Beast Herds

Oft depicted as mere lackeys of Chaos, the Beasts have occasionally found themselves used as pawns of the Dark Gods, but their main similarity is the dread they inspire among civilised peoples. Theirs is a distinct history, and perhaps a tragic tale. Though choosing blade over bow, they are the equals of the Sylvan folk with whom they contest for the woodland realms. All the enmity and revulsion of the Elves at the perceived violation of nature has not brought an end to these beasts – on the contrary they thrive and often turn the hunter into the hunted. Shamanic rituals lie at the heart of their culture; their soothsayers are venerated above all others, gnarled and bent, but tough as an old oak. Among the warriors, strength is prized as one would expect, yet their leaders also need cunning to survive. Coordinating packs of ambushers through tangled thickets appears to be an important skill, and a tactic used to great effect against adversaries who think of the beasts as their quarry.