Tree Ogres

Stepping to the edge of the forest shadows, a large face stared down upon the intruders. Its outline was massive as it stood with one hand gripping a tree branch high above the wagons. As eyes adjusted beyond the erratic campfire light, travelers saw a leaf-covered shape of monstrous proportion. The visitor had massive shoulders, crushing hands, and tusks that jutted from a heavy face. It surveyed the camp quietly for a couple minutes before pointing toward the campfire. “No fire”, it commanded. Hurriedly, the travelers scrambled to pour dirt and water over the flames. When they finished and the night’s darkness rushed back in to blanket them, the Ogdar was gone.

Physiology

The smallest of the “wild” Ogdar, the Ogdàr Drū are not quite twice Yrūn height (i.e., nine feet). Typical of their race, they are heavily muscled with limbs ending in largish hands and feet. The Ogdàr Drū stand mostly erect, without the customary slouch and hunch common to other Ogdar sub-races. Male Ogdàr Drū often have large tusks that jut from the lower jaw.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Ogdàr Drū physiology, is their ability to blend with the surrounding foliage. Because of this adaptation, they are able to conceal themselves despite their imposing size. This ability is only able to mimic the appearance of the surrounding forest, and does not help with other environments. Due to this ability, few people have seen their real skin. When removed from the forest, the Ogdàr Drū appear a sickly ashen gray with piercing black eyes.

Psychology

Encountering Ogdar is rarely a pleasant experience for those that are not Ogdar. The Ogdàr Drū are sometimes one of two exceptions to this rule. This sub-race is not as savage as the other Ogdar sub-races, though when provoked they can be just as fierce.

The Ogdar Dru prefer the isolation of their forest homes. They are uncomfortable outside the protective cover of the trees.

Culture

The Ogdàr Drū consider themselves wardens of the forests where they live. Their oral histories teach them that in the distant past, the forests were much larger. In that time, their numbers were greater and life was better. Today they see their homelands as a fraction of that which their ancestors knew. They see it as their duty to restore the forests to their ancient grandeur, or at least protect them from further erosion.

This mindset often brings the Ogdàr Drū into conflict with other races which see the forests as resources. Many lumber towns have been abandoned due to the destruction and sabotage delivered by these self-appointed guardians. Typically, the Ogdàr Drū venture into towns at night and destroy lumber mills, log sledges, horse barns, before retreating back into the trees. For the most part, they avoid killing their enemies outright. They are not unintelligent, and recognize the inherent imbalance between their own small numbers and the numbers of the Yrūn and other races. In this respect, the Ogdàr Drū can be viewed as the eco-terrorists of the World of Teréth End.

Not much is known about how Ogdàr Drū relate to one another as they are rarely seen in groups. The only times when multiple Ogdàryr Drū have been seen have been to contend with a particularly egregious encroachment (e.g., forest fire, clear cutting) or when a delegation has been sent to meet with the Cult of Wōd, the Anàhlāe Eylfāréhl, et al. Nothing is known of their true numbers, ranges, traditions, education, or mating. It is guessed that there must be some societal structure because despite their apparent solitude, members of the race appear educated and have shown an impressive grasp of surrounding languages.

Language

Most Ogdàr Drū appear to understand and speak Ogdàric in addition to the languages of surrounding peoples. It is unclear whether members of the sub-race learn (or are capable of learning) to read.

Names

Kardàrak, Nerem

Religion

Ogdàr Drū do not worship the standard Ogdar gods. Some members of the sub-race deal closely with the Cult of Wōd.

Magic

Ogdàr Drū are not known to Weave or Channel magic.

Characters

Ogdàr Drū are not appropriate player characters.

Template

The basic template for Ogdàr Drū characters is 42 CPs. This template includes:

Advantages

• Health +2 (BASp15) 20
• Strength +8 (BASp15) 72¹
• Chameleon (Woodlands) +3 (BASp41) 12²
• Damage Resistance: Tough Skin +2 (BASp46) 6³
• Magic Resistance +2 (BASp67) 4
• Night Vision +7 (BASp71) 7
• Size Modifier +1 (BASp19) 0
• Talent (Ogdar Dru)† — (BASp89) 5

^† BASp89 Talent (Ogdàr Drū); Includes the skills: Area Knowledge (Region) (BASp176), Brawling (BASp182), Gardening (BASp197), Naturalist (BASp211), Survival: Woodlands (BASp223), and Tracking (BASp226)
¹ BASp15 Strength; 80 pts (Base) -10% (Size Modifier +1) = 72 pts
² BASp41 Chameleon; 15 pts (Base) -20% (Accessibility) = 12 pts
³ BASp46 Damage Resistance; 10 pts (Base) -40% (Tough Skin) = 6 pts

Total = 126 CPs

Disadvantages

• Dexterity -1 (BASp15) -20
• Appearance: Ugly — (BASp21) -8
• Loner — (BASp142) -5
• Quirk (Dislikes Fire) — (BASp164) -1
• Restricted Diet: Very Common (Fresh Meat) — (BASp151) -10
• Sense of Duty (Nature) — (BASp153) -15
• Short Lifespan 1 (BASp154) -10
• Social Stigma: Monster (Ogdar) — (BASp155) -15

Total = -84 CPs

Options

A selection from the following template options are appropriate.

Advantages

• Animal Empathy — (BASp40) 5
• Fearlessness +3 (BASp55) 6
• Higher Purpose (Restore Forest) — (BASp59) 5
• Plant Empathy — (BASp75) 5
• High Pain Threshold — (BASp59) 10
• Speak With Animals^† — (BASp87) 25
• Speak With Plants^† — (BASp87) 15
• Striker: Large Piercing (Protruding Tusks)^‡ — (BASp88) 5¹

^† These traits are reserved for elder Ogdar Dru.
^‡ These traits are reserved for male Ogdar Dru.
¹ BASp88 Striker; 6 pts (Large Piercing) -20% (Clumsy, -1) = 5 pts

Disadvantages

• Bad Temper — (BASp124) -10
• Ham-Fisted — (BASp138) -5
• Innumerate — (BASp140) -5
• Non-Iconographic — (BASp146) -10
• Phobias: Open Spaces (Agoraphobia)¹ — (BASp149) -10

¹ BASp150 Phobias; This instance of the phobia applies to areas unsheltered by trees

Nomenclature: Ogdar Dru Dekàlic: Ogdàr Drū (subrace), Ogdàri Drū (pertaining to), Ogdàryn Drū (individual), Ogdàryr Drū (people)