Demonym: Packlander/Packlanders
Racial Distribution: gnoll (99%), other (1%)
Primary Languages: Belrish
Leadership in a Packlander clan is a joint effort between two figures, known as the Speaker and the Singer. The Singer leads battles and hunts, singing the songs that guide the clan in these endeavors, and the Speaker guides the clan in matters both spiritual and supernatural, speaking the will of the gods and the spirits of their ancestors. The Singer is always female, as gnoll women are larger and stronger than the men, and the Speaker is always male. The Singer and the Speaker each choose an apprentice from among the clan when they come to power, who they will train to succeed them in turn.
There is little trade to be done with other civilizations when such civilizations are often seen as means to earn glory, but occasionally a desperate pack will come to the outskirts of a town to bargain for needed materials. They generally offer pelts, meat, leatherwork, weapons, and whatever valuable hunt trophies they can bear to part with, usually asking for rare herbs, specific medical care, or other rare but sometimes necessary items in return. These transactions most often occur with Virielund villages on the outskirts of the forest - Virider forces have trounced them often enough throughout history that there's little point in attacking them, and so they maintain enough of a distant peace for occasional trade. Villages in Janmere, Amalar, and Votar tend to be less inclined to help Packlanders.
The Packlands cover the Erimead Plains in north central Altandor, stretching from the edge of the Kiebe Forest up to the Shattered Coast. The Erimead Plains start grassy on their southern side, with the terrain becoming progressively rockier and more uneven towards the north. The massive slot canyons of the Shattered Coast are considered holy land to the Packlanders, a place to be close to the gods and their ancestors. Every pack journeys there at some point during the summer.
Pack organization follows the dimorphism between male and female gnolls - women are expected to be warriors, hunters, and guards, and men are expected to watch the children, prepare food, craft items, and record the history of the pack. A pregnant women will take a break from her duties to birth and nurse her children, but once they are weened the become the responsibility of the men. Children are raised communally by the whole pack, and some may not even know for certain who their biological father is, as Packlanders don't have a strong tradition of long-term monogamy.
For the warriors of a pack, social status is gained through victories in hunts and in battle. The more difficult the task, the greater the glory associated with success. Hunting a vicious monster brings more renown than hunting a simple praise beast, and leading a successful raid on another pack or village trumps both. As such, Packlanders have acquired a reputation as violent raiders on the borders of nations and territories surrounding them. Border towns that fortify their homes and defend their resources adequately can ward off most of such attacks, but for the most daring raiders, a well-guarded town may simply provide an opportunity for more glory than they've ever had before.
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