Houri (How-Re)
Appearance
Beauty is the birthright of the houri, who appear as idealized humans in more than one way. Aside from a common lack of blemishes and a racial resistance to scarring, houri tend to appear as archetypes of beauty. One houri might have an impossibly curved figure and lustrous hair that never needs cleaning; another may be slender, fey-like in her wild beauty and energy, or a quiet innocence, all wide eyes and soft reassurances. All houri possess pleasant voices, brightly colored eyes, and a pleasant, natural odor that reminds those near them of flowers in bloom. Houri will inherit their dominant parent's features to some extent, though they might subtly alter their look over the years based on the area where they live, comming to look like that areas 'ideal beauty'. There are 4 types of parental liniage which a Houri may inherit, commonly refered to as: Summer, Autumn, Winter, or Spring. These liniages tie back to the different Nymphs who began the Houri bloodlines so long ago.
Summer Nymph Houri are normally Tall, trim, and voluptuous, with red hair and peircing green eyes.
Autumn Nymph Houri are of average height and curvy, with dirty blonde, Soft brown, or rich chocolate brown hair and Hazel colored eyes.
Winter Nymph Houri are ethereal beauties with light skined slim bodies, white colors of hair, and blue eyes.
Spring Nymph Houri have pert energetic bodies, youthful faces with blonde hair and amber or honey colored eyes.
Houri never feel awkward in their own skin, or in the drappings of the local culture where they choose to settle. A Houri's clothing and armor tends to undergo subtle, ongoing changes as long as the houri continues to wear it regularly; jewelry never seems to need cleaning, colors seem brighter and more natural, and the cloth itself may change texture or color over time to compliment the houri. Even the plainest clothes, if worn for long enough, eventually transform over the course of slow years to appear as if they were made just for the houri wearing them. A rather odd feature of Houri, though not so strange as they hoave the blood of Nymphs, is that all races find Houri to be attractive. This is a minor supernatural ability, which in conjuncture with their ability to change over time to fit the culture they live in, keeps a Houri attractive to the local population throughout the generations she may be alive. It is notable that houri, unlike nymphs, are not always female, though nearly ninty percent are. Male Houri take on similar coloration to their mothers, though their physiques and heights are generally the same, being tall and lean with well defined bodies and handsome faces. Some Male Houri have more soft features, others have more rugged features, but all are considered handsome by other races.
Demeanor
Houri are a varried lot, from the typically sultry and warm Summer Houri, to the quiet and subtle Winter Houri. Spring Houri are energetic and passionate, often throwing themselves headlong into some endevor or another at a moments whim; while Autumn Houri are sensable and understanding individuals, ready to lend a hand to those in need. Houri as a whole are driven by the primal energy of their blood; born with a purpose to press upon the world, they find it hard to ignore.
Summer Houri are driven to Love those around them, which can make them seem flighty and promiscuous. Most summer Houri recognize this tendency, and rather than give in to building relationships, they attempt to spread their love through other means; as entertainers, singing, dancing, or becoming a player in a touring show; in physical form, as healers, massures, or even prostitutes; or by focusing their love into a family by becoming a matriarch, or sometimes, a matron for orphans. Summer Houri are often pursued by those who wish for 'something more', and this can eventually turn dark.
Autumn Houri are pushed to help those in need, to provide succor to the masses, which can lead to people thinking that they are after something and concpiracy is afoot. Most Autumn Houri are aware of this drive, and have few qualms about following the urge, taking jobs on farms or vinyards is fairly common for these 'down to earth' Houri; though it is also common for them to become temporary servents and caretakers to the sick, elderly, or poor. Those who fight the urge are still likely to find themselves taking positions at an inn, or tavern, spending their nights listening to the troubles of locals and adventurers. A strange suspician tends to follow Autumn Houri where ever they find work, perhaps she's engaging in an illicit affair, embezzling a sick elders coin, or just coaxing a bit more information from customers then is proper. Autumn Houri find themselves dealing with accusations and supposed blackmail on a regular basis, the accuser will overlook the evidence if the Houri will ...
Winter Houri have a desire to set things to rights, not nessisarily order or harmony, but to return a thing to it's place, whch can cause people to think them strange, peculiar, and even mad at times. This small compulsion often goes unnoticed by the Winter Houri as they will put energy into placing small objects 'where they belong', or seek out the owner of a dropped or misplaced item. Their naturally quiet nature and graceful movements tends to make people think they are weak in the head, or mad. Winter Houri will often seek employment in government to help move things in the 'right' direction, though this inevitably leads to conflict when a Winter Houri's maneuvering conflicts with a higher officials plans, leading to firing or other disciplinary actions. Other Winter Houri will attempt to fight their nature and work normal jobs, though their small compultion will often put off employers, and they find disciplinary actions a common reward for what they beleive to be a good job. This often has the effect of driving Winter Houri to work for themselves, using their natural gifts to earn a living restoring the conditions of Adventurers, often taking up massage for added value. No matter where they end up in society, Winter Houri often deal with people trying to take advantage of their nature, managers 'diciplineing' them a bit to often, or locals attempting to cheat them out of coin, or threatening to have them commited, unless ...
Spring Houri are not pushed, driven, or compelled to particular subjects, but rather, they have a tendancy to throw themselves fully into an endevor which peaks their interest. Spring Houri find it difficult to hold back their enthusiasm, and put their considerable energy towards the completion of their goals. Unfortunatly for Spring Houri, this makes them a mark for all sorts of ne'er-do-wells, who find that if they can pique a Spring Houri's interest, they have a fully engaged accomplice, rube, or mark to work with. Wether it's a rogue running a street grift luring a Spring Houri into playing the part of the 'high roller'; a conman leading the Spring Houri into a deceptive ruse; or even a local aristocrat turning the Spring Houri to champion their cause; Spring Houri find themselves often targeted to put their natural talents and energy to someone elses benefit. The good nature of the Spring Houri can often be tested in these situations, and they are prone to striking back at those who have used them, though they often find themselves regretting their actions when the huckster points out that the Houri is culpable for the activity, being a willing participent, and also of lashing out at the huckster, which might be a crime, depending on how far the Houri's tempor boiled over. But the Huckster is always willing to make things right if the Spring Houri will ...
Others thend to form opinions of Houri based on surface observations and hearsay; Summer Houri are harlots and hussies; Autumn Houri are coniving plotters, after something; Winter Houri are mostly harmless, touched in the head at best, mad and possibly dangerous at worse; and Spring Houri are seen as wicked little imps, allways looking for trouble, finding it, and using their talents to blame someone else.
Backgrounds
Houri came to Nerele long ago, when the world was still in it's active periods, most place them as part of the second to last 'great migration' at least eight thousand years ago. Since comming to Nerele, Houri have had to adapt to a world laking elves and having few, and often hostile, Nymphs. Over the years, Houri became compatable with the many divisions of Humans on Nerele, but found that their blood was greatly weakened by the coupling, only creating Houri-kin Humans from the proccess, and unlike the elementals and celestials, Houri cannot be born from a union of kin. Houri have had to rely on the small number of Houri males born, to produce more full Houri, though high level magic can make up what is lacking from a houri-kin, to yield a Houri from the magical union of Houri and kin (yet still not kin and kin).
Houri have often found themselves in positions of power amongst human societies, as queens, dutchesses, or emporer consorts; though they still find themselves dealing with the stalkers, mingers, and rogues, just with different leverage.
Adventures
Houri who choose the life of adventure do it for the usual reasons, or simply to get away from some suiter or another. Most Houri have settled into a social life by the time they reach "naming" age, finding something of an equalibrium, and are disinclined to risk what they have found by facing down death. Further, dealing with the constant annoyance of people trying to 'help' them with their adventuring, or warning them off due to how weak they are or suggesting any number of alternatives to a life of danger, can be enough to drive any Houri mad. Those push past this barrier, will often find a life of danger, but also of comradery within the ranks of a guild, merc company, dojo, or adventure school.
Racial Traits
Ability Score Adjustments
+2 Dexterity, +4 Charisma, -2 Strength: Houri are graceful and beautiful, but lack physical might. Size
Medium: Houri are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size. Type
Humanoid (Feyblood, Elf A houri is a humanoid with the feyblood and Elf subtypes. Other Racial Traits Speed: Houri have a base speed of 30 feet.
Hale: A houri’s nymph ancestry grants her immunity to non-magical diseases.
Natural Aptitude (Ex): Houri gain a +2 racial bonus to Bluff and Diplomacy checks; additionally, when using diplomacy to change a creatures attitude, the Houri may shift the creatures attitude by up to three steps, rather than two.
Supernatural Beauty (Su): Once per day as a standard action, the houri may unveil her fey beauty; all creatures within a 30 foot cone in front of the houri must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the houri’s character level + the houri’s Charisma modifier) or suffer a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for concentration+1rnd/level as her beauty distracts and bedazzles them. This is a mind-affecting effect.
Innate Spells (Sp): Houri have a small measure of magical talent inherited from their nymph blood. They gain three spell-like abilities based on their liniage, mostly non-combat spells, though some have combat usage. The DCs for these spell-like abilities use the houri’s Wisdom modifier and have an effective caster level equal to the Houri's level.
Summer: Summer Nymph spells represent the concepts of fire, growth, and love; Animate Element; Only works on fire, lasts for 1 hour, but only has 1hp (Fire), Plant Growth, lesser; Change level to 1, reduce range to close, area can be a 20-ft circle, 30-ft semicircle, or 40-ft quarter circle; Enrichment effects plants within 1/32nd of a mile '20 acres' (Growth), Adoration (Love).
Autumn: Autumn Nymph spells represent the concepts of earth, harvest, comfort; Nature's Paths (earth), Ant Haul (harvest), Polypurpose Panacea; change target to 'touch' (comfort).
Winter: Winter Nymph spells represent the concepts of water, reset, rekindling; Tears to Wine (water), Hidden Spring; but at the end of the durration it continues to trickle like a natural spring (reset), Rekindling Pool (rekindling).
Spring: Spring Nymph spells represent the concepts of air, sowing, passion; Alter Winds (air), Blossoming Footsteps (sowing), Timely Inspiration (passion).
Ageless Beauty (Ex): As a Houri ages, she will develop quickly into an idealized beauty. Though she can subtly alter her general 'look' over time, a Houri will not apear to age past adulthood, looking virtually unaged throughout her long life. Though she will suffer the penalties associated with age, a Houri's body will remain ache and pain free, baring unnatural damage. As a Houri passes her 600th birthday, she will appear to age slowly, looking to be in her early 60's by the time she passes away, usually around 750 years.
Languages: Common and Sylvan
Alternate Racial Traits
Fey Sight (Ex) Some Houri have the eyesight of their fey ancestors; they gain low-light vision and a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks. This racial trait replaces natural aptitude.
Wild Soul (Su) Some houri’s fey blood changes their perceived beauty away from mortals and towards the wilds. These houri are unimpeded by foliage and underbrush, magical or mundane. In addition, animals are automatically considered helpful unless the houri takes aggressive action towards them. This replaces supernatural beauty.
Favored Class Options
Bard: Add +1/6 bonus to the bard’s inspire courage.
Barbarian: Add +1 on Intimidate checks.
Cleric: Add +1/2 to damage healed when the cleric uses channel energy.
Druid: Gain +1/5 bonus metamagic feats. The druid must meet all prerequisites for these feats.
Guru: Gain +1/4 uses of your Stunning Fist ability.
Oracle: Add one spell known from the oracle’s spell list. This spell must be at least one level lower than the highest level the oracle can cast.
Paladin: +1/2 to attack rolls against aberrations and evil outsiders.
Sorcerer: +1/5 to the DC of any charm spell or effect.
Stalker: Add +1/3 ki point.
Vizier: Add +1/4 to the DC of all veils with the enchantment keyword.
Witch: Add one spell known from the druid spell list. This spell must be at least one level lower than the highest-level spells the witch can learn. If the spell appears on both the druid and witch spell lists, use the lower-level version
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