Rangi

Birthed in the seedbeds of their god-mother, the Rangi are a plant-like people united in the goal of reclaiming the world from those that would despoil nature's beauty. Despite this unifying ethos, the methods by which they intend to accomplish their goal vary wildly, and as such they often spend more time fighting one another than they do making any real progress towards it.

Rangi-controlled lands are few, but infamous and resolutely avoided by all but their scant allies and the wild beasts that make their homes within. The Rangi are not above inflicting extreme violence against even the most benign of trespassers, and rarely interact in even a neutral manner with outsiders. On the rare occasion that a Rangi defies their tribe's laws and ventures out into the world, it is likely that they'll fall victim to a similar fate at the hands of those their kin have attacked.

The Rangi seem poised to make significant gains in their mission, but exiles experiencing new cultures and ways of life continue to return, petitioning for change, and while they fight amongst themselves, their enemies gain more time to consolidate their power. What will become of the natural world should the Rangi fall? And would their victory truly mean the accomplishment of their goal?

Personality: Rangi are cautious of civilized influences and structures, expressing an almost childish fear of structures such as villages. They view most aspects of life through the cold lens of the natural world, expressing little concern over events such as wounds, death, battle, or illness. They have a black-and-white mentality regarding other races, resulting in revulsion that ranges from extreme hatred to smug superiority. Rangi tend to be very sure of themselves, and are prone to mocking others without consideration of reprisal.

Physical Description: Rangi are about the same size as humans, with bark-like skin that is both tough and pliant. Where a human would have hair, they have a variety of fibrous or fungal materials such as thick vines, or long fibrous growths like ferns. Every Rangi grows a pair of protruding antler-like growths made seemingly of wood, which often need pruning and care as they get older. A Rangi's age is typically discernible by patches of thick lichens and the formation of brittle patches on their skin, though they are functionally immortal when they properly maintain themselves.

Relations: Rangi share the most amicable relations with beast-folk and the Mitari human tribes, believing them to be sufficiently aligned with their cultural cause compared to others. They despise Ogres, Cyclopes, Dwarves, and most others for their exploitation of natural resources and the pollution that their settlements bring. Most Rangi that leave their homeland and mission behind do so after befriending members of outlying Hamathi settlements, on the rare occasion that the individuals speak rather than fight.

Alignment: Due to their adherence to natural law and generally cold pragmatism, the Rangi maintain a lawful neutral society. Those that venture beyond their borders can be a bit more chaotic as they begin tasting all that life has to offer.

Lands: The isle of Rang is a natural utopia, and easily defensible, making it among the safest places in all of Arden (for the Rangi, at least). Though various tribes and settlements exist on the island, the people themselves are ruled absolutely by their mother-goddess and namesake, Rangikura, whose grove lies at the heart of the isle. Not even the allies of the Rangi are allowed within the island's borders, and it continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Religion: The Rangi honor their god-mother through battle and reclamation of land from “despoilers,” hoping to please Rangikura with their efforts. The Rangi themselves, at times, will abduct members of other races and inter them beneath the roots of their godess' grove in live-burial rituals. They believe such rituals will purify their bodies and souls, and allow them to be reborn as agents of their holy work.

Language: Rangi are born fluent in Kurati, the language of their people. Sometimes, following the burial rituals of their enemies, Rangi will be born fluent, or at least knowledgeable of, other languages.