Lithanra (lith-ahn-ruh)
Emaxus' Astral Elves
Called astral elves by non-humans, Lithanra (star-children in elvish) evolved from their elven cousins many millennia ago. During the Age of Rebirth, a number of elvish civilizations in Ipacia rose. Over the millennia, this constant exposure to the magics and time-warping effects of the Realm of Stars meant that these elves became so far-removed from their Syltherethian progenitors as to become another race: thus, the Lithanra were born. It is unknown when the first elven civilizations arose across Ipacia, but the elves that call Ipacia their home have since become true children of the Realm of Stars.
Children of the Stars
Lithanra are literally children of the stars: they aren't connected to the resurrection cycle of other elves, their souls coming instead from a long and arduous ritual in which an ancient astral elf forms a new astral soul from the magic and cosmic energy of Ipacia itself -- a ritual that makes all Lithanra born as adults. It is for this reason that Lithanra are incredibly rare, especially in the wake of the Reckoning, for they are few in number and live in their own communities. Additionally, because they "reproduce" asexually and non-organically, Lithanra are monogender, with all Lithanra using they/them pronouns and possessing no sexual organs. It is unknown when they evolved into this, or if it came about when they started creating their own cosmic souls.Secluded and Ancient
Lithanra are functionally immortal. They don't need food, drink, or sleep -- not even the elven trance -- while in Ipacia, for the ambient energies of the Realm of Stars sustain them. They can still die to disease or injury, and can age when away from Ipacia for too long, but so long as they are in their home realm, they do not age. This functional immortality makes Lithanra even more secluded. After being killed in droves during the Reckoning, they have retreated to their most ancient sanctums where elves who have lived for millennia can slowly rebuild their race's population -- and to leave Ipacia is to risk death anyways.Brink of Extinction
Lithanra were -- and still are -- some of the most skilled warrior-poets and philosopher-mages in all of Yophas. Within their floating, Ipacian cities, they pushed the boundaries of what the mind and body could achieve. In the Reckoning, these cities and the Lithanra within them were largely wiped out. Specifically, Laaelum and her Veil hunted the Lithanra to the brink of extinction. Lithanra hate Laaelum above all other things, and any corrupt mage or scholar -- even ones not actually connected to Laaelum -- are treated with the same violence they would see enacted upon Laaelum and her Veil, were they still around. Though Lithanra have become even more secluded and less numerous, they have been licking their wounds and keeping weary eyes out on Yophas, awaiting the day a new pawn of Laaelum arises -- the day when they can enact their revenge.Cosmic in Make
Lithanra can be mistaken for high elves at first glance, but do bear numerous differences on account of their altered evolution path. They tend to have darker shades of skin, ranging from light purple-blue to deep purple and black, like the different colors of Ipacia itself. Their skin is also marked by brilliant starmarkings that appear as glowing tattoos on different parts of their body. These starsigns appear when an astral elf turns eighty years old, and the shape and design of these astral tattoos is often used to determine the path of the elf. Their eyes tend to be anything from brilliant white to rich purple or blue, and they can have other strange physical markings, like glowing fingertips or translucent hair. Also, Lithanra tend to have longer limbs and ears, appearing to some like leaner and lankier high elves.Lithanra Names and Cultures
Lithanra have a different naming convention compared to other elves: instead of the usual childhood name and family name, then an adult name later in life, Lithanra have a given name and a "family name" (shared with the elf who created their cosmic soul), then a true name or title that they choose when their starmarkings manifest. On Lithanran documents, the true name usually comes after the given name and the family name, but in most other cases, Lithanra only go by their true name or title. Given Names: Anaia, Carian, Felodraste, Gallinvelliss, Gheridan, Leshiel, Thardron, Valleneth Family Names: Amasrendaen, Auvreattlin, Dwinnatlyn, Holidur, Ilphelren, Maenenodel, Raeradir, Ruakerym True Names/Titles: Archiver, Bladestar, Dreamblade, Enathel, Moonspear, Quadartis, Stargazer, Valanna Lithanra are extremely secluded, and thus rarely belong to other cultures or societies; however, feel free to break that mold and talk with your DM about other options for where your astral elf may have been from.Creating Your Character
At 1st level, you choose what race your character belongs to. If you choose a Lithanra, follow the rules found below to make your Lithanra hero -- or villain.Ability Score Increases
When determining your character's ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The "Quick Build" section of your character's class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can't raise any of your scores above 20.Languages
Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you can your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player's Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.Creature Type
Every creature in D&D, including each player character, has a special tag in the rules that identifies the type of creature they are. Most player characters are of the Humanoid type. Your race tells you what your character's creature type is. Here's a list of the game's creature types in alphabetical order: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don't have rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell doesn't work on a Construct or an Undead.Lithanra Traits
Your Lithanra character has the following traits.Age
When you are in Ipacia, you do not age. When you aren't in Ipacia, you have a lifespan slightly longer than a human's, living up to 150 years total.Creature Type
You are a Humanoid.Size
Lithanra are about the same size as other elves, but a little taller on account of longer limbs. You are medium.Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.Starborn
You are made from the stuff of stars, represented by the following benefits:- You don't need to eat, drink, or breathe.
- You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep.
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