Stonekin
- Details
- Category: Races
- Published on Monday, 30 April 2012 12:58
- Written by Hypermech
A hardy race of peaceful, philosophical stone creatures. Stonekin fit in near wherever Dwarves can be found, given the similarity in culture.
Stonekin are a very peaceful people, only reclusive in that their homeland is far and hard to reach by all but the hardiest dungeoneers. Most have not heard of the Stonekin but the Dwarves, with whom they have a healthy gem- and stone-craft trade with. Most Stonekin are very philosophical, and usually do not worship a particular deity--rather, they revere the earth as their parent, benefactor, and way of life, and many will speak of their crafts as "the gifts of the earth" and praise the feel of the earth beneath their feet or above their heads. Stonekin are most often found as merchants or monks, spreading their gifts, culture and beliefs to other people where they can find them. However, most Stonekin do not venture far from their homes, or above ground at all; Seeing a Stonekin in a normal human settlement and not an underground dwarven city is rare, but not unheard of.
Stonekin are honest and extremely slow-to-anger, but are not gullible; they are extremely wise to the way of the earth and those upon it, and attempting to steal from one is one of the best ways to see the rare sight of an angry Stonekin.
Stonekin are typically extremely top-heavy and, because of this, are usually seen hunched over and walking on their enormous fists, similar to a gorilla. Their heads are further down on their bodies than a gorilla, however, and more similar to a sloth's. The average Stonekin has a humanlike face with a fairly large, rectangular, koala-esque nose. In place of ears, they have small holes in the sides of their heads. Stonekin's perfectly circular pupils are anywhere from white to black and everywhere in between, and are typically glossy and solid-colored before the whites of their eyes. Their skin ranges from sandy brown, to light gray, to as deep black as obsidian. Most Stonekin are rough, with different rock facets almost resembling muscles all over their bodies, while others can be anywhere from spiky and crystalline to smooth and polished. They have huge upper bodies, with wide shoulders, long arms, and prominent backs, with their chests and stomachs sunken in from their hunch. Stonekin feet are simply where their legs end; they are perfectly flat on the bottom, while their legs are thick and rounded like that of an elephant, rhinocerous or hippo.
Stonekin usually only wear loose rags that cover where their unmentionables would be, simply out of respect for other races' cultures. Many Stonekin carry large packs for transport of their goods for sale.
Stonekin Racial Traits
+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, - 4 Dexterity: Stonekin are powerful, extremely hardy and wise to the ways of the earth, but are by no means fast creatures.
Medium: Stonekin are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Never Rushed: Stonekin have a base speed of 20 feet and are immune to the effects of Haste and similar magic effects.
Master Stonecrafters: Stonekin gain a +2 racial bonus to Craft: Stonemasonry and Craft: Jewelry checks. These do not allow a Stonekin to use these skills untrained.
Feel of the Earth: Stonekin gain Tremorsense (40 ft.) at 1st level, increasing to Tremorsense (60 ft.) at 5th level, Tremorsense (80 ft.) at 10th level, and Tremorsense (100 ft.) at 15th level.
Hewn from Rock: Stonekin's rocky skin grants them a natural 2 DR/adamantine at level 1, increasing by 1 at level 2 and every 2 levels afterward, and increasing to 12 DR/-- (instead of adamantine) at level 20. They do not suffer ill effects from normal temperature extremes, as per the Endure Elements spell. Thanks to being entirely formed of earth and rock, Stonekin are completely immune to poison and the harmful and addictive effects of herbs. However, they are weak to spells that affect earth or stone in any way; these spells are able to affect them at DM's discretion.
Hard to Mend: Anyone taking a check to heal a Stonekin is at a permanent -2, and spells used to heal a Stonekin are counted as -2 caster level (minimum 1). Stonekin are only able to naturally heal 1 point of damage per week.
Heavy Soul: Stonekin are weighed between 400 and 600 lb, with the heaviest recorded being 700. Stonekin are unable to Ride animals smaller than Huge, and are entirely incapable of using the Fly skill. Similarly, they take a -2 to Climb checks, but take fall damage counting as 10 ft. less than the actual fall, thanks to their natural sense of the earth's impact and the hardened nature of their skin.
Languages: Stonekin speak Common and Stonekin. Individuals with high Intelligence can learn any language, but must choose Giant or Dwarven first.
Author's Note: Definitely give me input on whether or not you think the race is balanced and original. I was inspired by the existing race here, Hearthom, but had ideas of my own and already had the concept in my head before reading about the Hearthom--I simply based a few of this class's features on it.
Additional Ratings  |
|
| Balance: | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.79 (19 Votes) |
| Utility: | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.71 (17 Votes) |
| Clarity: | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.73 (15 Votes) |