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View Full Version : [PF] New Race: the D'Angelines, a new sort of aasimar [Race]



ErrantX
2012-11-08, 11:18 PM
As a preface, I wrote this up for my wife as she is a fan of the Kushiel's Legacy (http://kushiel.wikia.com/wiki/Kushiel%27s_Dart) books by Jacqueline Carey (http://www.jacquelinecarey.com/), so much so that she asked me to write this stuff up and I decided to share them as a sort of alternate aasimar. The rules are mine but the works were inspired by J. Carey's work and I claim no credit at all for them. They're a good and deep read if anyone's into fantasy/romance sort of cross-overs


D’Angeline Characters

D'Angelines are descended from Blessed Elua and his band of fallen angels. Elua was born when the blood of the crucified Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the One God, mixed with the tears of the Magdalene and then was quickened by Mother Earth. Scorned by his grandfather, the One God, Elua wandered the Earth with eight companion angels. The eight were Naamah, Anael, Azza, Shemhazai, Camael, Cassiel, Eisheth, and Kushiel. After years of wandering, Elua and his Companions settled in the land that would become Terre d'Ange. Elua espoused the precept Love as thou wilt and he and his companions inter-bred with the native populace, creating the D'Angeline people. Elua himself is a cross between Dionysus and a wandering fertility god associated with nature, love, and liberty.


D’Angeline are defined by class levels—they do not possess racial Hit Dice. D’Angeline have the following racial traits.
Type: Humanoid (D’Angeline). D’Angelines are otherworldly creatures of grace and beauty, but they are still very mortal and live and die. D’Angelines count as humans for the purposes of spells and effects.
Speed: D’Angeline have a base speed of 30 feet.
Skilled Courtiers: D’Angeline thrive in the political arena, and are quite savvy in such circles. They have a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Knowledge (nobility) checks.
Bloodline Traits: D’Angeline must select a bloodline from which they inherit the power of the celestial ichor that runs in their veins.

Elua: Those blessed with Elua’s blood enjoy his health, beauty, and love for the world. Eluans gain a +2 racial bonus to their Constitution and Charisma scores, and a +2 racial bonus to Survival checks due to the natural world loving Elua.
Namaah: Bearing the blood of Namaah within their veins, the D’Angeline enjoys her beauty, grace, and savvy. Namaahans gain a +2 racial bonus to their Charisma and Dexterity scores, as well as a +2 racial bonus to a single Profession skill of their choosing.
Eisheth: The children of Eisheth are a kind, benevolent, and gracious lot. Eisandines gain a +2 racial bonus to their Wisdom and Charisma scores, and a +2 racial bonus to Heal checks.
Kushiel: Kushiel’s broods are a darkly beautiful breed who shares in his ability to see to the heart of the matter, his calculating nature, and merciful cruelty. Kushelines gain a +2 racial bonus to Intelligence and Charisma, and a +2 racial bonus to Sense Motive checks.
Shemhezai: Born scholars, the get of Shemhezai are a gregarious lot who’s deep and studious nature reflect that of their forefather. Shemhodai gain a +2 racial bonus to Intelligence and Wisdom, and a +2 to any Knowledge skill of their choosing.
Azza: Wise and direct Azza’s bloodline bear within them his knowledge of land and sea and his practicality and endurance. Azzaline gain a +2 racial bonus to Constitution and Wisdom scores and a +2 racial bonus to any one Profession of their choosing.
Anael: With a scent about them that smells of ripening apples on the wind, the scions of Anael are strong and blessed with beauty and gracefulness. Anaelines gain a +2 racial bonus to their Strength and Charisma scores and a +2 racial bonus to Acrobatics checks.
Camael: Strong and hardy, the scions of Camael are known for their love of battle, glory, and honor as their angelic forebearer. Camaelines gain a +2 racial bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +2 racial bonus to Intimidate checks.

Bonus Feat: Due to their human bloodline, D’Angeline inherit some of that race's adapatability and may select a bonus general feat at 1st level. The character must meet any and all prerequisites for this feat before selecting it.
Languages: D’Angeline begin play speaking Common and Celestial. D’Angeline with high Intelligence scores can choose any of the following bonus languages: Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, and Sylvan.

Pure Bloodline [Racial]
Your bloodline is pure with the ichor of Elua and His Companions.
Prerequisites: Must be D’Angeline and not of a mixed bloodline, 1st level only.
Benefit: Your bloodline is strong with your angelic forbearer's power and you enjoy several benefits from this. Firstly, you gain the Outsider type with the native and D’Angeline subtypes. This means that you count as a human or outsider in any situation where it would benefit you to be one or the other. Secondly, you gain a special ability based upon your bloodline. Spell-like abilities are cast with a caster level equal to half the D'Angeline's character level, and saving throw DC's are Charisma based.

Elua: Elua's scions are blessed with his serenity; their racial bonuses to Diplomacy and Survival are improved to +4, and they gain the ability to cast sanctuary as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Namaah: The scions of Namaah are blessed with her powers; they gain a +2 racial bonus to all Charisma-based skills, and the ability to cast charm person as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Eisheth: The kindness and music of Eisheth's blood sings within her scions; Eisheth's children gain a +2 racial bonus to Perform checks and their racial bonus to Heal improves to +4. They may also cast cure light wounds as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Kushiel: Kushiel's pure scions have their natural powers improved; their racial bonus to Sense Motive improves to +6, and they gain the ability to cast detect thoughts as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Shemhezai: Knowledgeable Shemhezai gifts his children with a +2 racial bonus to all Knowledge skill checks, and the ability to cast comprehend languages as a spell-like ability a number of times equal to 1 + their Intelligence modifier
Azza: Noble Azza's lines are blessed with the ability to survive their environments. They gain a +4 racial bonus to Survival checks and they are treated under the effects of a constant endure elements spell.
Anael: The pure-blooded of Anael gain improved grace and the swiftness of the wind through the orchard trees. Their racial bonus to Acrobatics improves to +6 and they gain the ability to cast expeditious retreat as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Camael: The strong and hale scions of Camael are as fierce of the heavens. They're racial bonus to Intimidate improves to +6 and they gain the ability to cast cause fear as a spell-like ability 3/day.


Improved Pure Bloodline [Racial]
The purity of your bloodline's exceptional potency draws out more power from your angelic ichor.
Prerequisites: Must be D’Angeline with the Pure Bloodline feat, character level 5th+.
Benefit: You gain ever more strength from your bloodline and its purity. Spell-like abilities derived from this feat and Pure Bloodline are based on Charisma for their DCs, and your caster level is equal to your character level.

Elua: Scions of Elua gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Wisdom score and may cast daylight as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Namaah: Namaah’s children gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Intelligence score and may cast calm emotions as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Eisheth: Eisheth’s children gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Intelligence score and may cast lesser restoration as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Kushiel: Scions of Kushiel gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Strength score and may cast know alignment as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Shemhezai: The sons and daughters of Shemhezai gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Charisma score and may cast augury as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Azza: Azza’s scions gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Dexterity score and may cast fog cloud as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Anael: The children of Anael gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Wisdom score and may cast heroism as a spell-like ability 2/day.
Camael: Camaelines gain an additional +2 racial bonus to their Intelligence score and may cast rage as a spell-like ability 2/day.


Elua and His Companions
The following are the relevant information for people to priests of Elua and his Companions. Domains in parenthesis are in the Advanced Player’s Guide.


Elua: Elua is the most important deity in the religion of the people of Terre d'Ange. He was conceived from the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef and the tears of Magdalene in the womb of Earth. Elua was rejected by many in his travels as being the illegitimate son of the One God. Elua gave his precept as "Love as Thou Wilt," and he and his Companions lived with the populace, creating a nation of people with angelic bloodlines. They caught the attention of the One God, who sent his messenger to welcome Elua into heaven. Elua rejected his offer, taking Cassiel's dagger and slicing his palm. He informed the messenger that because heaven was bloodless and he was not, he would not go there. Priests of Elua wear blue robes and go barefoot. Temples to Elua have no roofs, only four pillars to mark the corners. Any kind of plants are allowed to grow in the temple undisturbed. Temples usually have a statue of Elua. He is typically depicted with his hair unbound and a smile. One hand is raised while the other is scored with the mark of his mortality.
Son of Yeshua, the Angel of the Earth; NG; Weapon: Quarterstaff (Constant Companion); Domains: Charm(Love), Earth, Good, Plant(Growth), Travel

Namaah: Naamah is the deity of sexuality and one of Elua's Companions. She came to earth along with the other Companions when Elua was imprisoned in Persis. Naamah offered herself to the King in exchange for Elua's freedom. Her priests and priestesses wear scarlet robes. Training as a priest or priestess requires one year of service where the acolyte is forbidden to turn anyone away who comes to him or her out of true longing. Naamah blesses the acolyte with desire for each patron. After this, they are free to take lovers and patrons as they wish.
The Angel of Night-Blooming Flowers, the Lover; CG; Weapon: Whip (Sting of Pleasure); Domains: Chaos, Charm(Lust), Good, Liberation, Luck

Eisheth: Eisheth, one of Elua's Compaions, is known for giving humanity the healing arts, music and story. Many of the best healers and chirurgeons come from her province. She gave rise to Mendacants, or traveling storytellers. She was also said to have a fondness for sailor boys. Her priests and priestesses wear sea-blue robes. Healing offerings may be made in her temples. Her symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions. The D'Angeline wedding ceremony involves the bride lighting a candle and saying a prayer to Eisheth to open the gates of her womb. Before then, a D'Angeline woman cannot conceive. Once this is done, it cannot be taken back.
The Healer, The Angel of the Healing Flower; NG; Weapon: Unarmed Strike (Helping Hands); Domains: Community, Glory, Good, Healing, Sun

Kushiel: Kushiel served as the punisher for the One God before he became one of Elua's Companions. He understood the pain and chastisement he gave his subjects was an act of love, and his subjects came to love him for it. When the sinners in his care were offered a chance to repent, they refused out of love for him. He chose to join Elua because he felt that Elua understood what he did. Kushiel's priests and priestesses wear bronze masks and black robes, completely concealing their identities. Temples are intimidating places where worshippers come for atonement. Atoners are typically flogged before the altar by a priest and have their wounds cleansed with salt water. Statues of Kushiel are frequently bronze and depict him with crossed arms, holding the rod and flail.
The Stern, The Angel of the Keys and Gate; LG; Weapon: Heavy Flail (The Rod and Weal); Domains: Destruction, Fire, Glory, Good, Law,

Shemhezai: Shemhazai, one of Elua's Companions, valued knowledge and taught D'Angelines their written language. His priests and priestesses wear gray robes. A placard in a temple located in Siovale says, "All knowledge is worth having."
The Scholar, The Angel of Quills and Secrets; NG; Weapon: Javelin (Quill of Knowledge); Domains: Good, Knowledge, Magic, Rune(Language), Trickery

Azza: Azza is one of Elua's Companions. He gave Terre d'Ange his knowledge of navigation. Priests and priestesses of Azza wear saffron tunics and crimson cloaks fastened with bronze broaches. They also wear bronze masks so they might sublimate their individual pride before Azza's.
The Navigator, the Angel of the Firmament and Sea; NG; Weapon: light pick (Compass Needle); Domains: Air, Good, Travel(Exploration), Water, Weather(Storms)

Anael: Anael is one of Elua's Companions. He taught D'Angelines about growing crops and animal husbandry. His priests and priestesses wear brown robes tied with a rope belt. Scions of Anael often smell of apples.
The Orchard Prince, The Angel of the Land and Field; CG; Weapon: Spear (Herder’s Rod); Domains: Animal, Chaos, Good, Plant; Weather(Seasons)

Camael: Camael is one of Elua's Companions. Camael is known for being martial and founded Terre d'Ange's first armies. His priests wear dark green vestments and carry a sword. His symbol is a flaming sword.
The Warrior; The Angel of Iron and Steel; NG; Weapon: Longsword (Heaven’s Wrath); Domains: Destruction, Glory, Good, Strength, War

Cassiel: Cassiel, also called the Perfect Companion, is one of Elua's Companions. He chose to remain by Elua's side throughout Elua's travels and believed himself damned for it for abandoning the One God. He took up the duty the One God neglected when he was too busy grieving for his son to pay attention to Elua. It was his dagger that Elua borrowed when he confronted the One God's messenger. He was the only one of the Companions who did not turn away from the One God and disobey his laws, remaining celibate. It is said that he was the only one who looked back in sorrow when Elua and his Companions entered the Terre-d'Ange-that-lies-beyond. The Cassiline Brotherhood was founded in his name, in imitation of Cassiel's devotion to Elua. They serve as his priests, and he has no temples. Cassiel is not frequently prayed to. On the Longest Night, Cassiline Brothers hold Elua's Vigil.
The Perfect Companion, The Angel of Guardians and Loyalty; LG; Weapon: Dagger (Elua’s Blood); Domains: Glory, Good, Law, Nobility, Protection


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Let me know what you all think of these sort of different aasimar.

-X

ErrantX
2012-11-09, 12:18 PM
Reserving a post just in case I post more things regarding this race, like a Cassiline Brother class or something.

And bump for great justice.

-X

peacenlove
2012-11-11, 12:39 PM
These are nice and oozing with flavor but they are kinda powerful. They also have no special abilities (even the aasimar had darkvision, resistances and daylight) but very good stats AND a bonus variable feat.

Pure bloodline is very VERY powerful for a 1st level feat but it gets out scaled quickly. Consider Eisheth pure blooded with 16 starting charisma and +2 from race. 5 cure light wounds when a 1st level oracle would have 4.

I would consider folding the feat into their racial features (instead of the bonus feat), limiting the use of their spell like abilities (2-3/day would be good), putting a level requirement on Improved Pure Bloodline (5 would be good IMHO) and giving the rest of the uses of the spell like abilities of Pure Bloodline into the Improved Pure Bloodline feat.

ErrantX
2012-11-11, 04:43 PM
These are nice and oozing with flavor but they are kinda powerful. They also have no special abilities (even the aasimar had darkvision, resistances and daylight) but very good stats AND a bonus variable feat.

Pure bloodline is very VERY powerful for a 1st level feat but it gets out scaled quickly. Consider Eisheth pure blooded with 16 starting charisma and +2 from race. 5 cure light wounds when a 1st level oracle would have 4.

I would consider folding the feat into their racial features (instead of the bonus feat), limiting the use of their spell like abilities (2-3/day would be good), putting a level requirement on Improved Pure Bloodline (5 would be good IMHO) and giving the rest of the uses of the spell like abilities of Pure Bloodline into the Improved Pure Bloodline feat.

First, thanks for commenting on this :smallbiggrin: I'm glad you like them and the flavor they can bring to a game. An entire nation of aasimar would be conceptually quite neat. The books they come from are very deep and have fantastic storytelling to them.

The D'Angelines were kind of built off of a hybrid of the human and standard aasimar chassis. Standard aasimar have two bonuses and no negatives, spell like abilities and resistances etc. I wanted the D'Angelines to be more human than celestial, so I decided that the racial human feat worked more for what I wanted, while still retaining the innate majesty of their celestial heritage. I also made them humanoid initially, not outsider, so that is a further weakening in my mind as they don't get the benefits of being native outsiders initially, and not everyone is going to be a pureblood. The racial bonus feat could be replaced by a short list of bonus feats to tone it down, but my intent was to grant a feat that shows human heritage or the ability to choose pure blood and not, well, miss out on being able to take Weapon Finesse or Power Attack which many 1st level characters take.

So, my question is, is the bonus feat too strong or would restricting it to a small list of bonus feats make it more balanced? Not all D'Angelines are pure bloodlines, and the ones that have it are mighty proud of it and quite discerning regarding their mates.

To the feats now. Maybe lowering the over all caps on the spell-likes is a good idea, a 2-3/day thing is quite reasonable as you're right. They level off later, but they're quite strong in the early game. Definitely should but a level req on Improved Pure Bloodline though. Agreed. I'll do that. Assuming the spell-likes got a nerf that restricted their use per day more, do you think the feats are reasonable?

-X


EDIT: Changes in place. Restricted to the General list for feats (may further restrict if anyone thinks that would be a better idea, to stuff like the dual skill buffs and saving throw buffs, etc), and reduced the spell-like abilities per day to 3/day for the lesser, and 2/day for the improved.