Homebrew Edorians Species Details

Stars 'n garters! I thought these folks only were only stories. Long, my beard's sake, long enough that for all I know it brings to question who came first: them or those darn Elves? Not to mention, never have I seen such a strange environment or that the Underdark could even get this deep! In a way these people remind me of elves, regardless of what type of elf, Drow included. Thing is I don' mind these folk! Kind of odd they look more like them humans too. Its whatever, though but them women? I dunno even with those teeth n' eyes of theirs which to be; if to be a bit at sorts or charmed... and I'm'a dwarf!!!

— Krumjardin, Mountain Dwarf of clan Lutgher

 

Edorians are a mystical people of an odd primal grace, living in the world and being connected to it. They used to live on the surface until a great war with the elves, which for the sake of other races the Edorians left to live underground in places so deep it the world thought them myth. These deep almost thought impossible levels of the Underdark is like another world; places of eldritch beauty, bizarre forests or in mineral-rich tunnels, underwater lagoons and trenches, and caverns glittering with crystal, fungal, and faerie light, where weird music drifts through the air. Edorians love nature and the natural universal order, magic to some degree, music and animals, and the good things of the world. 

More Than Meets The Eye

If a common folk where to seem them at some distance or close proximity to see obscuring clothing to be mistaken for a human. While similar to humans in physical features, Edorians have rivaled  elves and even succubi in terms of their haunting beauty to humans and members of many other races. They are the same height to humans on average but can be taller, ranging from well 5 feet tall to some being 7 feet. They can weigh up to 150 to 230 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females, while females can be more endowed than most females of other races. Edorians’ coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, ivory-white, obsidian-black, and even orange with some random green birth mark that identifies how connected to nature Edorians are. Edorian hair types and colors are like humans and even has hair colors of reds, dark blues, and purple.

Although that is where the odd human similarities end. Edorians' faces while still having lips, the upper lip very transparent and almost invisible, and human-like teeth, but past the corners of lip reveal they have no cheeks and an outer row of lined sharp teeth, their jaws can dislocate and open wide enough to be able to bite through bone. Edorian's skin has strange adhesive capabilities to latch onto walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Their intense sense of sound, smell, and sight is something that can both alienate and praise them. They have tongues as long as a Tiefling's  prehensile tail and are retractable like a frogs with the odd grip strength of snakes. Edorians have long slim, thin tails as that can be as long as Lizardfolks in some cases which they usually don't mind having their tails out but will wrap them like a belt around their waist if not into their clothes should they be around people who may feel uncomfortable. They naturally have claws, both hands and feet, that can tear through armor. Along their fingers, toes, and between their arms and torsos Edorians can stretch a thin membrane with helps them swim and while they can not fly they can glide. In water they have a large lung capacity to help stay underwater for days at a time. Edorians have six eyes: two on the head like any other being, two that are always mistaken for as long black eyebrows, and the third pair below the collar bone about the halfway point along each pectorals. The eyes are are black like the darkness itself which the irises appear either like neon colors only when they have an emotional outburst or use of their abilities corresponding with each pair of eyes: the cornea's with slits like a felines that also go goat-like upon use of abilities and magic. Both pairs of extra eyes are covered by a see-through membrane that is as strong as their skin. Depending on the pair of eyes Edorians have different types of visions. Edorians have little to no body hair, the males can have facial hair only along the chin. Edorians' skin show a slight scale-like texture in some areas and is strong enough to be like armor.

Long-lived Beings

Edorians came to being the same time as Elves, but the two never crossed each other till more of the other races started coming into being. Before such meetings Edorians met Dragons and treated them with respect enough times they even were taught their language. Like an Elf an Edorian can live well over 700 years to a thousand, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorterlived races more deeply. They progressed in civilization like humans, but instead of achieving as much as soon as can be they did so in reason. In terms of magic, Edorians only liked the necessary enough magic that was needed for everything to come into existence; anything else for beings to use whatever natural abilities not amplified by magic. This is what led to disagreements with the Elves, with the Elves eventually started to look at Edorians as grotesque, envy, and as savages. Even further and in irony, Elves treat Edorians like how Dwarves treat Elves. This led the Elves to start war with them, unknown to them the Edorians were warriors by blood. Edorian men and women have a prowess in battle and stealth that other warrior races would be impressed. Due to the lifespans of both sides, this war went far into being a thousand and two hundred years. Seeing how much death and destruction the war wrought and the potential effect it had on the other races, the Edorians left to live under ground. The Edorian word "renaigse" is meant to define ill-mannered/intended outsiders, or those who are ignorant, those who do harm, or in some way meaning antagonistic; a word that many an Elf matched for a long time for what they did. The Elves would then build over and live where the Edorians used to live. When the first would-be Drow and Duergar started living in the UnderDark, the Edorians went even deeper and closed off their trails that no other being has before. The Edorians discovered an ecosystem unlike any other, like a fiendish-version of the surface world above yet not at all close to being dangerous as the plane of Fiends itself. Many a long lost UnderDark creature are common there. Only through many years of nature changing the environment over time did natural pathways to higher levels and the surface come to be. Some Edorians never leave this "UnderWorld" they call home, some only have only go as high as Drow-Dwarf territory, and some come to the surface to see how history has changed the world. For those that do they usually hide what they are, thus leaving the mysticism about them. It is not out of shame, for each Edorian is proud of what they are but of long taught wisdom.

Open-minded in many ways

Like humans, Edorians are adaptable and goal-seeking. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the very few areas in the UnderDark and their sole kingdom, the UnderWorld, where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build not against the natural environment but with it, using experience of their old kingdoms which lasted ages to centuries, to build a kingdom that one would see is both a part of nature and not. Edorians do their best to preserves traditions to last even beyond an individual Edorians life. Most Edorians can be well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, Edorians are adaptable opportunists, and while some may have odds with the other races others do hope for true coexistence and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.

Excepting of others regardless of race

Just as readily as they mix with each other, Edorians know that with their odd appearance, that most accept and mingle with members of other races. They can get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Among their kind their are those who serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds to help other races except the other races, but usually what they are in plain sight until trust is earned. Although some races have their own perceptions of them:

Dwarves. “These Edorians. They're like humans except they can live longer to see you be their friend. I like how they know their way around a stone, and they are not like an elf. And their drive and have you seen them fight! Gladly would go to battle with them. You have to admire that kind of dedication, even if it gets them in trouble more often than not.” - Balrum, mountain dwarf

Elves. “Edorians... their very existence is benign and bizarre the lot of them. Yet their ancestor's had the gall to warn and talk about magic to the first Elves like a parent scolds a child? And say that elves have acted no different to them as a DWARF to us?! Saying I have racial prejudice?! INEXCUSABLE!!! Yet that Edorian saved me on multiple accounts, treated me an equal, and taught me some things... I at most don't mind that one.” - Valgella, an Elven archer

Halflings. “I never saw a being as interesting as an Aarakocra! Yet she looked so much like a human. While she was bit too intense for one such as myself, with all her either aggressiveness or sensual innuendos, never did I thought I'd meet a being so patient. She even ate majority of that annual feast and we Halflings make a ludicrous amount a food! Many stories she had to tell that one.” - Quolan, Halfling trader

Lasting Institutions

Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, Edorians at some point go back home to ensure what to tell and archive that what they have learned does not fade away from history and have forged institutions similar to humans within their kingdom. While very few have pursued immortality, but (except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.

Although some Edorians can be xenophobic, mainly to the towards Elves for what they've done, in general their societies are inclusive. Other then the UnderWorld, Edorians live in few UnderDark settlements, some have lived on the surface and virtually no one knew the difference.

Adventure is in the Blood

Edorians who seek adventure are like Humans. Whether they seek to earn glory, power, wealth, fame, or causes vary. While all Edorians have a natural magic in them to wear any one can be a sorcerer, they all prefer to use it as natural it is as ki, Edorians only use magic that amplifies and only extends their warrior prowess. Being warriors, monks, rogues, or battle-mages usually being the Edorian profession of adventuring, as long as their ability to fight is not hindered.

Names and Ethnicities 

Edorians have a variety of names, but each individual has four different names: The first name is his or her everyday name, the second is a more dignified given by parents, the third is the family/clan name, and the fourth is a secret name an Edorian must discover themselves in their connection to nature and the only other person to know is an Edorians minumdamen(soulmate). Some parents give names that are linked the friendships of old with the Elves or Dragons but usually to their culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

The material culture and physical characteristics of Edorians can change wildly from their Kingdom to even the surface world, like Humans from region to region. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are similar, if not bit more noble, to all the different cultures humans have. Physical characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations of the earliest ones to if they live either in a region of the surface, the UnderDark, or the UnderWorld have every possible variation of coloration and features.

Edorian Names: (Male first names) Kailen, Hanzo, Dumbala, Mhemed, Sudra, Zasho, Obsidian, Wraith; (female first names) Ashala, Jade, Kitana, Sindel, Mileena, Yoshai, Zhelob; (second name) Malagas, Jimenez, Garcia, Lythandra, Basha, Dumein; (family/clan name) T'Medo, T'Vari, T'Kesh, T'Loak, T'Soni, T'Nijah, T'Baix; (secret name) Negrito, Marfilita, Runawan, Shadouwan

Edorians Traits

It’s hard to make generalizations about Edorians since they can make themselves look no different from humans, unless they have an odd feature like skin color or should they reveal what they are, but your Edorian character has these traits.

Ability Score Increase

 Edorians are a naturally born warrior-race, in their beginnings they were barbaric but quickly learned to control their instincts. Few who have seen them can attest to their accounts of their prowess. From slaying a hundred warriors within a single night, to one Dwarven account of an Edorian in a fighting match with an Orc, Dragonborn, Loxodon, Minotaur, Bugbear, and a Goliath. Edorians also have an apparent appeal that contradicts their bizarre features, often words of "hauntingly attractive" and similar phrases being labelled to them. Do not mistake a passive Edorian for a wealking, for all Edorians love the thrill of battle and the chance to test themselves. Your innate warrior blood gives your Strenght and Dexterity scores an increase by 3, your Intelligence and Constitution by 2, and Charisma scores increase by 1.

Age

Edorians reach "physical" adulthood in their late teens to early twenties. Although they can still be considered a child at a hundred, an Edorian continues maturing growing and adapting to their capabilities until their fifties. An Edorian physically ages so slowly they keep their youthful appearance in their fifties. Afterwards, it seems they never age due to their warrior blood outside of hair and wrinkles in certain areas. An Edorian can live to if not close to a millennium.

Alignment

 Edorians in the past were either lawful or chaotic good, neutral, or evil. Through history, Edorians always have respected freedom and the potential all races had so eventually most have tended towards no particular alignment. The best and the worst are found among them and their council that rules their kingdom is mixed with both chaotic and lawful Edorians to balance out fairness and firmness.

Size

Edorians have similar height and build to humans, but can be from barely 5 feet to well almost if not 7 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Edorians having very strong muscles and joints amplify both athletic and acrobatic feats as well as movement. Your base walking speed is 50 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Undercommon, Elvish, Draconic, Deep Speech, and to animals. Edorians have always taught to remember the good times of old with the Elves and to respect Dragons for the guidance some of them gave. Their connection to nature has allowed them to speak to any animal land, air, or sky and when they relocated below they created and conversed with other UnderDark species. After recently connecting back with the surface world some have adopted some twists to their language mainly in accents from other tongues.

Flight

Spreading out the thin membrane from between your arms, you have a "gliding" flight speed of 60 feet. To use this, you cannot be wearing heavy armor, have an elevated advantage or position, and or utilize strong currents of wind.

Thick Skin

Edorians have a natural defense in that their skin being mini-scale like, and so is as strong as if a person was wearing armor. Edorians have not necessarily worried about defense when referring to armor though, that does not mean they do not appreciate it. Your unarmored AC is 14+Dexterity modifier.

Tooth and Nail

Edorians even without weapons are not to be reckoned with. For they are equipped with natural weapons: you have claws on your hands and feet, as well as your outer row of sharp teeth amplified by the strength of your Edorian jaws. You are proficient with unarmed strikes, using a 1d6 slashing or piercing with your claws and a 1d8 piercing for your teeth. You can make grapple combat maneuvers with your jaws using your Strength ability score.

Prehensile Tail

Edorians can use your tail as an extra "hand." It can grasp melee weapons and use them in combat, although the normal penalties for using an off-hand weapon apply. If you have two hands, your tail counts as a third hand for the purpose of the Multiweapon Fighting feat and all other feats for which it is a prerequisite. You can also use your tail to assist with grapple checks and Climb checks. You gain a +2 competence bonus on all such checks.

Agile Tongue

Edorian tongues are unique in that when they acted more primal they used them to help catch whatever they hunted. Edorians can use their tongues as an extra "limb".  You gain a +2 competence bonus on all such checks. You have a prehensile tongue with a range of 10 feet. You can pick up items weighing no more than 20 pounds, make Sleight of Hand, perform steal, grapple, or disarm combat maneuvers, or make melee touch attacks with your tongue.

Sight and Senses

Edorians are considered bizarre due to having multiple pairs of eyes. Their eyes have standard vision and Darkvision, which shows their cat-like slits and color when used with any oor all pairs of eyes. However their "brow" pair due to the width of the eyes can go from the forehead to along the sides of their heads give both Blindsight and All-Around Vision, and their pectoral eyes has Truesight and the ability to Charm those who gaze into them. Many Edorian rogues, assassins, and other cloak and dagger characters have used the their sight to seduce, perceive, and maintain awareness. Because of the protective skin-tough membrane over Edorians upper and pectoral eyes, the former are mistaken as strange long eyebrows and both as body tattoos. It is when an Edorian uses the other abilities these other pairs possess that the revelation that they are eyes are revealed. Edorians usually wear clothes that if they wear shirts they have no sleeves and have neck-only openings or easy access for their pectoral eyes. An Edorian would tell that at times they can "see" and "hear" magic both natural and man-made around them. Their sense of smell and hearing easily rivaling the greatest rangers and trackers and some races. If they focus while standing still they can Tremorsense whats around them.

Beastly Voice

Edorians are allies of Dragons. Long ago in both their connection to nature and watching Dragons using one of their natural abilities, breath weapons, Edorian physiology evolved in such a way that they have "shouts" similar to a banshee or siren but in way in respect to Dragons. Either a roar, a wail, or whisper Edorians have such abilities.

Greater Lungs

Edorians when they developed their shout-like abilities also developed strong lungs to withstand the physical and magical strain. Though they do not have gills like Sea Elves or other underwater creatures, an adult Edorian can hold a full breath of air for up to a Week.

Spider Climb

Edorian skin has always had a strange adhesive ability besides armor like qualities. This has given them the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings, while leaving its hands free. The target also gains a climbing speed only slightly slower than its walking speed, being 45 feet.