RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES DE LAS MESAS DE ANÁLISIS Y PLENARIAS

Base

Class Attack Fort Ref Will

Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day

1 +1 +2 +0 +2 Improved Control Shape,

Control Shape +1

2 +2 +3 +0 +3 +1 level of existing class

3 +3 +3 +1 +3 One bonus rank in Control Shape

4 +4 +4 +1 +4 +1 level of existing class

5 +5 +4 +1 +4 One bonus rank in Control Shape

6 +6 +5 +2 +5 +1 level of existing class

7 +7 +5 +2 +5 One bonus rank in Control Shape

8 +8 +6 +2 +6 +1 level of existing class

9 +9 +6 +3 +6 One bonus rank in Control Shape

RHONIANS

RHONIANS

Rhonians are renowned for their diplomatic abilities, intellectual achievements, and artistic talents. The members of this bird-like race live in sheltered, wealthy enclaves in their home- land and venture abroad to share their talents among the less fortunate and more menial races. Others tolerate their superior attitude only to gain the benefits of their ambassadorial and creative wisdom.

Personality: Average people would describe most rhonians as snobs. The entire race believes itself superior to all others in matters of intellect, art, and diplomacy, and constantly reminds others of their importance. They do not tolerate filth, poor manners, shoddy work- manship, or any other goods or services beneath their noble station. Rhonians disdain such conditions, and make sure those responsi- ble for them hear about their contempt. They know just how far to take such haughty atti- tudes before they make some humble conces- sion and resolve all tension.

When they want to, rhonians can be pleasant and affable in almost any cultural setting, a tes- tament to their diplomatic skills. They can be genuinely humble yet assertive all in the same sentence. Rhonians pride themselves on knowing both their allies and their oppo- nents, preferring to spar with them through

words rather than weapons. Their slight physique discourages the use of heavy armor and melee weapons. Rhonians prefer using ranged weapons (particularly longbows) instead of bloodying their hands in close com- bat. Rhonians avoid filth, manual labor, and other unpleasantness whenever possible. Rhonians keep servants to tend to such menial tasks as everyday chores, simple errands, and anything dealing with dirt. The rhoode (see page 115) are one such servant race that has catered to the rhonians for centuries, though other individuals are also used as hired laborers or slaves. Rhonians reward their servants well for good work, but frequently offer criticism and constantly demand improvement. Leaving mundane labor to servants allows rhonians to pursue the finer aspects of life: art, learning, and negotiation.

Physical Description: Rhonians descend from a long-beaked, long-legged species of marsh bird, a heritage that gives them a most regal stature. Their tall legs end in a clawed foot that has adapted to stylish enclosed footwear. The stilt-like legs ascend into a feathered torso, often adorned with the most fashionable attire. Their wings have developed into jointed arms with elegantly spindly fingers; vestigial feath- ers along the arms leave rhonians incapable of

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RHONIANS

flight. They often snap their elongated beaks when making points, much as humans might snap their fingers. Their epiglottis contains muscled folds of skin similar to lips that allow rhonians to articulate a broad range of languages and dialects.

Rhonians revel in color, both on their own bodies and in the garments they wear. Their bellies tend toward a lighter colored feather, while the rest of their torso and arms display a wide array of hues and patterns: brown, green, red, and blue predominate, in solids or charmingly mixed diamond and mottled designs. Some male rho- nians comb out their throat feathers into a stylized beard plume. Their scaled legs display lighter shades of yellow, white, pink, or tan. Beaks often reflect a similar color scheme as the legs.

A single colored feather arcs graceful- ly from the forehead above the shorter feathers adorning their heads. A rhon- ian regards his crest plume as sacred, a personal mark by which others rec- ognize him—only he may touch it (often to primp). He considers that anyone else who touches it, damages it, or severs it (the ultimate offense) has committed a grievous violation of his person. Rhonians never deign to hide their features (or crumple their crest feather) beneath a hat, hood, or any other undignified head covering. Rhonian couples bond for life, but during their long existence they only produce one or two offspring. Rhonians mature at a very young age (two years); their parents do not allow them out of their dwelling until they have proven they possess the grace and courtesy to exist in the outside world. A physically mature rhonian stands between six and seven feet tall, but weighs significantly less than a similar creature of such stature due to his willowy body. Rhonians can live upwards of 200 years. Their low birth rate and extended life spans keep the rhonian population lower than some of the more abundant races.

Relations: Rhonians maintain a delicately friendly balance with most other races. They politely discourage visitors to their well- defended marshland enclaves, but travel often throughout all parts of the world. They trade with other nations and sell their artistic and diplomatic skills to those who need them. Other races are grateful to have rhonian nego- tiators on hand to mediate disputes, parley truces, and settle treaties, but their welcome often wears out quickly as their haughty atti- tude constantly proves that they hold everyone else in contempt.

The rhonians themselves almost never go to war, though many speculate that the rhoode were enslaved after an ancient defeat at the hands of once-mighty rhonian armies. Rhonians contend that they’ve never had to fight a battle because they’ve always resolved their differences by reaching an amiable com- promise through diplomacy. Others claim they’ve wheedled their way out of conflict using negotiation, bribery, and their intricate alliances with various political and economic factions.

Rhonians hold the elves in high esteem for their devotion to the natural world and art (most elves return the sentiment). Other groups man- age well enough with the rhonians, balancing their need for economic and political interac- tion with a tolerance of their superior attitudes. Of all the civilized races, the rhonians hold the dwarves in the greatest contempt—they are rude, squat creatures devoid of any love for learning or artistic creation. Orcs, goblins, and the like are barbaric savages to the rhonians, who would do away with all monstrous races if they had such military and political power. Alignment: Average rhonians favor lawful and neutral behavior. Most prefer to follow meticu- lous schedules, precise instructions, and detailed order in their lives, though some slack- en in their devotion to such a rigorously planned lifestyle. The rhonians who stand out most among their peers and other races tend toward chaos in their methods, particularly arti- sans and diplomats who rely on this philosophy in achieving their ultimate goals. Ultimately all rhonians shun evil, and prefer that good or neu- tral actions govern their lives.

Rhonian Lands: Rhonians maintain several closely guarded enclaves, many located in

dense swamps, along lakes and riverbanks, or deep within rainforests. Each community oper- ates independently, though they sometimes pay homage to the larger political state in which their land is situated. Rhonians instruct their servants to build villages and cities with the best possible natural defenses in mind. They site their enclaves on platforms in soggy marshland, in slow-flowing rivers, and off the shores of lakes. Some rhonians construct their villages within the top-most limbs of trees. Most buildings consist of stilted structures joined by bridges and wide plaza platforms. Not only are these designs practical for defense, they are symbolic of the rhonians’ perceived place in relation to all other races— isolated and far above average creatures. Architecture emphasizes tall, lofty spaces with stylized nature motifs. Although most build- ings consist of wood or reed frameworks and walls, they are covered inside and out by layers of plaster that provide workable surfaces for the fine decoration in which rhonians take pride. Multi-storied structures contain ornate staircases or ramps—a rhonian would rarely deign to climb the ladders or ropeways his ser- vants use in the more functional spaces in his home.

Rhonian enclaves maintain their self-sufficien- cy thanks to the tireless efforts of their servant races. These laborers catch fish and harvest marsh crops, produce basic items of practical worth, and run households and businesses. Rhonians involve themselves in higher forms of work: architecture, craftsmanship, music, writing, and the military arts. They also journey abroad to offer their diplomatic services to oth- ers, establish treaties for the protection of their lands, and negotiate economic terms that prove most beneficial to their enclave. When outside forces threaten the isolation and security of their sanctuaries, rhonians quickly rally, sum- moning their officer corps, calling up their ser- vant militia, and bringing to bear political influence among their allies to provide imme- diate aid.

Religion: Rhonians do not practice a formal religion, and do not maintain official temples or a cadre of dedicated clergy. Such institutions interfere with more important activities, and their absence contributes to the essential belief that rhonians are superior to others inhabiting the world. They rely on individual excellence,

RHONIANS

RHONIANS

artistry, and intelligence rather than the often-indiscriminate favor of the gods. Many rhonians privately kindle personal beliefs in various deities and keep small shrines to their favored gods in their homes. Many households include an easi- ly concealed cabinet shrine to Hegretta, an ancient mother goddess of the marshland and provider of all goodness to the rhoni- ans. She protects the home, nurtures the weak, and supplies every need.

Rhonians also revere various deities of language and writing, either their own pri- mordial deities or those of the people whose lands they traverse. They view themselves as emissaries of intelligence and communication—for wasn’t it from the marshland that all civilized races learned to write, with reed or quill pen? Some secretly worship deities of magic or forbidden knowledge, though rhonians often seem as uncaring in their devotion to them as these gods are to their followers. The rare rhonian cleric presents himself as more of a scholar than a priest. He gains his divine magical powers from Hegretta or one of the other regional gods of writing and lan- guage, though he wields this power more as a learned sage than a cleric.

Language: Rhonians speak many languages, but reserve their own tongue for use in their enclaves and among their peers. It consists of flowing, sonorous notes, with inflections pro- vided by chirping and beak clicking. Although others find the language difficult to master, they note that rhonians can write it easily in many different scripts.

With others present, rhonians prefer to commu- nicate in a language everyone can understand. They long ago mastered the linguistic and civil intricacies of Common, and can speak as elo- quently as any native aristocrat in a royal court. They speak Common when engaged with mixed company to avoid offending anyone in particular (unless, of course, that is their objec- tive). When traveling abroad, rhonians deign to speak the local language as a point of courtesy to their hosts, at least until courtesy becomes secondary to their true motives. They address their servants harshly in their own language to ensure no order is misinterpreted.

Names: Rhonians favor personal names that reflect grace, nature, and nobility. Stylish names are sometimes adopted more for their eloquence of pronunciation and pleasant ring to the ear than any family or personal signifi- cance. Rhonians sometimes alter their names to have a better meaning when spoken in a differ- ent language. One named Storm Willow in rhonian might alter it to Strong Kettle in Halfling, or Granite Pillar in Dwarven.

Rhonians keep their family and clan names secret from all but their peers—even their ser- vants rarely know for which family they work. Others have difficulty distinguishing rhonians as members of clan groups. Perhaps the best method of familial identification comes from interpreting feather patterns on individuals; those from the same clan often have similar coloration and texture. If they did discover a rhonian’s family name, outsiders would find them unpronounceable without having both a traditional and avian vocal structure.

Nicknames exist for lesser beings who enjoy wanton playfulness, trickery, and base humor. If they did have nicknames, rhonians would certainly not share them with anyone outside their own race.

Male Names: Crisp Breeze, Floatleaf,

Floodrage, Glimmerfish, Redcrest, Sandtide, Silent Waters, Storm Willow.

Female Names: Dawnsfire, Feather Tongue, Running Brook, Slashing Beak, Swayreed, Tranquil Pool.

Adventurers: Rhonians frequently venture from their enclaves to pursue trade, gain new knowledge, and examine the finer examples of artistry among lesser races. Some make announced pilgrimages to known centers of learning, while others journey as wanderers, noting anything of interest they encounter or masking their true purposes behind the facade of a roving traveler. Diplomats often inhabit foreign courts, journeying to distant realms as political situations necessitate.

Rhonians tolerate the company of others because they have something to gain from them: knowledge, wealth, notoriety, or political influence. In many cases they deign to grace others with their presence to educate them in the ways of higher intelligence, culture, and good etiquette. Rhonians consider this a great burden—constantly subjecting themselves to rudeness, filth, and the base occupations of common races—but believe it is a necessary obligation of their higher status to share their knowledge and artistic sensibilities.

Rhonians rarely travel without at least one ser- vant, either a rhoode indentured to their service or a personal assistant hired from among one of the lesser yet literate races. If a member of his current party has not reached some agreement to serve a rhonian character, he should begin with an NPC servant.