The Kindred of the Flowers
Beyond the rugged highlands of the Core the world slopes into deserted coastland. Beyond that the Jungles Impenetrable reign supreme. Beyond those are the Endless Rivers and the Sea of a Thousand Islands and the edge of Imperial influence. Across the Sea lies the Land of Flowers (which is actually the Land of Swamp and Bugs).
The Kindred of the Flowers are actually native to the islands nearest the Land of Flowers, though by now the majority of them live on the mainland. Their expansion farther inland has been thus far limited by the drier highalnds beyond which are more condusive to farming, and thus to larger political structures than the Kindred care for. The Kindred of the Flowers are large, feathered, colorful bipedal critters between 1 and 2 meters tall at the shoulder and up to 6 meters long, weighing between 200 and 300 kg when full-grown. The island natives are the smallest examples of the species, with the mainland migrants growing rather larger than their cousins.
Kindred society, as briefly encountered by both Imperial expeditions through their territory, is small and communal, broken into several hundred co-independent (a word most loved by the first expedition) "tribes". It's unclear whether they're nomadic; what structures were encountered were crude, quick to set up, and quick for the swamps to reclaim. The Empire paid little attention to them beyond accepting food and guidance for their travels farther inland in an effort to scout and, eventually, influense and claim the more settled lands beyond
In truth, the Empire has barely scratched the surface of these "simple" people. Their society consists of a complex web of family ties extending outward in such a tangled mess even the most arcane astrologers of the Empire would be lost. The Kindred find their ignorance and arrogance rather amusing, in fact. They don't farm in the classical plant-and-harvest method, but they do tend their jungles and swamps with care and dilligence, creating a rich biome of food-abundance that Imperial scouts have called a gift of the gods. In truth, it's a creation of the Kindred.
Of the Growing of the Flower
Of the Growing of the Flower was born and raised on the mainland. He lead a relatively unremarkable life, drifting between several of the most remote tribal lands of his kin. This changed somewhat when the second Imperial expedition passed near to his homeland. He never actually saw the group, but heard they were accosted at the edge of the swamps and were forced northward before his kin could provide assistance (at the expense of a few laughs from the Kindred).
Not all survivors were able to regroup, and one of them, an apprentice of the Imperial Academy of Magic, stumbled half-dead and mostly eaten by bugs into Of the Growing of the Flower's current home. The two became fast friends, and Of the Growing of the Flower joined the rabbit in his quest to rejoin his lost group, venturing into the unknown of the (relatively) dry highlands beyond the swamps.
Of the Growing of the Flower is a curious fella. He's on the larger side of his species, his hips nearly as tall as his companion's head. He's learned about latent magical abilities his kindred have, and his companion's helping him explore the extent of his abilities. He's become a naturalist of sorts, atept at herbology and astrology, though practical spellcasting is still a bit beyond him. He's a bit naive, very friendly to the point of being easily tricked.