Homebrew Grugach (Groo-Gawk) Species Details

Physical Description: The Grugach are of slight to medium build, not overly muscled, but lithe and wiry. Their skin tone tends to be ruddy or bronze, and their eyes are large, oval-shaped, light in colour. They wear their hair short or twined with grease and ash. The Grugach also have claws on their hands and feet (as detailed below). They routinely wear trophies from their kills on prominent parts of their bodies, some even going so far as to remove parts of their flesh to have the hide sewn on directly.

History: The Grugach were slaves to a race of beings known as the Ansidhe (Awn-She). Centuries ago, they escaped the ancient lands of their masters and emerged in the forests of what became known as the Bramblewood. They quickly gained a reputation for their ferocity against their enemies, their loyalty to each other, and their fearsome bond with the land they inhabit. They established a system of Clans within their lands, choosing only the worthiest of their folk to be a Clansire, or leader. They were the first to find common ground with the Native Dahuska and have always maintained good relations with them. By contrast, their territorial wars with the Dwarves have been many, and have only recently dropped to a minimum thanks to the efforts of Bastion to make trade possible through the Bramblewood. During the Bloodbond War, the Grugach fought with the Dahuska against the Elshara; the Grugach have never trusted the Elshara, and consider their unnatural, sorcerous ways as a direct challenge to nature.

Society: The Grugach clans are organized into hidden enclaves within the Bramblewood. These enclaves include hunting grounds, sacred pools, communal camps, burial sites, and treetop villages. Many families are part of a clan, and are wholly beholden to the Clansire for protection, livelihood, and hunting rights. The Grugach clans compete for the best prey to honour their Clansires, and there is always some kind of conflict going on between the clans. Clans come and go as conflicts take their toll and are often absorbed into other clans either by mutual agreement or by rite of conquest. Clansires themselves are organized into a loose ruling council called the Thornwill. The Thornwill does not convene often, and only when there is a matter of great concern to the Grugach. The last time this happened was shortly before the Bloodbond War. The Grugach have derived a spiritual side as well. They worship the spirits of powerful beasts that they have vanquished, turning the conquered monsters into minor deities called 'Horga' that they claim have added strength to the Grugach people by their defeat. The strongest of the Horga within a clan often becomes the name of the clan, and depending on who defeated the Horga, the position of the Clansire can become weakened by a rival. It is also their belief that, someday, they will summon the Horga in force, and breach the realms of the Ansidhe where they will take their revenge on their old masters.

Grugach Names: The Grugach take the name of their Clan first, and their birth name second. They often have a title that means 'killer of' after that, followed by the name of the most powerful foe that they have defeated (sometimes named by the hunter, the more famous the better). They announce themselves this way and are known as such among their people. Examples are as follows, the denotation 'killer of' rendered in the Grugach language:

• Blackwolf Dorga, ishka Anishok (a giant spider killed by Dorga)
• Redclaws Anisheera, ishka Greybelly (a monster known outside the Grugach)
• Stonejaw Nashar, ishkanak (a rare term meaning untested, or unchosen; some Grugach choose not to name their foe as they believe that they have not yet met one worthy of naming – it is not unheard of within Grugach society)

Languages: SP/RD/WR common, Grugach.

Grugach (Groo-Gawk) Traits

Grugach Traits

Darkvision

Grugach have Darkvision.

Grugach Wicked Claws

The Grugach develop natural claws once they reach maturity. Some say it is a clear sign of their bestial origins. They inflict slashing damage of 1D6 plus Strength modifier. 

Languages

Grugach speak common and they also have signalling language known to all Grugach with some variations and strategy between clans.

Additional Languages

Grugach have also learned to speak other languages.

Ability Score Increase

Grugach add +2 to their dexterity.

Ability Score Increase

Add +1 to any other ability score.

Racial Proficiencies

Proficiency in Acrobatics and Athletics.