Utuchekulu [Dwarf]

Separated from the northern dwarves in primeval days, earlier even than the duergar, the utuchekulu evolved on their own in the jungles of a vast southern continent. At some point they also bred with something foul and unnatural, and now they are an evil, cannibal people. They have ebony skin, dark hair and eyes, and a single blood-red fang poking from one corner of the mouth. Their beards are sparse and usually shaved.

Rather than axes and hammers they carry knives, spears, machetes, clubs and short bows, and they treat rhino and hippo hide into hard leather armor of base AC 7. They build excellent hunting blinds (attacks from ambush give them -2 on surprise rolls) and lace their lairs with snares and pits. Gaining surprise, a utuchekulu can spring as far as 5 feet and sink its fang in for 2-12; otherwise the fang does 1-6.

Their arrows carry a potent version of a jungle poison brewed from beetle larvae. A victim saves vs. poison at -2. Failing, it is slowed one round after the hit, paralyzed the round after, and dies on the third. Even a successful save means slowing after one round followed by three rounds of paralysis. The toxin breaks down completely after two hours. (Other jungle hunters use a milder form: failing the same -2 save brings slow one round after the hit and paralysis from the second round on for 1-4 turns, and the toxin decays within an hour, leaving the meat safe.)

They kept dwarven skill with metal and stone and dwarven resistance to poison and magic, but they do not live underground. Instead they move into the abundant ancient stone ruins of their homeland and rebuild them, and each clan supports two or three smiths who forge steel weapons and tools.

Tribal bands are led by the mightiest fighter, with priests as honored advisors rather than rulers. Two-thirds of a village are women and children; nearly all the men are warriors, serving as hunters, champions or defenders. Utuchekulu can be fighters, clerics, thieves, fighter/clerics or fighter/thieves, with normal dwarven level limits.

Women and children gather grubs, eggs, fish and small game, while men hunt animals and, eagerly, humans. Apart from their taste for people they are omnivores who eat what humans eat. Northerners slay them as enemies, but local tribes fear their spiritual powers and steer clear, fighting back only if raided.