Homebrew ArcDreki Species Details

The ArcDreki are a humble, reclusive people. It is believed they have no more than 4 cities and half as many outposts. They are large humanoids with a powerful build. They value logic, efficiency and find machines to be beautiful forms of artwork. They speak very little, but not by choice but because their physiology only allows them to speak a handful of languages.

They are highly educated from a young age in science, engineering as well as martial skills.

ArcDreki are of heavy build, between 6.5-8 feet tall, with no appreciable difference in height between men and women. Women are of a less muscular build. The species is generally hairless with the exception of the hair on the top of their heads and are devoid of facial hair. Their hair is black or white however, they do enjoy dyeing their hair any multitude of colors. Length varies on personal preference. Their face is squared with broad / no nose and large almond eyes. Their eyes are generally black with specs or “veins” of blue. They have ear holes but no significant outer ear. Their skin range varies greatly between a pale white and a bluish grey. They have a thumb and 3 fingers as well as only 4 toes.

Arcdeki settlements are small and well concealed. The settlements generally don't get any larger than 4000 living beings and are hidden under the ground, leaving little external signs.

The entrance ArcDreki cities are rather small and hidden, only allowing 2 individuals to fit in the entrance way. The door is made of thick hardened metal, etched with runes to increase its toughness and to help conceal it from uninvited guests.

When one enters a city they enter a relatively small entrance hall will several guards along the periphery. Dominating the center of the room is an elevator that can easily fit 8 ArcDreki on it. This elevator is the one way down into the heart of the city.

The main hall of the city is expansive, with high ceilings and wide open spaces. The heart of the main hall are the forges, with individual crafting stations, markets and government buildings cut into the rock along the walls. While the use of magic and enchantment are not overt its use is obvious everywhere you look. The everyday living area of the ArcDreki are positioned along the edges of the bunker with the industrial areas concentrated around the core. Large sparring rings, training areas, and bunkers are abundant in the lower levels of the city. Large armories are constantly servicing weapons and armor.

The use of magic and enchantment are extensively used in ArcDreki society and magical items are a fairly common commodity however, unlike other races the ArcDreki always attempt to minimize or conceal the use of magic. This is a part of their culture of simple and utilitarian living. Most goods made by ArcDreki are extremely well made but not overly intricate, maybe being carved with runes for decoration or even function.

The ArcDreki people's simple and relatively isolationist lifestyle allows them to focus on the sciences, magic, and crafting. The martial arts are the ArcDreki's sports of choice. Every member of ArcDreki society is a warrior. Every citizen must server his or her time before they enter their caste. All ArcDreki are required to serve a 4 year term before entering the caste they have tested into.

The explorers of the clan bring back valuable intelligence and culture. While the ArcDreki are generally agnostic they are free to practice religion as they see fit as long as it is not destructive to the clan.

 

Caste System

Upon turning 16 years old an ArcDreki child undergoes their final tests. Up to this point a child has been allowed to have an apprenticeship in any career they were interested in outside of their standardized studies. Their final tests, which were based on their knowledge and abilities, determined the caste they would enter upon turning 17.  

In the ArcDreki caste system there was no hierarchy between the castes, only within the castes. A family may be made up of several different castes. There were 5 castes, all represented on the grand council.

Labor Caste

 The Labor Caste comprises, Miners, Farmers, and Traders. The Labor Caste is responsible for procuring raw materials and logistics within and between the cities.

Artisan Caste

The Artisan Caste is the largest caste that comprises Armorers, Weapon Smiths, Chefs, Enchanters, Repair Technicians, Applied Engineers and other people who would be considered tradesman. They create the goods that the cities use in their day to day lives and also help build and maintain the cities.

Engineer Caste

The Engineer Caste is one of the largest castes. It comprises General Engineers, Civil Engineers, Magical Engineers, Doctors, and Medics. The Engineering Caste is the caste that designs the city, mines, ships, farms, machines, and utilities. Many designs done by the engineers are implemented by the Artisan Caste.

Warrior Caste 

The Warrior Caste is the second smallest caste. The Warrior Caste is comprised of Soldiers, Marines, and Combat Engineers. The soldiers of the warrior cast are the rank and file of the ArcDreki military. They are in charge of security of cities, logistics of the military, administration and are the main line units of the military. The Marines are the specialized units of the ArcDreki military. Marines act as the eyes of the military. They are the primary scouts and act as security on merchant vessels. Combat Engineers are responsible for maintaining war machines, equipment, general support and also act as combat medics

Scholar Caste

The Scholar Caste is the smallest caste. The Scholar Caste is comprised of educators and scientist. They are in charge of research and development, education as well as administrative work.

Efficiency 

ArcDreki are renowned for their logic and efficiency. They are constantly trying to do tasks in better more efficient ways without sacrificing quality. It is one of the main things that may drive them in their engineering pursuits. Their government is even streamlined, having a council of 15, 3 from each of the caste systems.  

Engineers

The ArcDreki are natural engineers. They excel in mechanical engineering that is powered by their magic. Their cities and golems are a grand showcases of their technology. Their armor and weapons are not as ornate or heavy as Dwarven counterparts but it is lighter and more heavily enchanted. Their arc furnaces are even coveted by Dwarven counterparts. Engineers have made many automated systems that allow life for an ArcDreki to be more efficient and drive more self improvement.

 

 

 

ArcDreki Traits

All ArcDreki are born with magic. It manifests itself as an electrical power within them that constantly hums through their veins. The degree to which an individual can use it varies with an inordinate amount of ArcDreki being unable to project their magic without substantial aid, making mages rare. It is also extremely difficult for them to cast any sort of fire magic. An ArcDreki is able to easily augment their own body and channel their magic into objects. This is what has allowed them to enchant items and power their creations. *Augmentation spells cannot be dispelled or suppressed.* Certain augmentation spells cause tattoos, veins or eyes to glow which will incur a penalty to stealth checks in some situations. Augmentations can only be used 6 times per long rest and there is a 10 minute cool down period between augmentation activation. ArcDreki are tattooed from birth, with the 1st one on the back of their skulls. They are able to channel energy through their tattoos to make them glow.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Powerful Resilience

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

Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage, and you ignore any of the drawbacks caused by a deep, underwater environment.

Your physical prowess makes you proficient in Athletics.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Intelligence score by 1.

Age

ArcDreki enter adulthood at around 20 years of age and are believed to live in excess of 160 years.

Size

ArcDreki are of a heavy build. Arcdreki range between 6.5 and 8 feet. Their weight generally ranges between 350 and 480 pounds.

Speed

Your base walking and swim speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and  Drekii

Alignment

ArcDreki society is a strongly neutral however, it does lean somewhat to the lawful side. 

Augmentations

A total of 6 augmentations can be used  per long rest with a 10 minute cool down between uses. 

Truesight (1 Hour)

A creature with truesight can, out to a specific range, see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects, automatically detect visual illusions and succeed on saving throws against them, and perceives the original form of a shapechanger or a creature that is transformed by magic.

Furthermore, the creature can see into the Ethereal Plane.

Deflector Shield (1 min)

For one minute, you have resistance against all damage as well as +2 added to your AC.

Detect Magic (10 min)

For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 40 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.

The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Jump (5 Minutes)

Your jump distance is tripled until the spell ends.

Long Strider (5 Minutes)

Your speed increases by 10 feet until the spell ends.

Supercharge Strength (1 Minutes)

Your strength is increased by 8 for 1 Minute.

Hold Breath (2 Hours)

You can hold your breath for up to 2 hours.