Criminoid or "Tallboy"

Most similar to rootstock humans, criminoids are tall, dark-haired folk of generally slight build and beige to brown skin. They are more numerous than any other human sub-population in Bloodmarsh, mostly because they are more willing to travel than other subraces. Tallboys occupy many niches in Bloodmarsh society, but show a particular fondness for urban centers. They are known for relative industry, that is, relative to lowhuts, with whom they often settle. The two subraces are close allies and companions, with criminoids always striving forward and lowhuts helping keep everything balanced.

Adventuring

Criminoid adventurers are common, owing to their natural curiosity and restlessness, and it's rather difficult to keep the young ones from dashing off in search of danger. They use their height and striking endurance well when on the road, making great overland speed when unimpeded. However, they go through a lot of food relative to the smaller subraces, and get bored with walking, often leading to unsafe encounters. The urge to go can be difficult for party members of other subraces to deal with, so sit your tallboy down and get him distracted with something, like running in circles or digging with his teeth. Or a beer.

History

Criminoids seem to be mostly native to the region now controlled by the Kingdom of Criminy; thus the name. Different variants of criminoids have since been proven to have originated (or at least long dwealt) in remote areas of both continents.

Culture

Criminoids expect one another to keep their own council, and to work their fair share. They also expect a smoke at noon and a beer at 5:00. At a young age, most tallboys are strongly influenced by their friends, who often include older lowhuts; this influence holds more strongly with some, but is soon forgotten in others. Parents educate their kids as much as they can. In their prime, criminoids usually try to become the best at something, attempting to specialize as fast as possible. Travel is also a big part of tallboy culture, to walk from place to place or just wander at random.

Stereotypes

Tallboys are known for their restlessness. Contentment seems alien to them, and they always are aiming for something right out of reach. They are renowned as great drinkers and smokers, probably associated with this dissatisfaction. Friends of tallboys respect their determination and endurance, but become exasperated with their unrest and constant compulsion to do things. Really good friends note that the tendency reduces drastically after about beer:30 in the evening, and so help keep drink on hand so that the evenings can at least be sedentary.

Criminoid Racial Traits

Criminoids are allotted the following racial ability adjustments and perks:

• +2 in one Ability score of your choice.
• Craft, Profession, Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device skills are always class skills for a Tallboy, since industry and magic have been the source of much of their success.
• Select 3 more skills; these are class skills for you. Tryhard.
• The 5:30 Technique
• Tallboys also receive a bonus feat at first level to represent their ability to specialize.

Key:

The 5:30 Technique (Ex): Along with the restless spirit of the Tallboy comes a strong power of self-motivation. On any check made to sustain a tiring or difficult effort, you may add to your check result the number of strong drinks you expect to guzzle today at around 5:30 (Limit 4 drinks per customer). If you succeed on the check, you carry on despite your pain and become Fatigued as soon as you finish. If you fail to get the promised booze tonight, you become Demoralized, which has no game effect, but it really sucks, man. If the G.M. deems that motivation wouldn't make a detectable impact on your performance, you can't apply this rule.

by Oogalook

Phillip Bucketfill, well-digger, and "Kickass" Brenda Breadbake, windlass.

Physical Characteristics

Average Height

5'7"

Average Weight

150 lbs

Skin Colors

Beige to dark brown

Eye Colors

Any

Average Lifespan

75 years

Preferred Classes

Barbarian tallboys are common, especially in the North, where they rub shoulders with native bighornian tribes.
Wizard is a traditional roll for tallboys, and is the root of much of their success in the Crotch. Their inner drive is great in research fields.
Bard callings come to some tallboys. Their aching hearts make them want to break out in song sometimes.

Naming Traditions

Names are varied, but often discribe the family business: Grenda Grindthings, Sammy Stonewhack, Pete Pigsteal, Cooper Cooper, etc.

Diverged ethnicities

• Ettercap