Here's a "sneak peek" excerpt, fresh from the new Crown Campaign Setting from Dark Quest Games! If these strange fellows interest you, be sure and check out the hero of the upcoming Wandering Men novella, Tenet's Tale!
Six hundred years ago, before the Great Banishment, the ethereans were servants of the gods. They would often be sent as envoys, spies, or even as commanders of armies, as the gods willed. When the Great Banishment occurred, the ethereans were brutally freed from the service of the gods and trapped between the two worlds. Only at the occurrence of the Demon Scourge did the ethereans emerge again to help the city fend off its new enemy. Since that time, the ethereans have become an established part of Crownian society. The characteristic name of the ethereans has been given by human scholars, as their true name was lost with the gods. The name reflects the fact that the ethereans are connected to the ethereal plane and cannot exist without it for longer periods of time, although they can become corporeal at will. As part of their legacy, the ethereans are unable to lie. Some scholars speculate that this is part of a godly geas, as even under the influence of a spell, an etherean is unable to lie.
Ethereans resemble humans, but are always well toned, with strong and beautifully built bodies. They tend to be a little taller than normal humans, averaging seven feet. Despite their resemblance to humans, there is no mistaking an etherean for one – they have a strange radiance that can be felt by most, as well as a bluish aura around them. Their shimmering aura is mostly evident in the dark, but in their eyes, the shimmer reveals itself as their eyes seem to glow with a bluish hue. Their eyes are vaguely human, but their color is always very light, ranging from grey to blue to light green. Their hair is always black, grey, or silvery white and all shades within. The complexion of an etherean is always pale, and their veins are dimly visible through their skin. Most ethereans have strong compelling voices and a natural charisma.
Abilities: +2 Strength, -2 Constitution, +2 Charisma. Ethereans are strong and imposing, but their bond with the ethereal tends to weaken their physical constitution as well as dull their senses; they constantly hear the slight howl of the ethereal border, as well as see its haze from the corner of their eyes.
Medium: As medium creatures, etherean have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Ethereans base speed is 30 feet.
Ethereans take a -2 penalty to Listen and Spot and a -4 penalty to all Hide checks while on the prime material plane.
Bound by Truth: Ethereans are unable to lie, and will always speak the truth as they know it, or not speak at all. Some scholars believe that this is the trait that cast the ethereans into shadow and out of the godly realms.
Etherealness: Ethereans are able to enter the ethereal at will, thus becoming invisible. However, this means that they will drop all their items. It takes a standard action to become ethereal, and a standard action to enter back into the material plane again. Both actions provoke an attack of opportunity.
Ethereans receive a +2 racial bonus on the following skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive.
Ethereal Chain: The ethereans are able to bond with their personal items, thus allowing them to enter the ethereal without dropping the item in question. Bonding to an item costs an amount of XP equal to 100 x the item’s weight in lbs.
Cultural Knowledge: The following knowledge skills are considered class skills for all ethereans: Arcana, History, Religion, and The Planes.
Half-breeds: No etherean can ever breed with another race, as their reproductive system is quite different from that of any other race.
Racial Feats: Deceiver’s Voice, Foresight, and Whisper of the Gods.
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