Rianni
Folk of the north
The Rianni are the people of the northern nation of Rian . By most standards, the Rianni are seen as barbarians, lacking in numerous of the standard benchmarks of civilization such as even governance, permanent structures, or an established guard or military. What it lacks in these factors it makes up in sheer strength and force of will which has made these people some of the toughest of the Eastern Continent.
Traditionally, the Rianni live in small nomadic tribes or isolated settlements where they gather sustenance in the cold nation by hunting, fishing, or even agriculture in the warmer southern regions. The Rianni are fiercely proud and independent; what they can't produce on their own they will trade for, and raid for anything they can't trade for. As a result, the Rianni have a fearsome reputation as raiders in the neighboring lands of Al-Andalus, Gray Marches, Nestoria, and Romanorum. Despite this brutal exterior, Rian does possesses a rich culture in the form of story, song, and craftsmanship. They also have a deep connection to the land and magic which is not seen elsewhere, though magic is often feared among the superstitious Rianni, and most casters are seen as witches, seers, or skalds.
Rian is also home to the dwarves of Khazad-Mor / Morgrad , and the men of Morgrad. Unlike other Rianni, they built and live in and around the mithril mountain of Khazad-Mor. In some regards, they are considered "the civilized Rianni", but the dwarves and men of the region share far more in common with their "savage" cousins than those of their neighbors in Romanorum or elsewhere.
The Rianni are mostly men and dwarves, but there is also a fair minority of orcs and elves. The elves were once the original occupants of the land, but following the Last of the Primordial Wars, many were supplanted by the orcs, who learned from and absorbed many of the elven tribes. Likewise, the orcs and elves were absorbed as men began to form their own warbands in the region, most seeking freedom from the austere nature of the Romanorans.
Adventurers: The Rianni are often isolated and territorial peoples. As a result, they usually only leave their lands to compete, trade or raid. However, the search for greatness or frequent infighting among the Rianni has been the catalyst for the start of more than a few Rianni adventurers. Such adventurers are prized for their strength, with many displaying their skills as vanguards, shock troops, or simple mercenaries.
For more information on the Rianni, see their main article: Rian
Warband of Rianni raiders
Ability Score Modifiers: The Rianni are known to be strong, and possess souls of steel, but few are known to be intelligent. They gain +2 Strength, +2 Charisma or +2 Constitution, and -2 Intelligence.
Base Speed: Rianni have a base speed of 30 feet.
Languages: Rianni begin play speaking Romanoran Common and Khazad-Mor dwarven. Humans with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic). See the Linguistics skill page for more information about these languages.
Berserkergang: The Rianni are known for their undying perseverance in battle, which make them especially dangerous. Once per day, when a Rianni is reduced to fewer than 0 hit points but is not killed, they can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled. At the end of its next turn, unless brought to above 0 hit points, they immediately falls unconscious and begins to die.
Fearless: The people of Rian are bold, often seeking out powerful foes to cement their name in legend. Rianni gain a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear effects.
Hardy: The people of Rian live and grow stronger from the threats they've quelled before. They gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities.
Ignore the Cold: The Rianni are born and raised in the frigid north. They gain cold resistance 5.
Skilled Hunter: The Rianni often live in small tribes or isolated settlements, making hunting a necessity. They gain a +2 bonus to Survival checks.
In order to keep potential new ancestries balanced, I used a "race point" calculator in an effort to create equitable ancestries. For comparison, a non-variant human is 9 RP.
A part of
| Table of Contents |
|---|
Standard Ancestry Traits
Ability Score Modifiers: The Rianni are known to be strong, and possess souls of steel, but few are known to be intelligent. They gain +2 Strength, +2 Charisma or +2 Constitution, and -2 Intelligence.
Base Speed: Rianni have a base speed of 30 feet.
Languages: Rianni begin play speaking Romanoran Common and Khazad-Mor dwarven. Humans with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic). See the Linguistics skill page for more information about these languages.
Defense Ancestry Traits
Berserkergang: The Rianni are known for their undying perseverance in battle, which make them especially dangerous. Once per day, when a Rianni is reduced to fewer than 0 hit points but is not killed, they can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled. At the end of its next turn, unless brought to above 0 hit points, they immediately falls unconscious and begins to die.
Fearless: The people of Rian are bold, often seeking out powerful foes to cement their name in legend. Rianni gain a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear effects.
Hardy: The people of Rian live and grow stronger from the threats they've quelled before. They gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities.
Ignore the Cold: The Rianni are born and raised in the frigid north. They gain cold resistance 5.
Feat and Skill Ancestry Traits
Skilled Hunter: The Rianni often live in small tribes or isolated settlements, making hunting a necessity. They gain a +2 bonus to Survival checks.
A skald, a Rianni bard and storyteller
RP Calculation
In order to keep potential new ancestries balanced, I used a "race point" calculator in an effort to create equitable ancestries. For comparison, a non-variant human is 9 RP.
- Standard Ancestry Traits: 0 RP
- Defense Ancestry Traits: 7 RP
- Feat and Skill Ancestry Traits: 2 RP
- Total: 9 RP
See Also
A part of
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments