Homebrew Arteya Species Details

The City of Deiros seemed to rise from the brilliant waters of the great sea that surrounded it, and as the morning sun shone on its towers of white stone, they glimmered and shone with a radiant magnificence as if still wet with ten thousand drops of water that shone and reflected the light of the sun until the whole city sparkled like a great jewel.             -A description of Deiros, the first city of the Arteya 

The Arteya are among the eldest beings found in Korna. In their own mythology, they were brought to life out of the waves crashing on the shore by the Lord Areus, Creator and Allfather of Korna. Arteya are talented craftsmen, fierce warriors, and powerful sorcerers, the best of whom can use their magic to reshape reality itself to fit their own needs. Arteya cannot die of any natural cause and are immune to sickness and poison. They can live thousands of years, acquiring a myriad of skills in various arts. 

The First Humanoids

Arteya are considered by themselves to be the perfected version of the humanoid form. They are tall and noble in stature, with regal facial features that denote their divine inheritance. Their skin tones range from pale porcelain white to a deep brown so dark it almost appears black. However, the most common appearance, and indeed the most sought after by all Arteya is a dark bronze chestnut color. What truly sets the Arteya apart from humans is their hair. At birth, the Arteya all have white hair. Upon becoming worthy (usually through a great feat of combat or magic, or perhaps by crafting some great tool or weapon) an Arteya's hair will change and take on the shade of a precious metal (gold, silver, copper, bronze, brass, or platinum). Once an Arteya's hair has changed, they are considered an adult, although achieving this can take many years, and some Arteya never manage to shed their white locks in favor of the more mature metallic shades.

Immortal Beings

Arteya age slowly from the moment they are born until they die, unlike other immortal beings who reach their prime and stay there. The oldest among them have been alive for hundreds of thousands of years, but the appearance is that of a human in their 90s. Arteya cannot die of old age or sickness and are immune to all natural poisons (although they are still susceptible to magical diseases and poisons). The only way an Arteya can die is if they are killed.

 

Seafarers

In Arteya legends the first of their race were born from the sea waves. The great city of Deiros, which sunk to the ocean floor many years ago was the first mighty trading port and was protected by an armada of Arteyan ships. All Arteya are most comfortable on or near water and they are natural sailors.

 

Heroes

Given their penchant for magic and combat, and their long lives which allow them time to gain mastery that no human warrior could achieve, the Arteya have forged a reputation as ferocious warriors and mighty heroes. In the modern age of Korna the Arteya keep to themselves as there are only a few remaining in the world. However, in the Golden Age of Arteyan civilization, many of their finest warriors were sent out on daring quests to slay powerful foes or reclaim long lost treasures. Now the Arteya mostly work as craftsmen, although the more daring among them venture into the world to offer their skills as mercenaries or heroes. The price of an Arteya warrior is steep, however, and few can afford their services.

Lone Wanderers. Once the preminant civilization in Korna, the Arteya have long since been scattered across the continent in small tribes and villages as a result of the many wars that ravaged Korna in the second age. They now keep to themselves, and only engage with the other races if absolutely necessary.

 

Karchads. Of all the races in Korna, none are more detestable to the Arteya than the mighty Karchads who dwell in the mountains. They have been mortal enemies since the creation of the world.

 

 

Arteya Traits

Your Arteya character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of being descended from the Gods

Ability Score Increase

Arteya are natural spellcasters and draw their magic from years of study and practice. Starting at level 1 Arteya have a +1 bonus to their Wisdom and Intelligence ability scores.

Seafaring

While at sea Arteya have an advantage on all perception and survival checks and have advantages on any knowledge check related to the ocean or marine life. As well as this, Arteya also have proficiency in water vehicles. 

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Arteya age until they die, although they age much slower than humans. They cannot die of old age, sickness, or any natural poisons, however, they can be killed, or die due to starvation, dehydration, or magical diseases and poisons.

Alignment

Arteya generally keep to themselves and are aligned as either lawful neutral or true neutral. Very few Arteya are evil, but those that are have become powerful lords and dark sorcerers capable of wielding extremely deadly dark magic.

Size

Arteya range from 5 to over 6 feet tall and have lean muscular builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, 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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal, and Celestial.