The Birth of the Beastkin

The Spark of Creation

It was in the darkest days of Dragsa’s history that the idea of the beastkin first took root. The kingdom, embroiled in endless wars against the dwarves and elves of Kallonia, faced mounting casualties and dwindling morale. The people, weary of loss, turned to Queen Anara for salvation. And salvation she gave them—though not in the form they expected.

With her unmatched resolve, Queen Anara turned to the Mages of Life, the secretive collective entrusted with unlocking the potential of the magical Roots of Life. Their task was simple yet monumental: to create new beings, stronger and more resilient than humans, who could shoulder the burdens of war. These beings would be born from a blend of humanity and magic, forged in the crucible of desperation.

The First of Their Kind

The Medusas were the first to emerge from the Mages’ arcane experiments. Born with serpentine features and an uncanny mastery of illusion magic, they were designed to complement human armies. Their ability to ensnare and confuse enemies made them invaluable on the battlefield. But the Medusas’ fierce independence and disdain for authority soon became apparent. They were difficult to command, their loyalty tenuous at best.

Undeterred, the Mages of Life refined their craft. They created the Slithers, aquatic beastkin designed for naval combat, whose sleek forms and natural agility made them unparalleled warriors of the sea. Next came the Kutauri, centaur-like beings intended to bolster supply lines and agricultural efforts. Though initially envisioned as workers, the Kutauri’s strength and endurance quickly found them pressed into military service.

The Chains of Servitude

From their inception, the beastkin were bound in servitude. To the Dragsan rulers, they were tools—weapons to wield and labourers to exploit. Yet, even in their subjugation, the beastkin harboured dreams of freedom. Their creation heralded as a triumph of magical ingenuity, sowed the seeds of rebellion that would one day shake the foundations of Dragsa.

The Turning Point

The Medusas were the first to rise against their creators. Their natural cunning and magical prowess allowed them to evade capture, faking their deaths and slipping away during battles. Over time, their numbers dwindled from Dragsan ranks, leaving behind only whispers of betrayal. The Slithers followed suit, allying with the dwarves of Hyste Talma to establish the free nation of Encura beneath the waves.

The most profound rebellion came from the Kutauri. Driven by years of oppression, they fled to the Banewood Forest, where they found sanctuary among the Yv’anda Dryads. Their revolt, marked by the “Purges of Beasts,” saw thousands of beastkin slaughtered, their bodies left as grim warnings to others who dared defy Dragsa. Yet, the Kutauri’s resolve could not be extinguished, their exodus marking the beginning of the Beastkin Revolution.

A Legacy of Conflict

Today, the beastkin’s story is one of resilience and defiance. While many still serve within Dragsa, others fight for freedom in distant lands. Their existence is a reminder of the kingdom’s ambition and its folly, a living testament to the costs of unchecked power.

Reflections of a Bard

Dear reader, let this tale of the beastkin’s birth and rebellion serve as a reminder: no creation, no matter how wondrous, is without consequence. From the depths of desperation, Dragsa sought to forge strength, yet in doing so, it awakened a spirit that could not be contained. The beastkin’s story is far from over, and their struggle continues to shape Deuslair's destiny. Let us honour their resilience, for in their defiance lies the essence of freedom itself.