Axari (5e Race)
Axari
“ | We are in peace. To come means we were not, and we very much were, before you were even. | ” |
Physical Description
The axari are odd humanoids with grey skin covered in white markings, both natural and painted. Their skin feels reptilian, like that of a snake perhaps, but with scales so small that it resembles human skin. They have eyes that are a bit farther apart on their heads, and they lack a nose. These eyes are usually auburn, turquoise or violet in hue. Their mouths can open very wide and they usually look like they are smiling all the time. Most axari are also usually bald and hairless, with little ways to identify male and females save for their belly buttons. Males are an outie and females are always ins. This doubles as sexual organs for them. The rest of their bodies are fairly somewhat normally structured, with three long fingers or toes at their end of their respective arms and legs. These appendages have very sensitive pads at the ends, allowing axari to pick up even scents and pheromones through touch.
Axari clothes are very ceremonial, even their casual clothes. Usually, their most undecorated robe still resembles that of a trimly deacon. Axarian hierarchy dictates that the highest of sages wear the most decorated, with intricate symbols and some jewelry. Those of a more priestly nature have religious symbols decorating their robes. The overal colors axari seem to like are greys, blacks, blues and golds.
History
From the Days of Thunder, it is believed the sarrukh created many, many races after themselves. One of the lesser known were the axari. Until recently, they had remained hidden in the old holdings of the sarrukh. Their race was so innocuous that their appearance prompted speculation of them being aliens at first. In actuality, they had preserved a section of the sarrukh gardens where their creations were observed. The axari survived in this bubble as the world around them changed. They were not ignorant of everything however, as they had watched the yuan-ti fall and the humans rise. Like their creators, the axari were intelligent and curious observers, and they had spies hidden around the world.
When their emergence came, they surprised everyone with their knowledge from having observed the world for millennia. However, they themselves were also surprised with some of the ways in which other races and lesser known cultures had developed. Now, as they rejoin the world, they are slowly finding their place in the modern times.
Society
While the axari are curious and observant, they also have yuan-ti like traits to them in that they have strong faith. Their society revolves around the two aspects of faith and knowledge. Sages are the highest in their hierarchy, being a title gifted to those with renowned knowledge on both subjects. Under sages are the scholars and priests. Scholars are those who focus on knowledge, and priests are more devoted to faith. The two groups coincide more often than they clash, and they complement each other strangely. The axari are thus knowers rather than fighters, but they are proficient with magics with which to defend themselves. But an axari typically wants to be diplomatic rather than confrontational.
Axari are considered mature when they reach 14. They are usually born with a unique pattern of white on their skin, but not all over their body. Upon maturity, this pattern is completed with a series of inks, symbolizing their "wholeness."
Outside their communities, the axari are viewed as a wise but ultimately foreign. They are treated well for the purposes of scholarship, but many consider them outsiders in most affairs. They are even despised by yuan-ti, who view them as heretical.
Religion
The axarian religion is a little similar to the yuan-ti. They worship strange entities that can seem horrible to those outside their communities. These beings make up the Axa pantheon. A common characteristic of the deities is that they are largely amorphous, with some instances of having a material form. The primary god of this pantheon is Thaxa, who advocates for the axari to always be on the lookout for knowledge and to be introspective. Much of the pantheon focuses on open-thought and rigorous close-reading, making the axari a more open faith system. This is why their religion is sometimes likened more to a philosophy of epistemology instead.
Axari Names
Axarian names are closer in root to lizardfolk than yuan-ti. They are largely neutral, with only a suffix to determine gender. -Li is attached to the end of female names, and -Al is at the end of male names. What comes before these two bits can be used for either gender.
Names: Furchit, Oxok, Ratlix, Xetl
Axari Traits
Reptilian-origin aliens
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom and your Intelligence scores increase by 2.
Age. They age rather slowly and live to be around 120.
Alignment. Axari tend to be neutral, pursuing knowledge for the sake of it and faith.
Size. Axari grow relatively uniformly. They stay between 5-6 and a half feet tall on average. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Sensitive Touch. Whenever you make a Wisdom (Perception) check using your sense of touch, you are considered proficient in the Perception skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Wizened Intellect. You are proficient in two Intelligence skills of your choice.
Researcher's Speed. You can absorb information inhumanly quick. When reading something, you may halve the time necessary for you to read, know, and understand its contents.
Observer's Magic. You can use some magic, having studied for so long in knowledge and faith alike. Choose one of the options below.
•Scholar: You can cast the detect magic spell with this trait. Once you cast either spell, you can't cast it again with this trait until you finish a short or long rest.
•Priest: You know and can cast the mind sliver cantrip.
•Sage: You can cast the find familiar spell with this trait. Once you cast either spell, you can't cast it again with this trait until you finish a short or long rest.
Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Intelligence.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and two other languages of your choice.
Random Height and Weight
Base Height | Height Modifier* | Base Weight | Weight Modifier** |
---|---|---|---|
5′ 1″ | +2d8 | 130 lb. | × (1d6) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
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