Abishai Species in Zepharog | World Anvil

Abishai

I dedicate the etiquitte section of this article to my sibling, Missi, for helping with inspiring me.
Created by forbidden alchemy and use of The Dracaena Incantation, The Kirotera Incantation, and The Netherfaine Incantation. The Abishai are one of the many decendents of the Prime Karathigan tyrants. Unlike their Goh'Blyn cousins, they hold the "Breathe". They are the constructus of most Prime Karathigan rulers and kings used before The Calamity and before the Era of Godlings.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Abishai have a combination of both humanoid and Prime Karathigan appearance. Some have six limbs, while other possess only four, but they share similarities as their five known ancestors.
 
Abishai usually are the size of a above average male, peaking at 6'5'', but some have been able to surpass this average; while others are one the shorter end, reaching a merely 5'3'', but some Abishai are shorter than this average.

Genetics and Reproduction

While most Abishai are created via alchemy and use of magic, others have found a way to reproduce like the Prime Karathigan. Able to inject their child into a host and allow it to grow inside the host for three weeks before the Abishai is born. Usually, Abishai that are born instead of created are treated lucky, but in reality they aren't.
 
Only two out of ten Abishai born via means of parasitic injection, survive while the rest are more prone to death.

Growth Rate & Stages

This only affects the born Abishai as they are the only ones who are born and grow unlike the created Abishai, who are fully grown when created.
 
The stages an Abishai who is born are: Wyrm, Young Adult, Adult, and Elder.
 

Wyrm Stage

The Wyrm stage is often known as the Newborn stage. At this time of the Abishai's life, they are fresh and new to Rakasha. They will be considered a Wyrm for fifty years of their life before they reach to be a Young Adult.
 
Additionally, during this time in their lives, the Abishai will start to develop it's mobility and experimenting with its breathe. The breathe will often be used on their parents. But since the Abishai parent is immune to their own elemental blast, they will not think of it. It is a known fact across Abishai cultures for some Abishai that are born are encouraged to use this breathe on small animals when they go hunting. This is to ensure practice, as well as bring comfort to the parent.
 

Young Adult

The Young Adult phase of the Abishai is the time when the Abishai will leave their family to pursue a calling. Or if their parent finds them as a threat, be evicted from their home. This is the time for exploration and adventure. The Young Adult stage lasts from age fifty to one hundred, when they become an Adult.
 
During this time of adventure, the Abishai will often test his metal, finding tough monsters or even hunting down corrupt Prime Karathigan.
  Natural Jobs and Roles for Abishai Life
Due to the keen hearing, smell, and sight of an Abishai. They often make excellent Wild Blades and even some Abishai have become Exorcists.
 

Elder

The last stage of the Abishai's life. The time when their years come to a close. This is when the Abishai is at its peak until the final yeas of the Elder phase. This is known as the Catatonic Years of the Abishai's life. This phase last from five hundred to one thousand and sometime one thousand five hundred.
 
During these years, the Abishai will feel stronger than it did ever in its life, this is the time when Males lose all of their parasitic embryos and pray to whichever deity will listen that his children are safe.
 
Catatonic Years
The Catatonic Years are the years when the Abishai's life comes to a close. Each Abishai reaches these years differently, but on average, a Abishai reaches the Catatonic Years during the last fifty to ninety five years.
 
When the Abishai reaches these times, they lay down in a graveyard and start to rapidly decay. These years are the scariest and well honored years of the Abishai Born.
 
It is often unknown to why we die, or even where we go. Yes we few Abishai may follow the beliefs of the Karathigan Aspects, but is it truly them who come and take us away—take us to Shaw'morath? Or are they false? None of us truly know.
— Long Forgotten Abishai

Dietary Needs and Habits

Abishai share the same omnivorous diet like the Prime Karathigans, eating meat, produce, vegetables, and other such vegetation that grows around Rakasha. But the abishai only need to eat half the body weight a day if they were created, or their full body weight a day if they were born.
 
Using techniques with the combination of weaponry and the use of Incantations, the Abishai are swift hunters and trackers.

Biological Cycle

As the four seasons of the world Rakasha continue throughout the year and the Abishai go through their life stages, most notice the very subtle difference in their scales. Abishai as they grow and go through the colder seasons tend to lose the shine in their scales.
 
The Abishai that were created usually have duller scales than the born Abishai as they age, but they also tend to live longer than the born Abishai.
 
Abishai, no matter if they were created or born, have extremely duller scales during the season During the season Sol, Abishai whether they were created or born have brighter pigmentation in their scales. During the seasons Aard and Sprigg, Abishai scales tend to be in the transition of the saturated and dull pigments from Sol and Volt.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

All Abishai, because of their Karathigan ancestors, possess their sleek viperine snout. As well as the shinning and glistening scales. But some of then possess scars and stitchings used to create their bodies.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Abishai wander throughout all of the world of Rakasha, but most tend to be clustered in The Wild Wood of Arkenwald . This is because the Wild Wood can keep them hidden from being hunted and killed for scientific prosperity.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Like their ancestors, Abishai possess highly acute and extremely sensitive senses, including sensing the Weaves of Magic around them. While it is unsure if this is due to their genetic splicing, like the Goh'blyns were, or if this something developed over the course of their existance, it is clear that they possess extremely sharp claws and teeth.
 
Additionally, they posses a natural resistance to the elemental energies around them. This depends on the five ancestries and heritages that were used to create them. This also correlates to their type of breath as well.
 
Abishai also possess, just like Troll's do, a regenerative capability. This regeneration is able to heal limbs over short periods of time, restore fingers in a matter of minute, and even prolong their life longer than some Elves.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Only the Abishai that were born have the Parasitic Sac that is able to create more. The Abishai that were created do not have this Parasitic Sac.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

Few organizations hold Abishai, one of these organizations are the Exorcists and their Creeds. But there have been some circles of Grove Wardens that have accepted the Abishai, such as the Circle of Moor Grove Wardens.

Beauty Ideals

Abishai tend to not find beauty in each other as they have no need for courtship and marriages. But for those who think outside the normal and harsh loving environment, those Abishai tend to look for clean facial looks.

Gender Ideals

Abishai have specific gender roles in their small huddled groups. Males tend to be guards, militia, and warriors, Oathslayers, and some exceptions to Arcanists— while females tend to be religious leaders, Devoted, scholars, bookkeepers, Arcanists, and Oathslayers with an exception.

Average Technological Level

The Abishai were some of the first races to use primitive forging methods of blacksmithing and armoring during the Nine Tyranical Reign, but as the Goh'blyns were created during the Godling Era they adopted the mechanical workings of Goh'work (as did some of Rakasha).

Common Etiquette Rules

Abishai society demands that the other Abishai be treated with respect, women, men, children, and even Elders in their groups must be treated with respect or they are punished.
 
Such rules to not disrespect Abishai society are as follows:
  • Do not disrespect any Elder present at any social gathering.
  • Do not mention their creation marks, such as stitches, scars, stretch marks, or even out of place scale patterns, unless given permission or if the host brings it up as a topic of discussion.
  • Do not disrespect a hobble's religious view, even if they are against the guest's religious view.
  • Do not disrespect the meal provided by the host. This is by either spitting the food out, or eating all of the food provided. Food must be left out on a plate to show the respects to the chef that made it.
  • When speaking with a Elder, the guest must use the title "Elder" at the beginning of the host's name.
  • If the guest brings in a foreign creature in the hobble, they must treat that foreign creature with respect in the eyes of the Abishai.
  • If the guest child is orphaned, the child must respect their new caretaker's beliefs and inner rules. If the child doesn't follow the caretaker's beliefs, then the caretaker must offer them a solution to their own beliefs.
  • If a child squabble occurs then it is the responsibility of the caretaker's or parents to punish the children accordingly.
 
If the guest, whether they were Abishai or otherwise, treats the host with respect, then the guest won't have any punishment given. If the guest apologizes and takes responsibility for their own actions before they are given punishment, then the severity of the punishment will be lessened or dropped.
 
Such punishments for breaking these rules are as follows and would be given to the hobbles Executioner:
  • The defiler will be charged with exile and cast out from the hobble.
  • The defiler will be charged with ten lashings equal to the severity of the crime.
  • The defiler will be branded or scarred by a flaming claw or iron symbol of the hobble.
  • The defiler will receive a spike or flesh marking with the use of the Kirotera Incantation.
  • The defiler will receive exposure from the breathe of a Abishai.
  • The defiler will be charged with service of the offended until the offended says otherwise.
  • The defiler will be charged with mutual acquaintance until they can decide a solution on their disagreements. If further disagreements occur, then a more severe punishment is to occur as well.
 
These punishments haven't changed and, in the hands of a creative executioner, have been modified over the years to become what they are now. These punishments are what they are because of the heavy influence the Nine Karathigan Tyrants had on the Abishai. Some Abishai in the hobbles do not condone these punishments, but they tend to keep their opinions secret so they do not earn the punishments they fight against.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Abishai are solitary creatures at heart, but they have been known to form tightly knitted "hobble" of 10-20 other Abishai that usually consist of Abishai of the same ancestry; but there have been clusters that have mixed ancestry in their groups.
 
These groups only formed due to the hatred the other species have with the Karathigan tyrants from before the Godling Era.

History

Before the Era of the Godlings and The Calamity, the Prime Karathigans ruled the lands of Rakasha when it was one continent, the continent known as Rahk.
 
The Prime Karathigan rulers, named individual after The Karathigan Aspects. They ruled with an iron fist, creating their foot soldiers known as the Abishari. They were power houses of the Karathgan master's will, controlling the Elves , Rakashans, Umbra Drakk, the Kronian, Early Trolls, Giants, Dwarves, and Nikolyn into the bidding of them.
 
This resulted in a century long war known as the Karathigan Crusades. Multiple Abishari were hunted, skinned, and murdered because of their rulers. This was to show an example of the younger species; telling the mass tyranny the Karathigan Tyrants will not control them.
 
The Abishari tried to fight back but they were unsuccessful, becoming wall mounts and armor pieces.
 
Fleshcrafter Karathigan Ruler, Nhazlamir, offered a new way to turn the Crusades to their favor and to gain the respect of the "Mice" so they would love them, worship them even.
 
This idea was to construct something using Nhazalmir's mastery over The Kirotera Incantation and The Netherfaine Incantation. This new creature constructed would serve a more humanoid way of thinking. It would showed that the Karathigan Tyrannies could create something and it would think, feel, worship on its own. It would show the younger species that a creation they create could think on their own, lulling the Mice into a false sense of security and trust.
 
Each of the Aspects disagreed except for Tyla, Styll, and Skryll. With the approval of four over the nine Karathigan Rulers, the Karathigan rulers decided to test their strongly dedicated Oathslayers. If the four Oathslayers were able to beat the other five, then they would agree to the diabolical idea Nhazlamir, the Grand Torturer, hatched.
 
After much arguing between the nine rulers, they agreed upon a date for when their battle for the vote of Nhazlamir's idea. The date would be the forty fifth of Nabulu, four of the opposing Talons would fight the remaining five. This battle would become known as the Trial of Talons.
 
While the date was only two months away, Nhazlamir, with the help of the other three Prime Karathigan, managed to create something from the remaining Abishari corpses into something of a zombie, but it was more intelligent. The creature was an amalgamation of multiple Abishari corpses.
 
It was these creations the four Karathigans used in the Trial of The Talons. The actual trial itself lasted for three nights and two "mornings." But eventually, the Abishari corpses won.
 
Now, Nhazlamir's idea had to be listened to, the rest of the rulers needed to hear what he had done. What the rest of them had done. It was those four Talons that would be named the first Abishai.
  Explanation of the hidden Abishai
There was one other Abishai that was created using Stygian Abashari corpses. The Stygian Abishai is usually associated with death is a place. Nhazalmir and his cohorts decided not to showcase the Stygian and instead call them the Elite Abishai. Or the "Stygian Scythe" as they were called by the four. In the current days, Stygian Abishai have been subtly creating more of their elite and dangerous kind.
 

Cosmic Era Abishai

Over time, the rule of the Karathigan rulers fell and with their falling, they ascended themselves as deities. This created the religion known as the Karathigan Aspects. While the Karathigan tyrannies were never fully loved by the early inhabitants, which in turn sparked a inner hatred for the Prime Karathigan and their descendants, including the Goh'Blyn.
 
But as the Karathigan rulers ascended to deities, the Abishai started to grow in their numbers. Each of the publicly announced Abishai grew into large, but extremely small, communities until they became one of the rarer species to roam Rakasha in the Cosmic Era.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Why would we want to get to know something as small as the Dwarf. It's not like they can help us be hidden. They hate us as well.
— Abishai views on the Dwarf
 
We never want to see another elf, unless it's us separating their heads.
— Abishai view on the Elf
 
Our cousins are always welcome. They understand our pain better than any other blasted fool on Rakasha. Any creature created by the Prime Karathigan will always be revered.
— Abishai views on the Goh'Blyn
 
No comment.
— Abishai views on the Human
 
We are unfamiliar with the Mozl'ee. But if they are from what the rumors say, I think the daemonic blood flowing between them is as much apart of them as our stitches and patchwork scales are to us.
— Abishai views on the Mozl'ee
 
The Nikolyn were our favorites! In fact, most of our trusted advisors during the Karathigan Crusades were Nikolyn. They have excellent spying capabilities, plus their Shadowbounders are so damn cute!
— Abishai views on the Nikolyn
 
We never did understand the Rakashan. We didn't like them cutting our ancestral siblings, the Abishari, but nevertheless we never understood what their end goal was. They keep to themselves mostly and the encounters taht we have with them, they give us as much as a curious glace as we do to them. Maybe some night we'll have a better understanding of the blood drinkers.
— Abishari views on the Rakashan
 
We knew their Kronian ancestors as ruthless and siphon-thirsty monsters. Always draining creatures of their essence before asking them questions. The Aspects never shined a good light on them, so why should we?
— Abisahr views on the Sedera
 
We never had much interaction with the Trolls. They were as solitary as the Umbra Drakk were during the Karathigan Crusades as well as some of The Calamity, but now this new war between the self acclaimed Horde and the pompous Kal Empire has them choosing sides. We'll have to keep our eye on them and see what they do in the long run.
— Abishai views on the Troll
 
The bears have been known to cross paths with us, and on some cases, help our Hobbles. But there have been times when they've needed our help and we've declined for our safety of course. Ultimately, the Ursalian are friends to us and should be treated with as much respect as we deserve!
— Abishai views on the Ursalian
 
We originally thought the Umbra Drakks were just myth and legend until we started to live in the early Wild Woods on Rahk before the continent shattered and moved closer to the world we know today. Now that we've gotten to know there for a few centuries, we think they could be a very resourceful ally in any conflict.
— Abishai views on the Umbra Drakk
 
The Zaegnah is a fairly newer creation and from what we can tell about them, they are distrubing. An entire culture and civilization built upon torture and the use of the intense use of The Kirotera Incantation. I don't think we can handle it. And we were made from the Incantation!
— Abishai views on the Zaegnah
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Draconis Melor Promethia
Origin/Ancestry
Cruor, Smolder, Stygian, Plasma, Static
Lifespan
1000-2000 years
Average Height
5'3''- 6'7''
Average Length
2 feet not including tail size.
Average Physique
Abishai who were created will often than not deteriorate as fast as the Born Abishai. But the born Abishai will often be more colorful than the Created Abishai.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
All of the Abishai possess scales dictated by their heiritage and ancestors. Like the Cruor Abishai born and created have the crimson and translucent glass like scales, while the Stygian Abishai, born and created, have the black, purple, and skeletal scale look.

Geographic Distribution


Cover image: by LordGalakrond

Abishai

Created by forbidden alchemy and use of The Dracaena Incantation, The Kirotera Incantation, and The Netherfaine Incantation. The Abishai are one of the many decendents of the Prime Karathigan tyrants. Unlike their Goh'Blyn cousins, they hold the "Breathe". They are the constructus of most Prime Karathigan rulers and kings used before The Calamity and before the Era of Godlings.
ability score increase:
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1
age: 1000-2000 years
alignment:
Abishai range from Chaotic to lawful, but most tend to have villainous tendencies of Evil, but good Abishai are also expected.
Size: Medium
speed: 30 ft Walking, 40 ft Flying
Languages: Rahkian, Karathigan, one other language of your choice.
sub races:
[blocklink:

Created Abishai

ability score increase: NA
age: 2000-3000 years
alignment: Usually neutral
Size: Medium
speed: Same As Parent Race
Languages: Same As Parent Race
parent race: ]
race features:
Constructed Sleep
When taking a long rest, you can to into a trance like state for 4 hours doing light activity (such as reading a book, keeping watch, or something similar). When these 4 hours are up, you gain the full benefits of a long rest as if you had 8 hours.
Additionally, you can't be put to sleep by magical means.
 
Enhanced Inert Incantation
You also have 1 rank in the Kirotera Incantation. If you play a spellcaster of any kind, you may take additional ranks into these Incantation
]
race features:
Nightvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet f you as it if were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
 
Natural Regeneration
At the start of your turn, you can expend one Hit Dice. Roll the die and add your Constitution modifier. You recover that many hit points. After you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
 
Inert Incantation
You have 1 rank in the Dracaena Incantation. If you play as a spellcaster, you may take additional ranks in the Dracaena Incantation.
 
Abishari Inheritance
You are related to a particular kind of Abishari. Choose a type of Abishari from the below list. This determines the damage and area of your Breathe, as well as the resistance you gain.
 

Abishai- Abishari Inheritance

A table showing the Damage type, Type of Abishari, and type of Breathe the Abisahai gets.


Abishari TypeDamage TypeBreathe
CruorAcid30ft, 5ft line (Dex. Save for Metallic Explosion)
SmolderFire30ft, 5ft line (Con. Save)
StygianNecrotic30ft, 5ft line (Con. Save)
PlasmaRadiant15ft cone (Dex. Save)
StaticLightning15ft cone (Dex. Save)
 
Breathe
When you take the attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with a exhalation of magical energy depending on your Abishari Inheritance. Each creature in the area must make a saving throw (DC= 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the creatures take 1d10 damage of the type assciated with your Chromatic Ancestry. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage. This damage increaes by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10). Additionally, you can use your Breathe a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You recover all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
 
Abishai Resistance
You have a resistance die of 1d10 against the damage type associate with your Abishari Inheritance
 
Abishai Resistance
You have a resistance die of 1d10 against the damage type associate with your Abishari Inheritance
 

Elemental Benefits

Based upon your Abishair Inheritance, you also gain special features specifically to that Abishari type.
 
Ignite
Requires: Smolder Abishari
As an action, you can a flammable object that isn't being worn or carried by anyone else and set it on fire.
 
Static Charge
Requires: Static Abishari
Your base movement speed is 35 Walking and 45 Flying.
 
Grim Scythe
Requires: Stygian Abishari
The hidden blade-like appendages on your arms can fold out at a whim. Your unarmed strikes become 1d8 slashing damage and you can use Dexterity instead of Strength for attacks and damage rolls.
 
Smell of Crimson
Requires: Cruor Abishari
You can detect any creature with blood within 30 feet of you.
 
Liquid Body
Requires: Plasma Abishari
When you hit with a melee attack, you can add an additional 1d6 Radiant to the damage.
Abishai have a combination of both humanoid and Prime Karathigan appearance. Some have six limbs, while other possess only four, but they share similarities as their five known ancestors.
 
Abishai usually are the size of a above average male, peaking at 6'5'', but some have been able to surpass this average; while others are one the shorter end, reaching a merely 5'3'', but some Abishai are shorter than this average.