Greetings. This is my first attempt ever at world building, even if it is based on a series of fantasy books. I have been a huge fan of SRD's Thomas Covenant series for years, and I recently decided to make the attempt to convert The Land to D20. Having no prior experience in world building, I decided the best logical starting point would be to create the races of this world. It should be noted that much of my work is based on the initial draft of The Land D20 created by Beyond Belief Games. Since I'm new at this, I thought I would post my first attempt at a race from The Land and seek your feedback. Even though it might be better for me to post the races as a complete listing, I thought I would initially test the waters with my first work...the Haruchai. Please note that I also included my first attempts at racial levels. While this deviates from the books, I am a big fan of racial levels and I thought it would be a welcomed addition to the canon of the books. Additional PC races of The Land include Stonedowner, Woodhelven, Ramen, and Giant. Depending on how this initial release for review goes, I'll be posting the other races, followed by the classes of The Land, in the near future.
HARUCHAI
Haruchai are a warlike human race indigenous to The Land. At any given time there are exactly 100 Haruchai away from their lands in the Westron Mountains. These warriors are the best fighters from their clans and are dispatched to serve as dispassionate honor-bound defenders of The Land.
Personality
Haruchai are a quiet people who respect honesty above all other traits. They are quick to judge and slow to forgive. They rarely show emotion, even in battle, and are efficient in all tasks they undertake.
Physical Description
The Haruchai have flat-faces, well-tanned skin, dark close-cut hair and dark eyes. The typical Haruchai stands slightly taller than the other human races of The Land and has a lithe, athletic build. The Haruchai have become stronger and more resilient than other human races from millennia of living in the harsh conditions of the Westron Mountains.
Relations
Haruchai are a quiet people who rarely interact with other races unless dictated by the needs of the clans. Haruchai are generally distrustful of other human races, but seem to have a quiet respect for the Giants.
Alignment
Haruchai follow a strict code of conduct, as dictated by the generations before them. Any Haruchai that breaks this code of conduct, willingly or unwillingly, is immediately challenged to physical combat by all other Haruchai present. Because of this strict code of conduct, all Haruchai are Lawful.
Haruchai Lands
They are mountainous people and have been a part of The Land since the beginning of recorded history. The men are born warriors and begin their training at age three. It is believed that the Haruchai clans spread across the Westron Mountains are led by a single matriarchal council, although a Haruchai woman has never been seen outside of the Westron Mountains.
Religion
The Haruchai have no religious beliefs per sec, but do believe in respecting The Land and all things natural.
Language
All Haruchai are taught to speak Common by the age of six. It is also believed that adult Haruchai can choose to share a telepathic bond with each other.
Names
Haruchai generally have short single-syllable or double syllable names like Brinn, Harn, Stell, Ceer, Cail, Bannor and Hergrom.
Adventurers
The Haruchai’s ability in martial arts makes them strong melee combatants. Their rigid code of conduct and single focus on protecting The Land make Haruchai difficult additions to a party of adventurers. It should be noted, however, that Haruchai have been known to associate with adventuring parties, if it is advantageous to their own needs.
Haruchai Racial Traits
+2 Con, +1 Dex, -2 Cha. Living exclusively in the Westron Mountains has adapted the Haruchai into a hardened race with greater agility and balance but a comely appearance.
Cold Resistance 5/-. Haruchai have adapted to the fierce winters that storm the peaks of the Westron Mountains.
Medium: As Medium creatures, humans have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Level Adjustment +1.
Favored Class: Haruchai Warrior
Haruchai Racial Levels
A Haruchai may choose to delay his class training to undertake a more personal series of lessons meant to reinforce those traits that make a Haruchai who he is. The successful completions of these trials are a matter of introspective fulfillment to a Haruchai.
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The Haruchai’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Jump (Str), Heal (Wis), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Search (Int), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) x4.
Skill Points at each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
HARUCHAI
Haruchai are a warlike human race indigenous to The Land. At any given time there are exactly 100 Haruchai away from their lands in the Westron Mountains. These warriors are the best fighters from their clans and are dispatched to serve as dispassionate honor-bound defenders of The Land.
Personality
Haruchai are a quiet people who respect honesty above all other traits. They are quick to judge and slow to forgive. They rarely show emotion, even in battle, and are efficient in all tasks they undertake.
Physical Description
The Haruchai have flat-faces, well-tanned skin, dark close-cut hair and dark eyes. The typical Haruchai stands slightly taller than the other human races of The Land and has a lithe, athletic build. The Haruchai have become stronger and more resilient than other human races from millennia of living in the harsh conditions of the Westron Mountains.
Relations
Haruchai are a quiet people who rarely interact with other races unless dictated by the needs of the clans. Haruchai are generally distrustful of other human races, but seem to have a quiet respect for the Giants.
Alignment
Haruchai follow a strict code of conduct, as dictated by the generations before them. Any Haruchai that breaks this code of conduct, willingly or unwillingly, is immediately challenged to physical combat by all other Haruchai present. Because of this strict code of conduct, all Haruchai are Lawful.
Haruchai Lands
They are mountainous people and have been a part of The Land since the beginning of recorded history. The men are born warriors and begin their training at age three. It is believed that the Haruchai clans spread across the Westron Mountains are led by a single matriarchal council, although a Haruchai woman has never been seen outside of the Westron Mountains.
Religion
The Haruchai have no religious beliefs per sec, but do believe in respecting The Land and all things natural.
Language
All Haruchai are taught to speak Common by the age of six. It is also believed that adult Haruchai can choose to share a telepathic bond with each other.
Names
Haruchai generally have short single-syllable or double syllable names like Brinn, Harn, Stell, Ceer, Cail, Bannor and Hergrom.
Adventurers
The Haruchai’s ability in martial arts makes them strong melee combatants. Their rigid code of conduct and single focus on protecting The Land make Haruchai difficult additions to a party of adventurers. It should be noted, however, that Haruchai have been known to associate with adventuring parties, if it is advantageous to their own needs.
Haruchai Racial Traits
+2 Con, +1 Dex, -2 Cha. Living exclusively in the Westron Mountains has adapted the Haruchai into a hardened race with greater agility and balance but a comely appearance.
Cold Resistance 5/-. Haruchai have adapted to the fierce winters that storm the peaks of the Westron Mountains.
Medium: As Medium creatures, humans have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Level Adjustment +1.
Favored Class: Haruchai Warrior
Haruchai Racial Levels
A Haruchai may choose to delay his class training to undertake a more personal series of lessons meant to reinforce those traits that make a Haruchai who he is. The successful completions of these trials are a matter of introspective fulfillment to a Haruchai.
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The Haruchai’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Jump (Str), Heal (Wis), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Search (Int), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) x4.
Skill Points at each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Code:
[b]Racial BAB Fort Ref Will Special[/b]
[b]Level[/b]
1 +1 +0 +0 +0 Combat Expertise
2 +2 +1 +1 +1 +2 Sense Motive, Track
3 +3 +1 +1 +1 Improved Initiative, Combat Reflexes
4 +4 +2 +2 +2 +2 Dex
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