Neanderthals are a race of primitive humans that dwell in cold environments.[2] They are clustered around the northern pole of Eberron in the continent of the Frostfell and in the Tashana Tundra in Sarlona.[3][4]
Description[]
Neanderthals resemble stocky, well-built humans with large heads, a prominent brow, and strong jaws that can crack bone.[2]
Neanderthals are tall and robust, standing 7‒7.5 ft (2.1‒2.3 m) tall and weighing around 350 lb (160,000 g). They have long arms, barrel chests, sloping brows, and strong jaws with teeth capable of cracking bones. Their skin is often adorned with crude tattoos, war paint for camouflage or intimidation, and scars, which are marks of honor in their society. Neanderthals reach adulthood at 14 and live around 65 years.[2]
Personality[]
Neanderthals are wary and hostile toward the unknown, viewing it as a threat to be overcome. However, they are warm and sociable among friends, enjoying communal activities like dancing, singing, storytelling, and feasting.[2]
Abilities[]
Neanderthals are adept at surviving in harsh environments shunned by other humans.[2]
History[]
The neanderthals believe they were created to dwell in the frozen realms. They do not build great civilizations, and are content to hunt and range across the icy wilderness.[2]
Society[]
Neanderthals form clans that can consist of between six and ten different families. They prefer to dwell in cave systems or ruins if none are available. They mark the hunting ground around their homes with simple fetishes and trophies.[2]
Neanderthals have a hunter-gatherer society, with men hunting for food animals and women gathering edible plants.[5] They live in clans, consisting of six to ten extended families. The names of these clans are typically derived from an animal predominant in their area. When interacting with outsiders a neanderthal always refers to themselves by their clan or profession, with their personal name reserved for only close friends and other clan members.[6]
Scrimshaw is one of the few art forms that neanderthals are known for, such as carving hunting scenes upon fangs harvested from a saber-toothed tiger.[7] Their druids are known for crafting talismans from skulls.[8]
Neanderthals are known to domesticate saber-toothed tigers, elk, and glyptodons, and using the latter two as mounts and pack-animals.[9][10]
The neanderthals maintain a rich oral tradition.[2]
Religion[]
Each clan can observe a different religious belief passed on through oral tradition and cave paintings. Some include ancestor worship, druidism, and beliefs in totemic natural spirits. They hold a special reverence for fire. Few clans outright worship deities.[2]
Example Names[]
Neanderthals favor simple names, but attribute power to names. A neanderthal jealously guards its given name, trusting only close friends and the other members of their clan with their give names. A neanderthal typically refers to themself by class or profession when among outsiders, and by the clan name. Clan names are typically named after a prominent beast or menace to the surrounding area.[2]
Male Names: Artok, Becksor, Brulak, Garthak, Kalak, Llurg, Murak, Orick, Ralagh, Thogart, Torak, Urak.[2]
Female Names: Ayah, Bahgdra, Cirah, Drelli, Durana, Illka, Kara, Lana, Magala, Neruh, Onsi, Orli, Svelani, Zura.[2]
Clan Names: Bear Clan, Branta Clan, Elk Clan, Mammoth Clan, Raven Clan, Tiger Clan, Wolf, and even Dragon Clan, Spider Clan, or Yeti Clan.[2]
Lands[]
Neanderthals can be found in several extreme environments in Eberron. These include in the Frostfell and the nearby Icewhite Island as well as the Tashana Tundra in the north of Sarlona.[3][4]
Relationships[]
The neanderthal packs of the northern Tashana Tundra share the land with the Chuniigi shifters, and human tribes. The Kalaak raiders clash with the neanderthals and others who reside there.[4]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Neanderthal article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 145–146. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 36–38. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 66–67. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 100, 102, 103, 112. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Template:Cite dragon/118/Out of the Stone Age
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 36–37. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ Template:Cite dragon/137/Into the Age of Mammals
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, and George Strayton (2004). Frostburn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 117–118. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.