Princecon 38: Races of the Republic

[Alex Reutter]

We are limiting the number of PC races this year and giving them some world-specific flavor. 

==Human==

Humans are the most dominant, numerous and diverse of all the races of the Republic.

Personality: The most common trait of humans is their inability to be classified. They are the race that is most easily adaptable to changes in environment and culture which is why they make excellent pioneers, explorers and in some ways conquerors.

Physical Appearance: Humans tend to be about five to a little over six feet tall. They typically weigh between 125 and 250 pounds with the males being taller and heavier compared to females. They are perhaps the most physically diverse of the races with skin tones ranging between dark black and pale white, hair colors from black to blonde, and with male facial hair from sparse to thick and long. They mature at around 15 and rarely attain 80 years.

History: Humans are the progenitors of all of the accepted races of the Republic. All the other races can trace their roots back to human ancestors. As such, many humans feel as if they are the true race and the others are merely subhuman. It has only been about 125 years since the first non-human has attained a senate seat.

==Daglirae==

Daglirae are consistently known for their amazing crafting skills, being physically tough and abundantly stubborn.

Personality: Daglirae tend to be ordered. They prefer their own methods and tend to not be very flexible. However, they are also known to enjoy their alcoholic drinks especially ale. They are known as the ‘anchor of the Republic’ for their tenacity. However some sailors claim this is a derogatory term for their inability to swim.

Physical Appearance: Daglirae stand between 4 feet and 4 and a half feet tall. They are rather compact and broad, often matching or surpassing a human’s weight and ranging between 125 and 200 pounds. Males are slightly heavier and have larger beards than females. Females have sparse beards that are usually braided or adorned with beads. A Daglirae takes great pride in his/her beard and often distrusts beardless individuals of other races. Their skin is usually made up of earthly tones ranging from light tan to deep brown. Their eyes are dark. Hair colors include grey, brown and black. Daglirae tend to mature at age 35 and live to around 160.

History: About 550 years ago, Daglir, the craftsman god, sought to create images of himself formed of flesh and bone. In each of his most treasured priestesses he made a child. There were twelve male children and twelve female children born to those priestesses. Twenty four perfect children became the first Daglirae. They multiplied amongst themselves and became the race peppering the cities’ populations. The twelve tribal names stem from these first twelve unions. As they view the other races as imperfectly formed, they never cross breed with non-Daglirae. Although initially viewed with curiosity and trepidation shortly after their appearance, the sturdy race has taken up the roles of craftsman, soldier, clergy, bartender, and merchant (to name a few) within Republican society. Recently they have even accepted political positions.

==Nymphidae (Dryad)==

Nymphidae (more commonly known as Nims) are natural creatures of simple beauty with a fondness for poetry and dance.

Personality: Nymphidae are typically calm and are not prone to rash behaviors although they have been known to embrace impromptu dance. Nims rarely seem rushed. Perhaps it is because their long life spans create a unique perspective on the typical pace of the mortal world. Some say they look at the world with an alien vision as if they truly do not belong here.

Many Nims live in conclaves that exist in total seclusion from the other races. They sometimes venture outside their society for a century or two to join human society but are just as likely to return when they grow bored. Nims can rarely remember history that others would consider important.

Physical Appearance: Nymphidae are typically short and thin with pointed ears and almond shaped eyes. They are about 4 ½ to 5 ½ feet tall and are generally light weight for their height as compared to humans. Male and female specimens are about the same height and weight. As a matter of fact, it is often difficult to tell if a Nymphidae is male or female at a quick glance. Their hair on their head is typically long and straight. They do not have facial or body hair. Their skin, eyes or hair can almost any shade or color; like green hair, watery blue eyes, brown rough skin, or a breathy windy voice depending upon what natural aspect the creature that started their line represented. Nymphidae seem to reach maturity at about 95 years old but the true limit of their life span has not been reached. Some argue that they are ageless and undying.

History: The goddess of nature, Gaia, watched over the nature spirits but never sought to control them, as they were creatures of whim and discord. Each one took the form a beautiful maiden often connected to a natural element such as a river, tree, or prominent stone. They could, if they chose, create offspring with the humans and create a new female Nymphidae. Near the end of the Age of Heroes, about 900 years ago, a unique event occurred. One evening when the stars were properly aligned, the first male Nymphidae was born. Since then, there have been both male and female Nymphidae born. Strangely, however, the Nymphidae do not seek out each other for procreation. Naturally the union of two Nims has been tried but it was found that the creation of offspring was not possible. Irresistibly mature Nims seek out humans of the opposite gender to procreate. The children are always born as Nymphidae. Some see the Nims as parasites within human society.

==Hogbound (Hobbits)==

The Hogbound, or Hobbits as they are sometimes called, are the living remnants of a magical curse. The Hogbound are small anthropomorphic pot-belly pigs. They walk on two dainty hooves and they have small dexterous hands.

Personality: Hogbound are a dedicated people. Some are dedicated to their profession while others are dedicated to living off of society. They are notoriously curious and adventurous. They consider themselves a brave people relying on their ability to escape danger and they view themselves as the proud descendants of survivors.

Physical Appearance: Hogbound stand about 3 feet tall and usually weigh between 35 and 40 pounds. Their faces sport short snouts with upturned noses and thin lips. Their eyes are small and black. Light colored downy hair covers their pale-skinned body evenly. Males are generally larger and hairier and they have protruding tusks that continue to grow throughout their lives. Trimming or blunting of the tusks is required for comfort. Hogbound shy away from shoes and will walk on their small hooves. They have short curly tails that they keep concealed within their pants or skirts. The high end of Hogbound life expectancy is about 55 years old with physical maturity occurring at about 9 years.

History: Over two hundred years ago, the revered hero, Tremyrus was searching for home. His fleet, The Classis Pannonica, landed on a mysterious island uninvited. When the beautiful sorceress, Kiraki, commanded them to leave, they refused. She used a haunting song in conjunction with a crystal rod to begin to transform the invaders into pigs. Since Tremyrus was the self-proclaimed son of the god, Mavor, he was able to resist the change and destroy the sorceress and shatter her magical implement before the transformation was complete. But the spell did not reverse itself and the crewmen and sailors did not return to their human forms. Instead they stayed in their semi-transformed state. For decades after their return to their homelands, the Empire sought magical cures for the sailors’ incomplete curse. But without the knowledge of the song or how the rod worked, their efforts were useless. The crew formed their own small sub-societies within the Imperial cities and as the years passed, the Hogbound or ‘Hobbits’, as they were now known, gave up on a cure for themselves and their new generation of pig-people. They are a proud people who now longer think of themselves as cursed humans, but as a separate organized race. There is a rumor that has circulated among Hogbound since the earliest days that some unscrupulous Humans are happy to kidnap them for roasting and carving as if they were ordinary pigs. Any time a Hogbound goes missing, you can be sure that the Hogbound community will be quietly refreshing the old rumors...

[Alanz]

Although I doubt it, I'll ask the question anyway, does this flavoring change the mechanics of how the races are played from prior cons (ie same stat and skill bonuses) and given the intimate nature of their creation being tied to a particular god are Daglirae and Nims limited in their cleric choice to being clerics of Daglir and Gaia respectively?

[Ozymandias]

Nothing that flies?  Pity.

[R. Alex Reutter]

Hi Alan,

You're right, it's almost entirely for flavor.  The only mechanical difference is that the Hogbound have poorer eyesight and keener smell/hearing than typical hobbits, and can "eat like pigs" and suffer no ill effects from eating spoiled food (they don't particularly like spoiled food, but are good at surviving in wilderness situations). 

As to Ozy's concern, Hogbound also fly perfectly well when thrown.  Why, many of the citizens of Clio enjoyed nothing better than gathering at the Colosseum to watch competitors tossing around a pigskin.

Alex

[Spencer]

Bummer. This is somewhat disappointing. I like the idea of building more backstory for races.. even focusing more story around a given race for a year.. but.. I don't see how reducing the number of options to the most mundane variants makes things more fun.

On Thursday, February 21, 2013 12:17:06 AM UTC-5, Alex Reutter wrote:

[York Dobyns]

There has been a loud and vocal contingent arguing that there have been too many race choices in recent years; I have the impression this has been coming from players as much as from GMs. Somewhere as the theme was being settled on a consensus emerged on reducing the number of PC races and giving all of the races we kept a more detailed backstory that tied them into the history of the Republic.

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[Spencer]

Based on the numbers of players playing each race there a lot of players who would disagree... I suppose that we, of the 'the more races the better' contingent, need to be louder and more vocal. :)

Personally, I don't really see where the multiple races produce a 'harm' whereas they definitely add more variety and interest... perhaps some of those loud and vocal folks would be interested in arguing their position.

That said.. in any given year... there is certainly no 'harm' in limiting racial options for the sake of story... but... we'll have to see if this is actually what is being done in this case.

[Ozymandias]

On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 2:30:13 PM UTC-5, Alex Reutter wrote:

As to Ozy's concern, Hogbound also fly perfectly well when thrown.  Why, many of the citizens of Clio enjoyed nothing better than gathering at the Colosseum to watch competitors tossing around a pigskin.

I'd like to point to my run in York's scenario, where the party all had running fly spells for an assault on a cloud giant citadel.  We were hit with a Dispel Magic.   All the fly spells went away EXCEPT FOR MINE!  Some people are just meant to fly!