Homebrew Aperusa Species Details

The Aperusa are a group of nomadic humanoids who reside across the entirety of the Aetherium. Possessing unique magic which allows them to explore the chaos of the Aetherium without aid of navigation crystals, allowing them to sail freely across the stars of the Aetherium. Colorful, bold, and prideful, the Aperusa have made a name for themselves across the Aetherium, with some seeing them as the embodiment of freedom while others view them as little more than pirates and criminals. For the Aperusa, all that truly matters to them is that they get to continue their explorations and live life as freely as they desire.

Astral Wanderers

Unlike many species of the Aetherium, who primarily reside and work on one of its many scattered islands, Aperusa have no true home. Any homeland that may have existed was lost to them centuries ago, and instead the Aperusa find themselves as eternal wanderers and adventurers. This nomadic lifestyle has defined Aperusa society, as their culture developed to accomodate their constant migration. Aperusa view all land and islands as free and open to anyone, not recognizing land as property or owned by any nation or people. They see the Collapse, the cataclysmic event that formed the Aetherium, as a gift, giving everyone the chance to freely explore the wide expanses of existence to their hearts content. The only thing that can truly be considered a home for Aperusa is their spelljammers, which are often brightly colored and held in high esteem. Aperusa believe most of all in freedom, with all groups expected to follow their dreams and goals without fear of reprisal.

In lieu of a homeland, Aperusa find community and support in their family. Aperusa often travel in groups of families, all residing and living together in their spelljammer. While Aperusa are closest with their direct family, they consider all other Aperusa to be part of a larger clan, and are generally friendly with other Aperusan groups. When two Aperusan groups meet, revelry immediately occurs, as the two groups drink, feast, sing, and dance together. These meetings are considered high times of celebration for the Aperusa, and weddings between Aperusa of different families often transpire during these events. While Aperusa normally spend their life with their clans, some young Aperusan choose to leave their clans and go on their own solitary journeys. These people are known as Sunocar, or stardreamers, who choose to leave their clans to pursue their own dreams and adventures. Many sunocar go on to become famed adventurers, swashbucklers, and pirates, always in pursuit of their dream of freedom.

Colored Past

To the average person, an Aperusan looks little different than a normal human. They tend to be dusky in complexion, with skin tones ranging from tan to dark brown, and of average height and build. Their hair tends to be thick, curly, and black in color, and is normally grown long and with men usually sporting beards. Typically Aperusan are considered handsome, with full lips, bright smiles, and strong cheekbones. Their most unusual physical features is their eyes, which are almost always a sparking purple which ranges from lavender to magenta in color. These eyes are often considered transfixing by outsiders, and seem to be touched by the deep magic that circulates within the Aetherium.

What makes Aperusans most stand out, however, is their style of dress. Bright colors are a staple of Aperusan fashion, and it is common for men and woman alike to adorn themselves in bright and colorful outfits. Aperusans also typically adorn their outfits with jewelry and fine metals, treasures that are easy to carry and bring along with them during their travels. Primary colors like red, blue, and yellow along with whites and blacks feature heavily in their wardrobes, creating a visual display. These colorful outfits, handsome features, and general lust for life allow Aperusans to stand out, and they are considered very popular in taverns as a result. Even their spelljammers are colored brightly, and it is often easy to tell which ship belongs to an Aperusan by their bright and unique designs.

Psionic Mind

Every Aperusan is gifted with a powerful psionic mind, one that allows them a variety of abilities. The most notorious and highly regarded of these abilities is their total immunity to scrying and mind reading, leaving them as absolute blanks in the minds of other powerful psionics. This has given them a dangerous reputation within the Aetherium, as many fear that the Aperusa can use this ability for nefarious purposes. This is only confounded by the more powerful psychic abilities that some develop, with some Aperusan able to read and control the minds of others.

No one is certain as to the origin of the Aperusa's psychic abilities, but many theorize it is due to their deep connection with the Aetherium. This is supported by their most coveted psychic power, the ability to navigate the Aetherium without use of outside equipment. While most other sailors require navigation crystals to find their destinations, Aperusa are able to psychically connect with nearby planets, telekinetically guiding them to their next destination. It is this ability which has allowed the Aperusa to be a nomadic race in a univese unfit and dangerous for inter-island travel, and has made Aperusa amongst the most prized navigators for any who wish to sail the Unfixed Stars.

Spirits of the Stars

The Aperusa are a deeply spiritual people, with a long historu and culture of folklore and stories. The Aperusan religion believes that the Aetherium itself is a god, and that all the islands and people are its children. Each star in the sky is a guiding spirit, and every island is defined by its own spirit and god. As a result, Aperusa are very tolerant and accepting of all religions and folklore, believing all can exist in the infinity that is the Aetherium. Aperusan mystics often read the movement of the stars for signs, and many report seeing spirits, gods, and star men floating alongside their spelljammers as signals for what come next.

Much of the Aperusan culture and folklore is wrapped in ancestor worship, and respecting the people of the past is highly important to them. Each family keeps a log of the life and stories of those who came before, with the families elder responsible for their cataloging. Aperusa take special pride in their families Sunocar, and stories of past Sunocar and their accomplishments are shared heartily within the family. Music and dancing are particularly important for the sharing of culture, and the Aperusa are well renowned as bards and singers for their energetic songs of family and folklore. While each Aperusan family has their own stories, all share the same founding story of Elizybelia, the first pirate of the Aetherium. The Aperusa believe Elizybelia was the founding mother of their people, who granted them their psychic powers and gifted them the stars to explore. She is the central figure of their folklore, and a uniting presence amongst their people and a guide for what true freedom is.

Imperial Persecution

While the Aperusa believe in freedom and wanderlust, they are often seen as dangerous by outsiders. This is most true within the Elysian Empire, the strongest power of the Aetherium, whose officials despise the Aperusa due to their psionic powers, reputation as criminals, and most of all their ability to sail freely without use of navigation crystals, which the Empire holds a monopoly on. Aperusa are barred entry onto any Imperial island, and Imperial officials will often attempt to prevent any Aperusan who does reside on their island from leaving. Aperusa are forbidden from serving in the Imperial Navy or any other Imperial government position, one of only a few species given this designation. Aperusa who find themselves grounded in Imperial territory face widespread persecution, with them often being accused wrongfully of misfortunes within the community. Ignorant people of the Aetherium accuse them of being criminals and witches, and the Aperuse and are often forced to live in the shadows of society. Despite this, the Aperusa continue to remain positive and full of wanderlust, and they have continued to explore, dance, and live life freely in spite of the Imperial grip around their neck.

Aperusa Traits

As an Aperusa you have the following traits

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Mental Discipline

You have resistance to psychic damage.

Roguish Charm

You have proficiency in either the Intimidation, Persuasion or Performance skill

Shielded Mind

You are immune to scrying and to any effect that would sense your emotion, read your thoughts, or detect your location

Psionic Origin

You know the mage hands cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 1st-level 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 detect thoughts spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Voyage into Infinity

As an action, you can spend 10 minutes magically connecting to the nearest island of the Aetherium to your location (as determined by the DM), excluding any island you may currently be residing on. Once connected you know the exact distance and direction of the island. This ability lasts until you step foot on the island you are currently connected too and cannot be reused until your connection ends.