Lupin
- See also: Beastmen
This race of wolf-headed warriors is known in the Far East for their martial prowess. In the nation of Doma, the Lupin have built a history of serving the Samurai as an integral part of their support forces.
Physical Characteristics
The Lupin exhibit many characteristics of a wolf, their feral features accompanied by sharp-clawed fingers, and a thickly furred tail. Domans once called them "Jinro" or "Manwolf", but this term has mainly been supplanted by "Lupin-a name common in Ilsabard and western regions, and said to originate from ancient Elezen folklore. In addition to their impressive agility, Lupin are able to detect the faintest of sounds and boast a heightened sense of smell. They also have poor eyesight, but a wide field of vision, granting them a superior ability to track movement.
Diet
In earlier times, the Lupin survived as hunters and subsisted entirely on the flesh of their prey. Since their exposure to more civilized societies, however, the wolfmen began eating vegetables and grains, and steadily shifted towards an omnivorous diet. Yet despite this broadening of their culinary horizons, meat still remains the Lupin's first choice of menu.
Leadership
Interaction with the other societies and their cultures-be the relationship beneficial or antagonistic-has had a transformative influence on the Lupin's behavior. The wolfmen's present clan-like hierarchy is one such change, with multiple blood-related families gathering under a sigle authority figure. This authority is primarily inherited through succession, but it is also not uncommon for the position to be seized by force.
Society and Culture
The geographical origin of the Lupin is unknown-even the most ancient of records state only that they lived as nomadic hunters, always following the migration of their prey. Those wolfmen who now reside in the Far East recount tales from 2000 summers past, when they first came through Nagxia from the distant west to settle in the lands of Yanxia. Their arrival brought them into conflict with the native Hyur and Roegadyn, and history is rife with stories of their clashes. Eventually, however, the Lupin were drawn into the regional struggle for supremacy, with rival factions vying to purchase their military might, and through the fulfillment of these mercenary contracts did they begin to establish their presence in the area. The Lupin commander Garo and his unusual friendship with Doma's founding father is an especially famous case. His acceptance as Ganen's chief retainer was a turning point which saw a long line of Garo's descendants swearing allegiance to Doma, and finding service with the nation's samurai army.
Primary Industry
Soldiery
Famed for their fierce loyalty as well as their skill at arms, the Lupin were well represented by the descendants of Garo, who never once betrayed their liege lord in over 800 years of Doman history. They do, however, measure their pride by the strength of their leader, and when Doma was conquered by the Garlean Empire, a number of Lupin who had become dissatisfied with Lord Kaien chose to abandon his service. Many of these deserters fell into a life of banditry.