Homebrew Alés Species Details

Cloistered within their jungle home of Aléswyr, the Alés evoke fear and wonder. This proud race of warriors possess a wild beauty that gives emphasis to the lush and savage lands they call home. Borne up on leathery wings, they have tamed the vast jungle canopies of Aléswyr, and live at an altitude that would cause many of the land-bound races to swoon. They are peerless warriors, hunters, scouts, and explorers, and draw many eyes whenever they step outside their jungle.

Wings and Braids

At a glance, an Alés might look like a short half-elf. Upon closer inspection, their true nature reveals itself. Standing upright, Alés stand shorter than the average human, though not so short as a dwarf or halfling. Their bodies are slender and compact and they are always careful to keep themselves in perfect physical condition.

They typically have very dark brown skin, though it can be as light as some of the Thorian humans (a rich caramel tan). Alés usually have intricately braided hair that has cultural significance. For many Alés males who choose to keep their hair short, they often choose instead to adorn their skin with similar labyrinthine tattoos.

The most distinguishable feature of the Alés is that their arms double as leathery batlike wings. When not flying, the wings fold neatly along the underside of their arms and out of the way, making manual tasks like working or fighting possible. When folded, the wings form a short spike that protrudes past the elbow, providing a lethal natural weapon while in combat.

Jungle Watchers

The Alés call themselves “The Children of Earth and Sky”. They are as comfortable walking on two legs as they are in the air. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash out with a weapon before taking to the skies again.

Because of their natural flying ability, they sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and can be taken aback when earthbound companions cannot simply soar past an obstacle. It’s for this reason that the jungles have become such a haven for them. The dangerous forest floor is no threat when you can make your home amongst the highest boughs of the enormous trees.

Ascetic Warriors

The alés are a proud race of warriors, hunters, craftsmen and explorers, forged by a history of struggle and strife amidst their dangerous homeland. They devote themselves wholly to whatever they put their minds to. Because of the untamed wilds they were born in, their culture has been molded by simple survival. They reject the frivolities of the gentler races and have little patience for the impractical.

Because of this iron discipline, the alés never waste time lazing about. Any free time they have is spent, without exception, doing something useful. Though many devote themselves to mastering the arts of combat, a number take up crafts and trades. Artisans and merchants are few and far between, but the ones who do take up such passions do so with the same intensity and fervor as their brethren.

The alési aversion to impracticality has also bred in them a ruthlessness that hides beneath the surface of their culture. A generally friendly people, the alés laugh loud and often, and walking in the Jungles of Aléswyr one may often hear their singing in the trees above. However, when wronged, their response comes down from on high with a swiftness and savagery that can be shocking. Their society is designed to cull out the weak so that the strong will survive.

Getting caught in the act of committing a crime is the only crime in their society. If an alés has a grudge or blood feud, they are expected to “take care of it” in whatever way they see fit (duels are a common method of conflict resolution). If a defending duelist loses, they are dismissed and looked down upon for their weakness. If the challenger is defeated, they brings shame upon their family (either for attacking without being prepared, or not having sense enough to know that their enemy was too powerful). This practice has instilled in the alés a strength such that they are coveted in courts across every region as mercenaries scouts and even assassins.

Outside the Jungle

Rarely seen outside the confines of Aléswyr, the vast majority of alés live in the treetops of their native jungle. Though they are some of the best warriors on Kiriath, they love peace and tranquility. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time in their lands. For this reason, it takes an exceptional circumstance for an alés to leave his or her clan and undertake the adventurer’s life. Neither gold nor glory is enough to lure them from their clans, as they have no love or desire for those trivial things. A dire threat to their people, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe often lies at the heart of the alési adventurer’s chosen path.

Some other circumstance, however, might call an alés to adventure. Banishment is an uncommon, but not unheard of punishment for individuals caught in a crime. An Alés who has been banished might be found doing any number of jobs among the other races of Kiriath, though most are eventually ushered into covert military or criminal service.

An alés might also be sent out by their clan to accomplish some great work, returning upon the work’s completion to take up the mantle of leadership within their clan. These alés are typically young and often find themselves as part of an adventuring party.

Alési Names

Alési names are like themselves; simple and to-the-point. They consist of a short, one or two syllable name with the name of their clan serving as a surname.

A male alés may have one of these names: Satu, Barros, Eltin, Sufa, Anto, Kor, Suhr or Celph.

A female alés may have one of these names: Aial, Ara, Vielle, Faahnys, Sylna, Cerys or Elnoa.

An alési tribe might have of of the following names: Uenn, Nokath, Thokim, Miang, Rennan, Sar or Toras  

ALÉS BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for alés include the outlander, the hermit, and the gladiator.

The clans of alés are insular and remote, from the rest of the continent and few alés live away from the trees of Aléswyr. Those that do leave or often sought after for their combat skills, either in the service of some king or other, or as a means of entertaining the masses.

Alés Traits

As an alés, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an alés requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Alés are longer-lived than the average human, reaching maturity around age 25. They usually live 150 years, though some can live up to 230 years.

Alignment

Most Alés are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Clan leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.

Size

Alés average about 5 feet tall. They have compact, lightweight bodies that weigh between 100 and 130 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Wing Spike

Your wing spikes are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Alési.