LOTRfan
2011-04-20, 05:20 PM
This race originally appeared in Heroes of Shadow.
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Vryloka
The Vryloka were originally humans, a ruling caste of a long lost civilization. It is said that long ago, in a forest surrounded in perpetual mist, there was a small kingdom ruled by fear. The cruel leaders, obsessed with the dark arts and the wish for eternal life, made a deal with a mysterious figure. This creature, appearing as a red-clad woman, made them an offer; by giving her the entirety of their fortune, she would imbue them with the taint of undeath.
Foolishly, they agreed, no questions asked. They soon found themselves in a bitter position. Over time, food lost its delicious quality, and the ruling family became wracked with a new desire: a desire for the blood of their serfs. The creature, forever known afterwards as the Red Witch, had made them living vampires. As time went on, rebellion occurred, and the rulers were chased out of their homes. Those who didn’t escape quickly enough were burned at the stake because of their disturbing new nature. To add insult to injury, they discovered the Red Witch had tricked them out of their riches. She had not given them immortality, but rather a lifespan that extended to about two hundred years. These humans, plagued by their bestial nature and disgraced family history, became known as the Vrylokas.
Personality: Vrylokas are very passionate individuals. Whether this is because of their noble blood or undeathly curse is unknown. Vrylokas are fully capable of extreme love and rage, sometimes simultaneously. Even the fickle gnomes and elves can find the extent of how quickly the Vrylokas alternate between emotions unsettling. When a Vryloka makes a decision, he throws himself at it completely. This could be because that the oldest of them remember what it is like to be human, and they wish to make the most of their extended lifespan.
Physical Traits: Vrylokas, once human, look a lot like their forbearers. Vrylokas have dark eyes, usually gray or black, that glow red when angered. Their skin is usually pale, ranging from a light pink to a chalky white. Their hair is usually red (an after effect of their deal with the Red Witch), which ranges from a fiery orange to strawberry blonde. The canine teeth of a Vryloka are much more pronounced than those of other humans, and they can extend them to nearly the length of those of a vampire. Vrylokas like elegant clothing, like multilayered cloaks and shining heavy plate embroidered with red gemstones. Vrylokas are mortal, but there is no physical aging process.
Relations: Vrylokas do not truly get along with other races; for the most part, they pretend to be human in order to avoid persecution. Although their kingdom is long destroyed, they still hold positions of power in other nations; they have intermarried with local royalties and became nobles of their own. Those who know their true nature usually attempt to kill them.
Alignment: Vrylokas tend to have alignments on the extreme ends of the alignment scale. They are very passionate, and fully devote themselves to causes and personal beliefs. Most tend toward evil because of their appetites, but some learn to slake their thirst on animal blood instead.
Vryloka Lands: Vrylokas no longer have a land of their own. Their kingdom was thrown into chaos and fell into ruin long ago. Now, they have fully integrated into human civilizations, mostly as rulers, but occasionally as powerful criminals as well.
Religion: Vrylokas worship the Red Witch, both out of fear and gratitude. It is said by a hushed few that their agreement to worship the Red Witch was part of the original pact. The Red Witch herself seems to be a neutral outsider, whose domains are death, trickery, and healing.
Names: Vrylokas tend to have human names.
Languages: Vrylokas speak common, and may learn any language humans are capable of learning.
Adventurers: Many Vrylokas become adventurers, usually as a way to give their extended lives meaning. For the most part, Vrylokas rarely get along with others, but the bonds formed between fellow adventurers are usually a rare exception (even if they do not share their true nature with their new allies).
Vryloka Racial Traits
• -2 Wisdom,+2 Charisma
• Medium Humanoid (Deadborn): Vryloka are humans willingly cursed with the powers of the undead, and have the Deadborn subtype. As medium creatures, Vrylokas have no penalties or bonuses due to their size.
• Base Speed 30 ft.
• Darkvision out to 60 ft.
• Blood Drain (Ex): A Vryloka can drain blood from its foe by making a successful grapple check. By pinning its opponent, the Vryloka drains blood, dealing 1 point of Constitution damage. This grants the Vryloka 1 Temporary Hit Point per level (to a maximum of 5 at 5th).
• Alternate Form (Su): Once per day, a Vryloka can assume the form of a wolf. A Vryloka can stay in this form for a number of hours equal to their HD. This ability works just like a Druid's wildshape ability, except the Vrylokas do not regain hit points as though they had a full night's rest.
• Automatic Language: Common. Bonus Languages: Elven, Dwarven, Goblin, Undercommon.
• Favored Class: Shadowcaster.
• Level Adjustment: +0
Deadborn Subtype (by Jarrick (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173003), thanks for allowing me to utilize it).
Creatures with the deadborn subtype detect as Undead in addition to their normal type when subject to divination spells and effects, though they retain their original type.
Deadborn are treated as intelligent Undead creatures for the sake of spells and effects that specifically target or effect Undead. Spells from the healing subschool and supernatural abilities that cure hit point damage or ability damage provide only half their normal effect to the Deadborn. Likewise, deadborn take only half damage from spells and effects that utilize negative energy to deal damage.
+2 bonus on Saves Vs. Mind-Effecting effects, Poison, Sleep, Paralysis, Stunning, Disease, and Death Effects.
Dark Vision 60 ft.
If the Deadborn is in the area of a turn or rebuke attempt and would be effected if it were an undead creature of its HD, it is instead Dazed for one round. A Deadborn effected in this way does not count against HD affected for the purposes of the Cleric’s turn or rebuke attempt. While within the area of a Desecrate spell or effect, the Deadborn gains a +1 profane bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws. Likewise when it is within the area of a Consecrate spell it takes a -1 penalty to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws.
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Vryloka
The Vryloka were originally humans, a ruling caste of a long lost civilization. It is said that long ago, in a forest surrounded in perpetual mist, there was a small kingdom ruled by fear. The cruel leaders, obsessed with the dark arts and the wish for eternal life, made a deal with a mysterious figure. This creature, appearing as a red-clad woman, made them an offer; by giving her the entirety of their fortune, she would imbue them with the taint of undeath.
Foolishly, they agreed, no questions asked. They soon found themselves in a bitter position. Over time, food lost its delicious quality, and the ruling family became wracked with a new desire: a desire for the blood of their serfs. The creature, forever known afterwards as the Red Witch, had made them living vampires. As time went on, rebellion occurred, and the rulers were chased out of their homes. Those who didn’t escape quickly enough were burned at the stake because of their disturbing new nature. To add insult to injury, they discovered the Red Witch had tricked them out of their riches. She had not given them immortality, but rather a lifespan that extended to about two hundred years. These humans, plagued by their bestial nature and disgraced family history, became known as the Vrylokas.
Personality: Vrylokas are very passionate individuals. Whether this is because of their noble blood or undeathly curse is unknown. Vrylokas are fully capable of extreme love and rage, sometimes simultaneously. Even the fickle gnomes and elves can find the extent of how quickly the Vrylokas alternate between emotions unsettling. When a Vryloka makes a decision, he throws himself at it completely. This could be because that the oldest of them remember what it is like to be human, and they wish to make the most of their extended lifespan.
Physical Traits: Vrylokas, once human, look a lot like their forbearers. Vrylokas have dark eyes, usually gray or black, that glow red when angered. Their skin is usually pale, ranging from a light pink to a chalky white. Their hair is usually red (an after effect of their deal with the Red Witch), which ranges from a fiery orange to strawberry blonde. The canine teeth of a Vryloka are much more pronounced than those of other humans, and they can extend them to nearly the length of those of a vampire. Vrylokas like elegant clothing, like multilayered cloaks and shining heavy plate embroidered with red gemstones. Vrylokas are mortal, but there is no physical aging process.
Relations: Vrylokas do not truly get along with other races; for the most part, they pretend to be human in order to avoid persecution. Although their kingdom is long destroyed, they still hold positions of power in other nations; they have intermarried with local royalties and became nobles of their own. Those who know their true nature usually attempt to kill them.
Alignment: Vrylokas tend to have alignments on the extreme ends of the alignment scale. They are very passionate, and fully devote themselves to causes and personal beliefs. Most tend toward evil because of their appetites, but some learn to slake their thirst on animal blood instead.
Vryloka Lands: Vrylokas no longer have a land of their own. Their kingdom was thrown into chaos and fell into ruin long ago. Now, they have fully integrated into human civilizations, mostly as rulers, but occasionally as powerful criminals as well.
Religion: Vrylokas worship the Red Witch, both out of fear and gratitude. It is said by a hushed few that their agreement to worship the Red Witch was part of the original pact. The Red Witch herself seems to be a neutral outsider, whose domains are death, trickery, and healing.
Names: Vrylokas tend to have human names.
Languages: Vrylokas speak common, and may learn any language humans are capable of learning.
Adventurers: Many Vrylokas become adventurers, usually as a way to give their extended lives meaning. For the most part, Vrylokas rarely get along with others, but the bonds formed between fellow adventurers are usually a rare exception (even if they do not share their true nature with their new allies).
Vryloka Racial Traits
• -2 Wisdom,+2 Charisma
• Medium Humanoid (Deadborn): Vryloka are humans willingly cursed with the powers of the undead, and have the Deadborn subtype. As medium creatures, Vrylokas have no penalties or bonuses due to their size.
• Base Speed 30 ft.
• Darkvision out to 60 ft.
• Blood Drain (Ex): A Vryloka can drain blood from its foe by making a successful grapple check. By pinning its opponent, the Vryloka drains blood, dealing 1 point of Constitution damage. This grants the Vryloka 1 Temporary Hit Point per level (to a maximum of 5 at 5th).
• Alternate Form (Su): Once per day, a Vryloka can assume the form of a wolf. A Vryloka can stay in this form for a number of hours equal to their HD. This ability works just like a Druid's wildshape ability, except the Vrylokas do not regain hit points as though they had a full night's rest.
• Automatic Language: Common. Bonus Languages: Elven, Dwarven, Goblin, Undercommon.
• Favored Class: Shadowcaster.
• Level Adjustment: +0
Deadborn Subtype (by Jarrick (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173003), thanks for allowing me to utilize it).
Creatures with the deadborn subtype detect as Undead in addition to their normal type when subject to divination spells and effects, though they retain their original type.
Deadborn are treated as intelligent Undead creatures for the sake of spells and effects that specifically target or effect Undead. Spells from the healing subschool and supernatural abilities that cure hit point damage or ability damage provide only half their normal effect to the Deadborn. Likewise, deadborn take only half damage from spells and effects that utilize negative energy to deal damage.
+2 bonus on Saves Vs. Mind-Effecting effects, Poison, Sleep, Paralysis, Stunning, Disease, and Death Effects.
Dark Vision 60 ft.
If the Deadborn is in the area of a turn or rebuke attempt and would be effected if it were an undead creature of its HD, it is instead Dazed for one round. A Deadborn effected in this way does not count against HD affected for the purposes of the Cleric’s turn or rebuke attempt. While within the area of a Desecrate spell or effect, the Deadborn gains a +1 profane bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws. Likewise when it is within the area of a Consecrate spell it takes a -1 penalty to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws.