Homebrew Ahlodmae Species Details

A near-permanent fixture in the Jjarethian sky, Ahlume holds wondrous beauty and mystery. But the best glimpse of that world that we down here could get is that of the few people who can travel between the worlds.

Such strong a bond with nature they have, it seems they constantly carry emblems on their armour. At least, I think it’s armour.

- Hal Cantar, Failure of the Lost Ones

 

The ahlodmae are the sole inhabitants of the moon, Ahlume — one of two that are left in orbit around Jjareth. As such, they have no real hold or ownership over any land down on the surface and travel freely. This does lead to them being distrusted. However, though they themselves are far from naïve, the ahlodmae are usually quite open and can be found to be quite friendly, if slightly guarded about their home-world. Few outsiders are permitted to visit Ahlume.

Symbiosis

Apart from their amphibious complexion, often the first feature people see is their wooden breastplate. However, the breastplate is not a feature of clothing but is a part of them.

The manner in which they breed includes a type of tree — a large oak-like tree called leshy — that holds the embryo and helps it develop by sustaining it with oxygen and nutrients through an umbilical cord of sorts to their chest.

Once born, the ahlodmae are left with a remnant of that tree implanted in them. It grows and hardens and form a porous bark that helps both the ahlodmae breathe air and water, and the tree by dispersing their seeds.

Beyond the identifying marker, ahlodmae are tall and slender with a salamander’s appearance, hinting at their semi-aquatic nature. They have deep blue skin and black markings running across their bodies. The eyes are black.

Breath of the Ahlume Wilds

Thanks to their symbiosis with the giant leshy trees, the breastplate the ahlodmae are left with allows them to breathe both air and water. They are only, however, considered semi-aquatic as their villages often blend between rivers and banks with little to no distinction between the mediums.

With proper maintenance and pruning, this added filter screens toxins and gives resistances to certain airborne poisons.

As the breastplate solidifies during puberty (around 20 years of age), a ceremony takes place where patterns and symbols are carved into the wood, depicting tribal crests and familial artistry, which becomes part of their identity.

Alien Pride

Though not boastful or arrogant, ahlodmae do exhibit a worldview that only comes from a civilisation that has observed from the outside. Combined with such an integral connection to nature that grants them seemingly near invulnerability, they often seem indifferent or aloof to the petty squabbles of others and hold themselves above violence or base emotions.

They are kind and will often aid those that cannot help themselves but never in order to aid a society or nation.

When on Jjareth, they are considered nomads, roaming from place to place, rarely settling to one location. This juxtaposes their lifestyle on Ahlume, where the leshy trees’ roots dictate their habitats, wherein family groups are very protective.

Ahlodmae Names

Due to their family or clan ties, or sometimes even gang affiliation being etched into their own body, more than a first name seems excessive within their own culture. Ahlodmae names are in their native language, having significant meanings and as such are often unisex or have male or female versions.

The few that do try to assimilate into other cultures when conversing, if they do have multiple names, it is simply their Ahlumen name followed by a single worded translation. This can be followed by the name of their tribe for those who cannot recognise the crest on their chest. 

Mau (unisex – Strider), Ko [M] (Ka [F] – Complacent), Temi [M] (Tewe [F] – Fetch), Deason [M] (Deasa [F] – Gambler), Tour [M] (Taur [F] – Craft), Liyo [M] (Liya [F] – Yeller), Suun (unisex – Shear) Tirnew [M] (Ternew [F] – Keen Eye), Jahis [M] (Jahes [F] – Selfless), Memi [M] (Mewe [F] – Intuit)

Tribe name: Kokro, Temri, Hosotaun, Maucos, Deanal, Neshaur

Ahlodmae Traits

Your ahlodmaen character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Ahlodmae reach maturity around age 20 but can live up to 600 years.

Size

Ahlodmae stand between 5 to just above 6 feet tall, however, contrary to their slender appearance, their botanic insides, averages their weight out. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Leshy Symbiosis

Due to your leshy symbiote, you can filter poisons from your body and are resistant to poison damage.

Languages

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

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.