Beast Tribes

Due to the rarity of oral history lessons from the Beast Tribes, information found here talking of the Age of Ancients can only be gleaned with a DC 75 Knowledge History Check, unless you find a Beastman willing to provide the information.

## History

The Beast Tribes, or the Beast Tribes of the Western Plains as they're traditionally called, or, finally, the *Mo'gula* as they call themselves, have been an ever present menace in the western part of Tolreiya for many thousands of years. Although they have largely lived apart from other races, in the part of the world known as 'The Grass Sea', the Beast Tribes have relatively peaceful dealings with the **Hollow**, giving the enormous pit a wide berth as they migrate across the land.

During the Age of Ancients, the Beast Tribes had once ruled over much of Tolreiya, and the Companions, and the Betrayer, had attempted to make contact, and bring them onto 'their side'. The Beast Tribes did not care, and slaughtered both equally, freely raiding caravans and supply routes. This led to the ire of both, eventually pushing them further and further West.

Although for the greater part of the Age of Dynasties, individuals who entered the Grass Sea did end up dead, nobody truly attributed the deaths to an actively organized, malicious grouping. They considered it monsters, and wrote it off. It wasn't until near the end of the Age of Dynasties, when the town of **Ravenyard** had established itself, that the **Kingdom of Catania** was truly wrong.

Every thirty years, the Beast Tribes migrate to a location near Reiya's Run, a sacred location, wherein they engage in a tournament to discover who the next Beast Lord will be. But when discovering that it was occupied, they became enraged, and attempted to kill the humans. Ill-prepared for a war, they tried briefly, and failed, being beaten back.

The Beast Tribes prepared for over 100 years, training many warriors and learning new technology. They spoke to their Gods, and sought Boons for their great war. Finally, they prepared an enormous Horde, and sent it to battle. The first Horde was barely victorious, and was forced to retreat in the **Battle of the Western Plains**, but first blood had been drawn, and more would come.

## Geography

### Settlements

The Tribes do not create Settlements, but will often create temporary encampments, or make sacred shrines to their Gods. These sacred groves and shrines are often difficult to find for non-beastmen.

## Inhabitants

The Beast Tribes have many different species, and subspecies.

* **Gnolls:** Gnolls are very numerous within the Tribes, and make up the majority of scouts and archers for the Tribes.
* **Lesser Minotaur:** Lesser Minotaur are a variant breed of Minotaur. Scholars believe they interbred with humans, effectively creating 'Half-Minotaur', but the Beast Tribes deny their more human-like cousins, and accept them as simply Lesser versions of the Minotaur.
* **Minotaur:** The greatest and most powerful of the races of the Tribes, the Minotaur are often the chiefs of the tribes, only rarely superceded by the Shamans, who can come from any of the other races.
* **Centaur:** Among the original Beast Races, Centaur and Minotaur go together quite well, with Centaur making up what is Cavalry for the Beast Tribes.
* **Other Bestial Races:** Many races with beast-like features, such as more feral Kitsune, Hengeyokai, Skinwalkers and other's can often find homes within the Beast Tribes, but are typically lesser respected.

### Government

The Government of the Beast Tribes is quite loose, with each individual Tribe being led by a Chief. Every thirty years, a tournament is held, known as the Gathering of Mo'gula, where the Chieftains who wish to claim the title compete against one another for the title of 'Beast Lord'. The Beast Lord is primary an honorary title, but the Beast Lord is the only one who has the right to call the Mo'gar, the Stampede of the Herds, which is a great war against a specific target.

A Mo'gar has not yet been called by the current Beast Lord, the Great Minotaur known as **Hal'gora**, but he is rumored to wish to do so, but something is stopping him.

### Nobility

The Beast Tribes have no concept of Lesser or Greater Nobility. One can claim to be a Chieftain of a 'Tribe', even if it is as small as just a family group. The Beast Tribes also have 'Shamans', which is their catch-all name for almost any Spellcaster. These Shamans typically command respect.

## Religion, Magic, Technology & Military

### Religion

The Tribes have many different deities, but their primary deities are Lamashtu, and Baphomet. Although to a lesser extent, they also venerate the pantheon of deities known as the 'Goblin Hero-Gods', and their ancient texts detail these beings as not Gods of Goblins, but Gods of Beastmen instead. This is hotly disputed by Goblins, yet the Hero-Gods still give spells to their worshipers in the Beast Tribes.

### Magic

Magic is cautiously accepted among the Tribes and Herds of the Grass Sea; typically, Shamans are well-respected in a fearful manner, and particularly cruel and powerful Shamans can sometimes command great respect.

### Technology

The Tribes have no concept of technology.

### Military

The Tribes are loosely organized, where the strongest rule.