Khadra
A Letter Home
Dear Father,
I hope that things in New Kharolin go well. Everything here in Geran is as well as can be expected. Last week I won an axe throwing competition and was awarded a medal by the local bartenders association I met a human this week who can shape magic with his hands. I saw him burn 15 Orks with what he called a “fireball.” It was most impressive. The Orks literally exploded. I believe that you would have smiled with pride at my new companions. Afterwards, we celebrated with some of the dark ale that I brought from home. I think the Human didn’t enjoy it. He kept muttering for the next two days about a pain in his head and hatred of everything.
How is Kysania doing? I hope she has become as good a weaver as Mother thought she would be. With this letter should be a package containing a lock of hair from my beard and 500 gold pieces. Buy something nice for Mother and yourself. I miss the family, and hope to see you soon. The mage says that he needs some sort of root from the north so we are going into the Ork lands. I hope we encounter some more of them, it was lots of fun. See you soon.
Your son,
Durgoth
Personality
Khadra are one of the most outgoing races in all of Tarien. They generally do not believe in subtlety, or as some races would say tact, but instead favor concepts of honesty and bluntness. They rarely if ever take the time to sugar coat their statements with consideration for the other party’s feelings. This is not to say the Khadra are mean, but rather to the point. Useless conversation is just that, useless. Many a Khadra has come to a quick end at the hands of an Elynthi or Soulmeliti for this very reason. This has also led to political tension between these races. Once it understood that Khadra are simply honest, to the point people many become trusted allies and good friends.
Perhaps the most important aspect is their close relation with family and clan members. Everything they do in life revolves around support of the family first, clan second. It is very rare, but not unheard of, for a Khadra to choose a different clan from his families. These Khadra are always supported by their family, but generally viewed with a feeling a disappointment. Often disputes between dwarfs in other clans in the same family lead to heated arguments and strained relations. Always these are resolved with the family in mind, but can lead to significant problems for the Khadra in the differing clan. Many Khadra who venture out into the world do so because of these disputes. They do the work of the clan, and send money to support the family. They will sometimes accept outsiders as a surrogate family, and in these situations they make trusted allies and friends.
For the most part, the Khadra live out a blue-collar existence in the underground city of New Kharolin. Khadra spend little time in leisure activities, but when they do they go all out. Parties and festivals can last for days and weeks at a time, with levels of alcohol consumption unparalleled in the known universe.
All of these attributes combine to give the Khadra a generally good-hearted demeanor, with a close bond established among trusted friends.
Physical Description
The Khadric peoples are short and sturdy humanoids, standing roughly 4 to 4 ½ feet tall and weighing between 130 and 160 pounds. They dress in simple garb that is based on utility, not appearance. Tool belts, backpacks, protective clothing are all common, everyday dress. The Khadric ability to carry large amounts of bulk in relation to their size gives them a general appearance of being overloaded. However, in situations of cultural importance (festivals, meetings, court appearances, awards ceremonies, etc.) the Khadric dress in fashion that can only be described as gaudy. Ceremonial armor is intricately worked, with symbols of cultural value found throughout. Gold is favored by the Khadra in these functions. Helms, bracelets, necklaces, medallions, and other jewelry made from gold and adorned with large, well cut jewels can be found worn by the cultures elite. The Khadra wear their hair in a multitude of different styles. Generally short cut well kept hair is favored by males and short braided or curled hair by females. Perhaps the most important feature of the Khardra’s physical appearance is their beards. Males grow the beards to lengths that almost bordered on a hindrance. These beards are kept well trimmed and sometimes are braided or tied. Females do not have as much facial hair, but do take care to keep light side burns. A females sideburns is generally considered among males to be their most attractive feature. All of these features combine to give the Khadra a general appearance of tough, hardy race, with little use for the aesthetic things in life. But, when the Khadra want to make something pleasing to the eye, they go all out.
Relations
Khadra call it like they see it, and have little use for the subtleties found so often in Nerrid, Soulmeliti, or Elynthi culture. Instead, they prefer straightforward races, such as Humans and Flind. The brutality of Goblins and Orks bother Khadra – perhaps because they remind themselves of their own race before it became civilized. In any event, most Khadra will not associate with either unless and axe or hammer is involved.
Alignment
Clan life is organized and full of structure. Most Khadra, therefore, tend toward Lawful. Kharl is benevolent deity and asks his children to be the same. Most Khadra obey, and are therefore Good.
Khadric Lands
The The Underground Kingdom of the Children of Kharl rests in the northern reaches of the Rheuthengage Mountains. The Kingdom, carved from the mountains, actually both above and below ground, is a majestic site to behold. Everything in the Kingdom is crafted with the utmost attention to detail and functions perfectly. Disrepair or dereliction of duty, is simply not an option.
Religion
The Khadra worship all of the gods, and hold a special place in their hearts for Kharl, the artisan son of Anderi. Most Khadra are religious, although many disregard formal religion and instead show their devotion through their work.
Language
The Khadric language is precise in structure and “perfect” in grammar (exceptions to grammatical rules do not exist). Khadra a particularly proud of their language, and dislike foreigners who speak it poorly.
Names
Khadric names vary, but most come from ancient times and their origins have been lost. Rather than using a surname, a Khadra will often use a trade name. Common names are therefore Silversmith, Marble-cutter, or in military Khadra, Giant-Slayers. Some famous Khadric names are Gherrick Ork-Basher, Thesdin Beardtrimmer, and Aegis Letterworker.
Adventuring
Some Khadra simply do not fit into the structure of society. What causes this curse is not known, but many theologians have speculated that if some Khadra did not have Kharl’s Curse of Nonconformity, the rest of Tarien would never meet one. Khadra that adventure, therefore, are often more independent, although equally as stubborn, as those that remain in the Underground Kingdom.
We a heavy heart and knotted beard I both seal this mine and strike it from our record. We pray to Kharl for those still trapped within.
Mining Tunnel Near Norharlin
Related Organizations
Related Technologies
Khadra Racial Traits
- Ability Scores: +2 to Constitution, -1 to Strength. Khadra are stout and resilient like the rocks that they were borne from.
- Size: Medium. Khadra have no bonuses or penalties for size.
- Speed:·Khadra base speed is 25 feet.
- Darkvision: A Khadra can see up to 60 feet in dim light as if it were brightlight and in darkness as if it were dim light.
- Expert Craftsman: All Khadra master a craft. They gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of their choice.
- Heart of Stone: Whenever A Khadra makes an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of stonework, they are considered proficient in the History skill and add double their proficiency bonus to the check, instead of their normal proficiency bonus.
- Khadric Combat Training Khadra have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.
- Spell Resistant: Khadra have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
- Toxin Resistant: Khadra have advantage on saving throws against poison, and have resistance against poison damage.
- Automatic Languages: Khadric
- Bonus Languages: Choose two of the following:Eldorian, Flind, Galencian, Orkish, and Soulmeliti. A Khadra may elect to spend one of these slots to learn to read and write one of their languages instead.