Homebrew Xionese Species Details

"The sacred lands... I never imagined that such grandeur and beauty existed," Aya Mizuki said softly. The day's march was difficult, but the payoff at the end was beyond his wildest dreams. The companions were on a high cliff above the legendary city of Hiko-Jo.

Four great spiers reached to pierce the heavens, their white stones ornamented with blackened iron, and the roofs of their blue pagodas gleamed delicately to the point that sunlight reflected off each hand-crafted tile. Everything seemed calm around it, as if the towers brought a peaceful air to that entire sky, as the city made by the first Xionese was floating above the skies like the bulky body of a dragon. This was a true Xionese city.

— Okabe Sanimi, Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Xionese are the first people who were truly born in the sacred lands. By supernatural grace, they live in the world, but not completely part of it, since they were born here with a divine purpose. They live in places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests, great lakes, mountains that tear through the skies or on volcanoes glowing with magma light. The Xionese love nature and the magic they were born with, the art they produce every day, music, poetry and the good things in the world.

Harmony and Tranquility

With their divine spark and calm features, the Xionese appear frighteningly beautiful to Daseans and members of many other races. They are a little shorter than most breeds and, on average, range from less than 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They are leaner, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are approximately the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.

The xionese coloration spans the normal human range. The Xionese claim to have little facial hair and little body hair. They prefer elegant clothes in bright colors and like simple but charming jewelry. Its most present characteristics are the calm that inhabits its interior, blessed by divine grace, they are tested daily, even if most follow with an air of optimism and tranquility.

A Wise Perspective

The Xionese can live well over 100 years, even though they are like the most beloved races, as the land itself chose them to reign, their bodies are strong enough to endure longer and witness the beautiful graces of life. They tend to be amused rather than enthusiastic and are more likely to be curious than greedy, even though the august of certain beings can reflect in their lives, much like Xion herself. They tend to remain aloof and undisturbed by petty accidents. When pursuing a goal, however, whether it be venturing out on a quest or learning a new skill or art, they can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They respond to petty insults with disdain and serious insults with revenge.

Like the branches of a young tree, the Xionese are flexible in the face of danger. They rely on diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate into violence. They have been known to retreat from home invasions, confident that they can simply wait for the invaders to leave. But when the need arises, elves reveal a grim martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow and strategy.

Hidden Realms

Most elves live in large cities in the main territories of Xion, but very well hidden among nature itself, as a harmonious blend. They are talented artisans, creating finely crafted clothing and art objects. Their dances are extremely majestic as they use some of their innate magic to make it more vivid. Their contact with outsiders is generally extremely limited, although some Xionese make their living by sailing to lands beyond the seas.

Xionese found outside their own lands are usually traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Nobles from other lands compete for the services of Xionese instructors to teach their children swordsmanship or magic.

Exploration and Adventure

Xionese venture by the flame that burns within them, for like all races in Xion, they are no different, they also have a divine purpose. Because they have such a powerful life, they can enjoy a century of exploration and discovery. They love the rhythm of nature and the great elements that are brought forth by divine beings. The cultivation of interactions depends on each of the nationalities that the Xionese have, some have their routine more controlled from day to day, some change constantly over the decades, others find careers that allow them to travel freely and set their own pace. Xionese also like to exercise their martial prowess or gain greater magical power, and quests allow them to do this. Some might join rebels fighting oppression, and others might become champions of moral causes, or even become lifelong monks paying due homage to the gods.

 

Xionese Names

The Xionese are considered children until their ancestors declare them adults, sometime after their eighteenth birthday.

Their names often reflect their soul as seen by these elders, certain personality traits that can bring out truth to those who truly know them. These names follow as secondary identifications, as family names are the first to be presented. It places you where that person was born, the region they are from and above all what they do, because most surnames are designations of their professions or reflections of their talents. Some Xionese who travel between foreign lands translate their family names into common, but others retain the Xionese version.

Male Names: Wada, Sanjo, Takeda, Inouse, Tanuma, Saigou, Xie, Lian, Ling, Yin, Xiang, Zhao, Huang, Muk, Ryang, Huyeon, Chang, Kyo.

Female Names: Suwa, Usami, Fuiji, Sakuma, Yashido, Katou, Yamane, Qie, Pan, Xialan, Wei, Fei, Hyong, Chung, Ryang, Pok.

Family Names (Common Translations): Amano (Heaven); Fujiwara (Wisteria Field); Igarashi (Fifty Storms); Ryukyu (Ryukyu City); Lin (Forest); Xun (Sacred Plant); Yuan (Origin); Diqiu (Diqiu City); Kim-Choi (High Gold); Namgung-Yun (Govern Palace). 

Subrace

Former divisions among the Xione people resulted in three main subraces: Xionese of the Undying Lands, Xionese of the Northern Lands, and Xionese of the First Isle. Choose one of the two subraces shown below, or one from another source.

Xionese Traits

Your Xionese character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of Xionese refinement.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Although the Xionese reach physical maturity at the age of 18, the Xionese understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. A Xiones typically claims adulthood and an adult name by age 20 and can live past 110 years.

Size

Xionese range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Xionese Society

Choose a caste based on your gender and your background from the caste society table. Your traits and options are determined by caste, as shown in the table.

Region	OPTION
Hyrina (Moon)	You know the frostbite cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the alter self spell (targeting yourself only) once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Casting these spells with this trait doesn't require material components. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this region).
Hyrina (Sun)	You know the sacred flame cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the divine favor spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the flame blade spell (targeting yourself only) once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Casting these spells with this trait doesn't require material components. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this region).
Lyeun (Earth)	You can cast detect magic and disguise self with this trait. Once you cast either spell, you can't cast it again with this trait until you finish a short or long rest. When you use this version of disguise self, you can seem up to 3 feet shorter than normal, allowing you to more easily blend in with other races. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this region).
Rijio (Air)	You know the shocking grasp cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the feather fall spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Starting 5th level, you can also cast the levitate spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast feather fall or levitate with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this region).
Asaka (Fire)	You know the produce flame cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast the flame blade spell with this trait, without a material component. Once you cast burning hands or flame blade with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this region).
Noyru (Water)	You know the acid splash cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the create or destroy water spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast the water walk spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast create or destroy water or water walk with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Celestial Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage and radiant damage.

Spiritual Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

True Divine Dreams

The Xionese sleep, but they don't connect to the plane of dreams like other creatures. Instead, their minds draw from their supernatural spirit's memories while they sleep. As such, you are immune to spells and other magical effects that require you to dream, such as dreaming, but not spells and other magical effects that put you to sleep, such as sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Xionese. Xionese is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Xionese literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many Goze learn their language so they can add Xionese ballads to their repertoires.