Spirit Folk

"Our final destination, the West islands of the archipelago, was somewhat shocking in comparison to the other islands and empires. While we had grown accustomed to their senses of fashion and their unique but intricate structures, almost none of that was to be found. The region belonged to a group of humans who call themselves spirit folk, and all their settlements are no bigger than towns, and very holistic in design, as to keep them close to the natural environments that they derive their ancestry from. The only notable exception is their central city where their empress resides, but even that is so ingrained in nature that it puts some elven cities to shame."

— Iorki Princeps, The Seishin Expedition

Amidst the bamboo forests of the Island of Zhudao, a lone man silently walks. He leaves no trails, and his presence seems almost supernatural, as if he truly isn't there, but he is betrayed by his collection of fruits and roots from the flora.
The man's existence borders between that of a spirit and that of a human. He is but a part of nature that has manifested itself through generations, keeping its properties safe while taking only what he needs, and nature in return aids him to the best of his abilities, hiding him from predators and providing him with food to help feed him and his clan.

Seishin's Elves

While the spirit folk are in no way related biologically to the elves, they share some appearances with their pointed ears, and their connections to nature. In fact, spirit folk may host a stronger connection to nature than even the purest blooded eladrin, as the spirit folk derive their origins from the trees, mountains, and water that surrounds their way of life, choosing to forgo city styled civilization for that of villages, and town, and advanced houses for more open designed architecture that might only be seen by the likes of the firbolg.
Due to these reasons, one not native to the Seishin Isles would be mistaken in assuming what they are witnessing is another subraces of elf. And while elves do exist in the Seishin Isles, they are quite rare, to the point where only a small gathering of clans can be found.

Spirits of Nature

Spirit folk derive their powers and heritage from the spirits of the world. Everything in the world holds a spirit, from the tiniest rock to the tallest tree. Millenia ago, when humans first started settling the Seishin Isles, the spirits of the rivers, oceans, forests, and mountains walked the earth, and proceeded to fall in love with the new race, leaving offspring that are now known as the Spirit folk.
In modern times, the spirits that once roamed the lands freely have become dormant, with only the mighty Lung still roaming the mortal realm. Despite the loss of their ancestors in their life, the Spirit folk have ingrained their respect for the spirits in their culture and believe themselves the living proof that spirits exist.

Spirit Folk Names

Descendants of humans and spirits, the spirit folk will often take human names, though their given names often reflect their ancestry.
Male Spirit Folk Names: Li Wei, Li Qiang, Wang lei, Wang Wei, Zhang Wei
Female Spirit Folk Names: Li Na, Li Xiu Ying, Wang Fang, Wang Xiu Ying, Zhang Xiu Ying
Ancestry Names: Hǎi, Hé, Hú, Sēnlín, Shān, Shù, Shuǐ, Zhú

Spirit Folk Traits

Your spirit folk character has a number of traits shared between the three subraces.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Spirit folk age at the same rate as humans, but can live up to 120 years.
Alignment. Perhaps because of their strong ties to the natural world, spirit folk tend to seek balance between extremes. They tend toward neutral alignments.
Size. Spirit folk are of comparable size and weight to humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can discern color in darkness.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one language of your choice.
Subrace. Spirit folk come from various origins. Choose one of the following subraces.

Bamboo Spirit Folk

Hailing from the bamboo forest, your ancestors reproduced with spirits of the bamboo stalk. Thanks to this heritage, you find yourself comfortable amidst the untouched forests, quickly moving through and talking with the animals that call it home.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Speech of Beast. You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Trackless Step. Bamboo spirit folk leave no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked.

Lung Spirit Folk

In rivers and oceans, caves, and mountains, and anywhere amongst the Seishin Isles, your ancestors reproduced with the spirit dragons themselves. Thanks to this heritage, you find.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Lung Heritage. You have resistance to fire damage
Scaly Commune. You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with scaly beasts (fish, reptiles). They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Extra Language. You can read, speak, and write draconic

River Spirit Folk

Beside the rivers the flow across the many isles, your ancestors reproduced with spirits of the rivers and lakes. Thanks to this heritage, you find water to be your ally, living within it, and commanding it with the arcane power of the spirits.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Child of the River. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.
River Folk Magic. You know the shape water cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the create or destroy water spell once per long rest, and when you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Acid Arrow spell once per long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Sea Spirit Folk

Against the oceans that surround the archipelago, your ancestors reproduced with spirits of the ocean. Thanks to this heritage, you find water to be your ally, having an unprecedented knowledge about the world under the sea, and commanding the sea life as you see fit.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Child of the Sea. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.
Friend of the Sea. Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.
Sea of Knowledge. You have advantage on all Wisdom (Nature) rolls made that are related to the sea.

Mountain Spirit Folk

High atop the snowy tops at the center of the islands, where the air is thinnest, your ancestors reproduced with spirits of the mountains. Thanks to this heritage, you find yourself as durable as rock, and the living conditions of the harsh mountain tops does little to hinder you.
Suggested Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Mountain Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.
Mountain Born. You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

Origin/Ancestry

Plant

Lifespan

120 years

Average Height

5'1" - 6'2"

Average Weight

116 lbs - 137 lbs

Geographic Distribution

Seishin Isles

Related Ethnicities

Seishin

Race block link
[blocklint:962564]
Bamboo Spirit Folk
Lung Spirit Folk
River Spirit Folk
Sea Spirit Folk
Mountain Spirit Folk