Planetouched

Introduction:

Standing between 5' and 7' feet tall, the Planetouched are remnants of an era long passed, and pepper the landscape of Eldara. Their features vary as much as any member of another species, and they are oftentimes mistaken for those beings. Many speculate where they come from, as they manage to fit themselves into any society they are born in. The Planetouched generally do not form large groups, and manage to weave their way into societies; their lineage is generally terrestrialized by Eldaran races to the point that the only people that can reliably identify other Planetouched are other Planetouched, themselves.

Origin of the Planetouched:

These are the descendants of beings from the Outer Planes and Eldara; the exact origin of many of the Planetouched is unknown, but it is believed that most of them were created through experimental rituals. The children of these two vastly different beings hold many of the traits of both parents, but had traits chosen from their planar parent, so that they could find a permanent home on Eldara. These beings generally fit into one of any three groups, the Planar, Elemental, and Primal Planetouched, which are all influenced by their ancestry, though sometimes the instability of certain ancestors might cause two related siblings to form drastically different traits.

A Chaotic and Elemental Nature:

Planetouched continue to have a powerful connection with their ancestors' plane of origin, though lacking in the strength and control their forebearers their powers are more than enough to surprise the commoner, leading many to think them witches and sorcerers. Their personalities are usually fused between their terrestrial and astral counterparts, elemental Planetouched generally have a more personal expression, while the celestial Planetouched have a more ideologically driven personality. While many additionally carry physical characteristics of their ancestors, they are largely set apart by personalities that deviate from the norm.

Social Outcasts:

As many of the last remnants of Planar beings on Eldara the Planetouched keep their identities generally hidden. Ancient stories tell of great wars of Angels, Demons, and The Races, and though the history of the Elementals is much more muted, many have a generalized disdain for each other, and their magics are regarded as trickery. These factors generate people who keep their identities hidden, and live among others, such as Humans and Dwarves. While the stigma of being a Planetouched exists, it is largely held up by the Planetouched's own sense of self-preservation, barring them from keeping relationships with other people.

Types of Planetouched:

With a Race as varied as the Planetouched, it is difficult to describe the variations between them. Many Planetouched have siblings that are very different from themselves, many have stronger ties to their Planar Ancestor, meaning they are less removed from their genetic pool; many have ties to two different planar ancestors, and some have ancestors from different planes. It is easiest to categorize such a varied from into 3 loose categories, based on the types of beings the said ancestors were.

Celestial:

The Celstial Planetouched are those whose forebearers were of a Celestial Plane - one of the planes built apon the spiritual energy of living creatures. Celestial creatures are the most powerful creatures that have ever graced Eldara, but their lineage is all but extinguished; most living today have only the loosest ties to such beings, which are attracted to other sentient beings. This makes Celestial Planetouched the most plentiful, but most diluted of the race. They live in everyday society, oftentimes fully unaware of their lineage until some moment when their powers awaken, generally during highly stressful or emotional times.

Elemental:

The Elemental Planetouched have a more powerful connection with the power granted by their ancestors; Elemental planetouched often live in association with the said Elemental, who they are often only a few generations removed from. They form small communities and can be rather easily spotted if one knows what to look for - the smell of ash or salt, an unnatural eye color, or patches of stony skin are common signs of the closeness of these Planetouched with their relative. The reclusive nature of these elementals helps to foster these communities, which can thrive without contact with other Races.

Primal:

The Primal Planetouched are more difficult to define than the other other two; they are the descendants of forces that stem from Eldara, itself. The Primal fit into society much more like their Celestial siblings, but have ancestors linked to more mysterious forces, such as life, magic, and the Fey. More stories are of Primal Planetouched which hold powers built around sacred sites, natural phenomena, and Ancient Races. The Primal Planetouched have much closer ties to their Ancestors than the Celestial, and even many of their Elemental siblings, but since their nature is native to Eldara, itself, their heritage is oftentimes hard to discern.

Attributes:

Planetouched gain the following:
1.) +2 Knowledge arcana
2.) Resistance to the character's selected element | holy / unholy
3.) Common and their native planar language (Terran, Aquan, Ignan, Sylvan, Divine or Fiendish.)
4.) Planetouched gain access to powerful feats depending on their ancestry.

Society:

Planetouched society is largely built around exclusivity amongst other races, but inclusivity amongst themvelves. Those of villages in the farlands seek to keep their villages secret from others, namely the Humans who have overtaken much of the land, along with the Thaelron. The Planetouched living amongst the other Races keep their heritage a secret, cover themselves, and hide their powers because of the ancient wars. Those who discover their secrets usually earn their trust, which is given out of fear that they may spread their secret.

On Planetouched:

Others see the Planetouched as beings of mystery, deception, and power. Their lack of knowledge on such people leads them to see their powers as arcane trickery; most as seen as vagabond sorcerers, and arcane tricksters. Since magic is seen in a dark light by most, this causes many a great unease, creating tensions with those who have done no wrong; those who earn the trust of Planetouched, however, learn that they make some of the most loyal companions.

Astral: 1.) +1 to all mental scores and their maximums

Elemental: +1 to all physical scores and their maximums

Primal +2 bonus to any ability score and its maximum



WIP: ALL: +1 mastery in the character's selected element | holy / unholy, additionally, an attribute of your choosing and its maximum are increased by 1.
Earth: The character regains 1 wound per hour. This effect may heal through any injury.
Fire: Being struck in melee combat causes the attacker to suffer 1 point of damage for every 4 levels you possess, increased by 1 for every point you possess in fire mastery.
Angel: You gain the Charisma trait, additionally, your Will and its maximum are increased by 2.