Homebrew Aurean Species Details

Descended from dragons, not unlike the Dragonborn, Aureans drift through a world that sees them with curiosity. Molded by dragons themselves, the Aureans had originally been birthed through eggs, though those of more recent generations had been birthed through means similar to humans and other mammals. Despite their connection to dragons, while not unheard of, it is quite rare for an Aurean to choose to seek out and serve dragons rather than live their own lives as they wish. Though decided by their skin color, it is common for Aureans to sort themselves in a caste like system in societies that consist most of their kind, dependant upon the metal that makes up their scales.

 

The race itself takes its name from those who make up the highest caste, those of the golden variety.

Metal Humanoids

Aureans look like humans, with their key difference being the scales that both shape the races culture but also sets them apart from other humanlike races.. Though originally all the same color, through generations upon generations of Aureans, the colors that make up the Aurean race had eventually appeared. The scales differ from person to person in terms of location and amount of scales, but most commonly can be located upon an Aurean’s neck and shoulders, as well as their forearms, with there being few on their face. Typically, their hair when unaltered are similar in color to the persons scales as well. They on average stand as tall as humans, rarely being taller than 6½ feet or shorter than 5 feet, though there are outliers, as there are with all races. They’ll typically weigh between 5-15 pounds heavier then their human counterparts on account of the metal that grows from their body. When left to grow unchecked, their nails on their hands and feet can grow long enough to become similar to claws, made out of the same metal as their scales.

The scales of the Aureans range in shades of Iron, Steel, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. It is also by these colors that they divide themselves in civilizations that primarily consist of Aureans. Though, within these castes, there are subcultures of more specific metals, though they are more akin to clans of other races, some examples consist of Rhodium and Copper, which are Silver and Bronze castes respectively.

 

In the rare event that two of different castes join and produce children, the children’s scales typically follow the color of the parent with the opposite gender, but due to how Aurean societies exist, this happens near exclusively with Exiles.

Aurean Castes

Typically in an Aurean society, a caste system is in order. While this isn’t to say that those of lower castes are forced to obey those of higher ones, it does determine the typical occupation of an Aurean. However, there are those who reject such a system, and live as any other race would, though should they have been born in an Aurean society, it would result in exile. From the day they’re born, to the day they die, an caste bound Aurean knows what role they play, the path plotted for them.

To outsiders, the caste system could be summed up by saying that the rarer material your scales are made of, the higher you are, the better off you are. Typically, the lowest caste, which consists of Iron Aureans, consist of simple workers, store owners, and other jobs considered “beneath the typical citizen”, and has the most Aureans within it. Following suit, are the Steel Aureans, which are made of soldiers, guards, and other jobs of that variety. Above them are those of the Bronze variety. Bronze Aureans consists of craftsmen, smiths, woodworkers and other businesses. After them, are the Silver skins, Silver Aureans are the politicians, ranging from mayors, to lords, to even the King and Queen themselves. However, despite the power that those with Silver scales have, there is one that is above even them; the Golden scales. Golden Aureans consist of religious figures, from the priests, to the head of the church itself.

 

Though, it is possible, but very rare for Aureans to transcend their caste through the use of magic. Or rather their ability to cast it, and as such it sadly isn’t unheard of for some to make deals with otherworldly creatures in an attempt to make their way up in the world. This caste full of mages, is between the bronze and silver, where they are used for jobs in their armies as well as other specialized fields.

Aurean Names

Aureans are typically given their names at birth, where they reflect the color of their scales in some manner, be it by having the first letters representing the material they’re made up of, or taking translations of their colors and personalizing them. Those of the Steel caste, due to the nature of their scales, may also use other metals not used by other castes. Those who are exiles however may choose to forsake their given name, and may choose to take on new names. These names may be given by those who are close to the Aurean in question, though they are more personal than what their birth name could ever be.

Male Names: Arden, Auren, Stahl, Ferrik, Fenrich, Cullen

Female Names: Aurea, Argentia, Cupria, Aurela, Stella, Feria, Feena

 

The Exiled

However while there are castes, there are also those who have chosen to forsake their castes, and decide to find their own path in life. They typically either cover their scales, and depending on the Aurean in question, try and alter them through various means. This consists of those who take measures to stain their scales to their personal preference(most commonly black due to the ease and how not every color Aurean can use other colors), to even filing down or removing their scales, as painful as it might be.

Aurean Traits

Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits that differ between Aureans of different colors.

Ability Score Increase

Due to the metallic scales that shape the Aurean body, your Constitution score increase by 1.

Age

Typical Aureans reach adulthood at the same rate as humans, but are capable of surviving much longer due to their draconian origins. Aureans at peak health can range from 600 to 700 years old by the end of their lives.

Alignment

Aureans born in Aurean societies tend to follow the paths plotted by their castes, and as a result typically are law following creatures.

Size

Aureans are typically the same height as humans, but slightly heavier, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall and between 150 and 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Metal Claws

Due to your nails being made out of the same material as your scales, they can grow and be used as a melee attack.

Your unarmed strike damage becomes 1d4+Str

Scale Color

The color of an Aurean determines it's caste, which in turn determines the life one would live.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic. Draconic is thought to be one of the oldest languages and is often used in the study of magic. The language sounds harsh to most other creatures and includes numerous hard consonants and sibilants.