Mephibosheth
2005-08-01, 03:34 PM
This is a long post, sorry. This is a race I'm creating for an India-based desert world I'm creating. I've modeled them after the fremen from Dune. I'm most interested in balance. It seems like they're pretty balanced with the core races, but they may be far enough on the strong side as to merit a +1 LA. Let me know your opinions. Also, any suggestions on how to make them better would be welcomed.
New Race – Gunchadh (desert rider)
The Gunchadh are a nomadic tribal humanoid race that live in the deep desert. Very little is known about their habits and lifestyles, except that they are skilled warriors and raiders and they lead exceedingly tough lives.
Personality – The Gunchadh tend to be reserved and wary around outsiders. They regard anyone who isn’t from their tribe as a possible threat to their way of life. They regard non-Gunchadh with even more suspicion than they do members of other Gunchadh tribes. However, if you win their trust, they are exceedingly loyal companions. Additionally, they value competence above all other attributes. The highest form of praise among the Gunchadh is “your plan worked” and similar, understated compliments. Finally, Gunchadh place the good of the tribe (or whatever group they’re loyal to) above all personal considerations, a trait they developed out of generations of survival in the deep desert.
Physical Description – Gunchadh appear at first glance very similar to humans. However, there are some subtle physical differences that distinguish them from other humanoid races. Their eyes are completely solid color with no whites and are set slightly deeper in their heads, allowing them to better withstand the glare of the desert sun. Their eyelashes are noticeably longer and thicker than other races, helping them keep dust from their eyes. They are also markedly thinner than non- Gunchadh owning to lower water content in their bodies, often appearing emaciated. Like elves, they have no facial or body hair and dark skin (though not as dark as people from central and southern Africa). Gunchadh prefer loose clothing and always wear scarves over their faces and broad-brimmed hats or hooded cloaks to shade their faces.
Relations – Gunchadh do not have much contact with other races outside of trade and war. They live in inhospitable areas and only trade when necessary. However, they are only openly hostile towards evil races, such as orcs and goblins and they are tolerant of the other major non-evil races.
Alignment – Gunchadh are primarily neutral with a tendency toward chaos and good. However, survival necessities have placed getting along with those around them above strict adherence to any alignment in Gunchadh priorities, thus their tendency toward neutrality. They value freedom and the good of others, only because they need to work together to survive.
Gunchadh Lands – Gunchadh live in the deep desert in cliff communities far from centers of civilization. They grow what crops can survive in fissures in the rocks near their homes and hunt desert animals. All of their water is gained from windtraps and from recycling the water of their dead (which they view as a very solemn ritual). In human lands, Gunchadh are either traders or adventurers sent by their tribe to accomplish some task. They also occasionally come to the defense of larger political units, but only rarely. Finally, some Gunchadh grow discontented with their meager existence and come to human lands seeking wealth and comfort.
Religion – Gunchadh worship Yogyatadevi, their goddess of the desert. They may also revere Raksharia, the god of the preservation Process, but primarily revere Yogyatadevi.
Language – Gunchadh speak common in public, but within their communities they use their native tongue, Baalubhasha (sand language). Few outside of Gunchadh communities can speak Baalubhasha.
Names – No one knows the naming tendencies of Gunchadh, since they only use affected names when traveling abroad, and no one but fellow tribesmen is allowed to hear their true names. Thus, Gunchadh characters can take any name.
Adventures – Gunchadh most commonly adventure on assignment from their tribe. However, a rare few may be disenchanted with Gunchadh life and adventure for personal gain, aiming to retire wealthy and be able to swim in a pool of water (a common Gunchadh dream). Still others adventure to help larger political units, but this too is rare. Also, the value that Gunchadh place on freedom might lead them to adventure merely because they have a cause they believe in.
Gunchadh Racial Traits
• +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma – Gunchadh are athletic and lithe, but their rustic and isolated culture leaves them at a loss when dealing with outsiders.
• -1 HP at every level – The lack of water in their body makes Gunchadh slightly more vulnerable to wounds than other races.
• Medium: As Medium creatures, Gunchadh have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Gunchadh base speed is 40 ft, reflecting their semi-nomadic lifestyles. Also, Gunchadh characters gain Sandskimmer as a bonus feat at first level.
• Low light vision – Gunchadh work mostly at night and their eyes are accustomed to low-light conditions. They can see twice as far as humans under low-light conditions (see Player’s Handbook).
• Weapon Proficiency – Gunchadh automatically gain Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for scimitar and kukri at 1st level.
• Desert Acclimatization – Gunchadh characters automatically gain Heat Endurance at first level, even if they don’t meet the prerequisites
• Racial Skills – Gunchadh always include Survival, Handle Animal, and Ride on their class skill lists. Gunchadh also gain a +2 racial bonus on Ride checks dealing with animals native to desert terrain.
• Languages – Common and Baalubhasha. Bonus Languages: any.
• Worm Riding – Upon reaching 5th level in any class, a Gunchadh automatically gains Worm Riding as a bonus feat.
• Favored Class: Any available. A multiclass Gunchadh’s most advanced class does not count when determining experience penalties for multiclassing. This reflects the necessity of adaptability within Gunchadh society
Worm Riding is a feat I have yet to write up. However, the basics of it is that it allows anyone who takes it to control a huge, docile desert worm (which I also have yet to write up). My intention is to make it close to useless in combat but useful for those long excursions across the ergs. The whole party could ride on a worm until it tires out (much like the fremen do in Dune). Let me know what you think!
New Race – Gunchadh (desert rider)
The Gunchadh are a nomadic tribal humanoid race that live in the deep desert. Very little is known about their habits and lifestyles, except that they are skilled warriors and raiders and they lead exceedingly tough lives.
Personality – The Gunchadh tend to be reserved and wary around outsiders. They regard anyone who isn’t from their tribe as a possible threat to their way of life. They regard non-Gunchadh with even more suspicion than they do members of other Gunchadh tribes. However, if you win their trust, they are exceedingly loyal companions. Additionally, they value competence above all other attributes. The highest form of praise among the Gunchadh is “your plan worked” and similar, understated compliments. Finally, Gunchadh place the good of the tribe (or whatever group they’re loyal to) above all personal considerations, a trait they developed out of generations of survival in the deep desert.
Physical Description – Gunchadh appear at first glance very similar to humans. However, there are some subtle physical differences that distinguish them from other humanoid races. Their eyes are completely solid color with no whites and are set slightly deeper in their heads, allowing them to better withstand the glare of the desert sun. Their eyelashes are noticeably longer and thicker than other races, helping them keep dust from their eyes. They are also markedly thinner than non- Gunchadh owning to lower water content in their bodies, often appearing emaciated. Like elves, they have no facial or body hair and dark skin (though not as dark as people from central and southern Africa). Gunchadh prefer loose clothing and always wear scarves over their faces and broad-brimmed hats or hooded cloaks to shade their faces.
Relations – Gunchadh do not have much contact with other races outside of trade and war. They live in inhospitable areas and only trade when necessary. However, they are only openly hostile towards evil races, such as orcs and goblins and they are tolerant of the other major non-evil races.
Alignment – Gunchadh are primarily neutral with a tendency toward chaos and good. However, survival necessities have placed getting along with those around them above strict adherence to any alignment in Gunchadh priorities, thus their tendency toward neutrality. They value freedom and the good of others, only because they need to work together to survive.
Gunchadh Lands – Gunchadh live in the deep desert in cliff communities far from centers of civilization. They grow what crops can survive in fissures in the rocks near their homes and hunt desert animals. All of their water is gained from windtraps and from recycling the water of their dead (which they view as a very solemn ritual). In human lands, Gunchadh are either traders or adventurers sent by their tribe to accomplish some task. They also occasionally come to the defense of larger political units, but only rarely. Finally, some Gunchadh grow discontented with their meager existence and come to human lands seeking wealth and comfort.
Religion – Gunchadh worship Yogyatadevi, their goddess of the desert. They may also revere Raksharia, the god of the preservation Process, but primarily revere Yogyatadevi.
Language – Gunchadh speak common in public, but within their communities they use their native tongue, Baalubhasha (sand language). Few outside of Gunchadh communities can speak Baalubhasha.
Names – No one knows the naming tendencies of Gunchadh, since they only use affected names when traveling abroad, and no one but fellow tribesmen is allowed to hear their true names. Thus, Gunchadh characters can take any name.
Adventures – Gunchadh most commonly adventure on assignment from their tribe. However, a rare few may be disenchanted with Gunchadh life and adventure for personal gain, aiming to retire wealthy and be able to swim in a pool of water (a common Gunchadh dream). Still others adventure to help larger political units, but this too is rare. Also, the value that Gunchadh place on freedom might lead them to adventure merely because they have a cause they believe in.
Gunchadh Racial Traits
• +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma – Gunchadh are athletic and lithe, but their rustic and isolated culture leaves them at a loss when dealing with outsiders.
• -1 HP at every level – The lack of water in their body makes Gunchadh slightly more vulnerable to wounds than other races.
• Medium: As Medium creatures, Gunchadh have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Gunchadh base speed is 40 ft, reflecting their semi-nomadic lifestyles. Also, Gunchadh characters gain Sandskimmer as a bonus feat at first level.
• Low light vision – Gunchadh work mostly at night and their eyes are accustomed to low-light conditions. They can see twice as far as humans under low-light conditions (see Player’s Handbook).
• Weapon Proficiency – Gunchadh automatically gain Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for scimitar and kukri at 1st level.
• Desert Acclimatization – Gunchadh characters automatically gain Heat Endurance at first level, even if they don’t meet the prerequisites
• Racial Skills – Gunchadh always include Survival, Handle Animal, and Ride on their class skill lists. Gunchadh also gain a +2 racial bonus on Ride checks dealing with animals native to desert terrain.
• Languages – Common and Baalubhasha. Bonus Languages: any.
• Worm Riding – Upon reaching 5th level in any class, a Gunchadh automatically gains Worm Riding as a bonus feat.
• Favored Class: Any available. A multiclass Gunchadh’s most advanced class does not count when determining experience penalties for multiclassing. This reflects the necessity of adaptability within Gunchadh society
Worm Riding is a feat I have yet to write up. However, the basics of it is that it allows anyone who takes it to control a huge, docile desert worm (which I also have yet to write up). My intention is to make it close to useless in combat but useful for those long excursions across the ergs. The whole party could ride on a worm until it tires out (much like the fremen do in Dune). Let me know what you think!