Ratfolk - Revision history

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Redirected page to Category:Ratfolk

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‎Society

DungeonMaster at 20:28, 19 December 2025

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DungeonMaster at 20:28, 19 December 2025

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DungeonMaster at 20:54, 19 April 2021

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DungeonMaster at 14:25, 6 April 2020

2020-04-06T14:25:02Z

DungeonMaster at 21:56, 5 January 2020

2020-01-05T21:56:38Z

DungeonMaster at 21:41, 5 January 2020

2020-01-05T21:41:53Z

DungeonMaster: Created page with "Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack r..."

2020-01-05T21:03:59Z

Created page with "Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack r..."

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Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack rats they resemble, ratfolk are tinkerers and hoarders by nature, and as a whole are masters of commerce, especially when it comes to acquiring and repairing mechanical or magical devices. Ratfolk are known as merchants of the exotic, the stranger the better. Their goal is to gain renown for their wares and skills as merchants, and to make a dragon's hoard worth of gold.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:35, 19 December 2025
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−	~~= Ratfolk =~~	+	#REDIRECT [[Category:Ratfolk]]
−
−	Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids originally native to subterranean regions of dry deserts and plains, but now found wherever trade, salvage, or exchange can function sustainably. Though often associated with nomadic caravans, Ratfolk families are just as likely to establish permanent roots in cities, ports, frontier towns, or illicit markets if conditions allow long-term business to thrive.
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−	Much like the pack rats they resemble, Ratfolk possess a deep instinct to acquire, repair, repurpose, and preserve useful or interesting objects. As a people, they are widely regarded as masters of commerce, particularly in the circulation and maintenance of mechanical or magical devices. While some Ratfolk are shrewd merchants navigating formal markets and black bazaars alike, many value the ''things'' they acquire as much as abstract wealth, preferring trade for rare, clever, or beautiful items over coin alone.
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−	~~Successful Ratfolk families are often recognized by the size and variety of what they carry away rather than what they sell.~~
−
−	~~== Physical Description ==~~
−
−	Typical Ratfolk stand around 4 feet tall and weigh approximately 80 pounds. They often wear layered or concealing garments suited to their environment—light robes in desert climates, heavier coverings in cities—both to regulate temperature and to avoid unwanted attention from other humanoids who find their rodent features unsettling.
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−	~~Ratfolk are strongly attracted to shiny metals such as copper, bronze, and gold, and frequently decorate their ears, tails, or clothing with small rings or trinkets made from such materials.~~
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−	~~Rather than relying on a single beast of burden, Ratfolk families select draft animals based on terrain, distance, and accessibility. Common draft animals include~~ [[Giant Rats]] for tunnels and dense urban environments, [[Draft Hounds]] for sustained overland hauling, [[Riding Lizards]] in arid regions, and heavy quadrupeds such as [[Aurochs]] in mountainous or broken terrain.
−
−	~~== Society ==~~
−
−	Ratfolk society is fundamentally familial and communal, organized around extended family units rather than rigid hierarchies or professional castes. A Ratfolk ''family'' is a complete social organism, capable of sustaining itself independently whether permanently settled or constantly on the move.
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−	Ratfolk families may be fully nomadic, permanently urban, seasonally migratory, or divided across multiple locations at once. It is common for a single family to maintain caravan branches, urban holdings, and discreet side ventures simultaneously. Ratfolk see no inherent contradiction between legal and illegal enterprise—only between viable and unsustainable ones.
−
−	~~=== Family Roles ===~~
−
−	Every Ratfolk family contains a full range of internal roles. These roles are not professions or castes, and a single Ratfolk may occupy multiple roles over their lifetime. What distinguishes families from one another is which voices dominate decision-making when resources are strained.
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−	~~; Ledger Holders (Record Keepers)~~
−	~~: Ledger Holders maintain family memory, tracking debts, favors, obligations, and exceptions. Trust in a Ledger Holder is essential; a family without one is considered unstable.~~
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−	~~; Negotiators (Diplomats)~~
−	~~: Negotiators handle trade, contracts, alliances, and dispute resolution. Precision of speech is prized, and careless words are considered dangerous.~~
−
−	~~; Badgers (Speculators)~~
−	: Badgers pursue aggressive opportunity and expansion. They circle new markets, sense weakness, and apply pressure when profit appears possible. Elders caution restraint, while Ledger Holders closely monitor their impact.
−
−	~~; Closers (Enforcers)~~
−	~~: Closers are responsible for recovery, protection, and final resolution when other methods fail. Violence is considered costly and inelegant, but all families maintain Closers as a last resort.~~
−
−	~~; Tinkerers (Systems Workers)~~
−	~~: Tinkerers dismantle, rebuild, and optimize mechanical, magical, and social systems. Their work rarely produces immediate profit, but long-term family survival often depends on their insight.~~
−
−	~~; Elders (Memory)~~
−	: Elders serve as living memory and judgment. They arbitrate internal disputes, temper reckless expansion, and preserve continuity across generations. Families that ignore their Elders are considered loud, not brave.
−
−	~~; Dependents (Kin)~~
−	~~: Dependents include children, injured members, and those between roles. They are protected without exception; a family that sacrifices its Dependents for profit is regarded as structurally broken.~~
−
−	~~=== Cultural Speech ===~~
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−	Across Ratfolk society, compressed metaphorical speech is used to express judgment, warning, and consequence. In major trade hubs such as Ra’azum, this practice has developed into a refined system of proverb and parable usage, allowing complex negotiations to occur quickly and publicly.
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−	~~For a full discussion, see [[Proverbs and Parables of Profit]].~~
−
−	~~For notable urban family structures and internal dynamics in the city of Ra'azum, see [[Ratfolk Families of Ra’azum]].~~
−
−	~~== Relations ==~~
−
−	Ratfolk tend to get along well with humans and frequently establish communities in sewers, alleys, docks, and commercial shadows of human cities. They often find dwarves overly rigid and territorial, and may mistake even mild criticism as personal attack. Ratfolk have no strong feelings toward gnomes or halflings, though competition for resources can harden into long-standing clan rivalries.
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−	Ratfolk generally enjoy the company of elves and half-elves, whom they view as calm, thoughtful, and aesthetically inclined. Elven music and art are particularly prized, and many Ratfolk holdings display elven works acquired through generations of trade.
−
−	~~== Alignment and Religion ==~~
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−	Ratfolk are driven by curiosity, acquisition, and the urge to tinker with complex systems—mechanical, magical, or social. Their strong communal bonds foster an appreciation for orderly systems and continuity, though they are willing to bend or reinterpret rules when doing so benefits their family.
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−	~~Religious practice among Ratfolk is pragmatic and varied, often shaped by protection, stability, and continuity rather than strict dogma.~~
−
−	~~== Adventurers ==~~
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−	Ratfolk adventurers commonly seek new opportunities for trade, exploration, or salvage. Some scout future markets or resources for their families, while others wander to escape overcrowding, internal politics, or reputational entanglements.
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−	~~Ratfolk combat tactics favor preparation, ambush, traps, and sabotage. Accordingly, Ratfolk adventurers often take up classes such as alchemist, gunslinger, and rogue.~~
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−	~~=== Names ===~~
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−	~~Ratfolk personal names are short and sharp, favoring strong consonants and compact syllables well suited to crowded markets and shouted negotiations.~~
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−	~~Male names often feature harsher consonants and hard endings, while female names tend to flow slightly more smoothly but remain clipped and decisive.~~
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−	~~Family names are older, longer, and treated with respect. Outsiders who shorten or misuse a family name are quickly corrected.~~
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−	~~Examples include~~:
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−	~~''Male Names:'' Agiz, Brihz, Djir, Ninnec, Rerdahl, Rikkan, Skivven, Tamoq~~
−	~~''Female Names:'' Bessel, Fhar, Jix, Kitch, Kubi, Nehm, Rissi, Thikka~~
−
−	== Ratfolk ~~Racial Traits ==~~
−
−	* '''+2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, –2 Strength:''' Ratfolk are agile and clever, yet physically weak.
−	* '''Ratfolk:''' Ratfolk are humanoids with the ratfolk subtype.
−	* '''Small:''' Ratfolk gain a +1 size bonus to AC and attack rolls, a –1 penalty on combat maneuver checks and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
−	* '''Slow Speed:''' Base speed of 20 feet.
−	* '''Darkvision:''' Can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
−	* '''Rodent Empathy:''' +4 racial bonus on Handle Animal checks to influence rodents.
−	* '''Swarming:''' Two Ratfolk may occupy the same square; if both attack the same foe, they are considered flanking.
−	* '''Tinker:''' +2 racial bonus on Craft (alchemy), Perception, and Use Magic Device checks.
−	* '''Languages:''' Common. High Intelligence Ratfolk may choose Draconic, Dwarven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Undercommon.
−
−	~~[[Category:Race]]~~
−	~~[[Category:Player Race~~]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:31, 19 December 2025
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	For a full discussion, see [[Proverbs and Parables of Profit]].		For a full discussion, see [[Proverbs and Parables of Profit]].
		+
		+	For notable urban family structures and internal dynamics in the city of Ra'azum, see [[Ratfolk Families of Ra’azum]].

	== Relations ==		== Relations ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 19 December 2025
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	Successful Ratfolk families are often recognized by the size and variety of what they carry away rather than what they sell.		Successful Ratfolk families are often recognized by the size and variety of what they carry away rather than what they sell.
−
−	~~== Contents ==~~
−	~~# Physical Description~~
−	~~# Society~~
−	~~# Relations~~
−	~~# Alignment and Religion~~
−	~~# Adventurers~~
−	~~# Ratfolk Racial Traits~~

	== Physical Description ==		== Physical Description ==

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 * Tinker: Ratfolk gain a +2 racial bonus on Craft (alchemy), Perception, and Use Magic Device checks.
 * Languages: Ratfolk begin play speaking Common. Ratfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Draconic, Dwarven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, and Undercommon.
 [[Category:Race]]
 [[Category:Player Race]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack rats they resemble, ratfolk are tinkerers and hoarders by nature, and as a whole are masters of commerce, especially when it comes to acquiring and repairing mechanical or magical devices. Ratfolk are known as merchants of the exotic,  the stranger the better. Their goal is to gain renown for their wares and skills as merchants, and to make a dragon's hoard worth of gold.
+Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in dry deserts and plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack rats they resemble, ratfolk are tinkerers and hoarders by nature, and as a whole are masters of commerce, especially when it comes to acquiring and repairing mechanical or magical devices. Though some are shrewd merchants who carefully navigate the shifting alliances of black markets and bazaars, many ratfolk love their stockpiles of interesting items far more than money, and would rather trade for more such prizes to add to their hoards over mere coins. It's common to see a successful crew of ratfolk traders rolling out of town with an even larger bundle than they entered with, the whole mess piled precariously high on a cart drawn by giant rats.
 [[Category:Race]]
 [[Category:Player Race]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 5 January 2020
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	[[Category:Race]]		[[Category:Race]]
		+	[[Category:Player Race]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 5 January 2020
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	Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack rats they resemble, ratfolk are tinkerers and hoarders by nature, and as a whole are masters of commerce, especially when it comes to acquiring and repairing mechanical or magical devices. Ratfolk are known as merchants of the exotic, the stranger the better. Their goal is to gain renown for their wares and skills as merchants, and to make a dragon's hoard worth of gold.		Ratfolk are small, rodentlike humanoids; originally native to subterranean areas in the plains, they are now more often found in nomadic trading caravans. Much like the pack rats they resemble, ratfolk are tinkerers and hoarders by nature, and as a whole are masters of commerce, especially when it comes to acquiring and repairing mechanical or magical devices. Ratfolk are known as merchants of the exotic, the stranger the better. Their goal is to gain renown for their wares and skills as merchants, and to make a dragon's hoard worth of gold.
		+
		+	[[Category:Race]]