The Rotskulk
Typical Appearence
Rotskulk are known to have a variety of features that are common to the typical Westerosi. Members of the clan tend to grow to the average heights typical of most Westerosi peoples (≈180cm for men, ≈170cm for women), with two defining features. The lesser of these peculiarities are their eyes, which will without fail always be a green, blue, or rarely, a bright orange. Their second most defining feature, for which they are known throughout Westeros, are their elongated pointed ears.
Maesters have done extensive research on the length of these ears, which vary to notable degrees. The leading theory is that due to the prolific nature of the Rotskulk, and the relative freedom they have had to co-mingle with common citizens (and not just in the Riverlands) has diluted the otherwise more "fox-like" features they may have once had.
Abilities
Typical of all chimeran, the Rotskulk have athletic ability well beyond that of average men, with their great speed and dexterity being of particular note. The Rotskulk were never created with the ability to access a more primal form, but are known to keep up with, or even outpace, many of their cousins. While stronger than any typical man, easily able to lift 150-300ibs with relative ease, they are far from famed for their strength, a fact they have been known to use to their advantage.
If there is one trait they are famed for, it would be their cunning. Throughout many provinces of Westeros the Rotmen of the Riverlands are known for their guile, with many a tale of some rogue fox tricking some helpless passerby, or being uncharacteristically helpful, only to exact some ironic price by story's end. While some of these stories may be unwarranted, there is enough truth in them that even their cousin clans are known to warn their children as to the consequences of underestimating them as either allies. Or worse, as foes.
Eyes in the Night
As previously stated, Rotskulk are known to have eyes in shades of blue, green, and orange, with no room for deviancy. Uncoincidentally, these are the eye colors of the wild foxes found throughout Westeros, and like the fox, the Rotskulk are known to have prodigious night vision equivalent to their genetic templates. Making their skills all the deadlier at night.
History
Rotskulk, or the Red Skulk [1]. Commonly known as Redmen or Foxbloods. Their rivals (often the Leiben) call them knife-ears, dirt-eaters, and several other names that have been used by the Redmen to justify gutting, or at least severely beating, those without the foresight to hold their tongues. Unlike the origins of the oldest chimeran races, the origin of the Rotskulk are well documented with a copy of a personal summons by Queen Elmina III to Emric II "Grimwynd" Alm, petitioning him to the capital to discuss the very issues of creating a chimeran clan that could deal with the Wunderbeast issue that plagued the Riverlands, as well as ensure her son's control over the Riverlords. This places their creation to roughly 2260-2270 A.M, with specific details being highly guarded in the capital, and all but impossible to retrieve from Almuth.
Religious relationship
The Rotskulk are followers of the Seven and Sevenfold faith and have almost no religious duties outside of protecting their respective Princes. However, while informal, the Rotskulk since their creation, or shortly after, have been the preferred guards of House Aelinor on the rare occasions when the Archprinces have had to leave Golbaum. Their own chimeran, the Forniri, being considered too few of number to form an appropriate guard without augmentation. And a privilege the Leiben resent them for.
Structure
House Joxter has always had a light hand in regard to their chimeran, a practice that has resulted in a relatively lax governing body for their guards. For the most part, the greatest authority lies with the Green Fraternity. This body of Rotskulk serve directly underneath the ruling High Prince of Snuffton, and elect from themselves twenty Jägers, or "Hunters," to lead and govern the Rotskulk that serve House Joxter. What is most notable about the Jägers is their value on "ability," rather than "pedigree," as there have even been cases of foreign-born Rotskulk rising to this high rank given enough time and merit. From these twenty, two are elected as Hojägers [2]. One is elected from amongst themselves, and another by the familial guards [3] to lead for a period of seven years. Amongst the Rotskulk, the Hojägers are also known as Thumbs.
Occupations
While not large enough to be even a noticeable minority in most regions of Westeros, there is enough of a Foxmen diaspora throughout the seven regions that a second glance by most citizens would not be warranted. Still, this means that when speaking about them in the wider context, they could have any number of professions. Traditionally, however, Rotskulk make their livings as professional game hunters, foresters, carpenters, and fishermen.
Unique Customs
Initiation: Rarely, a wandering sharp-eared traveler has been known to make his/her way to Snuffton, having experienced a feeling, and uncontrollable desire to be near to the Joxlings, sometimes without even knowing who they even were. These wayward cousins, after being tested, are known to be welcomed and initiated by the Fraternity as they are known to have valuable information on the going-ons of lands beyond Westeros. This is to say nothing of the skills and strength it also takes to make it to the heartland of Westeros, which is equally valued.
Leiben & the Long Knives: No one can say when the war started. Only that the High Princes of Stuffton and Kolm have hated each other for centuries. While rank dictates that each Royal House act with the decorum expected of their blood. It is no secret that each House has used their chimeran as tools in their war of spite. A Leiben body floating in a Kolm dock, choked with its own tail, a Rotskulk corpse hanging from an alder tree, ears hacked off. A warehouse burning, or a farm's cattle slain. These are some of the lighter bits of mischief that occur when cats and foxes go to war. So well-known and long has this feud gone on for that the Riverlanders have even come to call it; The War of Long Knives.
For those of you here on Fanfiction that may have been waiting for an update to the story proper, let me just say, I'm sorry. I got about 3k words into writing the chapter before I realized I wasn't happy with it, and decided I'd like to explore a different section of Planetos before we continued with Edwaerd's merry band. Sorry, but please have patience, not that those who have read so far haven't already.
Note: Please check this story out on Spacebattles. There I try to add pictures to give a better sense of aesthetics, as well as subtle bits of information I don't otherwise explicitly write out. Search it under; The Merovingian, The House Aelric. Can't miss it
Footnotes:
[1] A skulk is a group of foxes. Rotskulk is the more scientific term a person would use. Maybe a Maester. Common folk would be inclined to just call them foxmen or redmen.
[2} Hojägers means High Jägers or High Hunters.
[3] Familial guards meaning those Rotskulk that directly guard/serve a Joxter, not necessarily any that serve under the family or Fraternity.
And as usual. A big thank you to AngelFaux for being my Beta. I don't deserve you (goes to a corner and cries).
