The mighty Rocborne are an eons-old culture of world-traveling nomads who live on the backs of gargantuan rocs. The various Homes of the Rocborne are tenacious in preserving the history of their people.
Due to their nomadic nature, the Rocborne place great importance on skillful hunting and foraging, as they cannot cultivate agriculture upon the Roc’s back. They also have a great love for commerce, story-swapping, and competitions of athleticism whenever they land. The Rocborne are a diverse people, and their appearances and behaviors can vary greatly from Home to Home, and from person to person.
(Based on the Rocborne from The Griffon’s Saddlebag Book Two)
- Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom
- Skill Proficiencies: Nature and [Tooltip Not Found]
- Tool Proficiencies: Cartographer's Tools
- Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Cartographer's Tools, Bedroll, Bell, Pouch, Traveler's Clothes, String, Waterskin, 38 GP; or (B) 50 GP
The Rocborne revere and gain wisdom from nature spirits as well as the spirits of their ancestors. Through generations of interaction and symbiosis, the Rocborne have come to believe that rocs are the ultimate expression of the very wind itself, and when a Rocborne passes, they are cremated and their ashes are spread to the wind. Fallen Rocborne become the smaller, peaceful breezes and gusts that provide comfort and warmth to those they visit. As such, windy days are often treated as good omens or a sign that their ancestors are watching over them.
Contacting the spirits of nature and their ancestors requires ceremonies, in which the spiritual leaders tell stories of the spirit, meditate, and seek its guidance. Sometimes these ceremonies are accompanied by music, depending upon the desired contact. The Rocborne are fairly open about allowing observers, especially trusted allies, but are adamant that only their shamans perform the rituals, lest a malevolent spirit be called forth.
You can use the following table to help determine the blessings bestowed by Rocborne ancestral and nature spirits.
| d10 | Example Rocborne Blessing Table |
|---|---|
| 1 | Once per long rest you gain a flying speed of 30 feet for 1 hour |
| 2 | Once per long rest you can duplicate the effect of the augury spell |
| 3 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (bear’s endurance) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient warrior) |
| 4 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (eagle’s splendor) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient leader) |
| 5 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (owl’s wisdom) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient shaman) |
| 6 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (cat’s grace) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient crafter) |
| 7 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (bull’s strength) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient hunter) |
| 8 | Once per long rest you gain the effect of the enhance ability (fox’s cunning) spell for 1 hour. (The story of the ancient historian) |
| 9 | Once per long rest you can duplicate the effect of the commune with nature spell |
| 10 | Once per long rest you can replace one attack roll, ability check, or saving throw you make with a 10. You must choose to use this effect before making the roll. |
Suggested Characteristics
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m constantly thinking of and sharing esoteric, sometimes tangential stories of my ancestors. |
| 2 | I prefer the solitude of nature over talkative humanoid company. |
| 3 | I’ve spent so much time attuning to one of my ancestors, that I have adopted their older speaking patterns and phrases. |
| 4 | I’m intensely competitive in sports, hunting, and everything I do. |
| 5 | I’ve become exceptionally precise in my movements as I’ve perfected my art. |
| 6 | I’m full of boundless curiosity and energy, desperate to know what turn life will take next. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Exploration. The world is just waiting for you to discover its secrets. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Honor. The Rocbone have survived by staying true to their word at all times. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Community. Protecting each other and shoring up our weaknesses keeps us strong. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Nature. Balance with the wilds must always be maintained. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Freedom. The sky’s the limit, and opportunities don’t wait for the indecisive. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | Tradition. It’s our duty to remember our ancestors and keep the balance of life. (Lawful) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I was contacted by an ancestor with unfinished business, who charged me with completing it. |
| 2 | I was adopted into the Rocborne in a time of crisis, and owe everything to my new Home. |
| 3 | My partner was a Rocborne when we met, and I couldn’t imagine a life without them. |
| 4 | I must work hard to defend my athletic accomplishments and accolades from challengers. |
| 5 | I find peace in my craft and owe much to my teacher’s patient tutelage. |
| 6 | Only while enveloped in the blessed hunt am I at peace with myself and one with nature. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m so dedicated to our traditions that new ideas are difficult to accept. |
| 2 | I fear that my life will not be good enough to ensure my spirit is welcomed by the winds. |
| 3 | My fervent focus on the stories of my ancestors has caused me to miss out on my actual life. |
| 4 | I’ve devoted my life to the Rocborne so much so that I now fail to understand or trust outsiders. |
| 5 | My fierce competitive nature leads to anger and frustration when I fall short of my expectations. |
| 6 | I’m enthralled by flight, and am almost despondent when forced to walk on solid ground. |
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