Homebrew Breton Species Details

 

"The men and women of High Rock were once ruled by Altmer overlords. Some Elven blood still runs in their veins, giving Bretons an innate grasp of magic that distinguishes them from the other human races. Passionate and flamboyant, intelligent and resourceful, the Bretons are renowned and talented craftsmen, shrewd merchants, gallant cavaliers, and inventive wizards. They can also be proud and quarrelsome. In addition to their quick and perceptive grasp of spellcraft, even the humblest of High Rock's Bretons can boast a resistance to magic. Bretons can call upon the Dragonskin power to absorb spells."

 

Elven Blood

Bretons are the descendants of an Altmer-Nord hybrid race of the First Era and are consequently termed as 'the mongrel race of Tamriel.' Their elven blood is heavily diluted, due to their ancestors intermingling with the Nordic population in Skyrim and High Rock. Although their Aldmeri ancestry is shadowed by their appearance, they still inherit the magical affinity of their elven blood. Their physical features resemble their Nordic ancestors, including their pale skin tone and the obvious physical resemblance to Nords, but some still inherit the frail, sharp appearance of the elves. Some have slight points in their ears.  Bretons are of medium height, with fair or medium hair.

A Magic History

Bretons are pure spell weavers and are advanced in all the Arcane arts. While lacking in physical skill, they make up for it in their ability to resist and cast spells that overwhelm most people. They are united in culture and language, but are divided politically. Their origins can be traced to the 1st Era of Tamriel's history, when the Altmer intermingled extensively with the Nordic people. This mostly happened during the period in the First Era when Mer held Men as slaves, which lead to masters impregnating their female captives. They are highly intelligent, willful, and have an outgoing personality. It is said that Bretons are weaned on magic, for it seems to infuse their very being. Intermingling with elven blood has given Bretons an affinity for magic, though hardiness is also part of their heritage. Breton culture operates under the feudal system, and their society is agrarian and hierarchical.

A Craggy Homeland

High Rock is a western region of Tamriel. High Rock and the Summerset Isles are the only provinces of Tamriel that do not share a land-border with Cyrodiil. This region is known for its many small villages and towns and for the many grim fortifications that dot the hills and crags around them. In the past, these castles were the domains of many petty kings and lords that ruled the massive patchwork of small nations that used to make up High Rock.

Breton Names

Breton names are typically derived from English, Celtic, French and faux-French names.

Male names: Adebar, Alain, Anton, Belethor, Esmond, Madanach

Female names: Marane, Blaise, Charlerel, Rayan, Cesarel 

 

 

Breton Traits

While they are a varied race, all Bretons gain some traits from their Altmer blood.

Magical Resistance

Even the most humble of Bretons can boast a resistance to magic. At level one, you may choose a magical damage type to gain permanent resistance towards. You have advantage on all saving throws related to whichever damage type you choose. This may not be changed.

Dragonhide

In times of dire need, Bretons can temporarily strengthen their magical resistance. Once per long rest, as a reaction, you can half the damage taken from all magical sources. This includes both direct damages from an attack and secondary effects that require a saving throw, as long as they fall into one of the magical damage types. As part of your reaction, you make an attack against the target that attacked you. The damage absorbed is then added to the damage roll. If the attack misses, the extra damage is not applied and is lost.

Knowledge of the Stone

All Bretons have an innate knowledge of history, granted by the Direnni Tower and the Zero Stone. You are proficient in the History skill.

Magic of Man

Even the most magically inept of Bretons can cast basic spells. At level one, you may choose a cantrip from the  Wizard spell list to learn. Intelligence is your spell modifier for this cantrip. 

 

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Bretons, like all humans, reach maturity in their teens. Due to their elven ancestry, they tend to live a bit longer than other human races, averaging about 100-110 years.

Alignment

Coming from a rather stable feudal government culture, Bretons tend to lean toward lawful and neutral alignments. They can also be a rather haughty and passionate people, who are only rarely and in extreme individual cases outwardly evil. Chaotic Bretons are far more common than evil Bretons, but they typically have similarities too closely resembling that of the Altmer to be both.

Size

Bretons are an average-sized people, typically standing between 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You have a swimming speed of 15 and a climbing speed of 15.

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one language of your choice.