Kurotsume (3.5e Race)

Kurotsume

Personality

The Kurotsume are universally introverted even around there own kind, this has misunderstood as secretive behaviour when, in fact, they are open books once you get to know them and are incredibly laid back, they are also as loyal a race as one can find if befriended. Another misunderstood trait among them is their love of sparring, which many mistake for blood thirstiness when in reality they see combat as a pastime or sport and rarely seriously harm their opponents let alone kill them.

Physical Description

As a rule, they are always sleek and toned from countless hours of fighting and are slightly taller than humans on average ranging from 5'10 to 6'2. It is not their height that distinguishes them though but their natural armour, their fingers, toes, ribs, spine, cheekbones and tails are covered with a black armour like material, sharp to the touch. Their hair and Fox like ears are the same color as their armour, in stark contrast to their deathly pale skin and brightly colored eyes which range from evergreen, cobalt blue and blood red. They possess from one to three whip like tails extending from the lower back. Probably the most infamous trait is the three rows of triangular teeth that make it difficult to speak more complex languages.

Relations

They have a mutual sympathy for the drow as they both are more often then not ostracized. They also share their want for independence and freedom. Due to this they are one of the select few that the drow feel comfortable travelling with.

The have the same relationship with half-orcs with the additional mutual love of combat. Though while they can say that the hybrids are not actively aggressive towards them, a herculean feat in and of itself, it is rare for anything more than comradery to form.

The vast majority of the rest of the world greets them with either thinly valed suspicions at best and literally run out of town at worst. The stories surrounding them are almost entirely negative, saying that the woman are vile tricksters who vex men for the kick of it and that the men are mindless killing machines who would kidnap maidens before their weddings, this could not be farther from the truth as they are adamantly against deception and practice chivalry.

If there is one grain of truth to these stories it is their ferocity in battle and none know this better than the gnolls who are responsible for the fact that they're population is less than a tenth of what it used to be. The gnoll are one of the few, if not the only, that can incite true rage and the hyenas have learned not to antagonize the Kurotsume further.

Alignment

They're love of freedom mixed with their passive nature leans them either toward chaotic neutral or chaotic good.

Lands

Their homeland is a cluster of small islands to the east that are rich with volcanic soil and is covered with trees resembling a cross between a redwood and a palm tree which provides a thick canopy. Since the gnoll invasion the Kurotsume have maintained a heavy vigil over the surounding waters. They have adopted a banner, a black backdrop with a hollowed out, red eight pointed star.

Religion

They worship the Celtic pantheon, favoring nuada and belenus.

Language

They're first language is undercommon and can learn common. Due to the gnoll presence many in the past they had to learn their language by necessity.

Names

Kurotsume names are made up of two parts, family and given, and are almost always composed of three syllables ex: Daralek, seerifil, anadel etc. Their names are not better for one gender or the other, they are unisex.

Adventurers

While they are deeply devoted to their homes and families, their inherent wanderlust often drives them to explore the world outside the borders of their isolated islands. Another reason is their wish to establish peaceful relations and trade with the other races and peoples, sadly, they have had no success with the larger nations and what trade they have with small countries is minimal. This has not stopped them from trying though and count each deal and treaty as a victory.

Racial Traits

• +2 constitution, -3 charisma, +2 strength, +2 dexterity:
• Monstrous Humanoid: Their bodies are vaguely humanoid but it is as if there bones were forcing themselves through their skin and turning itself into a weapon.
• Medium: No bonuses
• Kurotsume base land speed is 40 feet: climbs is 10 feet.
• Light sensitivity: their fair skin and sensitve eyes they more vulnerable to harm. (constitution-1, day vision limited to 90ft)
• Low-light vision: they are perfectly adapted for the dark and can see in it clear as day.
• Natural weapons: when unarmed, can use claws(2d4) slashing and piercing damage, and whip tails(1d6) slashing damage.
• Weapon proficiency: Kurotsume are automatically are automatically proficient with the hslberd and long cleaver.
• Automatic Languages: undercommon. Bonus Languages: gnoll and common
• Favored Class: fighter or barbarian
• Level Adjustment : +0

Vital Statistics

Table: Kurotsume Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
years	+	+	+

Table: Kurotsume Aging Effects

Middle Age^1	Old^2	Venerable^3	Maximum Age
60 years	90 years	120 years	160 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Kurotsume Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.
Female	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.

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