Kalashtar

Basic Information

Anatomy

Being the combination of humans who willingly fused with quori souls, kalashtar look much like humans, having the same ranges of eye, hair and skin colors. Kalashtar are commonly tall and slim, though kalashtar of all sizes exist. The only real difference in kalashtar is their monastic behaviour. Kalashtar children show the largest difference between them and their human counterparts but still, only in behaviour. Whilst human children will run, play, laugh and show an emotional immaturity, kalashtar children will take part in meditative practices, martial training and telepathic conversations like their adult seniors. Growing up for the kalashtar is simply a physical process rather than an emotional or mental one.

Biological Traits

Many Kalashtar are reclusive and prefer to stay in the temple-grounds of their island, however, some driven by purpose venture out into the world. Some of those that leave wish to end the siege on The Autum isles by the Riedrans and others leave in an attempt to escape the Dreaming Dark. Kalashtar are commonly reserved, tranquil and tend to spend significant time thinking something through before acting. They're kind and caring towards others though, in an intellectual manner rather than emotional. It is not known exactly why kalashtar take a keen interest in controlling their emotions however, it is commonly believed that it is due to the turmoil they suffer from their conjoined souls. They express their friendship with a wry smile and through offhand comments rather than being cordial or making lewd jokes. The fragments of the quori soul subsumed within the kalashtar keenly remember their escape from Dal Quor, and long to return someday.
Kalashtar fleeing and hiding from the Dreaming Dark are cautious of others, though they remain invariably polite, kind, and even compassionate. Kalashtar are unable to merge their human half's sensitivity with the strange and wild visions and memories of their quori souls. Beneath their serene makeup, kalashtar are at conflict within themselves, struggling to fend off insanity. At times they begin to lose that struggle, displaying confusing and sometimes dangerous behavior. Dealing with The Dreaming Dark is the most important goal for kalashtar people, as most see them as the ultimate evil in existence.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

There are reports of a few of these people being scattered all across Asengaurd however the only known location is The Autumn Isle

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

The kalashtar are a compound race: a merging of risen quori from the plane of Dal Quor, the Region of Dreams and the human bodies and spirits to form a distinct species.
The virtuous spirits tied to the kalashtar fled from the dream-realm of Dal Quor to escape evil spirits that dominate it. The rebel quori believe that through meditation and devotion, they can change the fundamental nature of Dal Quor, shifting the balance from darkness to light. The kalashtar community focuses on acts of devotion known as the Path of Light. But the dark powers of Dal Quor have their own plans and through the force known as the Dreaming Dark, these monsters manipulate the folk of the world to eliminate kalashtar whenever possible.
Many kalashtar defend themselves from the Dreaming Dark by focusing on devotion to the Path of Light. Others, though, seek out the agents of the Dreaming Dark and oppose their plans, or protect the innocent however they can. Still other kalashtar grow up isolated, knowing nothing about Dal Quor or the Dreaming Dark. Such orphans might use their abilities for personal gain or otherwise act against the virtuous instincts of their quori spirits; this can cause internal conflicts and violent mood swings.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Kalashtar Names. A kalashtar name adds a personal prefix to the name of the quori spirit within the kalashtar. Such names have no relation to the kalashtar's gender.
Kalashtar orphans are unlikely to know the name of their spirit and take names from another source.
Quori Names: Ashana, Ashtai, Ishara, Hareth, Khad, Kosh, Melk, Nari, Tana, Tari, Tash, Ulad, Vakri, Vash
Kalashtar Names: Coratash, Dalavash, Dolishara, Halakosh, Khoratari, Koratana, Lanhareth, Molavakri, Nevitash, Sorashana, Torashtai, Valakhad, Vishara

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Kalashtar are often seen as wise, spiritual people with great compassion for others. There is an unmistakable alien quality to the kalashtar, though, as they are haunted by the conflicts of their otherworldly spirits. Bound to Spirits. Every kalashtar has a connection to a spirit of light, a bond shared by other members of their bloodline. Kalashtar appear human, but their spiritual connection affects them in a variety of ways. Kalashtar have symmetrical, slightly angular features, and their eyes often glow when they are focused or expressing strong emotions.
Kalashtar can't directly communicate with their quori spirits. Rather, they might experience this relationship as a sense of instinct and inspiration, drawing on the memories of the spirit when they dream. This connection grants kalashtar minor psionic abilities, as well as protection from psychic attacks. All of these quori dream-spirits are virtuous, but some are warriors and others are more contemplative. Typically, a kalashtar knows the name and nature of their spirit, but some may know nothing of their spirit or the source of their psychic gifts, such as an orphan kalashtar raised among strangers.
The bond to the spirit can cause some kalashtar to display unusual quirks. Such as.

1. They always try to understand the motives and feelings of your enemies.
2. They prefer using telepathy over speaking aloud.
3. They might feel a strong drive to protect the innocent.
4. They often apply dream logic to mundane situations.
5. They appear to talk to themselves, discussing things out loud with their quori spirit.
6. They might completely suppress their emotions and rely on logic.
7. The can be strongly influenced by the emotions of those around you.
8. They often prefer to find nonviolent solutions to problems whenever possible.
9. They sometimes are driven by a warrior spirit and will fight for any noble cause.
10. Some can be obsessed with Dreaming Dark conspiracies more than the rest of their people.

History

The kalashtar first appeared in Asenguard 1,800 years ago, after fleeing their home realm Dal Quor in search for refuge. Whilst in Dal Quor they were being persecuted for religious and philosophical differences by the Dreaming Dark and were hunted by its agents until the kalashtar leader, Taratai, found a way to escape into Asneguard. The kalashtar were only quori until Taratai convinced the a small, isolated group of monks to willingly fuse their spirits with the quori to form the first kalashtar. There were originally sixty-seven monks at the temple.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Humans

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

4'10" to 6'4"

Average Weight

220 lb. to 880 lb.

Geographic Distribution

• The Autumn Isle

Kalashtar Racial Stats

Ability Scores: Wis +2; Cha +1
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft.

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Age. Kalashtar mature and age at the same rate as humans.
Alignment. The noble spirit tied to a kalashtar drives it toward lawful and good behavior. Most kalashtar combine strong self-discipline with compassion for all beings, but some kalashtar resist the virtuous influence of their spirit.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Dual Mind. You have advantage on all Wisdom saving throws.
Mental Discipline. You have resistance to psychic damage.
Mind Link. You can speak telepathically to any creature you can see, provided the creature is within a number of feet of you equal to 10 times your level. You don't need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language. When you're using this trait to speak telepathically to a creature, you can use your action to give that creature the ability to speak telepathically with you for 1 hour or until you end this effect as an action. To use this ability, the creature must be able to see you and must be within this trait's range. You can give this ability to only one creature at a time; giving it to a creature takes it away from another creature who has it.
Severed from Dreams. Kalashtar sleep, but they don't connect to the plane of dreams as other creatures do. Instead, their minds draw from the memories of their otherworldly spirit while they sleep. As such, you are immune to spells and other magical effects that require you to dream, like dream, but not to spells and other magical effects that put you to sleep, like sleep.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Quori, and one other language of your choice.

Source: ERLW, page 29. Also found in WGE, page 62.