Wise and Respected

The world has quickly become aware of the emphasis that Tamarinians hold on gaining wisdom. Because of this, people of all races tend to listen when a Tamarinian is sharing his or her opinion. Tamarinians can be found as advisors to kings and nobles anywhere from underground Dwarven strongholds to the esteemed high courts of Elven royalty.

The ultimate goal for almost all Tamarinians is to become as wise and clever as their beloved Uniter. Precious little is known about this individual, with his name and village of origin being forgotten over the course of time. Some Tamarinians mourn the loss of this information, feeling as if they have lost an essential part of their history, and thus part of who they are. Others view it as a final lesson left behind by the Uniter. That lesson being that wisdom isn't measured by

one's name or upbringing, nor one's class or identity. Rather, wisdom is measured by deeds, and the mark one leaves on the world.

Godless

Due to their young history, Tamarinians have yet to find the cause of their mental uplifting. Most races of the world know where they came from, which deities claimed them, and who they worship. The Tamarinians do not have this luxury. Lost on this topic, most have made the conclusion that their race exists in this world merely by chance.

The closest thing Tamarinians have to organized religion is the respect they hold for their ancestors. When a Tamarinian accomplishes something grand in their life, his or her children and grandchildren will forever honor them and revere them for their wisdom. Tales of ancestors are passed down from generation to generation, in the hopes that young Tamarinians may learn from the examples of those that came before them. It is every Tamarinian's dream to accomplish something so wondrous that their story will be told long after their name has been forgotten.

Though it is uncommon, some Tamarinians occasionally find faith in the gods and goddesses worshiped by the other denizens of the world. Behind every religious Tamarinian is a compelling story, usually containing multiple life-changing experiences that led the individual to go against their culture and suffer ridicule from their race given only to those deemed hopelessly foolish. Willingly turning away from their people, these Tamarinians are known to have unshakable faith and stalwart resilience to criticism.

The Rite of Passage

Tamarinians are not found commonly in the mainlands of the world. The few that are seen are almost always travelers, staying in a settlement for only a few days at a time before moving on in an effort to feed their endless quest for wisdom. For a Tamarinian to be respected by their people, they're expected to go through the notorious Rite of Passage. Tamarinians leave their jungle homes to venture the world, typically right as they reach physical maturity. They're given a list of tasks as they leave, usually full of fairly straight-forward assignments, such as traveling to the far north, or visiting several dozen cities. Once this passage has been accomplished, a Tamarinian is welcomed back to his homeland as a respected adult.

Some Tamarinians set their ambitions higher than the simple duty of seeing the world. These determined Tamarinians request a rite of passage far more difficult than what is given to most. The tasks assigned to such a passage range from slaying dragons within their lairs to pacifying wars between clans or kingdoms. Only through wit and foresight may a Tamarinian accomplish these goals, and return to his or her people to be esteemed as one comparable to the great Tamarinian Uniter. These talented Tamarinians are acknowledged as the wisest of the wise, and are given the highest honor their race can bestow: the duty of leadership.

However, this advanced rite of passage comes with a significant risk. It is considered incredibly foolish in Tamarinian culture to attempt to take on a burden greater than one can bear. Those that fail in their assignments after they have promised to complete them will be shamed, and will forever be viewed as outcasts by their people.

Tamarinian Names

Tamarinians always have two names. One is given to them by their parents at birth, while the other is a family name passed on to all children. Family names are usually regionally based, with an entire tribe or village having the same name. In Tamarinian culture, it is custom to go by one's family name first, given name second. Also, due to their remote civilization, Tamarinian names are usually very similar in style.

Family Names: An, Bai, Bo, Cao, Duan, Gong, Gu, Hu, Lei, Lu, Meng, Kong, Qiu, Shao, Song, Su, Xiao, Yu, Zhao, Zhong

Male Names: Ah, Chin, Dong, Fang, He, Jia, Jun, Mu, Peng, Lan, Liang, Rong, Shui, Tai, Tao, Wei, Wuhan, Xue, Yazhu, Yi, Zhenya

Female Names: Chen, Fen, Fu, Guanyu, Guo, Hua, Hui, Lia, Lin, Ming, Ning, Qiu, Ru, Shu, Wen, Wuying, Xinyi, Yahui, Yun, Zexi, Zhelan

Tamarinian Traits

Your Tamarinian character has a variety of natural abilities. Some were refined over the thousands of years that they lived as feral creatures in the wild, while others have been developed since their rise to sentience.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age. Tamarinians reach physical maturity very quickly compared to humans, reaching adulthood by the age of 10. They're considered mentally immature until they complete their rite of passage, which could take as long as 100 years. Tamarinians can live to be about 500 years old.

Alignment. Almost all Tamarinians are of the chaotic alignment. They see freedom and adventure as essential aspects of life, and consider no Tamarinian to be an adult until he or she has seen the world.

Natural Athlete. You gain proficiency in Athletics and Acrobatics.

Bestial Origins. You have claws which deal 1d6 slashing damage when using unarmed attacks, and you are proficient with them.

Skilled Flingers. You are proficient with javelins, spears, and nets.

Languages. You speak, read, and write Tamarinian and Common.

Subrace. Two very different breeds of Tamarinians grew to sentience simultaneously in their remote jungles. Although these two races are technically different species, they still coexist together in their united nation.

Swiftling Tamarinian

As a Swiftling Tamarinian, your reflexes are second to none. You've spent your life dangling from vines and jumping from tree top to tree top.

Swiftling Tamarinians usually have colorful skin, mostly covered in equally colorful fur. Their skin can be shades of blue, grey, black, pink, or red. Their fur can be orange, red, yellow, white, or black.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Size. Swiftling Tamarinians stand between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 60 pounds. Your size is Small.

Swiftling Climber Prowess. You can climb heights at the same speed you can walk, and can use an action to essentially sprint upward on whatever you're climbing to double your climb speed. Unless you're climbing a ledge that is slippery or has loose handholds, you don't require an Athletics check to successfully scale it. This trait only works for surfaces that are reasonably climbable, like trees or rock walls. It does not work for smooth surfaces.