Rajni

Origins

• The Origin

  
  

  
  
  
  
  The Thundertooth tribe hails from one of the larger landmasses in an island chain located on the equator. The exterior of the island is made up almost entirely of high cliffs, and it has no natural harbor. Dense vegetation shields it from aerial view. Little is known of the island, save for rumors, myths, and the the stories of half-mad shipwrecked survivors.
  
  Reality may be stranger than rumor at this point.
  
  The island's secluded state has made it a perfect home for the strange creatures that have survived there for millennia. Evolution never truly stops, and this fact has never been better illustrated. Prehistoric creatures have thrived for generations, and primitive societies have formed among the various species whose lines of evolution have allowed for it.
  
  Carnivores, with their constant need to learn, form the bulk of the enlightened societies. Most species tend to stick to their own kind, but there are always variations in behavior. Species to species, society to society, tribe to tribe, what rings true for one may not necessarily do so for others.
  
  Primitive human-like creatures are also in existence, though they have not had the opportunity to advance anywhere near as far as their similar cousins. It is with these tribes that some contemporary survivors have been found; this may explain the emergence of various recognizable languages among many of the more intelligent tribes, and their often whimsical familiarity with modern machinations and ideas.
  
  
  

  

  
  Deep in the heart of the island lies a narrow, but deep, crevasse. Practically hidden by the abundance of trees that grow at either side, it took many years before any of the primitive tribes began to explore it. Extensive caverns were discovered, along with a steamy subterranean lake that may provide evidence of the island's volcanic past. The most fascinating discovery, however, was that of the crystals hidden deep within the earth. These crystals possess strange properties, and not enough is known of them to offer any scientific explanations. Regardless, their existence has been ingrained into the primitive societies. Many tribes have developed shamanistic rituals which take advantage of the unusual energies which emanate from the crystals, and their outcomes defy belief.

• Thundertooth

  
  

  
  
  Teeth that flash like lightning
  A voice born of the storm
  
  One of the most reclusive tribes, the Thundertooth tribe has grown more and more rare over the years. Ferocious hunters, the huge beasts are kin to what is commonly know as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. They are some of the largest predators that still survive on the Crystal Isle, and have yet to be contacted by the Skycallers, save for a few small fringe groups.
  
  They favor lush valleys, populated by huge roaming herds and tribes of herbivores. Though led by what they view as warchiefs, most Thunderteeth exist in small family groups that hunt as they travel. Roving single males and females will sometimes fight the alpha of a family unit--these may be matriarchs or patriarchs, depending on the group--for the right to join. In some cases, they fight for full control, and such battles may end in the death of one or another. Somewhat unusually, the family groups may choose to attack either on behalf of their Alpha, or for the newcomer(s) that wish to join. The savagery of control fights is legendary, and has been known to cause the destruction of entire familial groups.
  
  Primitive and headstrong, the Thunderteeth are fiercely proud of their independence, and the fact that they incontrovertibly rule whichever part of the valleys their family groups choose to settle in. When the warchiefs meet once each year, they settle disputes over territory and plan the next year's roaming. Some personal disputes between warchiefs may also be decided. In rare cases, groups viewed as being too weak, or too much of a threat, may be expelled from the Thundertooth tribe and left to fend for themselves outside of their beloved valleys. This is usually a death sentence, for the smaller predator tribes will rarely suffer a belligerent Thundertooth among them.
  
  Despite their fierce independence, threats to the Thunderteeth from outside tribes are usually met by solidarity. Most tribes will avoid causing trouble with valley groups.

• Rajni

  The last surviving member of an exiled group, the female will rarely speak of her past. Whether they were attacked by other exiled rivals, or simply by other predators, has not been determined by those who question her. What is known is this.
  
  Their group lived wild; they did not possess the crystals that Skycallers have slowly been sharing with the world. Wild, but happy, they loved and fought as only the Thunderteeth can. Considered too aggressive by the tribal warchiefs, they were exiled and removed from the protection of their fellows. Rajni, the young, new mate of the patriarch, had recently laid a clutch of eggs when the small clan was destroyed.
  
  Her memories are few, but fierce. The death of her mate, of her clan. The destruction of her eggs. A fight with the attackers' shaman. The theft of his crystal. The confusion of her first shift into humanoid form.
  
  Driving his crystal through his chest. The crystal's crimson glow. The heat and pain as the crystal seared shut the wound in her shoulder. Claiming a tooth and feather from her mate. Seeking the rest of the murderers, staggering in a new humanoid form.
  
  Being captured again.
  
  Being cast from the cliffs into the ocean below.
  
  Being picked up by a ship.
  
  The darkness of its hold.