Saturday, May 29, 2010

Races: The Apsuri

The inquisitive apsuri are small—rarely topping four feet in height—with comparably short arms and legs, but long necks and torsos. Their skin is light brown and almost always freckled, and their hair is usually a mixture of blond and green. Apsuri have large green or gold eyes and fan-shaped, highly mobile ears; their hands and feet are partially webbed.

  • +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -2 Strength. Apsuri are both nimble and resilient, but their small size makes them physically weaker than other humanoids.
  • Of Two Elements: Apsuri base speed is 20 feet. They have a swim speed of 30 feet.
  • Small: Apsuri are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus to their attack rolls, a -1 penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks
  • Low-Light Vision: Apsuri can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, and similar conditions of poor illuminations. They retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
  • Hold Breath: An apsuri can hold his breath for a number of rounds equal to three times his Constitution score before he risks drowning.
  • Agile Climber: Apsuri use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier for Climb skill checks. They are at home both in the forest and on the rigging of a ship.
  • Languages: Apsuri begin play speaking Common and Aquan.
Apsuri are the obligatory "small race." I was attempting to make them somewhat reminiscent of both gnomes and halflings (although Dennis McKiernan's Warrows had some influence on their original look), but sufficiently different that they couldn't be outright confused with either. Hopefully, I have succeeded by making them vaguely otterish.

Question for the readers:
Should apsuri also receive a skill bonus?

2 comments:

  1. Interesting. I'm assuming you'll add information on Apsuri culture(s) at a later date?

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  2. Oh, shoot...a comment!

    What I've got so far on cultures, so far, is largely sketchwork.  As you might guess, however, it's been established that they live near the water. 

    The real challenge is the fact that I don't necessarily want the races to be monocultural.

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