Classic Fantasy Race: Bruxx

Seeing as the creative juices are burning hot this weekend, perhaps due to attending an awesome concert by Jean Michel Jarre last night, I thought the Mythras Classic Fantasy fans out there might like to see my initial design for a new demi-human race: Bruxx.

For as long as I’ve kept rats, the Bruxx have been a feature in my roleplaying. I wrote some rules for using them in Dungeons & Dragons a while ago. The time has come to bring them to Mystamyr too.

Oh, and that cool stock artwork (opposite) from JEShields helps too.

Bruxx

Bruxx are a species of ‘rat-man’, generally taller than the Dwarfs but shorter than Humans and averaging 1.7m (5 feet 7 inches) in height. They have a rat-shaped head and usually walk upright using their very long tails to balance. Bruxx are quick-witted and agile, yet physically less strong than Humans. Highly sensitive to scent and sound, Bruxx have poor distance vision but a good sense of touch.

Bruxx are magical creatures by nature, having been formed from the Will of the Gods to watch over the forests and mountains of the world. They have an innate ability to move largely unseen and unheard which is enough to unnerve most hunters and rangers who have encountered them in the wild.

Bruxxic Culture

Bruxxic social hierarchy might seem barbaric to most outsiders but, although distasteful to some Humans (and often offensive to Elves), Bruxx have a clean, well-ordered society with a clear hierarchy based on fitness and wits: each Mischief (as their communities are called) is led by the quickest brain and the strongest stomach. Contrary to popular belief, they are not evil creatures by nature.

Bruxx are generally suspicious of open bodies of water and rarely, if ever, set foot on a boat. Although often dismissed as primitives, Bruxx enjoy tinkering with mechanical devices and their underground communities often feature elaborate traps as defensive mechanisms. Although the patience needed for arcane magic or the divine is unusual, there are Bruxx magic-users and clerics; most end up leaving their communities to further their studies. Non-magical adventuring Bruxx tend towards using their natural abilities for less than honest ends, but brave warriors have been among their number.

Roleplaying Bruxx

You can play them as furtive and quick-tongued or as cautious and deliberate with equal ease. Think rats and you’re on to a winning strategy for roleplay. Bruxx, both male and female, tend to use adjectives as names – especially those adjectives that suggest texture, such as Silk, or that metaphorically relate to stealth or intellect, such as Slyfoot or Creepclaw. Bruxx are also fond of adopting the pet names that other races, such as Humans or Elves, might give them while they travel together.

Want the Rules?

Download the .PDF file here: UbiquitousRat’s Bruxx

Game on!