Leaffoots

The Pukwudgies (Homo pukwudgi) were an ancient group of native forest Dwarves, who's existence allegedly predate the human colonizations of Rathnir. Though they've been known for their technological and magical prowess, as well as their conquering nature, the species has been nearly eradicated; with the cause currently being lost to history (along with a bunch of other aspects about their history and civilization). As of now, only one Pukwudgie mysteriously still lives (in Spectrum).

Appearance
While Pukwudgies are similar to their cousins, the Dwarves, their appearance is fastly different. Their time in the forests of Rathnir have given them a similar physique; with spiky fur that covers most of their bodies (that can grow in a range of different colors), and skin that covers their muzzles and the insides of their ears. They also have small, triangular ears on top of his head, and a varying number of long quills on the back of that head. They also have a varying number of spines protruding from their backs behind their shoulders, and a (typically) short tail.

Origins
From what has been found in the historical records (in ancient text and artifacts), it is known that the Pukwudgies were originally a sibling tribe to the Dwarves. Both tribes seemed to stick together for a long period of time at the beginning of time for Rathnir, until the Pukwudgies broke away to fend for their own (for a currently undiscovered reason). They eventually settled down in prehistoric forests, where they micro-evolved to better survive the harsh landscape.

The Pukwudgie Renaissance
As the millennia pasted by, it seems as though the Pukwudgies entered a "scientific renaissance." They were obsessed with the supernatural and magical aspects of Rathnir, and so they built their architecture around them. They built temples and shrines dedicated to studying the celestial forces in the sky, homes outfitted with artifacts from other cultures, as well as powerful magic tools and weapons.

The weapons especially are important, as once they were seemingly "perfected," they were used for one purpose: conquest.

The Pukwudgie Empire
Based on (what are assumed to be) a few personal Pukwudgie journals that have been unearthed, it's been revealed that they used their technological and magical prowess to conquer the rest of Rathnir. And they were successful; with minimal resistance. For what is estimated by scholars to be nearly hundreds of years, the Pukwudgies ruled Rathnir with an iron fist, enslaving its free races physically and mentally (with the help from magical implants).

During this period, their technology and understandings of the universe expanded, with them even starting to discover how to manipulate time and space (as suggested in more personal Pukwudgie logs that have excavated).

Extinction
It is after the age of the Pukwudgies' empire that certain aspects of certain events become "scarce." At the end of what is estimated to be 500 years, the Pukwudgies were all massacred. We have not yet discovered who or how this had happened, but the most popular theory among scholars is that those who managed to not have their minds enslaved by the Pukwudgies formed a rebellion and fought their captors from within.

Needless to say, whoever exterminated them and how, the free races of Rathnir were once again free after 500 years. And by the time the first humans first appeared in Rathnir, what remained of the Pukwudgies' history has been watered down by the elements over the millennia, and the memory of their terror (and even their very existence) had all but left the minds of the descending generations.

Today
Today, more mysteries about the Pukwudgies keep appearing. Somehow, after over a millennia, one Pukwudgie has appeared. Going by the name "Spectrum," this Pukwudgie has no memory of who his race was, or how he's appeared in Rathnir. He's currently residing in the Greatwhite Isles as their Police Chief, though he has felt lonely, believing there's probably not another Pukwudgie besides him in Rathnir today. He still doesn't know much about his people, but he hopes to discover the truth eventually. Let's hope that never happens...