The Banurans

The Banfolk, or Banurans as they call themselves, that live on the Ban Peninsula are a frog-like species of sentient, humanoids. Technically, they’re a group of Anurans, a species type that was much more common before the Destruction and which, in the modern era, can mostly be found inhabiting the many islands of Shaungia. Or, of course, here in the Ban Peninsula.

The Banurans include a number of subspecies that range greatly in terms of physicality and culture.

The majority of Banurans are called Banranidas. They tend to live on the jungle floors of the Ban Jungle, building small towns close to bodies of water. Their buildings often appear primitive to citizens of the more populous cities of Kaltash but appearances can be deceiving. They are, in fact, extremely clever dwellings that utilize natural materials and deep understanding of thermo and hydrodynamics to create airy, comfortable, and sustainable buildings that blend in seamlessly with the local flora.

Banranidas

The majority of Banurans are called Banranidas. They tend to live on the jungle floors of the Ban Jungle, building small towns close to bodies of water. Their buildings often appear primitive to citizens of the more populous cities of Kaltash but appearances can be deceiving. They are, in fact, extremely clever dwellings that utilize natural materials and deep understanding of thermo and hydrodynamics to create airy, comfortable, and sustainable buildings that blend in seamlessly with the local flora.

Ranitomes

Ranitomes are less populous than the Banranidas but are, surprisingly, a fairly advanced people, retaining much of the grand cultural traditions and practices of the Ban Kingdom as it existed before the Destruction. In the wake of the loss of their ruling class, the Ranitomes have developed a multiracial society of clan-like subgroups, each very proud of their Ban heritage. Some live high in the trees, serving as scouts and sentinels with their superior eyesight. Others have the ability to glide from tree to tree on wing-like flaps of skin stretched taut between their arms and legs. Many, if not most, of the Ranitomes produce both poison and venom which they can use in both defensive and offensive capacities, making them very dangerous opponents when it comes to jungle warfare.

Bufida

A small percentage (5-10%) of Banurans are Bufida. Toad like humanoids. This subspecies tends to be less advanced culturally (and many say mentally). Small tribes of them can be found across the Ban Peninsula. They have a reputation as a people made entirely of out-of-control consumers. They will eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths and rarely if ever think about the future impacts of their actions. When left to their own devices, Bufida tribes have a tendency to do a great deal of ecological damage. Ironically, their deeply tribal societies tend to be tied very tightly to the natural world. They have a particular affinity for any living thing that’s too big or too dangerous for them to eat leading many (maybe even most) tribes to worship the local Megafauna. It’s not unusual for some alpha tribe member to stumble across a huge crocodile, decide that it’s their new god, and put down roots to support the beast. Unfortunately for the Bufida (but perhaps fortunately for the rest of society) this habit often serves to keep their population in check as their “god” has a tendency to eat them when it gets hungry.