Ratfolk

Ratfolk are small, rodent-like humanoids known for their resourcefulness, adaptability, and diverse lifestyles. Though they share a common ancestry, their subspecies have evolved to thrive in vastly different environments—some in the canopies of dense forests and cities, others deep beneath the earth, and still others roaming deserts and coastlines as nomads and seafarers.

All Ratfolk possess sharp minds, quick reflexes, and an insatiable curiosity. They have a deep instinct for survival, relying on wit and agility rather than brute force. While outsiders may underestimate them due to their size, those who dismiss Ratfolk as harmless often find themselves outmaneuvered, outnegotiated, or outlasted. Ratfolk are natural opportunists, but not in the predatory sense—rather, they have an uncanny ability to make the most of any situation. A Rask sees potential where others see waste, whether it's a pile of discarded scraps, a crumbling ruin, or an unstable alliance. They trade, tinker, scavenge, and adapt, ensuring that they always land on their feet.

Though some Ratfolk are skilled merchants or craftsmen, others are smugglers, spies, or thieves—a consequence of their inherent cleverness and light-footed nature. Most Ratfolk are not malicious by nature, but they have little patience for rigid rules that stifle ingenuity or survival. To them, everything is a negotiation—whether in business, battle, or daily life. Despite their subspecies’ distinct ways of life, Ratfolk share a deep, unspoken connection. They are keenly aware of one another, forming intricate networks of trade, information, and mutual aid that extend across vast distances. Even Ratfolk who have never met often treat one another as kin, exchanging stories, goods, or favors in a way that outsiders struggle to understand.

All Ratfolk share a curious and unpredictable nature. A Rask might haggle over a deal for hours, then suddenly abandon it in favor of something shinier. They might seem to ignore a conversation entirely, only to recall every detail days later. Their minds work quickly, shifting between priorities with an agility that frustrates more structured thinkers. Though they are rarely confrontational, Ratfolk are far from timid. When pressed, they fight with cunning and precision, relying on traps, sabotage, and ambush tactics rather than brute strength. They prefer escape and evasion to open combat, but a Rask backed into a corner is a dangerous foe—one who has already calculated five ways to turn the situation in their favor.