The Nor [Race] PEACH, plox!
The Nor
~+2 Charisma, -2 Strength
~Medium: As Medium creatures, the Nor have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
~Nor base land speed is 30 feet
~+2 bonus when attempting to enchant a subject (target suffers a -2 penalty against the Nor's enchantment spells or effects)
~ -1 racial saving throw penalty against enchantment spells or effects (the Nor suffers a -1 penalty when attempting to resist enchantment spells or effects.)
~Low-Light Vision: A Nor can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
~Weapon Proficiency: All Nor are proficient with light crossbows and scimitars, regardless of class
~10% fire damage reduction (magical or otherwise)
~10% more cold damage suffered (magical or otherwise)
~+1 bonus to Hide(in desert areas), +2 to bonus Search and Spot, +5 bonus to Listen, -2 penalty to Move Silently
~Automatic Languages: Common and Draconic. Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, such as Druidic).
~Favored Class: Bard. A multiclass Nor’s Bard class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing
Nor, 1st-Level Warrior
Size/Type: Medium Humanoid (Nor)
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft
Armor Class: 15 (+1 Dex, +3 studded leather, +1 light shield), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2
Attack: Scimitar +3 melee (1d6+1/18-20) or light crossbow +3 ranged (1d6/19-20)
Full Attack: Scimitar +3 melee (1d6+1/18-20) or light crossbow +3 ranged (1d6/19-20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Nor traits
Special Qualities: Nor traits
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +2, Will -1
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 13
Skills: Hide +1(in desert areas), Listen +5, Search +2, Spot +2, Move Silently -2
Feats: Weapon Focus [Scimitar], Skill Focus [Survival]
Environment: Temperate and Warm Deserts
Organization: Solitary, group (2-4), caravan (5-7 plus 20% chance of one Dragonne), or band (30-100 plus 30% noncombatants plus 1 5th-level sergeant, 2 3rd-level lieutenants, and 1 Dragonne per 20 adults)
Challenge Rating: 1/2 or 1 (not sure)
Treasure: Standard coins; standard goods; double items
Alignment: Often Chaotic (Neutral or Good)
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +0 (?)
Description
The Nor are a strictly desert race, rarely traveling beyond the shifting sands they love and know so well. Rather tall and slightly long-limbed, they range from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet, and generally weigh between 100 and 160 pounds. There is no typical difference between male and female Nor beyond males having facial hair. Skin colors typically range from tan to dark gold, though some darker-colored exceptions do occur. Nor hair is typically a similar, if slightly darker, color than the skin. Eye color is nearly universally cyan, but bright green and gold eyes crop up occasionally. The Nor appear as elves at first glance, but a second look reveals pointed ears that stretch almost to the back of the head. The Nors' unusually long ears help dissipate heat, and are extremely sensitive to sound.
-Clothing
The Nors' clothing tends to be bright, flowing and musical. Skirts, shirts and boots alike are tied with small bells, shells, or coins so that a Nor is almost always audible. Embroidery, encrusting, and other forms of decoration are also common. Clothing is typically designed to look as dramatic as possible when dancing or performing. Outfits rarely cover a Nor's skin beyond what is necessary, "necessary" being whatever composition compliments a particular Nor's image the most. Nor obtain cloth mostly from trading, the desert holding few plants or animals suitable for making fabric.
Jewelry is worn not as a display of wealth, but of beauty. Most Nor jewelry makes a pleasant jingling noise or similar sound. Semi-precious gems, petrified wood and polished pieces of bone are used the most frequently. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, decorative belts and ankle bands are among the most common types of jewelry. Both male and female Nor brightly tattoo their ears and decorate them with attractive, but silent, earrings.
-Grooming
The Nor rarely bathe, having little access to water, but generally do not stink as they produce almost no sweat and even less body oil. Scented oils and perfumes are used by both genders in moderation. Nor hair is naturally soft and almost reflective, but it quickly deteriorates if not brushed thoroughly on a regular basis. Mutual hair brushing amongst family members, close friends or lovers is common.
Psychology
The Nor are natural individualists, but are also fiercely loyal to those they have decided to share themselves with. Nor are generally polite to outsiders and always willing to trade, but will rarely go out of their way to make them feel especially welcome. They will rarely, if ever, refuse those in need of aid, but prefer to allow outsiders to come to their own conclusions about them. The Nor refuse to greatly change their routine for the sake of a good impression, a trait that frustrates some. There is a free expression of emotions among the Nor, especially through dance and music, though other forms of art are common. Those with a talent for the arts are the most highly respected in Nor communities.
-Work
A Nor will typically develop what skills they feel they are best at and most enjoy from a young age, and will eventually settle in to a career by the end of their 20th year. No stigma is attached to a Nor who decides to change careers, but it rarely happens as many Nor express their minor or less profitable interests as hobbies.
-Communities
Nor communities are generally unremarkable. Each family lives in their own wagon, children are apprenticed to those whose careers they show an interest in, and disputes between individuals are usually handled between the individuals, although there is a band leader or possibly an elder Nor who can settle more complicated problems. Unless there has been a major disturbance, the entire community gathers at the end of a day to dance, sing and generally carouse.
-Dragonnes
The Nor and Dragonnes have been partners since as long as either race can remember. Nor provide Dragonnes with shelter and extra food, while Dragonnes provide transportation and added protection. Nor works of art frequently depict Dragonnes. Both Nor and Dragonnes enjoy adding decoratory beads and ribbons to the latter's tail and "mane" feathers. No bells or other noise-making objects are added, however, as it interferes with the Dragonnes' ability to hunt. When a Nor Druid reaches 10th level she may take a Dragonne as an Animal Companion at a -9 adjustment, just as if she had selected any other Animal Companion available at 10th.
-Travel and Adventuring
The Nor travel out of both necessity and desire. Their bodies are not acclimated to climates other than warm and temperate deserts, and require extra layers of clothing when traveling to areas with even moderately cooler temperatures. Nor bands typically travel from an oasis to a town to another oasis and so forth, taking or trading for what they need at each destination. Few Nor have the desire to create their own communities, and those that wish to live more settled lives generally move into already established cities. A fair amount of Nor become adventurers for at least a few years, especially those with great bardic or magical talent. They generally either seek fame, fortune, new material to perform and bring back to their community, or new knowledge.
Nor Life
-Arts and Crafts
All Nor are artists at heart, but how an individual Nor expresses their talent, and to what degree, varies greatly. Most tools and mundane objects in Nor life are plain, but their artwork is extraordinarily chaotic and brightly colored. Almost all forms of art are known to the Nor, with pottery, dance, the making of clothing and music being the most favored.
-Technology and Magic
Although sorcerers are common among the Nor, they are no more magically advanced than any other race. Their level of technological knowledge is similar to Halflings, having similar lifestyles, but with a decidedly more utilitarian twist. The Nor know that tools are bound to get dirty and eventually broken, so there’s no point in wasting time in making them pretty. This is the only exception to their otherwise aesthetically-centered lives.
-Love
The Nor fall in love just as easily as other races, but most are initially reluctant to openly act on their feelings. Courtship usually begins with the anonymous gifts being left for the Nor’s love interest on the caravan’s doorstep during the night. After a few gifts have been received, the Nor will stay up and watch for their hopeful suitor. If they feel there is a possibility of a relationship, they will leave a gift of their own in place of the one left for them. If not, they will return the gifts they received the next night. This exchanging of gifts may go on for quite some time, depending on the personalities of the Nor involved. After a while one of the Nor will approach the other in person, typically when the community gathers at the end of the day. From then on their relationship is considered public, although either Nor is free to end it at any time. Marriages are surprisingly common among such a chaotic race, but the views on children born out of wedlock vary greatly.
-Religion
The Nor follow a variety of gods, with Kinianna and Perean being especially favored. Nor who become Druids typically worship Sika or Lensha.
Kinianna –Goddess of dance, fire and passion
Sika- God of Dragonnes and their bond with the Nor
Cor’li- God of music, acting and magic
Lensha- Goddess of water, fertility, death, and flowers
Perean- God of travel, fortune and trade
Anwyn- Goddess of physical arts such as tapestry and pottery, and love
Yon’royal- God of protection, self-defense, strength and battle
-Death
When a Nor dies, their body is burned and their ashes scattered to the desert winds. The Nor believe that the flowers of cacti are the temporary manifestations of the souls of the departed, and that eating the resulting fruit brings blessings upon those still living. Many desert plants’ seeds cannot grow until being exposed to the stomach acid of a Nor.
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
INSTANT FLAVOR!
Just curious, is Nor an acronym for anything? The title makes it seem so. EDIT: Nevermind, I missed that in the beginning. Clever :smallsmile:
Anyway, they seem balanced as a +0 LA race to me. They don't have a ton of abilities, and yet they still seem unique and colorful. The nor seem fine, mechanically.
What I really like is their fluff. You did a good job addressing the finer points of nor culture and psychology. Nice work, overall! (mind if I steal them :smallwink:?)
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
That's one of the more interesting comments I've seen here.
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lappy9000
INSTANT FLAVOR!
Just curious, is Nor an acronym for anything? The title makes it seem so. EDIT: Nevermind, I missed that in the beginning. Clever :smallsmile:
Anyway, they seem balanced as a +0 LA race to me. They don't have a ton of abilities, and yet they still seem unique and colorful. The nor seem fine, mechanically.
What I really like is their fluff. You did a good job addressing the finer points of nor culture and psychology. Nice work, overall! (mind if I steal them :smallwink:?)
Go ahead! I'd be flattered if you used them :smallbiggrin:
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
Very first thought: Percentages are a pain to calculate... give them energy resistance if possible instead, scale it with level if you have to... but 15% is just... not good... 5% is slightly better since it is 1 extra point for every 20 base, but even that might be better as a -1 to saves vs spells with that descriptor or something...
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
Mechanics: Pretty good, although I'd change the fire/cold damage adjustments to 10% each, for ease of math. You could even increase those to 20% each, by 15%/5% is hard to crunch in one's head.
Fluff: Very well done, no complaints, kudos. This is one of the better races I've seen in a while, fluff-wise.
Name: The name Nor sounds nice as it is, but if you need to change it, here are some suggestions:
- N'f'rath (plural N'f'rathi)
- Al-Kafar (plural Al-Kafarim)
- Fikhu (plural Fikhuru)
- Paukti (plural Pauktea)
- Ulaam (plural Ulaamoi)
- Fah'tuka (plural Fah'tukaz)
- Jokafa (plural Jokafas)
- Uklari (plural Uklaril)
- Sesketi (plural Sesketan)
- Tukatka (plural Tukatkala)
I hope this helps.
Re: The N.o.R. [Race] PEACH, plox!
Thanks for the percentage/mechanics help, and the name suggestions! I think I'm going to stick with "Nor", just because I've used it for so long now :smallbiggrin:
