Homebrew Chiss Species Details
These strange beings from the stars made their home in the frozen, sunless lands to the North long ago. Then, the skies were filled with the twinkling lights of their sky ships and the strange magics that shielded their people from ours. I've never seen them, but my grandfather claims to have met one. More beautiful than the elves and twice as deadly in the snow, but curious and intelligent enough to earn the favor of Ioun herself. I'm not certain if I'm envious or grateful I've never seen such a being.
-Cecilia Curtrowe, keeper of lore.
The blue skinned Chiss of the far North are a mystery to the outside world and have not been seen for thousands of years. Recently, they've begun to venture outside of the frigid environs that have hidden them for generations. Their culture and society remain largely unknown in much of the world and they are met with varying degrees of curiosity and mistrust. Many cultures have folk tales and legends about these enigmatic people and their secretive ways.
Some believe they came from an elemental plane or hail from the Feywilds in some far flung winter region. Other stories claim the Chiss came from the stars long ago when the gods still walked the land, or that a long forgotten god crafted them from ice when humans would not tread the frozen darkness.
Whatever the belief, one thread remains in all tales; The Chiss are a clever, logical, and proud people who prefer invention to magic and isolation to war. Their reappearance in the world is either a boon or an ill omen, and opinion of which is greatly divided.
They're supposed to be great warriors. Clever, resourceful, proud. Intensely loyal to one another, too.
-Eli Vanto, when questioned about the local myths.
Appearance
Chiss appear similar to humans in build and stature though they tend to be taller on average, with a wide range in height and body types. The notable differences are their skin and eyes. Chiss have complexions that range from dark blue to nearly silver, and glowing red eyes with no discernible iris or pupil. Their hair comes in shades of blue ranging from black to white, and they do not seem to share the human trait of growing facial hair.
But one fact has always remained constant: The Chiss must be approached from a position of strength and respect. One must have strength, for the Chiss will deal only with those capable of keeping their promises. One must have respect, for the Chiss must believe that those promises will be kept.
-Passage translated from a journal page written in Cheunh, author name incomplete* due to damage to source
*tth’raw'nur
Society and Culture
The ruling class of the Chiss Ascendancy was known as the Aristocra. The Chiss military consisted of the Chiss Defense Fleet.
The Chiss are naturally secretive and somewhat xenophobic people, and the result has been an age of isolation and discovery without the influence of other races. Of the peoples in the world, they find humans to be the least repulsive and are the most readily accepting of humans. Other races, like Dwarves and Elves have earned a measure of respect, but are not so readily trusted.
Non-Chiss are not permitted to enter the Ascendancy outside of extreme circumstances, and those that do are closely monitored at all times and some never leave.
Ascendancy-born and raised Chiss are beings of intense emotion that they acknowledge but keep tightly reined. Decisions are made not on emotional reaction, but as logically as possible, based on the hierarchy they serve: Does the action benefit the Ascendancy? Their House? Their family? Any action taken that is not seen to be in keeping with their duty to any of the above is suspect, and can subject them to censure at best, and exile at worst. Actions taken for personal reasons can be seen as highly scandalous.
Living politics as they do, it’s thus very rare for an Ascendancy Chiss to say exactly what they mean. Any stray word or movement could be used by a political adversary to discredit them, their House, or their family. Thus, they rely heavily on inference, using diction, tone, and body language to convey what they can’t say directly.
This means that there is also a heavy reliance on etiquette and protocol. In a public conversation, they are addressed by rank. To use common or familiar names in such a setting is an insult of the highest order; the familiar or core names are saved for private conversations with family, merit adoptives, and very close friends.
In regard to interactions with non-Chiss, Ascendancy Chiss do consider themselves superior to just about every known species. Some are better than others at hiding this. One means of asserting their dominance is the use of their native language, Cheunh, in the presence of non-Chiss. It is a difficult language, almost impossible to be spoken by an outsider. Speaking their native tongue in the presence of said outsiders, however, is considered rude and thus done only when one wishes to make a point. Chiss are then more likely to revert to a trade language such as Common, to converse with those they like, respect, or must interact with in some official capacity.
When socialized with outsiders regularly, Ascendancy Chiss learn to read others and, when the situation calls for it, convey their point in an outside manner. Depending on the Chiss, this can prove more or less uncomfortable for them. It will largely depend on their own upbringing and the perspectives of their elders and Aristocra.
The converse is also likely to be true of outsiders who spend a good deal of time around Ascendancy Chiss: They eventually learn to read between the lines themselves, noting the tone, word choice, body language, and other social cues.
When dealing with Chiss born and raised outside of the Ascendancy, however, all of the above can get tossed out the window. Though these instances are very rare.
You see, the Chiss are taught from the earliest days of training that it is not the person holding the position that is important, but rather the position itself. Individuals must allow themselves to be subsumed into the role society expects them to play. If you asked for someone by name, they would on principle not talk to you. If you asked for them by rank, however, they would not hesitate.
-Commander Jagged Fel
Magic and the Ascendancy
Magic is seen as a defect in the Ascendancy, and those who display natural affinity for it are either trained to hide it or given the option of suppressing it through surgeries and medicines. To use magic openly and for combative purposes is an insult and a threat to the order and safety of the Ascendancy and results in either exile or death.
Chiss are rarely wizards or sorcerers as a result of the views within the Ascendancy. Arcane magics are viewed with disdain. The archives of the capital Csaplar contain a good deal of information regarding arcane magic and how to defend against it or shut it down. Divine magic is likewise frowned upon, but accepted in certain circles for healers.
The Alchemical sciences are preferred over arcane casting. While it could be argued that some of the methods of artificing could be seen as sorcerous in nature, one would be hard pressed to find any trace of pure magic anywhere in the Ascendancy. Constructs and mechanical tools follow some of the same principles of the arcane, but from a vastly different approach and method. As a result, some who have come into the unfortunate circumstance of combat against the Chiss have described their abilities as supernatural and wondrous.
Chiss Traits
Descendants of CsillaDarkvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You have advantage on perception checks to find creatures who give off body heat, and are not impaired to do so by complete darkness, magical or otherwise, if you are not blinded.
Ability score increase
Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your strength or dexterity score increases by 1.
Child of Csilla
You have a natural resistance to frigid environs, and are resistant to cold damage.
Frigid Society
Raised in a highly political society in which every word is a potential liability, you have learned to interpret the nuances of tone, inflection, and body language to understand the hidden meanings of your own people. Likewise you have learned to apply this to other species. You are proficient in the Insight skill.
Languages
You can read, write, and speak Common and Cheunh.
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