Homebrew Qerxi Species Details

Lord Pherindel has commissioned yet another broodling for his manor.  How many has he discarded already?  Never the matter, my purpose is as unmoving as the sand in this claustrophobic temple.  The day they hatch I teach them independence.  I teach them survival--by shield and spear--and should one best any other, I show them the critical importance of camaraderie.  Somehow, I see these odious whelps lose the latter lesson soon after they leave the clutch.  Though, a select few hide the edifice of their caretaker behind that calculated gaze.

The half-bloods are not something I agree with.  They soil the very nature of my heritage.  But, I digress, it is my duty to see them fit for a manor, and so I do.  In many ways I am as shackled as they, and in those ways I sometimes do not consider my lessons the best outcome for them.  Better for my tongue to stay in cheek before it is lopped off, I know, but this old python has molted her diffidence away generations ago.

The makers come to me with their eggs, not knowing the troubles I endure.  Then, the masters arrive to take away my pride.  I am uncertain if the work I do here comes from a place in my heart I am familiar with.  The children, however, their ferocity never disappoints me.  They are deadly and cunning, just like I showed them.

— Clutchmother Szillaxtra

The qerxi (kehr-zee) are a recently discovered race of humanoids that inherit many features from their serpent-kin creators.  These snake-like half-breeds are made through a means of ritual rather than typical reproduction, and as such are considerably rare beyond the reach of Titiatic commissioners.

They almost exclusively live as servitors to noble manors and exotic establishments, acting as cold-shouldered sentries or dutiful assistants.

Born of Ritual

Lords and wealthy citizens of the civil savanna have, in the last few hundred years, adopted many beastly races from the savage societies of the Titian Sands as an effort of diplomacy.  This, in turn, has shifted some previously less acceptable practices among prestigious households.  Additionally, the appearance of new and bizarre races within civil society has garnered a call to find a caste of dedicated guardsmen.  Rumors sew the taverns like a lattice on whichever reason might have first birthed these new half-breeds, but regardless of which is true it's clear that this newly established presence of qerxi has set a precedence to make more.

Titiatic shamans--devilish serpent-kin hailing from the Titian Sands--take refuge in the manors of citizens that might afford their services.  If a lord commissions a half-blood, they must first offer a vessel of a hollow jeweled egg as that is filled with a gill of human blood, as well as an appropriate incubation room that is still of noise and layered with desert sand.  As such, shamans often perform these rituals in batches, or clutches, and will fast in solitude during the entire ritual process.  These ancient practices vary by individual, which has been shown to produce relatable physical qualities and traits between clutch siblings.

The day before they are hatched eggs are taken to the commissioner's preferred clutchmother to be raised through adolescence.  Here infants are taught vital lessons in martial practice and civil obedience.  During the first four years, or the molting process as it's commonly called, they shed often and mature quickly in a contained temple or academy environment, having no outside influence to distract them from their schooling.  After this time the now young adult qerxi are consigned to their appointed manors, raised to admonish the vices of average society and fulfill their given roles.

 

Exotic Aberrations

Being crafted specifically of human blood, qerxi bear a human resemblance.  Their serpentine features rely on their maker; having spectacled eyes, patches of tough scaled skin that vary in color, and other, more overt traits that resemble their ophidian brethren.  With plated throats and a squat facial structure they can be commonly misconceived as relatives to dragonborn at first glance.  However, the easiest identifier--should one be looking for a qerxi--is their slender forked tongue.  Their pupils can be round, slit, keyhole, or rarely, spiraled--showcasing a deliberate alteration during the ritual process.

Shaman makers refuse to implement qerxi with reproductive organs, as they do not want to bastardize the fruits of their rituals.  As a measure of pride most are outfitted with venom glands during incubation, and some carry retractable hoods that stretch from brow to shoulder.  Broad, flexible jowls allow them to expand their jaws wide, though not to the extent of a common snake.  Their nails and hair (if any) are purely complimentary and do not grow; instead they periodically molt portions of skin.  Some makers even brand their eggs to give hatchlings patterned scales, although the details of how this is done are largely unknown.

 

Lawful and Shackled

These commodities are crafted with the purpose of servitude, and as such they make for fitting attendants or law bringers.  Although they are raised with the predisposition of being assigned to their commissioner, qerxi firstly abide by the value of staying within ethical margins before considering the possible outcomes of their master's rules.  This mindset ties into the worship of ancient elder deities that all Titiatic makers secretly foster.  Thus, they instinctively stay true to whatever directives they are taught as a measure of faith.  This bond is so strong that most qerxi do not even know the names or motives of these forgotten gods, but regardless they hold true to this conviction.  Ultimately, the concept of obeying laws is vastly more important to them than the context of what those laws are.

 

Mesmerizing Presence

Having a strong influence from their makers, the innate power of arcana flows freely through many qerxi.  Although much of their potential might be reigned in due to the given restrictions of their manor, there is no doubt that the hypnotic sway and captivating gaze of these rapturous half-breeds has an otherworldly pull.  Masters often allow them to use this advantageously, to dissuade potential aggressors or attract patrons, for example.  Some qerxi have been rumored to permanently enthrall downtrodden citizens, although to what end has never been divulged.

The Xournish make automata, we make qerxi.  There is no difference, they are property.

— Duke Ducinel, High Chair to the Sovereign Tribunal of Qetipup

 

Roleplaying a Qerxi

Should you choose to play a qerxi, firstly consider that they put loyalty and logic at the forefront of any scenario.  Most follow the code of their manor, which are often the rules of a wealthy lord.  Others must adapt one based on their influences.  Does seeing a fruit thief pocket figs break the code I was given?  What about witnessing a blasphemer preach against civil deities?  This code is your mantle of pride, so consider it well.  Being raised in the solitude of a clutch only to be consigned to the will of a master keeps a qerxi's consideration of morality narrow.  They are seated in the ways that comply to their governance, and as such can garner a distaste towards those that oppose their mannerisms, even towards their own ilk.

Many vices are of no concern to the qerxi, such as pleasures of flesh or drink.  However, they are scavengers at heart and can exhibit gluttonous behavior, especially on the modest diet of a servant's life.  Choice meats and whole eggs are delicacies to these folk and they will graciously accept and devour them raw, able to digest them and regurgitate whatever waste at a later time due to their specialized stomach tracts.  Some qerxi have even earned comeuppance for looking the other way after receiving bribes of whole doves or protosaur eggs.

 Qerxi Personality Traits

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am analytical to the point of being callous.
2	People find that my presence in a heated scenario can simmer an otherwise unruly outcome.
3	My tactical prowess is unmatched, and others would fare better to follow my lead.
4	My natural allure has made most doors easy to open.
5	The bonds of my past cause me worry sometimes, but I do my best not to show it.
6	I find myself engulfed in the dusty readings of forgotten realms and entities.
7	My appointed master showed me all life's teachings, and his word is infallible.
8	Only a feast will satisfy my physique.

Qerxi Ideals

d6	Ideal
1	Benefaction. My appointed master has allowed me to pursue a great purpose in his name. (Lawful)
2	Circumstance. I was raised as an exotic commodity.  The further away I am from that life, the better. (Any)
3	Futurism. I strive to make bonds with my ilk, for we are the links that make the chain of order.  (Any)
4	Kinship. My house is law, and my family are bearers of order.  I do not disobey. (Lawful)
5	Freedom.  I was raised outside of the clutch, and as such have adapted the order of others. (Any)
6	Liberation. Our blood is just as valid as our appointed masters.  We deserve to serve a greater word. (Any)

Qerxi Bonds

d6	Bond
1	My house is family, and my master's will is law.  I abide by their wishes, no matter the outcome.
2	I still yearn for the company of my clutch, even if they are assigned to another manor.
3	My master found me unfitting, and so I found a new livelihood being bartered to an exotic establishment.
4	My clutchmother forced me into orphanage as an infant.  I found order in the aid of strangers from a new land.
5	The ties of my Titiatic heritage weigh strongly on me.  I am compelled to learn more about elder deities.
6	I was disowned by my house and thus found other company, accepting their morals and mannerisms.

Qerxi Flaws

d6	Flaw
1	I may deny potential solutions if they do not calculate correctly to me.
2	The worship of civil deities among my house irks me.  Deep down, my bloodline refutes their gods.
3	Fresh game and eggs make my jowls pang with hunger.  I will go out of my way to acquire them.
4	I know the ethics of my house are flawed, but I serve them regardless.
5	I often try to imitate the charming traits of my ilk, but instead come off as intimidating.
6	My appointed master is a lawless pig.  At first chance I fled his rule, no matter the comeuppance.

 

Qerxi Names

Qerxi are given names by their caretaker after hatching, and possibly again by their lord after consignment.  If they are given a manor name they will typically follow it with the surname of that manor.  Those that retain their clutch names or for whatever reason refuse their manor title prefer to refer to themselves as 'of their clutchmother'.  For instance, a constrictor qerxi that shirks his manor might introduce himself as Ynsaphet of Qeztanolth.  Clutch names are heavily influenced by ancient Titiatic heritage, taking after Ignan dialect and translations.  Below are some examples of possible qerxi names.

Qerxi Clutch/Manor Names

d20	Clutch Name	d20	Manor Name
1	Stemaphyllos	11	Phantan
2	Lissodora	12	Alliandra
3	Y'moll	13	Mithan
4	Sket	14	Klint
5	Tobraket	15	Jaret
6	Haqet	16	Husker
7	Ascaphar	17	Addler
8	Sabriye	18	Sabrine
9	Xyllophet	19	Xander
10	Ynatri	20	Amelie

Qerxi Traits

Your qerxi character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Qerxi broods mature quickly, often consigned to their masters by their fourth year.  They are deliberately designed to live less than a century, however they retain their physical prowess into a much later age than humans.

Alignment

Qerxi are commonly subjugated by order and lordship and will loyally abide by lawful parameters.  Those that break away from their sovereigns to become wanderers or hirelings still retain a strong ethical code to live by, typically reflecting a non-chaotic alignment.

Size

Qerxi range from 65 to 80 inches in height, somewhat influenced by the size of their makers.  They typically have a slender but muscular physique.  Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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.

Venom & Grace

You can eject venom up to 10 feet from glands in your mouth as an action once per short or long rest, dealing 1d12 poison damage.  The save DC (CON based) for this ability is 8 + your proficiency modifier + your Charisma modifier.  Starting at 3rd level, you can also invoke a charming presence akin to the enhance ability spell, but only for the Eagle's Splendor effect, and you may only target yourself.  Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.  The damage of your venom improves to 2d12 at 5th level, 3d12 at 11th level, and 4d12 at 17th level.

Poison Resistance

You have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against the poisoned condition.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.  Your Titiatic bloodline hearkens back to an ancient elemental connection, and as such you may sometimes revert to Ignan dialect.