Abbalaya

“ "Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is wisdom." ” —An old Seer.

"The Nar'ysr" drawn by David A. Roach

The Abbalayar (singular Abbalaya) were a tribe of humans in Calimshan known and feared for their divinatory powers. They were so unique both magically and physically that they were often considered a distinct subrace of human.

Physical Description

Abbalayar appeared human at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their distinctive physical qualities became apparent. The strangest feature was their second eyelid. This eyelid was transparent and could shield an Abbalaya from a number of ill effects, such as both natural and magical blinding effects and even the gaze attacks of monsters. All Abbalayar also possessed an extra bone in each finger, which provided them with an extra elegance when casting spells with somatic components. Abbalayar had pale skin like humans from the north, in stark contrast to the dusky- and tan-skinned Calishites and Tethyrians living around them. Their skin also had a subtle red tint to it. Their hair colors were the colors of precious metals—gold, silver, and copper—although these could easily be confused for blonde, white, or red.

History

The name "Abbalayar" came from Mount Abbalayat, the holy peak in the Marching Mountains from which all Abbalayar hailed. The origin of the Abbalayar people is an unsolved mystery. Some scholars of Faerûn believed them to be the offspring of genies, celestials, or fiends, but they did not share the traits common to other genasi or planetouched humans. They certainly did have genie blood, but which variety of genie blood was not clear.

During the Calim Empire, when the djinn ruled Calimshan, the tribe now known as the Abbalayar was granted permission to rule Mount Abbalayat. After the genies were expelled from the land, the Abbalayar went into hiding, using magic to conceal their home from outsiders.

One of the recurring sendings of the Gifted took place in 1355 DR, three years before the Time of Troubles.

Society

The home of the Abbalayar was the hidden city of Ul'sahab, the City of Oracles. All Abbalayar alive as of 1370 DR came from this city, which was said to be a place of "knowledge, peace, and love".

The Abbalayar would take special measures to ensure that their line did not die out. Among the inhabitants of the city, every 20 years, at least fourteen men and women would be selected as the "Gifted". These Gifted would be sent out into the far corners of Toril to spread the vision of the Abbalayar and to find suitable mates from among the other human cultures. Such Gifted were chosen and dispatched every 20 years, and they were expected to return to Ul'sahab before the next sending. The Gifted took their quests seriously, and if one remained alive, he or she would always find a way to return home. However, historically, only about half of those sent out ever made it back to Mount Abbalayat alive.

Not all children of Abbalayar retained the powers and distinctions of their Abbalaya parent, although the powers could reappear in future generations of offspring.

Abilities

Abbalayar were most known for "the sight" that most of them possessed naturally. These oracle abilities were innate magical powers. Not all Abbalayar shared the same powers, but they were always a form of divination magic. All of the following were known powers of some individuals (choose one):

Comprehend languages

Detect magic

Detect undead

Detect invisibility

Detect thoughts

Locate object

Identify

Clairaudience/clairvoyance

Tongues

Detect scrying

Wizard eye

Dream

False vision

Sending

Legend lore

Abbalaya Names

Male: Abel, Aleksandre, Badri, Boris, Gocha, Iakob, Luka, Niko, Revaz, Sandro, Vasil, Zaal, Zviadi.

Female: Ana, Anastasia, Barbare, Eka, Elene, Lela, Nana, Ruska, Salmoe, Tsisia, Vera, Veriko.

Abbalayan Traits

The people of the mind. Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age. Abbalayar age the same as average humans.

Alignment. Generally lean towards Neutral alignments, but will do as they will.

Size. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

The Protected Eyes. You are immune to being temporary blinded unless caused by a magical effect.

Quintuple Jointed. Your extra joint gives you proficency with slight of hand.

Abbalayan Ancestry. Your skin gives of a reddish glow which stands out in a crowd, you have disadvantage on stealth checks unless fully covered.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Alzhedo.