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View Full Version : Tendrils Seeping Into the World (3.5 Race, PEACH)



LOTRfan
2014-01-13, 07:00 PM
When a mage opens up a portal to the Far Realm or otherwise draws the attention of the mysterious beings who live outside of reality, an Iwem occasionally manifests in the days afterwards; a mortal aspect of a single entity, also referred to as Iwem, this being serves as this creature’s eyes and ears. Iwem appear fully grown and ready to explore, and are said to live for only a couple of decades before they melt into a foul ichor. While Iwem are aspects of this more powerful force or being, they remain individuals in their own right.

Personality: Though Iwem are all extensions of a singular entity, each is also a separate individual with their own life experiences. Personalities between Iwem vary wildly, though most share one trait in common; an extreme desire to satiate their impressive curiosity. Some suggest that this apparently racially-inherited curiosity is a hint towards their true purpose; probes to help the main creature understand and learn about the world it has discovered. Seeing as how Iwem have a more or less human range of emotion (even if they themselves do not fully understand these emotions), it seems unlikely that the entity’s personality has any direct control of their own.

Physical Appearance: Just as how humanoid creatures that go to the Far Realm are warped and perverted by merely entering, the Iwem seem to be a case of the Material Plane forcing a creature that is by all accounts unreal into a form that allows for it to interact with its new environment. Iwem appear to be distorted humanoids, almost always gaunt and having very pale or very dark flesh. Iwem are firmly within the uncanny valley, and their obviously “fake” appearance does cause mild discomfort to those who must deal with them; their faces are often slightly asymmetrical, with their eyes dead and glassy. When they talk, their jaws move as though they are only held by a few tendons. Their bodies are wiry and slim, and they almost always stand upwards 6 and a half inches tall. When looked upon with a true seeing spell, one can see a black tendril coming out from its back much in the same way a silver cord is connected to astral travelers.

Relations: Iwem are seen as revolting by most races; a few see them as some horrid demonspawn and try to kill them on sight. Iwem often cloak themselves heavily when interacting with humanoids. In other situations, especially among savage races, Iwem are seen as avatars of their gods and worshipped as such. Occasional cults led by powerful Iwem establish themselves in wild tribes or the underbellies of major cities.

Alignment: Though creatures of the Far Realm may be beyond having what creatures of the multiverse could consider alignments, these Iwem are acclimated enough to living in reality that they do. Iwem are most often Evil (Neutral is most common, followed by Chaotic), though the concept of more Neutral Iwem is not something that surprises most people.

Iwem Lands: Iwem have no lands of their own; though they are considered inhabitants of the Material Plane, their true nature as spontaneously created aberrations means that they have no homeland. Most are found wandering the countryside, alone or with small groups of people.

Religion: Iwem do not have an established religion, but most regard Iwem as their creator and deity. Many among their kind attempt to decipher the unintelligible whimpering and screaming that they hear from their connection to Iwem, though so far none have been able to make much of it. When not busy, many Iwem attempt to scribble down the phonetic sounds that they hear, attempting to find intricate (and probably nonexistent) patterns within.

Names: Unless engaging with members of other races, Iwem rarely choose a name for themselves. When they do, they usually just refer to themselves as Iwem, or they select a name appropriate for the region they are in.

Adventurers: Iwem often adventure, whether by themselves or with others. They are driven by an indescribable need to understand and explore the natural world, and so the call to adventure is strong in their race.

Iwem Racial Traits
• -2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma
• Medium Aberration: As Medium creatures, Iwem have no bonuses or penalties due to save. As Aberrations, Iwem are not affected by effects that specifically target Humanoids (like Charm Person).
• Iwem base land speed is 30 feet.
• Iwem have Darkvision out of 60 ft.
• Far Mind (Ex): While Iwem have their own personalities, all are connected to a singular entity beyond any mortal’s comprehension. Iwem are immune to mind-affecting effects and sleep effects, and any creature that uses an ability on the Iwem that involves contacting their mind must make a Will save, or suffer 1d2 points of Wisdom damage. The save DC is Charisma-based.
• Black Tendril (Ex): All Iwem are connected to Iwem via a black tendril that functions the same way a silver cord works. Like silver cords, this black tendril is almost impossible to break, though should it break the Iwem dies with no chance of being resurrected. The silver swords of the Githyanki cannot destroy this cord, but other things (like the attack of an Astral Dreadnaught) can.
• Feedback (Su): The link that connects an Iwem to Iwem is not one way; while the greater entity sees through the eyes of the Iwem, the Iwem hear incomprehensible phrases and alien sounds. Once per day, the Iwem can make this feedback audible for all to hear. All creatures within 30 ft. who hear these sounds must make a Will save, or be shaken for a number of rounds equal to half the Iwem’s Hit Dice (rounded down).
• Ichor: When an Iwem dies, its body slowly dissolves into a pool of foul-smelling ichor over the course of 2d8 minutes. After this point, true resurrection must be used to raise the Iwem from the dead. This is very dangerous for the caster; should a non-Iwem perform the spell, the caster takes 2d6 points of Wisdom damage, no save.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Undercommon. Bonus Languages: Dwarf, Elf, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Orc.
• Level Adjustment: +0

Leviting
2014-01-13, 11:59 PM
wouldn't the whole "uncanny valley" thing lower their charisma? Just based on the whole charisma~good-looking thing. I would think they would be more intelligent, having an overmind-esque thing to tap into.

AuraTwilight
2014-01-14, 03:01 AM
Charisma is more force of personality and personal presence, than good-looks.

Zale
2014-01-14, 07:33 AM
Well, you wouldn't normally think of something that hammers the Uncanny Valley button as being naturally persuasive.

Durazno
2014-01-14, 10:32 AM
Maybe you could model that with a penalty to diplomacy checks.

AuraTwilight
2014-01-14, 05:21 PM
Well, you wouldn't normally think of something that hammers the Uncanny Valley button as being naturally persuasive.

"Okay, sure, whatever you want, just stop smiling like that, ugh!"