Thrane

The thrane are a race of humanoids, similar in appearance to orcs and half-orcs. They possess a strict hierarchy of leadership within their culture, where peasants are considered the lowest station, followed by manual laborers, common soldiers, merchants, military officers and tacticians, political officials, and lastly the shamans who serve as their religious leaders. Commonly it is soldiers, military officers, and shamans that are seen outside of their society's urban centers. Physical Description: Drones stand between 7 feet to 8 feet in height, average 300-350 pounds, have drab or green colored skin, black hair, brown or black eyes, and heavy brows. Nobles have a more human-like and sophisticated appearance, averaging 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds. Their skin is not nearly as dark, ranging from a light drab green to a light brown or deep brazen hue, and eyes of green, blue, red, or gray. All thrane are often mistaken as orcs or half-orcs, as their males have short tusks that protrude from their mouths, giving them a ferocious look common among the orcish races. Society: In addition to their cultural hierarchy, the thrane have diverged into two specific sociological subraces–the nobles and the drones. Larger and stronger than their noble counterparts, drones are the backbone of their society and serve primarily as manual laborers, common soldiers, and other similar functions that require strength and endurance. Nobles are smarter, wiser, and natural born leaders and fill the roles of that maximize their natural tendencies. Such positions include political officials, military tacticians, and religious leaders. While nobles and drones rarely overlap within these roles, this does not exclude the possibility as drones with higher than average intelligence and nobles of greater physical prowess have been known to occur.

As part of their cultural hierarchy, nobles hold much of the power in their society, commanding respect and obedience from those of a lower station. Drones tend to be submissive to nobles. They do their duty to the best of their abilities and without much protest or concern for other things. If the need arises, nobles can use their innate magical abilities to control drones, forcing them to perform specific tasks that only the larger thranes can perform. Though they do possess free will within their society, drones obey the directions of the nobles, especially the shamans who are the true leaders of their society.

Relations: Due to their close resemblance to orcs and half-orcs, the thrane often suffer the same prejudices shown by the various races. However, once they are recognized for who they are, they tend to get along well with humans and half-orcs, the latter openingly accepting them as kin. Because of their appearance, elves and dwarves tend to shun them as they would orcs and half-orcs. Half-elves treat the thrane as they do half-orcs, on an individual basis, allowing them to show their true colors instead of jumping to conclusions. Halflings readily accept the thrane, viewing the similar difficulties they face in life as a bonding tie between them.

Alignment and Religion: Due to their rigid caste system, thrane tend to be law-abiding for the purpose of keeping their society running smoothly. As such, thranes tend have a neutral outlook towards everything, while striving to adhere to their cultural edicts. However, some seek to better their society through acts of kindness, compassion, and righteousness by serving the people as healers and teachers. Conversely, there are those who seek to do evil, resulting in the rise of underworld lords, attempts to control and manipulate the legitimate government, and bring death and destruction to the land. While not a devout people, those who seek the divine tend to worship gods of justice and logic. Those of a goodly nature favor gods of battle or healing, while evil thrane prefer the edicts of the gods of destruction and tyranny.

Adventurers: As previously stated, the thrane are often mistaken by the other races as orcs or half-orcs. As such, they are falsely accused of many crimes against the civilized races, and wrongly judged according to the predilections of the goblinoid races. Those who spend time with the thrane quickly discover them to be a more noble and civilized people who possess a far different disposition than the murderous orcs.

Drones are rarely seen alone, and are nearly always accompanied by other drones and at least one noble. However, on the rare occasions drones are encountered on their own, they appear docile and unsure, seeking guidance from the more intelligent or wise companions of their party. Their strengths lie in manual labor, combat, and carrying out orders. Solitary drones possess greater independence and 

prowess than their subservient counterparts, becoming barbarians, bloodragers, fighters, hunters, or rangers, which utilize their newly found skills and capabilities. In contrast, nobles are strong willed, self-assured, controlling, and knowledgeable about many things, and possess an affinity for leadership and magic. Thus, they often become arcanists, shamans, sorcerers, warpriests, or witches. 

Once the true nature of the thrane is understood, they get along well with humans, halflings, and half elves, often adventuring along side these races or joining them in a common goal. In fact, they have learned to establish prosperous community of strong character, and acceptance of racial differences. However, because of their likeness to the orcish race, dwarves and elves have difficulty reconciling between the thrane and their racial enemies. 

Males Names: Ausk, Davor, Hakak, Kizziar, Makoa, Nesteruk, Tsadok. 

Female Names: Canan, Drogheda, Goruza, Mazon, Shirish, Tevaga, Zeljka.