PEOPLE OF THE EARTH Quiet, mild-mannered and socially stable, the earth folk have apparently assimilated into the Mountain Folk city- states. They adhere to ancient traditions involving the obligations that one owes to creators, family and friends, and they pay back what they owe to the last obol either in thanks or in vengeance. They were almost obliterated by the Dragon- Blooded after the Usurpation, and while they make no moves against them for the moment, that debt is also remembered. They have held what they owe to the Lawgivers who created them in abeyance for hundreds of years. Earth folk are clearly inhuman, with bright azure skin, huge black eyes and claws. Yet, they carry themselves with an innate gentleness and calm that subconsciously reassures those around them, and they are soft-spoken, raising their voices only in emergencies. They are accustomed to working together, viewing this as the natural response to problems, and while they can function perfectly in the endless dark depths of the earth, they are also capable of managing on the surface of Creation without any problems. Clothing and Weapons: Earth folk clothing is functional and practical, even in private or at leisure. Workers wear simple tunics and breeches, and both sexes dress alike. Savants, thaumaturges and others with sedentary occupations wear plain robes. There is no aesthetic for decoration of clothing or embroidery. The closest that earth folk come is knotted cords worn in particular patterns as belts or necklaces. They use many of the same weapons as the Jadeborn, typically crossbows and skirmish pikes, with the occasional fl amethrower or similar alchemical fi re weapon carried by one member of a squad. Mutations: All people of the earth possess the Claws, “Fur,” Longevity and Night Vision (x2) poxes and the Wall Walking blight. Those who dwell among the Jadeborn also have the Exalted Healing affl iction. Possessing the Night Vision pox twice allows people of the earth to see in total darkness as well as ordinary mortals can in full daylight. Although they are protected as if they had the Fur pox, people of the earth have exceedingly tough azure skin rather than actual fur. Associations: the color black, burrowing crea- tures, the earth, the Center direction Sobriquets: Blessed of the Earth, Burrowers, Diggers, Earth Folk, Molemen Concepts: Darkbrood fi ghter, debt repayer, ex- plorer, thaumaturge, trader seeking surface contacts, Wyld-mutant from isolated colony
