by Ray Cordova, iltharanos@yahoo.

com
last updated on October 29, 2016 at 09:10:05 AM

Thanoi

Into the Heart of the Matter

A thanoi is a very physical being, living for experiences
even if they would be seen by others as negative. When
hurt or wounded in a battle, he takes the pain and uses
it to spur himself to greater effectiveness. This behavior
might be mistaken for fearlessness, but he is often as
afraid of something as anybody else. The difference is
that if the thanoi is motivated to take what he wants, he
will not let pain get in the way of that success.
Not very intelligent and loaded with hundreds of years
of
baggage from their savage background, a thanoi
-Douglas Niles,

In moments the walrus-man was hustled onto the shore.

Urgas plodded across the beach on his great, flat feet.
His tiny dark eyes glowered from the deep folded skin of
his face. Two great tusks jutted from his mouth, but he
made no move that could be taken as a threat. Even
from five paces away, Grimwar Bane smelled the fishy
stink of the barbaric creature. How he would be glad to
be rid of that smell!

The Messenger nature is a rare individual indeed.

Walrus-Men
Thanoi stand well over 6 feet and up to 8 feet tall, but
almost always walk with a hunched back and bent
knees a posture that looks impractical but helps them
negotiate the often-treacherous terrain of their
homeland. The females are noticeably smaller than the
males, rarely reaching much beyond 6 feet in height. The
tusks of both genders can reach 2 feet in length, backed
by rows of blunt teeth strong enough to crush bone and
shell. Thanoi possess clawed feet that look quite fierce.
In actuality are used merely for traction; their large,
clawed hands are too clumsy to handle any but the
largest and simplest weapons.
The walrus-folk possess a thick, blubbery hide well
suited for their environment. They have little use for
clothing or any decoration of an impractical nature.
Some thanoi wear belts to carry tools or weapons, but
little else.

Cold and Isolated Wastes

Icereach has always been the home of the thanoi, a
desolate expanse of ice and tundra that progresses
much farther south than Icewall Glacier. The thanoi
claim the entire region as their ancestral homeland,
which brings them into frequent bloody conflict both
with the Icefolk and the recently arrived ursoi. There are
also thanoi tribes living a transplanted existence in
Southern Ergoth.
With their introduction to Southern Ergoth by the
Dragon Overlord Frost, and subsequent loss of their
patron in 422 AC, the thanoi have been seen outside of
their icy wastes for the first time. As Southern Ergot
climate is expected to spend several years returning to
normal, and the thanoi are mastering the use of sails,
the beachhead established by Frost remains an ongoing
threat to the Western Isles.

Overcoming Savagery and Ignorance

The rare thanoi adventurer has much to overcome. His
reason for leaving the tribe and venturing into the world
must be strong enough to counter the barriers of
warmer climates and races hostile to the reputation of
the thanoi. Smarter or wiser than his fellow walrus-folk
or simply cursed with a conscience, the thanoi must
establish trust and work doubly hard to make up for his
soul, and even the most noble-intended thanoi may find
himself losing to this ancient fury when confronted with
opposition.

Thanoi Names
Thanoi are fond of strong guttural names or simpler and
descriptive names, borrowing from the ancient
traditions of ogrekind, from whom they are rumored to
descend.

by Ray Cordova, iltharanos@yahoo.com

last updated on October 29, 2016 at 09:10:05 AM
Male Names: Barramus, Coldfish, Golga, Margash,
Splitlip, Urgas
Female Names: Unnamed, or the same as males.

Thanoi Traits:
Your savage existence grants you the following qualities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases
by 2.
Age. Thanoi mature in their early teens and rarely live
beyond a century.
Alignment. Most thanoi are lawful evil.
Size. Thanoi stand between 6 and 8 feet tall and weigh
400 to 500 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Cold Immunity. You have immunity to cold effects and
damage.
Natural Armor. You have natural armor (AC 11).
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for 30 minutes.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 20 feet. Your base
swim speed is 40 feet.
Darkvision. Thanks to your ogre blood, you have
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see
in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light,
color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when
determining your carrying capacity and the weight you
can push, drag, or lift.
Tusks. Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 2d4 + Strength modifier piercing damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Giant.
Thanoi Kagogs
The thanoi are not a deeply religious folk. Their spellcasters
are all female, and known as kagogs (loosely translated as
kind,
usually of Chislev in one of her darker aspects or Sargonnas.
Kagogs may also be mystics, sorcerers, or even druids. The
kinds of magic, as
their superstitions and fear of the unknown cause them to
consider all of it the purview of the kagogs.