Spell Warriors (PIKIN)

CHAOS PIKINS
Found in the contaminated Badlands, Chaos Pikins are the largest of the Pikins breeds. Having been constantly exposed to the negative energy spewing out of The Black Pit, their skin is often deformed and virtually melting off parts of their bodies.

Unfortunately for all other living beings in Erridose, Chaos Pikins are also the smartest breed of Pikins having mastered metalsmithing, which means that they can often be seen sporting full armor suits and strong weapons. They are stronger, faster, and have more endurance than the average Pikin and they have the mental capacity to organize simple battle formations and tactics.

While they still believe in the pack animal battle strategy found among most Pikins breeds, they can also organize attacks from a distance before swarming in to finish off their prey. Any adventurers who are unlucky enough to come across a pack of these monsters should be prepared for a prolonged fight.

Not only that but Chaos Pikins are among the most savage of the tribes found in Erridose. Not only are they ruthless and clever in battle, but they also have a need for extreme violence not found in other breeds. Humanoids who face off against this breed and only walk away with a couple of limbs missing should consider themselves fortunate and blessed by a higher power.

Culturally, Chaos Pikins are very loyal to their tribal leaders. With their increased mental capacity, they know that they are stronger as a unit rather than as individuals and thus leaders remain in power for long stretches of time. While the occasional power struggle does appear every once in a while, for the most part, this breed will stick with one leader until they die in battle or from natural causes.

Unlike other breeds which will worship one god above all others (which god depends entirely on the breed and their location on the map), Chaos Pikins are polytheistic with different packs of a tribe worshipping different deities depending on their role within the tribe. They are the only known breed of Pikins to have a fully developed religious system in place.

Also unlike other Pikins breeds, Chaos Pikins tend to stick closer to their own breed rather than trade or deal with other, less intelligent, breeds of Pikins.
RIVER PIKINS
While River Pikins might be mistaken for Ocean Pikins at first glance, the two breeds are NOT interchangeable. River Pikins can only survive in freshwater deposits such as rivers or lakes, and while they share the webbed feet and hands of their oceanic relatives, there are other differences which set them apart. They prefer rough leather (usually gathered from alligator-like creatures) as their armor of choice so that they won’t sink in the water. It’s also worth noting that both Ocean and River Pikins are amphibious and are able to breathe in and out of the water.

Like their oceanic cousins, River Pikins also worship the god of water but are not quite as rigid in their prayers. While Ocean Pikins pray twice daily to their god, River Pikins prefer to only pray and conduct ceremonies after successful hunts and battles to give thanks. Also like the Ocean Pikins, the River breed believes in leadership through combat trials though they favor expediting the process through a ring of fire battle royale with the last person standing leading the tribe for the next year.

River Pikins are the only ones that can and will trade with Ocean Pikins but like the Jungle Pikins, they have to be the ones to travel in order to establish relations with the Ocean tribes.