"All Roads Lead to Zenithstrand"
RACCOON TRIBE WILD ELVES OF ZENITHSTRAND
As the outcasts amongst outcasts, are viewed by the other tribes of Zenithstrand as a motley collection of criminals, exiles, and other undesirables worthy only of scorn. In turn, they see themselves as the victims of a primal society ruled by hate and prejudice.
In a way, both views are true. The Racoon live solitary lives on the edges of Wild Elf society, and if they were not used to being morally flexible in the pursuit of survival beforehand, most learn rather quickly. At the same time, many Racoon would argue that they have truly done little to deserve such ill-treatment.
While many Racoon are taciturn and bitter, some are forged by the fires of their grim existence and rise above their circumstances in a way that is truly awe-inspiring. Many Racoon were once the castoffs of other tribes, forced to band together what they may have once seen as the dregs of their culture and society. The only true commonality amongst the Racoon is their unconditional love and support for other Racoon, the rest is just details
HISTORY
Like most of the current tribes of Zenithstrand, the Racoon find their genesis in the chaotic aftermath of the Sundering. In the days of Coa, her stabilizing influence kept intercine warfare amongst the various tribes to a minimum. When it came to matters of justice, the punishment was usually exile and shunning, rather than death. As a cleric of the Elf-Mother, Coa, did not permit the execution of a fellow elf. Instead they were given the marks of the Racoon, nature’s bandits, and cast out into the unclaimed woods to live alone.
There were those that were unsatisfied with Coa’s mercy for these lawbreakers, and after her death, her ways gradually fell out of favour. The Racoon were driven out of the forests and preyed upon by the other tribes. They suffered grievously in these years, and gradually a small group of Racoon came to the realization that they would have to change if they were to survive.
Thirteen of the normally solitary Proto-Racoon met on Coa’s Day centuries ago, and from that meeting the Racoon tribe was born. They adopted the ways of the Scavenger tribes, now that the forests were denied to them, they would have to seek trade and salvage like the Coyote did. They also established a set of customs and practices, recognizing themselves as a tribe set apart, but a tribe nonetheless. Finally, they let it be known that any Wild Elf could seek refuge with the Racoon, for any reason, and without question. While most scoffed at the very idea, this tradition of adoption has been the most significant factor in their continued survival.
TRIBAL TATTOOS
The tattoos of the Racoon tribe are largely a simple affair, taking the appearance of the coloured “eyepatches” of their namesake. When another Wild Elf is adopted into the Racoon, these patches are made to cover their old tattoos. If the tattoos are too large or not located near the eyes, that skin must first be flayed off before being healed, and tattooed with the correct Racoon markings.
CULTURE
Being a tribe of largely solitary creatures, the Racoon do not have what most would recognize as a vibrant culture. That would require a level of unity that they simply do not have. They have adopted the ways of the Scavenger tribes, looting from the ruins of Zenithstrand and the outskirts of the Forests, trading their finds and goods with the other races of the Shadow Isles. Aside from these ways, the Racoon do live by a small selection of scattered practices and customs deliberately designed to ensure their survival in a harsh environment.
First amongst this is that a Racoon must always aid another Racoon in need for any reason. If they are starving, you feed them. If they are pursued, you hide them, and so on. Favours are never exchanged amongst Racoon, but rather expected as a matter of course. Every Racoon knows that this rule might be the only thing that keeps them alive on their most desperate day, and thus most uphold it without question.
Unless a Racoon deliberately acts in a negative fashion against another Racoon, anything is permitted. Aide from mutual aid, the Racoon have no laws. Many Racoon were already cast out of their tribes for their dark pursuits, and even those that do not rarely give those that have any guff. Survival is a nasty business, and they do not begrudge those that seek power from unconventional channels.
The Racoon also accept anyone into their tribe, also without question. Given their solitary nature, very few Racoon have children, and thus most new Racoon are those cast out from the other tribes. These members are never questioned about their past, and also accepted without question. It is spoken in hushed tones that this custom has contributed significantly to their survival, and not just for the obvious reasons surrounding strength in numbers. It is said that many of the Kudzu have muted their most violent impulses towards the Racoon, just in case they should ever find themselves desperate enough to join them.
PERSONALITY / SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Given their history and current role with Wild Elven society, one might think that all Racoon tend to be grim, taciturn individuals. That may be true for some, but the real truth is far more complicated than that. The Racoon tend to be inwardly focused and guarded, capable of putting on a gregarious face when dealing with a potential ally or trading partner, but in most cases this is usually just a mask they wear when dealing with these outsiders. If a person proves to be a true friend, the mask drops and these people find out that when earned, the Racoon offer a sort of loyalty that is never betrayed.
Raccoon prefer to avoid conflict. Between roving only in small groups and operating at twilight, they are generally successful at avoiding unwanted attention from others. Their primary weapons double as tools in their scavenging, as they can use axes to cannibalize lumber from within ruins and staves as walking aids.
Raccoon tribe are largely solitary, though sometimes they will form groups with those of the same gender and socialize when feeding or resting. Different groups have different symbols they leave at safe sites that aren’t suitable for scavenging to alert other Raccoon to the possibility of forming a temporary group.
Though Raccoon are out of touch with their wild side, their cunning has gained them other skills, and many within their tribe are talented at lockpicking and other questionable crafts. They rely on trade with Acasă for tools and food. Raccoon maintain caches of salted and smoked meat as well as tools in case they are ever cut off from trade.
ARTISTRY
The Racoon are an eclectic bunch when it comes to their artistic works. Due to a wide array of background and the lack of cross-pollination with other artists, the art that Racoon do produce tends to be very individualistic and highly unique. The only unifying factors are that the Racoon tend not to open display any signs of wealth, for they do not seek to make themselves targets for any brigands that happen to see them.
COA'S DAY
Coa’s day is one of the few events that can draw a large group of Racoon together, for they see Coa as their last mother, the last being to truly love them before they fell to this current state. Many Racoon will go hungry for weeks just so they can save up enough food to bring to the feast. Coa’s day is often when families are started as well, courtship tends to be a quick affair however. Once the day is over, the Racoon spread out again into wilds, where most will not see each other again, until the next Coa’s Day at least.
RELIGION
Ll’yandra worship is almost unheard of amongst the Racoon. Lacking the support networks that other, more powerful tribes use to survive the onslaught of the Mortegiest, the Racoon often suffer greatly at his hands when he escapes his hell-wrought cage. Most have little time for a Goddess that has done so little to protect the children she claims to love from the hatred of her first child.
Instead, most Racoon turn to Gods and Dragons that look to the downtrodden and the outcasts for their followers. Haldora is particularly popular, for many Racoon find comfort in her dark embrace. The arts of Mysticism encouraged by Haldora allow the nominally solitary Racoon to maintain ties with their loved ones long after their difficult way of life claims their mortality.
The re-emergence of the Firstborn Oblivion has seen a resurgence of Draconic reverence amongst the Racoon, some of whom remember centuries-old oral tales of the Halfdead. Oblivion attracts those disgusted by the lingering shades of the Deadlands. These Racoon despise the thought of an endless half-existence as a ghost, and instead believe that the peace of a final death is the best their tribe of outcasts can hope for.
Curiously, there is a notable minority of Racoon that have taken up worship of Cassandra in recent years. These Racoon refuse to fall to despair, and have instead dedicated themselves to good works.
GRUDGES / ALLIANCES
Scavengers
Pariahs amongst even their own fellow scavengers, The Racoon often find themselves shunned by the scavenger tribes. Publicly, at least. Everyone knows that oft-times the Racoon have valuable goods for trade, and will meet them in secret if a deal is to be done. Most are too afraid of attracting Kudzu attention to meet or ally with the Racoon publicly however.
Kudzu:
The Racoon both hate and fear the Kudzu tribes, and the feeling is mutual. The Racoon are often the repository of those cast out of the other tribes of Zenithstrand, and most are killed on sight by the Kudzu on the mere assumption that they probably did something to deserve it. The Racoon lack the strength to oppose the Kudzu directly, but they are ever opportunists and thieves. Woe to the unguarded stash or the Kudzu travelling alone.
ROLEPLAY TIPS
The Racoon are often portrayed as having two sides. One that is friendly, gregarious even, with strangers and potential allies. The other is one that won’t hesitate to knife you in your sleep if they think that’s the better play.
Most Racoon originate from a different tribe. Think about what tribe you were born into, and how that might affect you going forward.
Do not shy away from cowardly tactics. Your main goal is to survive in an environment that hates you, you do not have the luxury of acting honorably or ethically.
Most other Wild Elves of Zenithstrand will hate or pity you. Return the favour..
CONTRIBUTORS
Cory Cass