Bahkaruh
The Bahkaruh are a fierce nomadic warrior people that inhabit the great planes of many nations. Bahkaruh travel in small tribal bands roaming the land hunting for food. All Bahkaruh are warriors and spend much of their time honing their fighting skills to deadly perfection. Bahkaruh utilize a large sword with a blunted tip and a massive whip made out of chain-link barbs, Bahkaruh will use these weapons above and beyond any other weapons they may find in their journeys. Bahkaruh also will employ barbed javelins in hunting and ranged combat. The true test of a Bahkaruh is a ritualized form of single combat called the Angh-Tak. All Bahkaruh seek to challenge any and all opponents to a single combat, it is the only way others of their kind can gauge their status in the group. The Average Bahkaruh is fiercely loyal to his/her companions, honest and honorable, they know no other way.
Often times, a Bahkaruh will leave their respective tribe to adventure. Adventuring is thought of as a good way to hone one’s warrior skills and bring status to ones self and their tribe. If a member of a tribe has proven themselves to be fierce warriors then they may return to their tribe and challenge one of the sub-chiefs to a duel. If the challenger is successful they gain sub-chief status and are given a set of magical armor and weapons to befit their newly acquired station. The new sub-chief has the option of questing or staying with the tribe. Any Bahkaruh my challenge the chief for the right to rule the tribe. Chieftain duels are not taken lightly, the challenger must be certain that their time is right. The Duel, begins with a stand off, the two opponents gage each others power. At this time either can concede the duel, the loser being banished from the tribe.
The Bahkaruh have a strict code of conduct, is basic precepts are listed below.
Respect your foes, crush them with all your strength and ability.
Loyalty to one’s companions is absolute.
Never refuse a duel.
Be fearless in combat, but not foolish.
Treat others with the honor and respect they deserve-only if they earn it.
Battle Tactics:
Bahkaruh are not skilled tacticians, they do not have a good sense of a large battle. Bahkaruh are warriors and fight as if they are all alone. They are slow to grasp concepts such at group attacks and timed strikes. Bahkaruh Are more attuned to duels and treat all fights as such. As they go about the world they will quickly realize that no one else has their perception of combat. The Bahkaruh are quick to adapt and will lean but always keeping in mind the purity of the duel. Most Bahkaruh will wade into combat tearing opponents to pieces with their sword and chain-whip. They always try to show strength in combat, taking on the most powerful enemy first and going from there. The have respect for magic but don’t consider magic users to be true warriors. They will engage other warrior types first. Bahkaruh will not charge into battle if the attack is suicide however, they are very brave but not foolish.
Habitat:
Bahkaruh live in planes. They are nomadic and follow the game that they subsist off of. Bahkaruh will travel in bands of about 80 adults chasing game year round. When food is scarce they will send most of their young adults out to quest and claim glory for their tribe. This way they cut down on the demand for food and the young adults are given a chance to prove themselves as Bahkaruh. Bahkaruh will only travel to other regions if the need to follow game arises-the planes are their home.
Ecology:
Bahkaruh live for about 80-90 years, they have life partners and mate only a few times in their life. Bahkaruh children are raised by their parents unless they are killed then the responsibility goes to the tribe. Children take about 15-20 years to reach the adult age at which time they undergo a tattooing and scarification ritual that last several days. Bahkaruh only carry what they can on their massive backs, anything else in considered unnecessary. Bahkaruh are skilled smiths and can make excellent weapons. They have developed a portable forge that is broken down into sections. These forges are highly efficient and thus sought after by other cultures. Sometimes Bahkaruh will trade weapons and forges for other things they need to other peoples.
Description:
Bahkaruh are large humanoids (8-10 ft tall) with massive, muscular builds. They have skin ranging from deep lavender to black-purple, much of their bodies are often covered with blue and white tattoos. The head of a Bahkaruh is covered in a mass of horns and spikey protrusions, they are very proud of their horns and never cover them up.
Noteworthy:
Bahkaruh make an excellent PC race.
Game Stuff:
Strength: (min 18 max 19) Add + 25% if over 100 strength becomes 19
Constitution: +1 (min 16, max 18)
Wisdom: -1 (max 16)
Charisma: -2 (max 14)
Bahkaruh get d12 for hit dice instead of d10.
+1 to hit and damage with cultural weapons, can use both weapons without penalty.
Bahkaruh are limited to the fighter class.
Beheading Sword: 3-9/2-16
Chain Whip: 2-8/2-8