Homebrew Zanalo Species Details

Echoes of a better age. Symbols of a tragic fall. The Zanalo are always reminded of just how far they've fallen. Some seek to restore their glory, others vow vengeance on those that ruined them, and some just want to forget it ever happened.

Still, most Zanalo don't feel at home in the world they find themselves and seek to find a place in a world without Numeris.

Tragic Origins

Numeris is a tale of tragedy and hubris. A failing of the mortal condition, believing themselves equal to gods. Or so the story goes. But whatever the truth of the Zanaloan city state's fate, there is one thing for sure: It's gone.

They are typically of a large build, but with emphasis on lean instead of bulk. Their eyes range all over, with anything from brown to yellow to bright orange irises. Legend states that the purer the orange color, the grander their destiny.

Martial Tradition

The Zanalo were the greatest military in the world. Every one was required to go through extensive military training in service to Numeris.

Now, most Zanalo find themselves in a mercenary company, or their adoptive home's military. An army is considered to be divinely blessed if it is led by a Zanalo commander.

Windows to the Soul

The eyes of the Zanalo are famously shades of orange.  The more vivid the color, the more more powerful their owner.  It is said that the royal Zano family had eyes the color of padparadscha sapphires.  Modern collectors and scholars are constantly on the lookout for the most vivid Zanalo eyes.

Names

The Zanalo would often try to conceal their identity by taking names of the culture to which they found themselves. As such, authentic Zanaloan names are lost to history. However, many kept their family name, and continue them to this day.

Family Names: Bytsa, Cafrrokeke, Mata, Numa, Sanura, Touth, Zeras, Zatka, Zano

Zanalo Traits

The Zano share the following traits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity and Charisma scores increase by 1.

Age

Zanalo mature at the same rate as humans, but they're considered young until they reach the age of 150, and are only considered mature after 2 centuries of military service. Their potential lifespan is unknown.

Alignment

The Zanalo are a militaristic people. They find virtue in the chain of command, resulting in a lawful alignment.

Size

Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Model Soldier

You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Martial Training

You are proficient with light and medium armor and with spears, tridents, and lances.

Martial Adept

You have martial training that allows you to perform special combat maneuvers. You gain the following benefits:

• You learn two maneuvers of your choice from among those available to the Battle Master archetype in the fighter class. If a maneuver you use requires your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver's effects, the saving throw DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).
• You gain one superiority die, which is a d6 (this die is added to any superiority dice you have from another source). This die is used to fuel your maneuvers. A superiority die is expended when you use it. You regain your expended superiority dice when you finish a short or long rest.

Eyes of Power

Whenever you expend a limited resource (spell slots, item charges, Barbarian rage,  martial arts dice, etc.) your eyes glow bright orange until the start of your next turn.  While your eyes are glowing, any critical hit you suffer from is treated as a normal hit, and any effects triggered by a critical hit are canceled.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Zano.