Asarlai

The Spellwars forever changed Iskatel, ripping holes through the realms of existence and releasing deep and mysterious magics into the world. Some of these magics have wrought changes on human children, especially those born along the borders of the Spell Wastes. These children are called Asarlai (“born by magic” in the old tongue).

Touched by Magic

The magical energies inherent in Asarlai extend to their physical appearance. These energies manifest differently in each individual Asarlai, with example manifestations listed below:

• Odd skin pigments (ex: lavender, ice blue, or gold)
• Noticeably strange eyes (ex: vertical or horizontally split pupils or eyes that are constantly shifting color)
• A large arcane, tattoo-like birthmark on forehead or other generally visible body part

These identifying marks tend to separate Asarlai from other humans and cause them to be treated differently from their natural human brothers, sisters, parents, and friends. This different treatment often leads Asarlai to feel isolated, regardless of their level of acceptance within their community. As such, these magical humans tend to become hermit wanderers, never staying in one place very long.

Favored by the Conclave

The magic within an Asarlai makes them highly sought after by the Conclave as students of magic. Those who enter the University tend to be among the most achieved and capable students. Further, Asarlai tend to feel at-home within the Conclave -- especially when working with others of their kind -- and go on to be highly regarded teachers, explorers, researchers, and artifact gatherers within the organization. It is not known exactly why Asarlai are accepted by the Conclave when sorcerers are reviled, but some speculate that it has to do with an Asarlai’s limited and internally held magical energy versus a sorcerers inherent connection to the infinite and external magical fabric of the world.

A Rare Breed

Asarlai have no individual culture or territory of their own. They are raised among humans by their human families and share their cultural characteristics. All sub-types of human give birth to Asarlai, though only rarely. Further, many of those who have been touched by magic fail to reach maturity; the arcane energies too much for their bodies sustain. The result is a limited and rare population, with approximately one adult Asarlai for every 100,000 human adults in the 9 Kingdoms.

Physical Appearance

While Asarlai are human, each is affected uniquely by the arcane energies that reside within them. These energies cause strange and unique physical characteristics that mark an individual as Asarlai. A wide variety of physical alterations are possible, governed by the following rules:

• All oddities should appear to be of an arcane nature, a character cannot choose to have horns, wings, a halo, or a tail as each of these are more appropriate for extra-planar creatures like Tieflings and Aasimar. Further, they may not choose to have gills, webbed feet, or something more fitting for acquatic races. In all cases, the alteration should appear somewhat arcane and magical.
• All oddities should be generally visible to others. Hidden or indiscernible marks are prohibited. If a character chooses to cover their marks, doing so should still set them apart from the crowd (such as a character who constantly wears gloves — even while eating — because their fingertips persistently glow with a magical blue aura).

Relations

Asarlai are human and, generally, maintain the same relations with other races that humans do. If anything, a Asarlai is more accepted than humans among other races as they tend to be wanderers and have a reputation for spreading knowledge and, at least indirectly, helping those who are in need.

Religion

Asarlai are governed internally by the magic that flows through their bodies more than anything else. They often spend their lives seeking out knowledge and exploring the depths of their magics with little regard for the beliefs or conflicts of others.
In good versus evil, Asarlai are defined mostly by the lengths to which they are willing to go in the pursuit of knowledge and arcane talent.

Adventurers

Asarlai adventurers are plentiful, often running errands or doing research for either the Conclave or their own personal ends. They do not often stay in one place for long, as they rarely find anywhere they can truly feel comfortable enough to call home. Instead, their home is their pursuit of knowledge, both magical and mundane.

by Antonio Frascaro

Asarlai Traits

Ability Score Increase

+2 INT +1 WIS

Age

Mature at the same rate as humans.

Alignment

Tend toward Lawful alignments.

Size

Same as a human. Size: Medium

Speed

30 feet

Dispassion

Advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws

Tireless Study

Proficient in one of: Arcana, History, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, or Religion
Proficient in tool of choice
When making a check with the chosen skill or the chosen tools, +1d4 to the check

Magic Within

Once per Long Rest, may cast Detect Magic

Languages

Common +2 additional languages of choice