Oread
Flesh to Stone
Solid advice: if you can befriend an Oread, don't stab them in the back. They might seem like chill people, but last thing you want to experience is a fist with the texture of a pavement.
Oreads are half-elementals whose heritage derives from the Plane of Earth. Both powerful yet calm, they live amongst the isolated places of Fabulae. While their formal behaviour might deem them as harmless, few should underestimate them. Especially when in combat with one.
Basic Information
Anatomy
While Oreads have a similar texture akin to stone, their bodies are all natural. The protrusions from their skin are caused by a gradual layer of calcium bonifying. Combined with their greyish skin and it begins to look like rocks.
Beyond that, most are somewhat small but sturdy folk, with hair akin to volcanic glass fibers. Many also have a diverse set of eye colours, with even ruby red or diamond blue being plausible.
Biological Traits
Earth Affinity
Many Oreads have a close affinity to the earth itself, allowing some control over it. At best, most can only levitate some rocks to use as projectiles. However, some myths have shown them capable of moving entire islands around.
Subraces
Gemsoul
Gemsouls are some of the more extroverted people of the Oread race. Noticeable by their crystal hair and transparent skin, they dazzle in direct sunlight. Due to their colourful appearances, many often seek out lives of performers or bards. Most even migrate to bigger cities to become famous themselves.
Ironsoul
Ironsouls are resilient and wise, notorious for their durability. Compared to normal Oreads, their skin is clad in a shell of metal and steel. As such, it's not uncommon for most to take on the role of a soldier in the local army. It also doesn't help that their skill with a weapon is often unmatched by others in battle.
Runesoul
Runesouls are born with weird markings covering their body. Nobody really knows what they mean, but they are decipherable. As such, these Oreads seek answers on what might have caused these runes to show up in the first place. And thanks to their ability to trace runes, they become excellent archeologists.
Stellarsoul
Some Oreads don't have their heritage come from the earth itself, but from beyond. Stellarsouls are known for their otherworldly appearance and starry eyes. They embody both the comets and celestial bodies in the night sky. It is believed some even are capable of changing fate itself with their powers.
Growth Rate & Stages
Oreads mature and age at a similar rate most Humans do. However, they actually begin with a smoother skin. Their rocky exterior only comes in later in life.
Around their puberty, their skin begins to flake and grow their protrusions. It's not uncommon for some shedding to happen too, leading to the rocky bones pushing further out.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
It's not uncommon for Oreads to be acquainted with the forgery of jewellery and gems. Since their bodies naturally produce crystal-like structures, some use it to create replicas. Others use it to create cheap alternatives, seeing as it grows back like hair or nails.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Oreads have excellent darkvision, seeing as some grow up in underground settlements. As such, they can see fine in complete darkness, seeing things in black and white if no light is present.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Historical Figures
Gemma
Gemma was a Gemsoul Oread that saved the town of Krestfall. Born with Crystal Man Syndrome, she used her body as a support for the collapsing settlement. To do so, she invigorated her condition to make her crystals keep the place upright. In the progress, her body became part of the caves now below the town.
Common Myths and Legends
- Oreads are living statues: Despite their appearance, Oreads still exist out of flesh and blood. Every gem or crystal on their body is crystallised calcium.
- Oreads can live off eating minerals: Oreads survive on food and water like regular people do and are incapable of eating gems. Same goes for the idea of pooping gems.
- Oreads pop out of the ground: Some cultures believe they come from the ground itself, popping out of it as babies. In reality, many are just born like regular mortals do.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Oreads aren't the most social when it comes to interactions, preferring to be alone most of the time. As such, they are rarely known to cause conflict around the world. Most are known to even be neutral about most issues going about.
Many grow up alongside Dwarves, often regarded as gifts of the earth itself. Such Oreads become sort of a lucky charm for the strongholds, beloved by their societies. However, must also develop the etiquette of Dwarves, for better or worse.
In relation to their other half-elemental cousins, they don't have much issues. While Undines they can relate to and Ifrits they just shrug at, Sylphs they seem to struggle with. It might have to be with the Sylph's travelling nature compared to an Oread's homesickness.
Oread Players
Oreads are very much known for being homesick individuals and as such often need a reason to travel. This can be anything from an outside force to an inner conflict. Anything that changes up their status quo. However, to change their perspective or worldview can be trickier. As such, it can become hard for them to adjust their mindset from time to time.
1.14m - 1.52m
54 kg - 106 kg
The art has an almost Fallout feel to it. Very nice. I also like that you put the stats at the very bottom. It's there is someone wants them, but doesn't force them to read through them otherwise!