Shedai (Shh-Die)

Shedai
The secretive race known as the Shedai are relatively unknown in humans lands. They are only known by the very few that venture out of their dark and cold homeland, a rare occurrence in this day and age. Superficially they resemble humans, only with alabaster skin, hair of pale gold, and silver almost cat-like eyes that seem to catch and reflect the light. In fact, they are more closely related to the ancient race that once ruled the known world.
Descendants of the Alukai
Nearly two millennia ago, the ambitious and powerful race known as the Alukai ruled the lands of Sirene and beyond. Their society was dominated by a strict caste system, with those wielding magic dominating those who did not. Among these was a caste of warriors tasked with guarding the bountiful lands of their betters from the terrors of the northern wilds, where terrible monsters and savage tribes roamed. A great wall was built, guarded by powerful magic fueled by crystalline Beacons. The Devastation, a consequence of the arrogance and cruelty of those above them brought an end to many things, but the warriors who guarded the world, those that survived at least, remained true to their duty even as the world around them descended into chaos.
The Land of Ice and Shadow
The Devastation changed many things, including casting a great shadow across the world, splitting the lands in the south from those in the north. The wall, and the lands of these ancient warriors was in the midst of this darkness, but they did not abandon their oaths to see the sun. Two thousands years of dark and cold left their lands a bleak place, with snow piling high around them. Those that did not adapt, died in the white wastes. Many centuries passed, and those few survivors, far removed from their ancient lineage, took on a new name; Shedai, the Shadowfolk.
Guardians of the Blackwall
Created using the technology and magic of ancient times, soaked in the blood of the human slaves that built it, the great wall that guarded the lands of the Aluthai from the terrors of the north was a thing of wonder. Standing nearly one hundred feet tall, spanning nearly the entire breadth of Sirene and constructed of massive black stones polished to a smooth finish and engraved with magical runes, it was one of the most impressive feats the Alukai achieved in their time. The ancient magics that guarded it were powered by Beacons, crystalline structures that siphoned magic from the Spirit World into Physical World, the same sources of power that fueled all the great cities of the Aluthai. Most of these were destroyed in the Devastation, but on the wall, one remained, its power faded to but a remnant of what it once was.
The Last Beacon
This final Beacon, shining weakly from its place in the Blackwall, became the home of the Shedai, the last remaining fortress-city of those ancient guardians of the world. The Beacon provided warmth and protection from the encroaching cold, and the Shedai learned how to harness it's fading magical energy to sustain their everdwindling population. Though they guard the wall still, the Shedai live a bleak and thankless existence, and their numbers dwindle with each generation. They struggle on, clinging to ancient traditions and a sense of duty that is ingrained into them at birth. They are the last bastion of defense for a world that knows nothing of their hardship, or their sacrifice.
Shedai Names
Male. Xatar, Olezan, Fahran, Tytannar, Ghaldarin, Paranthis, Zephraim, Istos Female. Almalexia, Zerana, Ishtanar, Xerala, Nesta, Titania, Kareim, Hesphali
Family Names. All remaining low caste Shedai are from one of five families; Kharanis, Jhandir, Yphanar, Itall, and Waydin. Only two High Caste families remain, Jorhdan and Zaipha.
Shedai Traits

• Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom increases by 2.
• Age. Shedai reach maturity in their mid to late teens, and can live up to around 120 years of age if born of a low caste lineage, while those born of high caste lineages can live up to 175 years.
• Alignment. Shedai tend highly towards lawful alignments.
• Size. Most adult Shedai will be between 5.5 and 6 feet, and generally tend towards lean builds. Your size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base speed is 30 feet.
• Languages. You can speak, read and write Shedai, a dialect of Alushar that is mutually intelligible with this parent language. You also have some fluency in Tradetongue.
• Senses. You have Darkvision up to 120 feet.
• Subraces. Shedai society is a carryover from their Aluthai ancestor's. After the Devastation, they rebuilt a new society upon the skeleton of the old. The engineers who built the Beacon, once only of middling caste, now found themselves to be an invaluable part of this new order, and elevated themselves to the highest positions. The warriors who manned the walls and labourers who built the structures to house the Beacon once again found themselves beholden to an upper class that lorded their mastery of magic and machine over them. Only the threat of the Engineers magic and strict traditions keeps this system in place.
• High Caste at the pinnacle of Shedai society are the Engineers, those few who have learned the skills required the maintain the Beacon, the source of energy that fuels their dwindling civilization. Though numbering only a few hundred and most, they cling to their power and position, careful to pass down their secrets only to their heirs and acting ruthlessly for those who would seek to learn their secrets.
• Favoured Classes. Artificer and Wizard.
• Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence increases by 1.
• Arcane Heritage. You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill. You gain advantage with this skill when it is related to ancient Aluthai magic.
• Engineers of Old. You gain proficiency in Tinker's Tools, and you have advantage when the checks are related to ancient Aluthai machines or artifacts.
• Arcane-Sense. Once per short rest, you can channel your innate magic to cast Detect Magic as a spell-like ability.
• Low Caste Occupying the lower rungs of the caste system are the Warriors and the Labourers. The Warriors, at least, have a somewhat esteemed position, as guarding the Blackwall is still an important part of their culture. The Labourers, on the other hand, are the lowest of the low, and must struggle for their meagre sustenance and nothing more.
• Favoured Classes. Paladin and Rogue
• Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution increases by 1.
• One With the Shadows. You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill and can attempt to hide even when only lightly obscured by dim light or darkness.
• Fear Not the Cold. You gain resistance to cold damage, and are slower to suffer the illeffects of cold environments.
• True-Sense. Once per short rest, you can channel your innate magic to cast Detect Evil and Good as a spell-like ability.