Pavonia

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Pavonia are a race of humanoid moths. A Pavonia typically stands between 4½ and 5½ feet tall and weighs between 100 and 150 pounds. As a race, the Pavonia are incredibly attuned to magic. Magic often shapes their being, and you can usually tell what kind of magic a Pavonia is most attuned to by their appearance.
All Pavonia have large, delicate wings that are beautiful but not strong enough for flight. Their bodies are covered in fine, iridescent scales that reflect light in a variety of colors. Unlike other insectoid races, the Pavonia have only two legs and are not as capable of carrying heavy loads as their cousins, especially the Micidians.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Pavonian community places great importance on social cohesion and cherishes the idea of reproduction as a joint effort that demands the collaboration and involvement of both partners. To facilitate this process, they use transformation magic, which allows the partners to decide together which of them will carry the eggs. The decision is reached through mutual agreement, considering factors that include the health and magical abilities of each individual. This choice is typically reached after thoughtful and extensive conversation and consideration.
Once the decision is made, the partner who will carry the eggs undergoes a magical transformation that prepares their body for egg incubation. This process ensures that both partners have an equal role in the reproduction process and fosters a deep sense of unity and shared responsibility between them.

Growth Rate & Stages

Pavonia go through a metamorphosis from a larval stage to an adult stage. Pavonia larvae hatch from eggs and undergo several molts as they grow. The duration of the larval stage can differ but typically ranges from a few years to several decades, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and the availability of food.
When the larva reaches full size, it spins a cocoon and enters the pupal stage, which can last from several years to several decades. During this time, the pupa undergoes a complete metamorphosis, including the development of wings, legs, and other adult structures. When Pavonia emerges from their cocoon as adult moths, they possess magical abilities and unique physical traits that mirror their connection to a specific form of magic.
The rate at which a Pavonia grows can vary depending on several factors, including temperature, food availability, and other environmental factors. Considering their impressive lifespan of up to 600 years, it stands to reason that they possess a gradual growth rate and an extended period of development compared to other species.

Ecology and Habitats

The optimal environment for Pavonia is a warm, humid climate with plenty of vegetation. They prefer to live in wooded areas where they can easily hide and blend in with their surroundings. Pavonia have a close relationship with nature and are skilled at manipulating plants and other natural elements with their magic. Furthermore, they possess an innate instinct to detect alterations in their surroundings and are quick to act in order to safeguard their home, particularly if they perceive any potential threats.
The Pavonia tribe has gained recognition for their exceptional dedication to preserving their environment. They meticulously uphold a harmonious relationship between the diverse plant and animal species within their ecosystem. They use their magic to help plants grow and thrive, and they have a deep respect for the natural world. Pavonia settlements are often located near water sources, and they will go to great lengths to keep these sources clean and free of pollution.
In general, the Pavonia interact with their environment in a harmonious and symbiotic manner. They understand the significance of preserving a robust ecosystem and dedicate themselves to guaranteeing that their actions do not disturb the delicate harmony of their environment. The Pavonia use their magic to help their environment flourish, and in return, the environment provides them with the resources they need to live and thrive.

Behaviour

The Pavonia's relationship with their environment is one of deep reverence and respect. They consider themselves guardians of the land, striving tirelessly to ensure that their communities leave the smallest possible footprint on the environment surrounding them. In addition, they possess great skill in harnessing the powers of magic to shape the natural realm according to their will. These incredible abilities enable them to guarantee bountiful harvests and secure their dwellings from the unpredictable forces of nature.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Pavonia's eyes are large and compound, capable of seeing clearly even in total darkness. Their antennae are also highly sensitive, allowing them to detect magical energy and subtle changes in their environment.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Pavonia have distinct physical features determined by their magical attunement, making it difficult to distinguish males from females. In addition, the race exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism, further complicating identification even for members of their own species. Because of the difficulty in distinguishing between male and female Pavonia, their society does not place much emphasis on gender roles or distinctions. Gender identity is considered a personal matter, and individuals are free to express themselves as they choose. The Pavonia's emphasis on an individual's magical abilities over their physical attributes or gender also contributes to the lack of gender roles in their society.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

While it is true that Pavonia are known for being completely silent, it is fascinating to note that the majority of them have managed to grasp the intricacies of the Draconic language, mastering understanding of both its spoken and written forms. This mastery of the language has allowed them to establish meaningful communication with other Draconic-speaking races and to interpret arcane scriptures.
Yet, a select few Pavonian cultures have taken a different path in their linguistic development. These cultures have adopted Sylvan as their primary language of choice. In doing so, they've forged a linguistic identity that sets them apart from the broader population of Pavonia.
Not only are they proficient in Draconic and, in some cases, Sylvan, but they have also acquired a functional understanding of Common, a language that is widely spoken in most regions. This linguistic versatility allows them to interact on a wide scale, fostering connections and exchanges with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
What sets the Pavonia apart is their innate affinity for magic. Most of them have developed an intimate and harmonious bond with the arcane arts, granting them the gift of understanding one of the elemental languages: Auran, Aquan, Ignan, or Terran. These languages, rooted in the elemental forces that shape the world, give Pavonia a deep connection to nature and magic.
Also, some Pavonia have delved even deeper into the realms of mystical communication, acquiring knowledge of the Outer Languages. These esoteric tongues, including Abyssal, Celestial, and Infernal, open doors to understanding the mysterious forces that exist beyond the mortal realm. Pavonia showcases an intriguing array of languages, representing their complex and diverse essence. This diversity not only reflects their exceptional ability to bridge the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary, but also their relentless pursuit of knowledge and profound connection to the world that surrounds them.

Pavonian Script

The Pavonia, with their unique inability to speak, have never cultivated a spoken language of their own. Instead, they have ingeniously developed a written script that appears to the uninitiated as a cryptic and complex system. The Pavonian script is a remarkable testament to their extraordinary communication skills. It comprises an extensive collection of thousands of pictograms, meticulously designed to represent distinct concepts. These symbols cover a wide range, from tangible objects such as fruit to abstract notions such as proximity.
These individual symbols serve as the building blocks of their written language, capable of standing alone or combining to form more complex words. What distinguishes the Pavonian script is the ingenious incorporation of geometric shapes, each of which has a specific grammatical function. These shapes convey vital information about the word's role within the sentence, such as subject, object, adjective, adverb, or verb.
A unique feature of the Pavonian script is the precise arrangement of the symbols within these geometric shapes. The script begins in the lower left corner of a shape (or the bottom center for rounded shapes) and proceeds clockwise around the edges. This meticulous attention to symbol placement ensures clarity and consistency in their written communication.
The aesthetic qualities of their writing are valued in Pavonian culture. Writing with evenly spaced characters is considered elegant and refined, reflecting a mastery of the script. In contrast, clustered symbols or excessive white space are considered less refined, akin to a child's writing.
The Pavonian script is a testament to their ingenuity and adaptability in the face of their unique vocal limitations. They have created a complex and deeply rooted system of symbols, enabling them to express and communicate in a truly remarkable way that reflects their rich cultural heritage.

Common Dress Code

The traditional dress of the Pavonia is influenced by their natural environment and their magical abilities. Pavonian individuals have a preference for donning garments made of lightweight and breathable fabrics. They tend to wear robes or tunics with flowing sleeves that can be easily tucked away while working. The colors of their clothing are often bright, reflecting their magical attunement. The patterns on their clothing tend to be intricate, with symbols representing their magical abilities or personal beliefs.
Since the Pavonia cannot speak, they communicate primarily through body language. Therefore, their clothing is also designed to convey non-verbal messages. For example, a Pavonia will wear a cloak with the hood up to signal that they do not want to be disturbed. Overall, the Pavonia's traditional dress is both functional and expressive, reflecting their unique cultural values and the magic that permeates their society.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The culture and society of the Pavonia revolves around their magic and the Aether Crystals they possess. They are deeply spiritual beings who view the Aether as a manifestation of the Divine. The Pavonia believe that they have been chosen by the Aether to be its guardians and protectors, and they take their responsibilities seriously. Their society is organized into small, close-knit communities, and each settlement is governed by a council of elders chosen for their wisdom and magical abilities.
Pavonian society is hierarchical, with an individual's magical abilities determining their position in the social order. Those with stronger magical talents are respected and revered, while those with weaker or less developed abilities may perform less demanding tasks. However, the Pavonia are not aggressive or warlike people, and conflicts are usually resolved through negotiation or ritual combat.
Art, music, and dance are essential components of the Pavonian culture, which is rich and intricate. Their music is exquisitely beautiful, and their dance is elegant and fluid, often incorporating magical elements into their performances.
The Pavonia's access to unlimited magic through their Aether Fonts has had a significant impact on their culture. With no scarcity or competition for resources, their society prioritizes the pursuit of knowledge, personal fulfillment, and creative expression over survival. However, as a consequence, the Pavonia have become complacent and lacking in ambition. Lacking motivation, they are content to remain within the confines of their current knowledge and technology, neglecting the endless possibilities that await them when harnessing their extraordinary magical abilities.
The Pavonia highly value their privacy and isolation. They prefer to live in small, tight-knit communities and limit their interactions with outsiders. This is partly due to their unique method of communication, as they cannot speak and instead rely on body language and writing. The Pavonia are highly attuned to their environment and take great care to preserve the natural beauty of their settlements. They often incorporate elements of nature into their architecture and artwork, and some settlements even have gardens that are tended with great care.
Some Pavonia become dissatisfied with the complacency of their society and seek adventure outside the influence of the Aether Fonts. The driving force behind these individuals is typically their craving for thrills, personal gratification, or their aspiration to push the limits of what can be achieved with their magical abilities. Adventurers like these are not common in Pavonia, and most people in society regard them with suspicion or even disdain. They deviate from the norms and put their safety on the line by exploring uncharted territories.

Common Taboos

The Pavonia are well aware of the inherent danger of Aether Crystals, which tend to produce uncontrollable and unpredictable effects when damaged. Consequently, they do not use them in crafting or decorating, as the risk of injury or destruction is too great.
The Pavonia place great importance on personal autonomy and the responsible exercise of power, fervently denouncing the utilization of magic to inflict harm or manipulate others without their consent. They recognize the potential dangers of unchecked magical abilities and prioritize ethical considerations in the use of magical powers.

History

At an unknown point in Pavonian history, there was a civil war that led to the extinction of the Papiliads, a butterfly-like subspecies. The Pavonia consider this a sensitive subject and are not willing to divulge any details to the outside world. Human scholars have consistently persevered in their quest to uncover the truth, despite facing various challenges. Through their relentless dedication, they have uncovered compelling proof that the Pavonia attempted to harness powerful magic to erase all recollection of the Papiliads from the records of time. Their motivations behind this act appear rooted in the desire to confront and reconcile with the wrongdoings committed by their predecessors.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Pavonia prefer to live in isolation and limit their interactions with other races. However, they tend to be hospitable to visitors who happen upon their settlements. Despite their reclusive nature, some other races have attempted to invade their enclaves for the valuable Aether Crystals found within. However, the Pavonia's extraordinary magical abilities have always repelled any attempted invasions, and no army has ever managed to breach their borders.
While hospitable to visitors who stumble upon their settlements, the Pavonia are cautious and guarded in their dealings with outsiders. They have a long memory and do not easily forget past transgressions. The Pavonia possess a profound sense of justice, and anyone who inflicts harm upon their people or tries to exploit their resources will face severe consequences.

Lifespan

600 years

Average Height

140 cm to 165 cm

Average Weight

45 kg to 70 kg

Related Materials

• Aetherite

Pavonia

Pavonia Racial Traits

The Pavonia are humanoids with the insectoid subtype. All Pavonia have the following traits:
Abilities: Al Pavonia gain +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma and -2 Constitution.
Medium Size: The Pavonia are Medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Pavonia have a base speed of 30 feet.
Darkvision 60 ft. (Ex): Pavonia can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Eye for Magic (Sp): Pavonia can use detect magic as a constant spell-like ability (the caster level is equal to the pavonia’s hit dice).
Arcane Focus (Ex): Pavonia have a +2 racial bonus on concentration checks made to cast arcane spells defensively.
Mute Caster (Ex): The pavonia do not speak, but this does not prevent them from casting spells requiring a verbal component. Pavonia substitute the verbal component of all spells they cast with a thought component. This however prevents the pavonia from using spells requiring a voice (such as command or ear-piercing scream).
Vestigial Wings (Ex): Pavonia have wings that do not provide the lift required for actual flight, but do have enough power to aid flight attained by some other method, and grant a +4 racial bonus on Fly checks.
Paralytic Dust (Ex): A number of times per day equal to her Constitution modifier (minimum 1/day), as standard action, a pavonia can shudder her wings to create a 10-ft cloud of dust. Creatures exposed to the dust must make a Fortitude save or be affected by the poison effect shown below.

Paralytic Dust: Inhalation; save Fort DC 10 + 1/2 the pavonia’s Hit Dice + the pavonia’s Constitution modifier; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Dex; cure 1 save.

Resistant (Ex): Pavonia have a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects and poison.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): A pavonia is dazzled as long as she remains in an area of bright light.
Language: Pavonia cannot speak, but begin play with an understanding of Common and Draconic. Pavonia with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).

Pavonia Subraces

When creating a pavonia, you must determine what school of magic your pavonia is most attuned with. While advantageous to, pavonian wizards do not need to chose their subrace school as their specialization school.


Abjuration
Pavonian abjurers have bodies and wings covered in intricate patterns of white and black like that of a white-lined sphinx moth.
Enclave Protector (Su): These pavonia add +1 to the caster level of any abjuration spells they cast. Pavonia also gain the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to the pavonia’s character level): 1/day — faerie fire, obscure object, sanctuary, shield.


Conjuration
Pavonian conjurers most often have brown to orange striped bodies and wings with impressive patterning similar to a giant atlas moth.
Elemental Summoner (Su): When one of these pavonia summon a creature with the air subtype with a summon spell, increase the duration of that spell by 2 rounds. A pavonia with a Charisma score of 11 gains the following spell-like ability (the caster level is equal to her character level): 1/day — summon monster II.


Divination
Pavonian diviners most often have white bodies with translucent green to yellow wings. Their wings often have small tails that extend from the bottom like those of a luna moth.
Dreamspeaker (Su): These pavonia have a +1 bonus to the spell save DCs of spells of the divination school and spells that produce sleep effects that they cast. A pavonia with a Charisma score of 11 gains the following spell-like ability: 1/day — mindlink.
In addition, a pavonia with a Charisma score of 15 or higher also gains the following spell-like ability: 1/day — dream.
The caster level for these abilities is equal to the pavonia’s character level, and the DC is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the pavonia’s Charisma modifier.


Enchantment
Pavonian enchanters have tan to yellow bodies and expansive wings that feature large, prominent eye-spots similar to an io moth.
Seducer (Su): These pavonia add +1 to the spell save DCs for their spells and spell-like abilities of the enchantment school. A pavonia with a Charisma score of 11 gains the following spell-like ability: 1/day — hypnotism.
In addition, a pavonia with a Charisma score of 15 or higher gains the following spell-like ability: 1/day — charm person.
The caster level for these abilities is equal to the pavonia’s character level, and the DC is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the pavonia’s Charisma modifier.


Evocation
Pavonian evokers most often have red or orange bodies are large wings ranging from white to dark grey in color like a cecropia moth.
Pyromaniac (Su): These pavonia are treated as +1 level higher when casting spells with the fire descriptor, using granted powers of the Fire domain, using bloodline powers of the fire elemental bloodline, using the revelations of the oracle’s flame mystery, and determining the damage of alchemist bombs that deal fire damage. This trait does not give a pavonia early access to level-based powers; it only affects powers that she could already use without this trait. If a pavonia has a Charisma score of 11 or higher, she also gains the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to the her character level): 1/day — dancing lights, flare, prestidigitation, produce flame.


Illusion
Pavonian illusionists most often have transparent wings and a yellow or green coloration on their body, occasionally with a red band at their waist like that of a pellucid hawk-moth.
Illusory (Su): These pavonia add +1 to the spell save DC of any illusion spells they cast. Each pavonia also gains the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to her character level): 1/day — dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, vanish.
The DC for the spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the pavonia’s Charisma modifier.


Necromancy
Necromantic pavonia are most often dark-brown to black moths, occasionally with white markings similar to a black witch moth.
Fell Magic (Su): These pavonia add +1 to the spell save DC of necromancy spells that they cast. A pavonia with a Charisma score of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to her character level): 1/day — bleed, chill touch, detect poison, touch of fatigue.
The DC is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the pavonia’s Charisma modifier.


Transmutation
Pavonian transmuters are most often almost entirely white in color like a silkworm moth.
Worldshaper (Su): These pavonia add +1 to the spell save DC of transmutation spells that they cast. A pavonia with a Charisma score of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to her character level): 1/day — mage hand, mending, message, polypurpose panacea.
The DC is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the pavonia’s Charisma modifier.


Universal
Unaligned pavonia usually have fairly plain bodies in muted browns, blacks, and greys similar to a duskywing moth.
Non-specialization (Ex): These pavonia have a +2 bonus on caster level checks made to overcome spell resistance. In addition, they also receive a +2 racial bonus on Spellcraft checks made to identify the properties of magic items.

Alternate Racial Traits

[None at this time]

Favored Class Options

The following options are available to all pavonia who have the listed favored class, and unless otherwise stated, the bonus applies each time you select the favored class reward.
Arcanist: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Bard: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Magus: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Sorcerer: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Summoner: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Witch: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.
Wizard: Add +1/2 of a spell to your spells known.