Yotes

The Yotes (singular: Yote) are a coyote-like Packfolk race which are commonly found all throughout the Continent. Like many other Folks, their culture is divided both between the Packfolk and a sizeable Mountainfolk minority, but also between a broader "Howler" polity native to the Basin, and a broader "Comer" polity native to elsewhere in the Federation. While the line between Comer and Howler Yotes is often invisible within their own species, it's much more strongly felt among other folk; to Howler Lagos, for example, Comer Yotes are almost seen as the most avaricious example of Comer culture.

History

Yotes can be found throughout the Continent, and there's no clear understanding on their direct origin, as accounts of their presence are more or less cosmopolitan as far back as records go, and that includes Howl Basin. So far as they are concerned, there are no meaningful distinctions between Yotes from different geographic areas other than some physiological aspects, so there has been little conflict between native Yotes and those who have moved into the Territory.

Culture

Yote Tale-Song

Because of their communitarian spirit and their tonal language, it is said by the Yotes that they developed song early in their history. The Yote culture has a native operatic form - Tale-Song - which is used to tell their history. Such stories are often twisted to comedic effect and also contain morals. For this reason, it is common for Yote scholarship to view histories as allegorical rather than literal.

Language

The Yotesto language is more or less spoken exclusively by Yotes, which is not to say that it is a secret language. It is, however, heavily tonal, which can make it harder than some other languages for individuals with dissimilar native languages to pick up.

Food

"The right way to rob a movin' train is to stop it first."

- Anonymous Lagos Bandit

This article or section alludes to information that is under active development and subject to change.

Yotes are omnivores, and they share with the Corvados a physiology that suits them toward scavenging and foraging, though always as a last resort. Their cultural cuisine is rich in spices and has a variety of approaches toward dried meats.

Religion and Spirituality

Though they are endemic throughout the Continent, they predate the establishment of the Federation and so, culturally, have little use for the federation's idea of religious orthodoxy. Yote religious practice is strongly tied to the land of their birth and is full of spirits and animism.

Science and Technology

Though they cleave to their traditional ways of life, the Yotes are quick to adopt new technologies and are even often drivers of innovation. Some are known for a particular knack for pyrotechnics and chemistry.

Entertainment

See Also: Yotesto Music, Yotesto Literature

Life's a joke, and then you die. The Yotes have a strong culture of music and dance, both of which they frequently fill their spare time and working days. You would be hard pressed in all but the poorest communities not to find at least one guitar or fiddle, and often you'd even find the luthier to go with them.

Society

While the pack instinct is not quite as strong as it is with the Lupata, the Yotes are nevertheless the next most pack-oriented society of any among the Packfolk. Yote tend to form family units centered around a particularly socially-forcible matriarch or patriarch; groups of siblings and their spouses supporting granny or grandpa while they collectively raise their cousin-children. Equally true, it is the norm for late-teen Yotes to break off from these groups and strike off on their own, cliquing in with friend-packs or travelling alone as Mountainfolk while they search for their place in the world as they understand it to themselves.

Physiology

General Body Plan

Yotes are an anthropoid species, on average between 1.6 to 2 metres tall, with fully furred bodies and coyote-like heads. Yote tails are important to the nonverbal communication of their culture and are always, as a rule, left exposed by the clothing.

Gameplay Mechanics

"The right way to rob a movin' train is to stop it first."

- Anonymous Lagos Bandit

This article or section alludes to information that is under active development and subject to change.

Base Aptitudes

Yote characters have +2 Intuition, -1 Willpower, and -1 Hardiness when applying their initial aptitudes during character creation.

Heritage Trait

"The right way to rob a movin' train is to stop it first."

- Anonymous Lagos Bandit

This article or section alludes to information that is under active development and subject to change.

All Yotes have the Fearful Cry (Heritage Trait) property.

Lagos may also select any one of the following secondary heritage traits:

• Lone Yotes's Exuberance (Heritage Trait) - Comer Lagos are necessarily social and their adventurous streak extends that social grace to socializing with other races and folks, granting them a boon on the usage of social skills.
• Pack Yotes's Society (Heritage Trait) - Howler Lagos have a reputation for reliability that proceeds them have a boon on Connections checks whenever they are in a Landfolk community.
• Laughing Madness (Heritage Trait) - Laughing Yotes recover Willpower-derived pools at double their usual rate.