A teenage Rakiakaru boy and an older Rakiakaru woman, both Munians. (Placeholder chibis, 7-year-old art by DM)
In a way, the Rakiakaru, an Illiadian beastmen-race that resemble something like a very large mix of cat, dog and lizard, are similar to
Lycanthropes. In ancient times, Arrash and Mikaru sometimes turned
into Rakiakaru during certain events in the sky, like meteor showers or
solar eclipses. This ability has since been long lost to the Illiadians
of Sancstoryl. However, Rakiakaru could also be born (or rather hatched, from eggs, which is interesting as the Mikaru they originate from give live birth), when Mikaru and Arrash got
stuck in their Rakiakaru-form and chose to have children; this is how
nearly all Rakiakaru that live in Sancstoryl today came to be, as quite a few Arrash and Mikaru who were in Rakiakaru-Form for one reason or another found themselves unable to transform back after the Great Wasting. Rakiakaru
can't speak or formulate words, due to a lack of vocal chords. However,
they seem to be able to communicate with people by vibrating the air
around them with their minds, due to an inherent talent with Ena. It's
said that the Mikaru of Illiad were gifted the ability to turn into
Rakiakaru in order to end a great calamity.
Great Power and Responsibility
On ancient Illiad, Rakiakaru tended to be particularly physically strong, as well as particularly versed in Ena. And as they still possessed the Wisdom of the Mikaru, they'd be able to use this power responsibly. As they were originally intended as a powered-up form for the Mikaru that was preferably used sparingly, this makes sense. However, the longer one stays in Rakiakaru-form, the more their abilities tend to average out. And so, those born as Rakiakaru, both today and back on Illiad, usually tend to have more average, although still impressive, abilities.
Due to their more generally feral nature, the Rakiakaru are blessed by the Illiadian deity of the Hunt, Minlay, and usually are, as with most Illiadians, very in touch with nature. Most tend to live on the outskirts of civilization, in nature-rich areas, small village communities, and even sometimes alone in the woods. It's not uncommon to find Rakiakaru Druids nowadays, although most tend to undergo the path of Fighters, Rangers or Barbarians. Rakiakaru Bards also exist, though in smaller numbers. Those bards often have a focus on dance, due to worship of Hailana.
Great Power and Responsibility
On ancient Illiad, Rakiakaru tended to be particularly physically strong, as well as particularly versed in Ena. And as they still possessed the Wisdom of the Mikaru, they'd be able to use this power responsibly. As they were originally intended as a powered-up form for the Mikaru that was preferably used sparingly, this makes sense. However, the longer one stays in Rakiakaru-form, the more their abilities tend to average out. And so, those born as Rakiakaru, both today and back on Illiad, usually tend to have more average, although still impressive, abilities.
Due to their more generally feral nature, the Rakiakaru are blessed by the Illiadian deity of the Hunt, Minlay, and usually are, as with most Illiadians, very in touch with nature. Most tend to live on the outskirts of civilization, in nature-rich areas, small village communities, and even sometimes alone in the woods. It's not uncommon to find Rakiakaru Druids nowadays, although most tend to undergo the path of Fighters, Rangers or Barbarians. Rakiakaru Bards also exist, though in smaller numbers. Those bards often have a focus on dance, due to worship of Hailana.
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Racial Traits
Ability Scores: +1 WIS, +2 STR
Age: Rakiakaru age about the same rate as humans until they're 21 years old. After this, they'll stop aging physically besides via magical means, and can live up to between 400 and 500 years, should they succumb to Ha'zas Syndrome. If they don't die from it, they can't die of old age anymore, effectively making them capable of living forever.
Alignment: Most Rakiakaru are good or neutral, but evil ones are not unheard of.
Size: Rakiakaru are medium creatures, and are usually about the size of a Goliath, if not even a little taller.
Speed: 30 feet walking
Languages: You can understand and write Common and Standard Illiadian.
Darkvision: Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Talking Mind: You are able to use your mind to communicate with people who are within normal talking distance by using Ena to vibrate the air around you, despite being otherwise mute and only able to let out animalistic noises. This allows you to speak and use the verbal components of spells when gagged or even when holding your breath, but doesn't allow for covert communication like telepathy, as your voice rings out from your forehead. You can, however, quiet your "volume" down to the range of a whisper or turn it up to to the range of a shout. If you don't know the language of the person you want to speak to, the person you are talking to won't understand you.
Claws and Teeth: Due to your beastly appearance, you are able to decide bite or scratch your opponent when making an unarmed attack. If you bite, you deal 1d6 Piercing damage + your Strength Modifier. If you scratch, you deal 1d6 Slashing damage + your Strength Modifier.
Hunters' Eyes: Your race was blessed by the Grand Count of the Hunt, Minlay, and you are able to use this ability a number equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest, to gain advantage on sight-based perception-, investigation-, survival- or insight-checks. You also gain proficiency in perception.
---Illiadian Trait (Only works on Sancstoryl, Illiad, or if two other Ena-Users are within 300ft of you ---
Ena Mastery: You still have access to the lost art of Ena and can use Ena-Techniques worth up to 3 Ena-Points after each long rest. You gain two additional points at Level 4, 8, 12 and 16, and three at Level 19. Your Ena-ability is either Charisma, Intelligence or Wisdom and chosen by you.
Ancestry Options
(Determines Eye-color and Tint of Fur)
Erian Rakiakaru (Grey&White/Blue Ena):
You can innately cast the cantrip Guidance. Your spellcasting ability for this
cantrip is chosen by you and can be either Intelligence, Wisdom or
Charisma. You automatically gain the trait "Heart of Quartz".
Tayan Rakiakaru (Orange): You can innately cast the cantrip Spare the Dying. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is chosen by you and can be either Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. You automatically gain the trait "Heart of the Sun".
Gurian Rakiakaru (Yellow): You can innately cast the cantrip Sword Burst. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is chosen by you and can be either Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. You automatically gain the trait "Heart of Stars".
Munian Rakiakaru (Dark Red): You can innately cast the cantrip Resistance. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is chosen by you and can be either Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. You automatically gain the trait "Heart of the Moon".
Shadian Rakiakaru (Purple/Black Ena): You can innately cast the cantrip Acid Splash. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is chosen by you and can be either Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. You automatically gain the trait "Heart of Obsidian".