Caprini

The caprini are a headstrong and protective race of peoples, fueled by a strong desire to remain undisturbed by the goings on of others. Much like other beastfolk such as tortles and tabaxi, caprini have distinctive markings of their bestial heritage; cloven hooves, thick coats, horns, and a tendency to stick in familial groups is reminiscent of their goat, sheep, and ibex roots.

Sheltered Societies Caprini generally keep themselves separate from the hustle and bustle of other societies, living in small villages as simple farmers, following a strict "live and let live" mantra. Never in caprini history have they involved themselves in any extended skirmishes or battles, unless protecting their mountain and hillside homes from invaders. Caprini rarely travel, and on the rare occasions that they do, they travel in small trader caravans, offering wares and services for food and shelter. Few scenarios cause caprini to uproot from their homesteads: disease, imminent danger, or infiltration by those that would lead the village astray. Some caprini do grow bored of their simple farming lives, choosing to pick up the mantle of adventurer and discover the hidden wonders of the world. Some caprini adventure due to necessity, such as friends in peril, their village under tyrannical rule, or duty to protect the world from imminent disaster. Caprini are a generally friendly race, but individuals can often be aggressive and confrontational to those who have even slightly wronged them in some way. But when a caprini makes a friend, they make a friend for life; caprini are very protective over those who treat them like kin.

Lost Origins Caprini do not know their creators or why they were made different to their bestial counterparts. Some scholars suggest a benevolent fey lord created the caprini with love and care, while others believe they were spawned by the horned demon lord Baphomet as evil foot soldiers, much like minotaurs. Due to the absence of historical texts surrounding caprini origin, there is nothing to suggest either theory is correct. For the caprini themselves, most care not for the solving of this mystery, preferring to live in the moment. However, some caprini go against the grain, hoping to gain favour with the entity which created them.

Herd Mentality Caprini are followers, not leaders. They will rally around the loudest and most leader-like individuals, looking to them for guidance and knowledge. Due to this, caprini villages can be infiltrated or overrun by outsiders, leading them down a path against their nature. A strong orc tribe could kill a caprini elder, turning the confused villagers into a troop of violent warriors loyal to Gruumsh, while a charismatic charlatan could con a caprini village into a devious plan, framed as a beneficial arrangement for the caprini, all the while lining the charlatan's pockets with their hard-earned gold. While these situations are more common than many caprini would like to admit, in the end a particularly virtuous caprini will lead the village back to their old ways of neutrality. It is these situations which lead caprini society to close itself off from other races, to prevent further incidents.