Homebrew Ricorus Romankos Species Details

‘One wandering day, the Ricorus, once named Me-Nu by his long forgotten companion, sat down at the base of the cave entrance. The sun was shining, the weather had been clear for a few hours… or was it days… Me-Nu sat. 

 

The ground was uncovered rock when Me-Nu started, but now it was covered in soil, the elements had done their job. The grass grew, the birds chirped, saplings became trees. The passing of time was not noted by Me-Nu. 

 

Then from the ground came a sprout. Me-Nu turned his gaze, he watched. First came a small green dot from the dark rich soil, then it started to grow, two leaves starting to come from the stem. It peaked the Ricoruss' curiosity. This was a birth. Me-Nu watched. 

 

Bugs came encouraging the growth, the rains were light and frequent, the sun shone at just the right moments, and the soil brought nutrients, all aligned to allow this plant to grow. A bud turned into a flower, petals fresh from blooming wilted and dropped away.  

The seasons changed. Nature no longer cooperated. The plant faded, and became nutrients for the next. Me-Nu stayed with the new plants, bonded with what came before, and understanding what came next. Me-Nu continued to watch, once again unbothered by the passage of time.’

 

Deity of the Caves

Often described by the local townsfolk as the "Deity of the Caves". Their local Deity status comes from the tails of them appearing out of the air to warn of upcoming dangers, such as cave-ins and tremors. On a few occasions it has been said they have warned of bandits and thieves dwelling in the caves waiting for unsuspecting mineral gatherers and foragers.  Though mostly revered by the locals, some grieving widows of fallen men fear them to be bad omens that bring horrible luck to all. 

 

Ricorus may seem similar to the larger Earth Elementals that can be found throughout the mountain range, and have similar characteristics, they are not mere incarnations of the elements. They are their own creatures, that can act upon their own will.

 

The Dwelling Places

They live away from major cities and settlements that are found around the mountain sides and in the valleys. Though seen in groups in times of major disasters, they mostly roam the caves and areas close to the cave entrances alone. 

 

Ricorus know of, but do not understand the concepts of owning land or material goods. When they seek shelter it is any convenient place away from whatever ails them. They have been known to become uninvited house guests to those who live hermit lives within the Mountains. 

 

The Rock Men

Standing from 14 to 25 inches tall, they appear to be made of solid rock in a stocky form with stubby rudimentary arms and legs. Their coloration can vary usually in tones of grey. Though a few have been seen to have browns and other mineral color veins running through their body. They stand on two legs and have two arms. Their hands have three digits, one works similar to the human thumb, so they can grasp. 

 

Their eyes are made of dazzling gem stones and they have a third gem stone usually located near the middle of their abdomen. They do have a mouth but no teeth or any other forms are seen within their smiles. 

 

Algae, fungi, and peculiar vegetation are known to grow on them, some are bioluminescent. This causes Ricorus to sometimes have a glow about them in darkness. 

 

Understanding of Self and Views of Mortality

Because they view themselves as one with their surrounding landscapes, Ricorus do not view themselves as individual beings. Thus they do not use names amongst themselves and do not care about their own age or mortality. Their view is that ‘death’ is merely fading in the material plane to once again a part of their landscape. Through interaction with other beings, they are able to understand others’ concepts of life and death.

 

Bonding

After spending enough time with another being, they can form a bond with them for their own enjoyment and to learn more about nature (which they consider other beings to be a part of as well). While bonded, the Ricorus may take on the same alignment as whatever being they’re bonded with. With rare exceptions, bonds only break due to long periods of separation or by forming a new bond.They are known to offer small tokens of affection to the beings that they form strong bonds with.

 

A Confused Nature

Due to their behavior, Ricorus often appear to have a confused nature. This appearance often  leads to playful encounters and the belief that they are also naive like children. They are able to understand most customs and rituals of cultures, but they do not feel they apply to them, thus they often leave a conversation or event before its natural end. 

 

Ricorus Names

Ricorus do not name themselves, but are given names by those they encounter.

 

Ricorus Traits  

Ricorus' characters have natural abilities that have accumulated from their intuness with the Ethereal Plane and their evolution on the material plane. 

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2. 

Age

Ricorus reaches maturity outside of the material realm. Because the travel between realms their age can be difficult to calculate. The longest another being has known a Ricurus has been 250 years. 

Language

You can communicate, though it sounds as though it is a whisper radiating from the ground, or when within the caves a deep echo. Languages include Common and Gnomish. You can understand spoken Terran and Undercommon but not speak it. Cannot read or write. 

Alignment

All Ricuros are considered Neutral by nature. They do understand the concepts of life and death, though it holds no perceived real consequences to their own lives. Through relationships they can form they can become bonded to a being with stronger allegiances and follow those. 

Size

Ricorus stand between 14 to 25 inches and 6 to 8 inches wide. They average 25 to 30 pounds while present in the material plane. 

Speed

The base walking speed is 25 feet. 

Darkvision 

Accustomed to life in the caves, 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.

Stone Camouflage

You have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks to hide in rocky terrain.

 

Ricorus Romankos Traits

Ricorus' characters have natural abilities that have accumulated from their intuness with the Ethereal Plane and their evolution on the material plane.

Ethereal Blink

Transmutation Cantrip lvl 2, 1 Action, Self, V, Concentration/up to 1 minute

You can see into the border regions of the Ethereal Plane, in the area where it overlaps with your current plane. If you are moving in your current plane, your perspective moves equally in the border regions of the Ethereal Plane. 

 

While viewing the ethereal plane Creatures that are on the Ethereal Plane can’t perceive you and can’t interact with you, unless a special ability or magic has given them the ability to do so.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell at 6th level or higher, you can transfer the sight to one willing creature you are touching.

Ethereal Shift (Etherealness modified)

Transmutation Cantrip, lvl 7, 1 action, Self, V, S, Buff Effect

Using one action you step into the border regions of the Ethereal Plane, in the area where it overlaps with your current plane. You remain in the Border Ethereal until you use your action to dismiss the spell. 

 

During this time, you can move in any direction, twice your base walking speed. If you move up or down, every foot of movement costs an extra foot.  You ignore all objects and effects that aren’t on the Ethereal Plane, allowing you to move through objects you perceive on the plane you originated from.

 

You can see and hear the plane you originated from, but everything there looks gray, and you can’t see anything more than 60 feet away. 

 

While on the Ethereal Plane, you can only affect and be affected by other creatures on that plane. Creatures that aren’t on the Ethereal Plane can’t perceive you and can’t interact with you, unless a special ability or magic has given them the ability to do so. 

 

When the spell ends, you immediately return to the plane you originated from in the spot you currently occupy. If you occupy the same spot as a solid object or creature when this happens, you are immediately shunted to the nearest unoccupied space that you can occupy and take force damage equal to twice the number of feet you are moved. This spell has no effect if you cast it while you are on the Ethereal Plane or a plane that doesn’t border it, such as one of the Outer Planes.

 

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell at 8th level or higher, you can target up to 8 willing creatures (including you) or 1 unwilling creature. The creatures must be within 10 feet of you when you cast the spell.