Homebrew Allodian Species Details

 

Montiin of Kapotac, Admiral of the Grand Fleet of Allodia, stood at the bridge of his flagship, the Talon. His crimson cloak fluttered around his form, which would have seemed squat and hunched to anyone unused to seeing a member of the Allodian race. In reality, Montiin, scarcely above four feet tall, was looked on as a towering, intimidating figure by the people of his land. Now, overlooking the great assembly of vessels his command, the admiral allowed a wide grin of satisfaction to spread over his large face, reaching from ear to ear. His was among the strongest naval powers in the known world, with the unmatched combination of quality and quantity that Allodian craftsmen always brought to their trades. Normally, this great armada patrolled far and wide across the seas, protecting the heavily trafficked shipping routes that brought Allodia's exports out into the world. Now, however, they had been gathered together into one massive force, all to be bent towards one purpose.
All of Allodia was mobilizing for war.

Allodians are a curious people, not in the least because of their strange anatomy. Standing from three to four feet tall, the members of this race appear similar to other humanoids, except for one obvious distinction: they lack anything that can be identified as a body. Instead, an Allodian's shoulders connect to his or her head just under the ears, with legs sprouting from beneath where a neck would normally be. The result is the odd, almost comical figure of an enormous, rounded, walking head. However, beyond obvious physical quirks, Allodians are strange and fascinating for many reasons.

Castaways

According to their own legends, the Allodian race was originally created by the Great God, Eskiraan, as a gift to and responsibility for the trickster Rykale. Instantly detesting the creatures with which he had been charged, Rykale banished the Allodians from his sight, consigning them to live alone on a wild continent that later became their homeland, assuming the name of Allodia. Without their god's guidance or protection, the newly created people hardened themselves, discovering their natural talents to create and innovate. After developing all the trades and fine crafts of the world, so their tales say, the Allodians invented shipbuilding and spread their ideas far and wide, becoming the first great seafaring race of the world.

While the reality of this myth might be dubious, it serves well to show both the Allodians' renowned skill in the trades, and their equally famous pride at being a "self-made" people.

Preserving the Past

Aside from the mastery of their craftsmen, the Allodians are known for their highly detailed and remarkably well-preserved histories, legends, and cultural practices. After inventing writing (or perhaps having the concept revealed to them by their trading partners), the Allodians committed all their oral traditions to stone. Allodia is dotted with ancient monuments inscribed with writing in the classical script, and even the smallest villages all boast a local historian, librarian, or record keeper, who holds the community's heritage and lore in painstakingly protected archives. It is the Allodian view that, due to the repeating nature of the universe, all answers to future problems may be found in the past. Thus, they guard the legacy and knowledge of their ancestors with honor, respect, and zeal.

The Three Tribes

Allodia is traditionally divided into three provinces, corresponding to the three ancient tribes of the people: Taiil, the coast- and river-dwellers, alleged to have invented agriculture, commerce, and sailing; Kapotac, the people of the hills and mountains, who developed much of the mining, smithing, and construction techniques used by Allodians; and Charr, the wasteland nomads, fierce herdspeople to which Allodia owes its knowledge of war. Although their populations are somewhat dispersed among each other since the unification of the Allodian Empire, these three regions still maintain distinct cultures.

Allodian Names

Allodians, true to their focus on history and the past, often adopt names that reflect either their family lineages or great figures from the past that they seek to emulate. The exact construction of a full Allodian name varies regionally, but often they will be several words long, with the given name of the individual usually spoken last to show respect to those that came before. Some typical Allodian given names follow:

Male Names: Dorisu, Farakom, Forano, Karun, Montiin, Quinu, Reraan, Rulanas, Skarund, Wareit, Wilfarn

Female Names: Amkenni, Deltonel, Fyrti, Glahza, Kynara, Quini, Ruka, Rulanas, Silive, Voruwel, Zannye

Allodian Traits

Your Allodian character has certain characteristics in common with all other Allodians.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Allodians mature at a faster rate than humans do, being smaller in size and simpler in anatomy; they usually reach full maturity between age 15 and 17. However, their hardiness gives them a somewhat longer lifespan, with Allodians usually living past 100 and often reaching 150.

Size

Courtesy of their odd layout, the short and stocky Allodians range from three to four feet tall but weigh nearly as much as humans, from 120 to 160 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Weighty Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Allodian Learning

You gain proficiency with History. You may also choose additional proficiencies based on your home province: one musical instrument and water vehicles for Taiil, one tool for Kapotac, or two weapons for Charr.

Master of the Trade

At 3rd level, choose one of your skill or tool proficiencies. You gain expertise in that skill or tool, allowing you to add double your proficiency bonus to any check that uses that proficiency.

Bizarre Anatomy

The arrangement of your limbs around your head makes it impossible for you to wear clothing or armor made for other creatures. You may only wear garments or armor that has been specially built for, or modified to suit, an Allodian physiology.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice. The standard Allodian language is considered a dialect of Common, as it is a blend of the classical Allodian language with the normal language of trade. Not all Allodians learn how to read and write in the old tongue, though many of them can speak it, as it is the language used when reading ancient records.