Homebrew Cealicán Species Details

History

Cealicáns seem to have a very well documented history of themselves, they came from a faraway land cut off of most other societies. Often they would live within the jungles or atop high mountains, they commonly used the tree tops or other points of elevation that predators struggled to climb to ensure their safety. After developing tools, they became fascinated with how simple tools can open the doors to new worlds and have kept on building better tools for survival and to open as many of the world as they could. However not all Cealicáns were that impressed mostly the tribe leaders from that time, as they have learned how to take on their preys’ capability, thus reaffirming their status as superior. Eventually the Cealicáns that were making these tools grew apart from the tribe leaders, and created a new name for them “Virturians” meaning primal, or vile creatures. As the Cealicáns and Virturians grew more and more apart they created altars for the gods they believed in and reflected their ideals which made them grow apart even more. The grounds below their lands were rich in resources thus they kept on building more and more tools. They also used to work with other Cealicáns. Usually skills were exchanged as payment, if the skill given as payment was not needed of the person, food was used as a common currency. When Cealicáns discovered other races besides themselves after some expeditions to other lands, they started to interact more with these new races, especially the dwarfs for their shared interest in ores but also in humans with their interest to discover the surface however even more magic reliant races were of their interest as they saw the world of magic as a world beyond their previous tool reliant one. Then Cealicáns began to take on the system of clans they saw from the dwarfs and began forming a kind of rivalry between Cealicán clans. Eventually they showed races that they saw as favorable their own lands, and other races started colonizing these lands. But the Virturians hated the new settlers fearing they would take their source of food, so they started hunting them. Eventually they found out that these settlers if inexperienced could be deceived into a false sense of security and then lured into their tribe to be quickly disposed of and promptly eaten. Some were even left alive to watch their Colony to die, be cooked or even eaten alive to ruin the Cealicán reputation and thus making these settlers seize their settling and destroy their Rivals in the process. Virturians don’t take slaves, they only take bait to lure more prey into a false sense of security, or strength in numbers. Meanwhile the Cealicáns often adapted to their surroundings, started taking part in the cultures of the closest race which they considered their allies and made sure to aid them. Thus they share many of the enemies and allies of that race as well as warning them of the Virturians. They also have been known to be pranksters due to them being reborn and physically looking like a child again every 5 to 10 years. They made people, who were not aware of this cycle think that Cealicán towns were run by Children. The adult looking Cealicáns then pretended to mentally be Children. The knowledge about their lands has in some places been lost to time, but brave Cealicáns sometimes venture out on expeditions to learn more about the world they live in and to help people unknown to them far from home.

Several generations, when the Settlers started building towns Virturians found Cealicáns that had human like traits, they saw these as an opportunity to find a better vessel to lure both Cealicáns and other races out of positions so they took some races hostage long enough to get half Virturians just for them to then be devoured, however in rare cases the Virturian has shown sympathy…and a liking to their hostage and decided to keep them, the way they are kept varies from Virturian to Virturian however. And then there were the rare exceptions among the Virturians, these often becoming outcasts just like the mutation obsessive Hyperians, these outcasts became that however not because they couldn’t be believably disguised as Cealicáns anymore, but showed sympathy or pity to other races, some went on due to them being outcasts to their greatest enemy, sometimes they were accepted, and other times they were killed out of caution, or worse started having experiments done on them leading to the creation of one of the most feared tools of Cealicáns were it to ever fall into Virturian hands, which it eventually did, mutagen. Other outcasts took shelter amongst some tribes of other races, though due to them often being the blame for crime they don’t prefer that option.

Out of the Virturians that were welcomed, or at least found one Cealicán cooperative with them Partials were created, unless their Virturian parent was welcomed by the Cealicán clan, they are seen as abominations, one Cealicán clan (the Carmas (translates to “The tools clan”)) even goes so far to attempt to wipe our any Partial they see. Partials are very rare and can often feel disconnected in their Cealicán society, Virturians often think of Partials the same, but not even as prey, they see them as they do a rotten corpse, uneatable and unclean. Partials often if abandoned or not accepted by their community at large choose to or are forced to run away, tend to either search for likeminded half races, other partials, or a druidic life style the former two tend to either become a druidic nomadic tribe or make a near settlement or small town their home, while the latter tends to find some deep red mushrooms in the forest and mixing them with herbs creating a somewhat primitive version of mutagen which if ingested through food or water in an decent amount can turn small beasts into loyal, companions, which also show some fighting capabilities. Often times Partials choose rabbits for that turning them into what Cealicáns call “Innocents”, these “Innocents” are tainted rabbits that defend their owner till their end however also are loyal and seem to understand their owners’ language slightly given enough time and training, usually a few years.

Hyperians are Virturians that have taken the abilities of many creatures, so many in fact that they have become big monsters as you would imagine from nightmares to come, each Hyperian is a bit different, however they all choose to trap and eat their prey whole, some use traps, others ambush their prey, but unlike Virturians, there is no surviving them without killing them, or remaining out of their sights. Hyperians have a sort of big brother complex towards Virturians, meaning that if a Virturian and Hyperian were to meet the Hyperian would protect and help the Virturian survive however Hyperians do not share the same feelings to any half Virturian or other creature at all. This sympathy may come from Hyperians being Virturians that took all the power that they could causing them to rely on different methods, some Virturians see Hyperians as proof that gods exist or as demi gods.

Mutagen used to be given to Cealicán armies until they were deemed inhumane and too unstable, so their side effects and durations had to be weakened, however Hyperians on one of their attacks to free some Virturians that were being tested on found this strange substance, and brought it to their smaller Siblings, the Virturians, despite them disliking the tools of Cealicáns they found through observing Partials a way that they could use these to turn certain animals into brainwashed hunting companions, and started using the mutagens for a similar effect. Some Virturians who captured other races even made small puncture wounds and let the red mutagen flow into their bloodstream, while needing much more with a higher concentration of it, it can have a similar, but also more devastating effect on humanoid races, they often use this as either a threat or as a form of torture for those who fight them and loose. They will send these mutated humanoids home to wreak havoc or to help them hunt, however once their usefulness outweighs their cost they are left to starve to death, with them not being able to fight back.
Cealicáns meanwhile have started to try and perfect mutagen to have no side effects and give temporary benefits, that usually last for an hour. After finding out what Virturians are doing to animals and humanoids alike, they have changed their focus, where some researchers work on a cure for these creatures, and the others keep trying to perfect the mutagen formula.

There have been many wars that were fought amongst Cealicáns themselves especially on the ethicality of Mutagens, or fighting over mutagens or other believes, like deities or the topic of Partials or dealing with Virturians as combat slaves. In recent times they have however created a center city they call “The Hub” which is basically a town and trade sections between allies, whenever a negotiation needs to take place “The Hub” is usually the first choice, any fights among any race is prohibited in The Hub and strictly regulated and enforced. The Hub also has a mental asylum where the worst of the worst criminals are taken to and are kept sedated via drugs to ensure that they cannot revolt, fight back or flee.

Cealicáns learned both artificing (due to their inherent desire to build new tools to open more of the world) as well as the arcane (from elves and wizards), their love for knowledge, creating as well as learning how to use tools has been noticed by most who are aware of them. However, it’s rare to see a Cealicán that is a fighter or barbarian but not impossible. However, a lot of Cealicáns dislike magic items due to them being seen as the bastardisation of tools, while it is improving tools on the one hand but, it also alters the strengths and weaknesses of the tools and the skill required to use them, and in a society focused on learning a lot of skills and accepting the weaknesses that they do have, and thus usually feeling attracted to people who need their skills, or who’s skills are needed by one self they started satirizing and mocking magic items with useless or counterproductive magic items. A similar thing can sometimes happen for specific spells named after the creators of the spells. Though mostly magic items, especially +x weapons due to them just being upgrade which could easily use effectively by enemies namely Virturians or Partial cultists. The only exception to that is a bag of holding because it’s just another tool for carrying things.

Also they don’t know what cheese is so when they hear about it and come in contact with it they think it’s a gift of the gods, and basically adore cheese.

Society of Cealicáns

Cealicán society is strongly build on tools, knowledge of any subject that helps them understand the world better, precision and kindness, thus it is not too uncommon to see a Cealicán being a perfectionist or an expert in multiple subjects, they are also very perceptive to minor details because of it. Most have learned about the ancient histories of their allies. They are especially interested in the machines and contraptions their allies have built and are usually aware of how older technology may have worked. Due to their society also being built on kindness they often times assume the best in people and tend to be optimistic, however not to an unreasonable degree. Often times Cealicáns use machines to deal with their problems like hunting, if they are not very fit themselves. They often live amongst rocky mountain areas.

Their societal structure has a royal family who serves as more of a safe keeping force to outsiders rather than a ruling force that human societies may have. Their daily life usually follows a trading lifestyle, however guards and the royal family and anyone guarding the town from malicious outsiders have a reliable food source often times coming from farms. Their society is also build on a general understanding they rely on the skills their allies can provide, which makes them quick to respond to their allies being attacked. Because of their reliance on other races they never stray too far away from other societies. While they are welcoming to nomadic tribes, visitors, or adventurers, they refuse to join towns collectively, rather making their own town or settlement nearby.

Cealicáns are more calm living beings, when they do not hunt for food, preferring often times to just study and not exercise as much as often times they see that being covered by them hunting for food, though the ones that don’t hunt for food usually partake in some physical activity.

They do have Deities, such as the true neutral Arvicun, a six handed Cealicán woman with a see-through storage stomach filled with gadgets, her hands are filled with tools from left to right, top to bottom, Thief’s’ tools, Smith's tools, Alchemist's Supplies, Tinker's tool, Cook’s utensils and Woodcarver’s tools.

Their lawful good deity, Arktovanchi is the deity of preservation of culture, he is also seen as a very happy go lucky and festive spirit, who wishes all their best in their future travels.

Similarly, Scrinvin (the face changer) despite being a chaotic neutral deity, is the more exploitive version of Arktovanchi, he dabbles in cultures to abuse weaknesses and works for his own gain and to cleanse his thirst for knowledge.

And lastly there is the neutral good trickster eques Vinici, often depicted as a playful child whose true form is an old woman that has refused to move on, it often plays it the Cealicán ability to reset their age every 5 to 10 years to play tricks on people, they are mostly not harmful and made in good fun, not usually meant to harm or humiliate people. (First deity to exist)

Society of Virturians

Virturian society is built on luring in prey who mistake them for Cealicáns and devour them. Adding their abilities to their body. Once a Virturian has distanced themselves physically too far from a Cealicán, they are send out into the edge of the settlements living quarters, some as scouts, others to fend for themselves. They have adapted to a lifestyle of intimating Cealicán culture, however only as a facade for their true intentions.

Virturians have deities as well, the lawful evil Artonchi who takes on the mask of Arktovanchi to lure in unsuspecting humanoids who dare step on his turf.
Burial either a mask or their face attached to their graves.

The neutral evil Ankarvoch, who mimics Arvicun, however instead of using tools to create, he uses traps to harvest the flesh of his prey. He is often depicted setting up lethal traps for unsuspecting humanoids that stumble off the beaten path, and right into his traps. He is also sometimes depicted as dining on the flesh of a human whilst other humans beg for mercy. He is also known as the plague deity as he often caused infections on his survivors causing them to contract dangerous viruses around their home.
Burrial usually thrown into either the town/settlement of races that killed that individual, or would’ve been thrown into the wild to decompose naturally.

Niut is the chaotic evil god of survival and adaption, he is often depicted as a monstrous being with dragon claws, a giant filled up stomach, as well as having the feet of a bug bear, the size of a Halfling, the ears of a human and the nose of a dire wolf.
Burial is usually done by making their bodies into poisoned food for later humanoid prey.

Ones without religion are brought into the under dark on a long journey to meet all of the Virturian deities who are suspected to live there (even though they live on another plane of existence)

Society of the rejects

Rejected partials when not taking on a druidic life style, which is uncommon but not unheard of usually attach to settlements that other partials of more openly welcoming races made, their societies usually are near other towns or ruins of towns, most of their society revolves around rebuilding, reusing and reinventing their deities if they do not worship mother nature reflect that.

Such as Calicia, the goddess of adaption. Calicia is an easy going goddess, she goes with and adapts to things as they come, she is also often associated as the goddess of chaos and unpredictability to show how unsure Partials still are of committing to one specific trait. She is a chaotic neutral goddess. They are usually friendly to other deities other than Alkilantis as the two gods aid their followers usually end up causing harm amongst the other.

Alternatively, there is Vancina the goddess of assimilation. Favored by partials in or around bigger cities Vancina often is depicted as a faceless creature that has humanoid faces around her resembling her wish to fit in with other races and cultures. She is also often associated with the sun as she is often seen as a person that sees the end of a day just as the start of a newer brighter sunrise. A neutral good goddess. (light domain in cleric terms)

And on the more negative end there is Alkilantis, the god of cowardice and hatred. Alkilantis’s followers often take after his example and strive to purge, or prove to the two parent races that they are better than them, he is often associated with the moon as his followers are often hunting and fighting Virturians and Cealicáns during the night, or are the most productive at night, he is also sometimes seen as a twisted version of a muse that serves those who are willing to sacrifice their own soul to proof to the world their superiority. His followers rarely accept other races unless they are necessary to prove Virturians and Cealicáns wrong or other parent races to some. A lawful evil god who often is depicted either fighting Virturian and Cealicán gods and goddesses, or fighting Calicia to keep the nights going forever, while Calicia fights for the rise of a new sun on the daily. (trickery domain for clerics)

Other than that there is the deity associated with the northern star Martinas, the guide of the lost and successful. Often depicted as a silent observer, he guides the lost and confused to success, he is often seen as a good aligned god despite him just guiding the lost, weather they may be good or bad, his followers reflect that and often make small settlements in no man’s land as a safe haven for the lost, their followers are often also respected by the followers of Alkilantis and Vancina, as their deity is seen as the final judge on each of their fights, and getting on its bad side might mean never seeing their part of the day again. Their physical form is of a middle aged female sage with her pupils replaced by a star shaped white glimmer. (knowledge domain for clerics)

Lastly there are Partials who practice monotheism to an extent, they believe in a higher deity that created the entire world, they call him the “world creator” not much is known about the world creator but often his followers choose a group of travelers of either themselves or others and think that the world creator gave them the power to improve the world, they will adamantly defend their chosen ones, they see the world creator as all powerful and in control of everyone but the few chosen and thus any challenge they face is seen as a preparation of what is to come.

Helpful travelers

Cealicáns might travel out of their homes for different reasons, either because of the love for adventures becoming their obsession, or to help other races live peacefully. Make a living and finding a new home or because their allied civilization has perished are also common reasons however these cases usually have entire Towns or settlements move. Cealicáns live day by day for the most part and eventually when they feel prepared they will depart on an adventure. They like the pace of human society because it's constantly changing which is why some Cealicáns refer to human as “Change bringers”. That is also why, unless their allied society hates humans, Cealicáns are rather fond and preferential towards humans in comparison to other races.

Feared menace

Virturians are often depicted like the monsters that live in jungles, or crazy druids or witches that hunt and eat children for fun, thus your reputation isn’t quite positive, so you have three options, either try to pass as a Cealicán with a tribe of Virturians backing your story up, embrace what you are seen as, or go against these harmful stereotypes.

 Confused halves

Most half Cealicán are unsure if they fit more in with Cealicán or their other origin race, thus they tend to choose to either live with Cealicán, and think that everyone around them is just always better at everything than them, or they pretend to be Cealicán amongst their other half race, gaining them a lot of appraisal, but probably also giving either the people around them or themselves a higher level of expectations which can cause to either stress, or being seen as seeing everyone below them. Whichever they pick they most often end up finding themselves in the lawful neutral or neutral good alignments.
Half Virturians have a different problem, unless orcs or other strong races were the other half of their parents they usually find themselves excommunicated and distrusted among other Virturians. Thus they often end up in towns with either a large variety of races or a specific race they have grown fond to, though they are usually not above their instincts to consume the enemies of the race they have grown fond of. Alternatively, some half Virturians also choose to try to prove themselves to their Virturian tribe by luring in prey for them.

Complete outcasts

Partials are rare but not unheard of, one of the reasons for their rarity is simply because a Cealicán and a Virturian have to get along together for that, this makes them hated by both Virturians and Cealicáns who both don’t accept that they are allowed into their society, they share usually some more physical details with their Virturian parts more than their Cealicán parts such as a fairly long tail, but they maintain their ethereal wings which are actually barely visible if you don’t look for it specifically, so never the less Partials are often if found out thrown into the wild, some Cealicán clans or Virturian villages may accept them, but even them treat them as a lesser of their kind despite that. If they find themselves surviving they either end up in other humanoid settlements and try to pull their weight there or live in the forests by themselves, though some Partials have been seen to be used at freak shows.

Partials have also benefited off of the side effect heavy early mutagen solutions and have used them to create companions for themselves that are loyal…even if they are also dangerous to people’s health, but Partials thanks to being part Virturian and part Cealicán have developed a strange oddity that grants them immunity towards the harmful side effects. They have scales.

Cealicán Traits

Cealicáns are supposed to give some new roleplaying situations and give a new gun to play with powered by magic crystals. The virturians are more of an exploration of the concept of storing items within oneself. The half races cover some of the patches that are left unpluged and the Partials are supposed to be more of a consequence of the actions that Cealicáns created in their fight for ridding of virturians

Ability Score increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your Charisma score or Wisdom score is increased by 1.

Reincarnation cycle

Your reincarnation cycle allows you to make it easier to persuade common people to follow you or help you in your endeavors. If you are in the beginning 2 years of one of your cycles, you can count your proficiency bonus twice for persuasion rolls  If you are near the end of your cycle you have advantage on insight checks to see through false knowledge.

Extra Storage

You are capable of storing small items in one of your stomachs as long as you can't hurt yourself with them while they are stored within one of your stomachs, such as a sheaved dagger or other small objects (these items not being able to be wider than a 15-inch radius). You can also bring it back up at will on command. Storing an item and bringing it back out takes one action. You can store as much things up to around 1 cubic foot.

Diplomatic Ideal

You gain proficiency in Persuasion checks, you also count twice your proficiency bonus when making diplomatic checks such as peace negotiations, or de-escalating heated debates or political conflicts, this does not stack with the reincarnation cycle

Technological Knowledge

 you gain advantage on investigation checks to learn how technological devices work, what they do and how to control them. You also get a self-made weapon for your own protection

start with a melee weapon (dealing 1d8 slashing damage flavored how you wish (ex. metal claws) and being able to use intelligence for attacking and allows the wielder until the start of their next turn to choose to deal fire or cold damage once per long rest. (this increases by 1 at 5 10 and 15 level)

At 10th level your weapon of choice can lead to 2 more paths,

Slashing weapon: 1 Magic empowerment path, you deal 4 less damage with your weapon but you gain the ability to use the meta magic empowered spell once per long rest,

2 Parry path, you gain the ability to parry an enemy’s attacks, adding 2 to your ac, it takes a reaction to use it.