Maia

Maia

Graceful, creative, and shimmering with ethereal beauty, the Maia dance through life with an artistry born from the heart of spring.

Overview

General History

Created by the Steward Isoko, the Maia emerged from a carefully protected tribe of the Prime. Infused with traits embodying beauty, creativity, and grace, the Maia contrast starkly with their more disruptive ancestors. Guided by Isoko’s impulsive yet nurturing nature, they developed a unique culture marked by empathy, artistic expression, and philosophical curiosity.

Characteristics

Maia are known for their tall, slender builds, moving with effortless elegance. Their skin exhibits a distinct shimmering quality, opalescent under sunlight or moonlight, typically in jewel-like tones such as sapphire, emerald, and rarely lavender or red. Their eyes are vividly luminescent, expressing deep emotion and creativity.

Cultural Traits

The Maia possess innate creativity, often excelling in arts and intellectual pursuits. However, they exhibit traits similar to ADHD: impulsivity, a tendency to hyperfocus, and an aversion to strict organization. Their society is vibrant and empathetic, placing significant value on beauty and creative expression.

Roles in Alathor

Maia often thrive as artists, diplomats, philosophers, and scholars throughout Alathor. Their charismatic presence and eloquent speech make them natural mediators and cultural leaders, frequently serving as advisors or emissaries.

ability score increase: Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

age: Maia reach adulthood at around 20 years and typically live up to 200 years. They maintain a youthful appearance and spirited energy throughout their lives.

alignment: Maia typically gravitate towards Chaotic Good alignments, driven by creativity and empathy. However, their impulsivity may also lead some toward chaotic neutral paths.

Size: Medium

speed: 30 ft

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Maia, a lyrical, vowel-rich language.

race features:

Creative Mind:

You have proficiency in the Performance and Sleight of Hand skills, reflecting your natural flair for creativity and cleverness.

Flexible and Quick:

You have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Evasive Agility:

When an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Resilient Spirit:

Having endured a history of enslavement and abuse, the Maia have developed a strong will to survive. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Artistic Inspiration:

You have proficiency with one type of musical instrument or artisan’s tools of your choice.

The Creative Spirits of Alathor, the Resilient Maia...

The Maia are a race steeped in history and resilience, their origins tracing back to the ancient Prime from whom they descend. They were among the first races shaped by the divine hands of the Stewards, and their creation was marked by a balance of beauty, grace, and cleverness. Standing between 5’6” and 6'6” tall, the Maia possess a lean, flexible build that complements their quick reflexes and dexterous movements. Their skin tones range across the spectrum of those colors found in gems and flora, as these were the things of beauty that inspired Isoko during her creation of the Maia. Their skin often gives the impression of glowing with a slight iridescent sheen, and their eyes are bright and ranging in that same myriad of coloration, reflecting their keen perception and restless spirits.
In the past, the Maia were enslaved and mistreated, but they have since broken free from their bonds and now live as a scattered but vibrant people across Alathor. Despite their chaotic tendencies, they have developed a culture rich in artistic expression and personal freedom. The Maia are natural performers, with a deep love for music, dance, and storytelling. Their performances are renowned for their emotional depth and the raw energy that they channel into their art.
The Maia are also known for their nimble agility and quick thinking. Their history has taught them the importance of adaptability and cunning, making them skilled in sleight of hand, acrobatics, and other dexterous feats. They are survivors, having developed a strong will to endure and thrive in even the harshest of circumstances. This resilience is seen in their ability to remain unshaken by fear and their talent for evading danger.
In the modern world, Maia can be found in many roles and locations. A Maia bard might captivate audiences in the grand halls of Kataria, while a Maia rogue could slip through the shadows of a bustling city, seeking out secrets and treasures. Others may serve as diplomats or spies, using their charm, alluring and exotic features, and wit to navigate the complex social landscapes of Alathor. Some Maia prefer a quieter life, dedicating themselves to the study of ancient arts, developing new arts, or perfecting craftsmanship, their restless spirits still yearning to uncover the mysteries of their world while also bringing definition and beauty to it.
The Maia are a people who have learned to turn their past struggles into sources of strength. They continue to embrace life with passion and creativity, leaving an indelible mark on the cultures and histories of Alathor.