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View Full Version : All hail the Lords of Shouting! (PC Race) [MitP2]



Rift_Wolf
2007-04-07, 09:59 AM
Meraki

Medium Humanoids

Meraki came in two forms; one was the form of a Celestial Herald, whose job it was to sing when the dawn rose to wake their God, and to announce his arrival wherever they went. Over time, however, these heralds began yearning for a more fulfilling existence, and were willing to trade in immortality for the opportunity to live without celestial interference on the Material Plane. Nowadays these mortal Meraki still hang onto their ancestors love of singing and music.

Physical appearance
Meraki have a high level of dimorphism between genders. The females are small, rarely reaching above 5 foot, and tend to be slim with wavy hair. They’re also avid collectors, often having tiny trinkets like shells or shiny bits of pebble sewn into their clothing. The males, however, are rarely under six foot tall, the average being just shy of seven feet tall. The males are thickly muscled, bald-headed, and often heavily tattooed as a show of their endurance. Both genders speak in loud, certain tones, and their constant optimism tends to grate on more sober races nerves.

Personality
Meraki are, above all things, loud. Their voices have the worrying ability to carry over many miles, and a tavern of singing Meraki often takes some serious damage to its windows and any poorly constructed fixtures. They are incessantly optimistic, even in the face of impossible adversity. This can occasionally be frightening to an enemy; it’s said the only thing that strike fear into a fiends heart is a Meraki, as they’ll cheerfully tear enemies apart with their bare hands, laughing as they do so.
Meraki also still have some of the mentality of their Celestial heritage. They have strong opinions on right and wrong, and will fight viciously to defend what they think is right. Meraki rarely dither or hesitate; they’re more likely to make a snap decision which lands them in trouble than think things through.

Race relations
Their upbeat temperament and chirpy natures mean dwarves loathe Meraki. While the dwarves will never be unduly aggressive to the Meraki, they will often leave if a Meraki comes into the tavern. Humans and Elves share the Meraki’s love of music and singing, and will often pair up with them. Halflings and Gnomes rarely have dealings with them, but find them loud and abrasive. Half-Orcs, strangely, respect male Meraki and their resilience; they may not like the Meraki, but they feel a mutual respect for them as warriors.

Alignment
Meraki tend to be good aligned, though occasionally one who lives among other mortal races (And faces the prejudice only the jolly can face) may become apathetic to the lives of the other races. Their strong feelings on right and wrong often lend themselves to the Lawful alignment, however those who follow in their celestial ancestors footsteps and become bards relax a bit more and become Neutral.

Adventures
Meraki will do anything they consider exciting, and rarely show fear or even caution about anything. They will gleefully run into a pit of dire lions in the pursuit of a laugh. Male Meraki, especially, are taught the virtues of combat prowess, and will often seek a trophy to boast with. Their strong beliefs on right and wrong often lend the Meraki to crusades, though they rarely have the level of hate required to fully participate in a holy war.

Females: -2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Cha; Meraki females are quick and cheerful; however, they lack muscle and are fairly frail.
Base land speed: 30ft
+2 to Perform (Singing)
Special Attack: Primal Scream.
Special Qualities: Confidence, Sexual Dimorphism
Level adjustment: +2
Favoured class: Rogue
Males: -4 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Cha; Meraki males are more robust than their sistren, and share their upbeat natures; however they’re also more lumbering and clumsy.
Base land speed: 30ft
+2 to Perform (Singing)
Special Attack: Primal Scream
Special Qualities: Confidence, Sexual Dimorphism
Languages: Common, Meraki. Bonus Languages: Any.
Level Adjustment: +2
Favoured class: Fighter

Confidence (Ex)
Meraki aren’t especially intelligent or wise, however their strength of personality is unquestionable. Meraki may use their Charisma Modifier instead of their Wisdom Modifier to calculate their will rolls.
SPECIAL: When a Meraki Paladin gains Divine Grace, he/she must use their Wisdom Modifier.

Primal Scream (Su)
Meraki’s voices aren’t just loud and obnoxious; on occasion they’re deadly. As a full-round action, a Meraki can take a deep breath. It’s denied any dexterity bonus while taking this breath, and any damage taken forces a Fortitude save (DC 10+damage taken) or the Meraki becomes winded (nauseated) for 1d4 rounds. On the turn after taking this breath, the Meraki can unless a powerful scream for up to 1d4+1 rounds. Anyone within 10 feet of the Meraki is deafened for 2d8 rounds with no save, and must make a fortitude save (DC 10+Meraki’s Constitution Modifier) to avoid being shaken for 1d6 rounds. Anyone within 30 feet of the Meraki takes 1d6+(Merakis Constitution Modifier) sonic damage per round, with a reflex save (DC 10+ Meraki’s Constitution Modifier) for ˝ damage.
Unattended brittle objects within 60 feet suffer 3d6 points of sonic damage per round, while attended objects (such as potion bottles) are allowed a reflex save (DC 10+1/2 MerakiHD+Constitution Modifier) to avoid shattering.
Finally, every creature within a mile of the Meraki will hear this scream. Whether this alerts other adventurers to danger, or arouses the curiosity of more enemies, the Meraki will be heard.
Primal Scream can only be used (MerakiHD/4) times a day.

Sexual Dimorphism (Ex)
Meraki males and females are vastly different in physique. While they’re still both medium creatures, they have different ability scores. Any magic that alters gender alters the Meraki’s ability scores.


Feedback? Too powerful/underpowered? +2 Level adjustment fair? Anything I should tweak?

Matthew
2007-04-07, 04:07 PM
Looks mechanically okay to me, witht the exception of the actual Scream itself. I think that is probably a little too powerful and complicated, though I like the idea behind the Race. I am also a little uncomfortable with the differentiation between Males and Females.