Porcupines

The Porcupine people can be generally compared to a blend of Agikuyu Bantu society and members of the Hystricidae biological family.
Porcupines are one of the fifty-five races of anthropomorphic mammals that populate Yanìs, and are grouped in the subgenus of Rodents together with Beavers, Mice, Rats and Squirrels.

Physically, they are quite small, with a height between 3.5 and 4 feet and a weight never exceeding 30 kg. Their back is covered with long black or white bristles on the front and with quills about 30-40 cm long in the central part of the rump. The head is somewhat broad with a short muzzle, while the nasal region is swollen and covered with long dark whiskers. They have small, dark eyes and ears, and their legs are short and wide, each with five toes on each claw-footed paw. Their tail is short, usually hidden by the rump's quills, and is also covered with shorter, more fragile quills.

The Porcupine people have a decidedly tumultuous history that has formed a proud and self-confident people. In their origins, Prince Qinfiz granted all his heirs the freedom to live individually without restrictions. Princess Kotoko agreed to this homage on condition that females were considered householders, and males were confined to fieldwork. With time, however, females became cruel and authoritarian, imposing too heavy tasks on elderly males and practicing polyandry with younger males. To oppose these injustices, males agreed to impregnate all females at the same time, thus taking advantage of their weakness and regaining power. Respect for the elderly was restored, and the heaviest work was entrusted to young people. Then the rule was then entrusted to senior clan leaders, but they too ended up abusing their power. Thus, a generation of young people rebelled again and established the roots of a new ruling system called irongo, in which young and old, males and females, would alternate in ruling every forty years or so, thanks to the itikwa ceremony.
This fascinating story, however, ended with the arrival of the Ikora kingdom and the Porcupine people passage under Rhinos' rule. They are the smallest race in the Ikora kingdom, but their odd nature as warlike farmers led them to be willingly accepted into it. Although they are expert farmers and skilled builders, it is their skill with bows, crossbows, and blowguns that made them renowned.

Their cities are made up of dwellings dug into the ground and covered with clay-and-brick roofs. Not uncommon are houses on multiple floors, but most common houses are almost fully underground. Traditionally, they wear lots of trinkets and decorations, mainly of copper and brass, such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and headbands, often intensively decorated with bones or metal beads. They also have a fair knowledge and passion for Summoning magic, alchemy and meta-magical practices.