost members to it. The Change doesn’t come abruptly; the signs will usually appear months before the actual event. Thick fur will grow from the victim’s limbs, hair will begin to lengthen, teeth will sharpen and the ears will grow and round. Altering diet can, over time, reverse these symptoms but often take two to three times longer to disappear than they did in appearing.

Grave Beasts are massive creatures resembling their namesake, though two to three times their size, but the difference does not end there. Regardless of the base animal, all Grave Beasts are predators, with two rows of razor sharp teeth and bones sprouting from their bodies like spurs. Some, like boars and oxen, grow thick armored plates over their hides that protect them from everything but the most deadliest of blows. They move nearly mindless through the swamps, killing not just for sustenance but, apparently, for pleasure. They are fiercely territorial and will fight each other to the death. When this occurs, the victor will consume every bit of the vanquished, down to the last drop of blood. They symbolize not only strength, tenacity and drive, but also sorrow. They are both admired and feared.

Tarabuthians do not suffer outsiders killing Grave Beasts for two reasons. One, is that the consumption of sentient flesh has shown to bring grave beasts into season. Second, is that the hunting of a grave beast is a ritualized affair with as much levity as a funeral.

### Threats from within

Dwelling deeper in the swamp, the tribe of şobolan have embraced riding the edge of the change like no other. In times of conflict their members praise those who give themselves over fully to the beast. Most of these savage souls spend their prime years balancing in a hybrid form between man and giant rat. More and more frequently stories have cropped up of the ratfolk sneaking into camps and villages and robbing the cradles of their kin to add to their growing plague. Their motivations for this are unclear but many hunting parties have claimed, on occasion, to have been attacked by their savagely outcast brethren as well.

### Tribespeople of Tarabuthia Stereotypical views

#### Refugees/Neppen

“Most of us have roots in other dens. Let us welcome these travelers to our world with open arms.”

#### Dwarven People of Bridge City

“Redemption comes in many forms. The Empire was wrong to think that just because they laid down, they were dead.”

#### First Elves

“People who forget are people destined to repeat their mistakes.”

#### Wracked Elves

“They live passionately, making every moment worth living. You have to admire that.”

#### Slegorians

“Very strange people, but oddly honorable on the field of battle. Though shelving love for husbandry is troubling to say the least.”

#### The Eternal Empire

“Corrupt squabbling overlords who have finally turned on each other. About time. And good timing for them, for if they came any closer to our borders there surely would have been blood in the water. “

#### The Necropolis of Myr

“Only the most desperate of us travel to this unholy and wicked place. Why hasn’t it been obliterated from the face of Bil’Hanna? Maybe if the Dragons and the Empire would get over their desire for mutual destruction they could face a real terror in our midst.”

#### The Kingdoms of Anwyn

“Though they stole from the Empire’s plate, what they were offered was obviously bad meat. They take pride in who they are, with no apologies. They make fair deals in trade and their warriors seem just as inclined to mercy as to ruthlessness.”

#### Draconic Theocracies

“They keep to themselves and we like it that way. They loathe the Empire and the enemy of my enemy…. Is  always welcome to attack my enemy. They do trade fairly though.”

#### The City-State of Vrosa

“The impact of the Empire on the Truefolk’s culture has no worse example than this beautiful city of lights and ugly laughter.”

#### City State of Winegorge

“Truefolk come from the west. Falsefolk come from the east. These ones will give you a fair deal.”