Olen

Created by Hallos

Resembling deer-like centaurs; the Olen are the children of the nature spirit Cernunnos, a nature spirit from Elysium. Said to be conceived from one of Cernunnos's daring dalliances with the First Lords, the Olen possess just as much of a connection to nature as any from the First World, and they bear a special tie to nature and the stars, both naturally and supernaturally.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Olen's are human halves resemble elves, while their lower halves resemble the smaller deer that populate the sparse woods and fields that surround the eastern half of the isthmus the city sits on. On average, they do not possess bulky frames, and tend to stand only about a head taller than an average human. Their body structure is built with thin bones that make for excellent maneuverability and speed, especially in forested settings, though they tend to get injured easily due to their rather lightweight construction. This is mitigated slightly by the natural protection that most fey enjoy, but a solid hit tends to send most olens sprawling.

Genetics and Reproduction

During most of the year, Olen have a low fertility rate. In the autumn, however, Olen go through the rut, an event that tends to coincide as they celebrate their annual fertility festival, the Féile. A combination of the rut and the large amounts of natural magic that is woven as an intricate part of this celebration leads to most Olen being conceived during the Féile.

Growth Rate & Stages

The Olen have evolved for a life on the move, and thus their young typically begin walking within a week of their birth. An olen is considered an adult by the time their horns have fully grown in and have finished shedding their velvet, typically around 12-13 years of age, though they tend to reach full maturity about a year or two after this time. Olen usually live to about 50 years of age, and while 60 is not an uncommon age, the oldest recorded one only reached the age of 75.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The olen tend towards nuts and berries, and often the art of gathering these is seen as a sort of sacred duty in and of itself, during which time the olen tend to meditate on nature. They are strictly herbivores due to biological necessity, as their digestive systems cannot process meat properly. This doesn't tend to stop the more adventurous olens from trying, however.

Biological Cycle

During the winter, Olen shed their horns and develop a thick white fur coating over their lower half. Their upper half remains bare to the cold, and, as a result, most Olen retreat into protected groves (whether they are protected naturally or magically) to wait out the harsher months before the plants can begin to grow again. During the spring, however, their horns grow back, they shed their fur coatings, and they return to their nomadic lifestyles.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Olen typically live in tribes of 8-12, with a village shaman leading them. Some Olen break away from the tribe to find their way in the world, whether due to some major error resulting in them being shunned by their peers or a wanderlust and desire to make their way in the world. These breakaways typically find homes among other populations, and usually take up adventuring as a profession.

Ability Score Racial Traits: Olen are fast and socially adept. They gain +2 Dex, +2 Cha.
Type: Olen have the fey creature type.
Size: Olen are medium, and possess no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Olen have a base speed of 40 feet.
Languages: Olen begin play speaking Common and Sylvan. Olen possessing high Intelligence may select any language as a bonus language (except secret languages, such as Druidic).
DEFENSE RACIAL TRAITS
Fey Resistance: Olens possess DR 5/cold iron.
OFFENSE RACIAL TRAITS
Weapon Familiarity: Olen are proficient with lances, longbows, longspears, shortbows, and shortspears.
OTHER RACIAL TRAITS
Quadruped: Olen receive a +4 bonus to their CMD vs trip attempts, and their carry capacity is doubled. Olen count as Centaurs when taking any feat or archetype that they are allowed. However, all armor costs are increased by 50%.
SENSES RACIAL TRAITS
Low-Light Vision: Olen can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

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Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

5 ft. 6 in. - 6 ft. 6 in. (1.5 m. - 1.9 m.)

Average Weight

200 lbs. - 300 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Male olen typically have solid brown lower bodies, while females display white spots on their flanks.