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Rudinns
The most numerous cardling tribe, a lackadaisical type of Darkner, Rudinns can be usually found performing the day-to-day work of Card Kingdom. The Ponman may be more numerous, Hathy’s more lively, but it is Rudinn who have the honor of spreading throughout the land in vast quantities.
Description
Roughly around the size of an adult human, Rudinn are serpentine in nature. They slither around on their underbellies, surprisingly mobile for their size. I suppose they have to be, considering their stumpy limbs.
Most notable is their soft white skin, easily pierced and bruised, protected by whatever Rudinn have scavenged up. Ideally, necklaces and belts of gemstones as some manner of defense against more solid creatures, though any garbage laying around can do. It is not uncommon to find Rudinn covered in paper money, under the false belief that its lack of defensive properties is equal to its plentiful monetary worth. Please spare such Rudinn a coin or two, in the hopes they cover up better.
Persuading them verbally though, is something of a lost cause. They are literally, heh, hard headed, having most of their faces covered by a thin crystalline surface. Crystal-like substance, it is flexible enough to stretch and bend as the face requires. It is what gives their eyes a distinct hexagonal shape, and a notable eye shine as light refracts just right. It seems to be some sort of translucent teal color by default. Stories dictate that this color may be adjustable, as seen by red Rudinn Rangers, but it is enough of an effort to change it that most Rudinn won’t attempt to in their lifetime.
Traditions
Like most Darkners, fighting skill is treasured among Rudinn, and each one carries their own personal blade to carry out their will. Unlike most Darkners, most Rudinn will never become decent fighters, lacking training to do more with their magic than spewing semi-accurate diamond blanks. Any Rudinn skilled enough with its blade to throw it properly is immediately upgraded into the Castle’s Guard Force: the Rudinn Rangers.
Still, the Castle is always eager to have hands on deck to proclaim its long-lasting if loose reign, and it pays well enough that most Rudinn find themselves working there as foot soldiers, fighting skill be damned. Having one of their most prominent 4-armed leaders as a ‘King’ does come with the advantage of access to the gem storage.
Rudinn are, to put bluntly, a lazy if simple people. If this is a change from the days of Lightners, an effect of no longer having gods to worship and appease, it is a mystery. But somehow, I don’t believe they held any more gusto for change then than today. They are somewhat boring conversation partners.
Rudinn Rangers
A rarity among regular Rudinn, a good work ethic will take them far in the Castle pecking order. Singled out for the ability to throw a knife properly and figuring out how to change color, these are the castle’s elite guardsmen. Of course, now holding standards for themselves, Rudinn Rangers suffer from the curse of trying to maintain social standing. Expect a lot of upstaging from these guys, in the effort to distance themselves from regular Rudinn. Also expect a lot of kissing up from them, as they maintain a hand in all ‘cool’ interests. They are not a terribly critical people.
Their most distinctive feature, the thing holding them apart from the dirt and rabble, is the upgraded head covering. A Ranger’s helmet is thicker, hiding and protecting their face. The polish gives them an intimidating glare, a blinding fake smile. Not to be confused with their genuine smiles, small treats of genuine connection. If you ever get the chance, do flatter them.