Vatran

The Vatran are humans who have undergone the ritual of Soulbinding. Vatran are similar to the Avindiar in many ways. Like the Avindiar they are born from Human parents, and have enhanced physical capabilities. Unlike the Avindiar, the Soulbond can't be inherited and their soul remains mortal.
Vatran of all types are renowned for their physical prowess. They are much stronger and faster than normal humans, and those that are Planarbound often possess strange powers.
Vatran are accepted in most places and are more common than Avindair but have their fair share of problems. The Beastbound in particular often have to deal with strong negative stigma and heavy discrimination in large cities as many see them as rough uneducated barbarians. Some have embraced this, becoming body guards or soldiers. The Planarbound are rarer than their Beastbound cousins, but don't face the same level of discrimination. More often than not, Planarbound are given special places of honor in many organizations, or are seen as blessed by some religions.

Soulbonds

There are two different types of Soulbonds. The Beastbound and the Planarbound. The Beastbound are bound with an animal or magical creature, while the Planarbound have their portion of their souls replaced and linked to a specific type of planar energy.

The Beastbound

• Wolfbonded: Bonded to the soul of a wolf, the Wolfbonded have canine features and commonly have a thick coat of fur as well as a strong sense of smell. Wolfbonded make amazing trackers and rangers. They have a strong empathy with wolves and other canines, but strangely tend to avoid interacting with the Canis.
• Bearbonded: Bonded to the soul of a bear, the Bearbonded tend to be very large and strong growing up to 6'5 feet tall. Their great strength makes them amazing warriors, and are common in the Northern Tribes.
• Lionbonded: Bonded to the soul of a lion, the Lionbonded have feline eyes, rather flat noses, fangs and claws. Some grow their hair in a large mane. Lionbonded have a rich history. Common in Elkar, they were trained as elite warriors and held honored positions as the Emperors personal bodyguard.
• Boarbonded: Bound to the soul of a Boar, the Boarbonded are stout and strong. They have wiry hair and often have tusklike bottom teeth. They are famous for their short temper.
• Serpentbonded: Bound to the soul of a sperpent, the Serpentbonded are extremely rare in Amur. They were thought not to exist until the Oyunsari ships touched down in Gestra, and their elite cast of Vatran warriors were unleashed on the unsuspecting Gestrans.

The Planarbound

• Emberbound: The Emberbound are linked to the Realm of Fire. They possess minor control over non magical flames, fire resistance, and are very proficient with fire magic. They often have red or bronze hair and eyes. Sometimes their hair smokes and catches fire, or they ignite things they touch.
• Stonebound: The Stonebound are linked to the Realm of Earth. They possess great physical strength and endurance, minor stone sense, and are proficient with earth magic. Their skin and hair is often of earth tones and textures.
• Waterbound: The Waterbound are linked to the Realm of Water. They can breathe underwater, have natural swim speed, cold resistance, and are very proficient with water magic. Their hair and eyes are often dark green or blue.
• Stormbound: The Stormbound are linked to the Realm of Wind. They possess minor control of the wind, lightning/thunder resistance, and are very proficient with air magic. Their hair and eyes range from platinum to silver, and is strangely affected by the wind.
• Shadowbound: The Shadowbound are linked to the Realm of Shadow and are very rare. They possess some control over the shadows around them, and although they may be talented, are unable to cast Divine magic. The process to become Shadowbound is known only to a few and its secrets are tightly kept.

The Soulbinding Ritual

While the mother is still pregnant she will undergo the Soulbinding Ritual, binding the spirit or soul of another being onto the soul of her child. If the ritual is successful the child will be born Vatran, and exhibit many traits of the soul that was grafted onto theirs. Animals such as wolves, lions, and bears are commonly used for the ritual. The Soulbinding Ritual will be more difficult depending on the strength of the soul being captured, however the more powerful the soul, the stronger the Vatran. The Soulbinding Ritual itself is incredibly dangerous and puts both the mother and the child at risk of death or deformation.
The Ritual itself is one of the oldest on the planet, originating from the Northern Tribes who would call to the departed spirits of their clan animals to empower their warriors. The Ritual was adapted during the Sundering as summoners experimented with the what they could bind to a soul. Infamous cases where the souls of powerful magical creatures such as Dragons or Nature Spirits were used ended in disaster as the much stronger foreign souls would completely take over the host body and wreak havoc. Experiments binding planar energy to host bodies worked much better, and can be done when the child is older, but is much more difficult. Vatran such as the Emberbound and Stormbound are excellent examples of this.
*Meta: If there is an animal or plane that isn't listed, work with your GM. I can't list every animal or plane.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Vatra come in all shapes and sizes, but are mostly human looking. They exhibit the physical traits of their Soulbonded partner and each bond is exhibited differently. For example, a Wolfbonded Vatran can have fangs, fur, and a heightened sense of smell, while a Snakebonded Vatran can have patches of scales, and snake eyes. Vatran that are Planarbound also manifest physical traits of their bond. For example, some Emberbound may have fire for hair, or charcoal patterns on their skin.

Biological Traits

All Vatran have these intrinsic stats in addition to the ones from their Soulbond. (Unless specified otherwise.)

• Size: Medium
• Speed 30 feet
• Low Light Vision
• Skills: Beastbound gain Proficiency in Perception while Planarbound gain Proficiency in Insight
• Beastbound start with knowledge of 1 battle maneuver of their choice depending on their Soulbond. They have 1d8 superiority die.
• Languages: Vatran begin play knowing Common (Elkari), in addition to the language of their homeland.

Beastbound

Wolfbounded

• Abilities: +2 Dexterity
• Keen hearing and smell
• Wolf Tactics: Wolfbound may chose between Trip Attack or Distracting Strike

Bearbounded

• Abilities: +2 Constitution
• Keen smell
• Heavy Weight: Bearbounded may chose between Grappling Strike or Sweeping Attack

Lionbonded

• Abilities: +2 Strength
• Menacing: You gain proficiency in the intimidate skill
• Keen Hearing
• Loinbonded may chose between Menacing Attack or Commanders Strike

Boarbonded

• Abilities: +2 Constitution
• Relentless: When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
• Boars tenacity: Boarbonded may chose between Pushing attack or Goading Attack

Serpentbonded

• Abilities: +2 Dexterity
• A forked tongue: Serpentbounded gain proficiency in Deception
• Slithering Strikes: Serpentbounded may choose between Feinting Attack or Disarming Attack

Planarbound

Emberbound

• Ability: Your Intelligence Increases by +1 and your Dexterity by +1
• Darkvision 60 feet
• Fire Resistance
• Son of Ignis: You begin play knowing the Produce Flame Cantrip. At third level you learn Burning Hands as a 1st level spell and may cast it a number of times per day equal to your constitution modifier at a minimum of 1. Constitution if your spellcasting ability for these spells which are regained after a long rest.
• Weapon of Flame: Once per day you can coat your weapon in fire. The weapon deals an extra 1d6 fire damage, which increases to 2d6 at third level and 3d6 at 8th level. The ability lasts for rounds equal to your constitution modifier plus 1.

Stonebound

• Ability: Your Wisdom increases by +1 and your Constitution by +1
• Darkvision 60 feet
• Earth Walk: You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.
• Son of Tamos: Once per day you may make an Insight check DC13 to connect yourself with the stone around you. If you succeed you draw Strength from the stone itself the effect of Bulls Strength and Bears Endurance for rounds equal to your constitution modifier plus 1. This ability recharges after a long rest. You must be touching the ground to use this ability.

Waterbound

• Ability: Your Wisdom increases by +1 and your Strength by +1
• Darkvision 60 feet
• Acid Resistance
• Swim: You have a swimming speed of 30 feet
• Amphibious: You can breathe air and water.
• Daughter of Vitalia: You know the Shape Water cantrip. When you reach 3rd level you can cast Create or Destroy water as a 2nd level spell and can cast it a number of times per day equal to your constitution modifier at a minimum of 1. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells which are regained after a long rest.
• Blood of Ice: Once per day you can coat your weapon in a sheath of Ice. The weapon deals an extra 1d6 cold damage, which increases to 2d6 at third level, and 3d6 at 8th level. The ability lasts for rounds equal to your constitution modifier plus 1

Stormbound

• Ability: Your intelligence increases by +1 and your Dexterity by +1
• Darkvision 60 feet
• Lungs of Air: You can hold your breathe indefinitely while you're not incapacitated.
• Daughter of Areona: You can cast Levitate once per day. You regain the ability to cast it after a long rest. Constitution if your spellcasting ability for this spell
• Stormblood: Once per day you can sheath your weapon in lightning. The weapon deals an extra 1d6 shock damage, which increases to 2d6 at third level , and 3d6 at 8th level. The ability lasts for rounds equal to your constitution modifier plus 1.

Shadowbound. The shadowbound are a special case, as they are both a class and a race. One cannot be Shadowbound without advancing in the class.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Vatran are solitary people. The practice is rare so even with their long life spans they often only see another Vatran once every couple of years, and rarely gather in large groups. The exception to this are the Beastmen of Kaar and the Northern Barbarian Clans, who have a large Vatran population.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

There are very few groups of Vatran. More often than not, a Vatran will hold a special position within an organization, such as the Stonebound within the Church of Tamos, or the Shadowbound within the Conclave of Shadows.

Lifespan

Vatran live longer than normal Humans, on average 200 years.

Average Height

Varies per Soulbond

Average Weight

Varies per Soulbond