Lagus

Lagus are a race of large sized humanoid lagomorphs known far and wide for their great psionic abilities and iron fisted control of the Warren Federation. Being the sole founder of the federation and having taken on kobolds as a vassal race, lagus were once the premier rulers of the federation in early recorded history before cultural norms shifted, in particular with the acceptance of the rodentfolk. While kobolds were by and large content and even happy with the status quo laboring under the lagus, the rodentfolk quickly campaigned their position as equals to raise up the kobolds as well, shifting what was one an authoritarian counsel consisting only of lagus clan matriarchs to a council of three racial representatives from each of the largest burrows. While this change was ultimately for the better, something even the lagus admit, they are loathe to give up their authoritarian natures and deep entrenchment within the governmental, militarily, and internal police of the nation. Much of their waning influence compared to the past comes from the reproductive limits that lagus suffer from, with only one male being born for every hundred females. While the average lagus woman can produce anywhere between one to six children every three months, the sheer lack of viable male offspring means that most male lagus are kept safely secured and all but enslaved within any clans seat of power. Male lagus are one of the mostly hotly contended criticisms of lagus society, as the rodentfolk and kobolds are keenly aware that these men are, by misfortune of birth, kept as breeding stock by members of their own clan and often traded or used as bargaining chips in both political and economic deals. So far, little reform has ever been done, as the only matter which will unite all lagus clans under a single unified banner that will bend all of its political might, both legal and illegal, is a threat to the status quo of how they treat their men.

Lagus political ability is well known, with lagus diplomats being rightly feared and well respected within their domains. Having a long history within entrenched authoritative power structures, both within their clans and socially, make the nature of lagus naturally inclined towards accepting their roles and positions within a hierarchy. In a way, this mirrors kobolds, as few lagus will have ambition and can find easy contentment even in simple work. Those few with ambition generally seek to start their own clans, usually upon securing a few males and enough influence, leading them to become matriarchs. Lagus are a common sight in any leadership, bureaucratic, or police role within the federation. Though it is long suspected (and never quite proven) it is believed that many lagus take leadership roles by using the natural influence generated by their psionic nature. Be it a diplomat reading the minds of those she is trying to convince, a commander carefully determining the state of morale of her troops, or even just an enforcer using the emotions and thoughts of a suspect to determine guilt, lagus have an almost supernatural understanding of how to lead others. The most famous (or infamous) example of the lagus psi-corps, a division of their internal enforcers who are given special training to allow them to directly read the thoughts and memories of others, with an even smaller sub-division rumored to be able to detect crimes before they happen and prevent them or capture the suspect the moment after. This division is largely why the federation burrows are considered one of the safest places to live, as crime is all but non-existent thanks to the lagus psi-corps and their ruthless enforcement.

Lagus are numerically smaller than kobolds or rodentfolk, as despite their rapid reproduction the sparingly few males make it near impossible to match the natural population growth of other races. Outsiders will often note the severe lack of males, with some thinking that lagus are an entirely female race, and may approach them with that idea in mind. Sadly for potential suitors, while a lagus will incorporate men of other races into their clan and raise these non-lagus children in a traditional manner through communal support, lagus struggle to conceive with men of other races. The chance is likened to a one in one thousand possibility, even with humans who are known for being able to intermix more readily with other races. These children are also of the fathers race and thus lack the psionic power that even the most humble lagus can boast of. The end result leaves lagus with lower numbers than most races across the world, a fact that frustrates many more ambitious lagus as the natural hierarchies that they form coupled with their innate supernatural powers would be a much greater force to be reckoned with if they merely had the population of other races. For now, lagus remain well entrenched in the power structure of the federation through careful labyrinthine political plots and intrigue and through careful use of diplomacy.

A quick-start guide:

• Hare-type lagus gain +10 vigilance and cognition and -5 biology. Hares have the ability to bypass or lower the cost of psionic abilities, if they are psions.
• Rabbit-type lagus gain -5 robustness and toughness but a massive +25 cognition. Rabbits gain a bonus to their total essence pool as psions and bypass or lower the cost of psionic abilities, if they are psions.
• Jackalope-type lagus gain +5 robustness, toughness, and cognition. Jackalopes cannot be knocked down and gain the ability to bull rush. Jackalopes are also carnivores instead of herbivores.

Biology

Lagus biology is differentiated by race and ethnicity but shares many similarities. Between genders, female lagus are taller, stronger, more broadly built, and often have thicker and more physically stacked bodies. A female lagus will generally be between eight and nine feet tall and tend to have much thicker, softer fur than males. Males tend to be between seven to eight feet tall, with slimmer bodies covered in shorter fur and much less stocky forms. All lagus have lagomorphfeatures, being a buttoned nose, rabbit-like tail, bunny ears, and paw-like legs and hands.

Mentality

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