Planetouched Races

Planetouched

Overview

Planetouched are the mortal descendants of immortal beings, typically dozens or more generations removed from their immortal ancestors. Planetouched is a general term used to described mortal creatures whose lineages traced back to an outsider of some kind, causing them some unusual characteristics that persisted in the bloodline for several generations. Planetouched are not as dramatically different as a true hybrid (i.e. a half-celestial or half-fiend such as a cambion) would be. The most common types of planetouched are Celestial and Infernal. There are no "typical" planetouched, and they usually lack cultures of their own and instead are adopted into the mortal cultures they are born nearest to.

Planetouched maintain the base characteristics of their parents to a certain degree. Planetouched must come from one of the following base races: Humans, Harvest Elves, Stoutfolk, Drow, Orcs, Goblinkin, Half-Elves, Half-Darklings.

"Hotblooded? You don't know the half of it."

Lore

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the tiefling. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.

Not to be confused with half-fields, Infernal Planetouched are derived from mortal bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look mortal. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. These Planetouched have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They often have thick tails, three to four feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are often sharply pointed, and their eyes can be pitch black with unnatural irises and slit pupils. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red, blue, and purple. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
Horns
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Prehensile Tail
Pointed Teeth
Short Claws
Red/Blue/Purple Skintones
Infernal Eyes (Dark/Black Sclera, Unnatural Colored Iris, Slit Pupils)

"What are mortal laws compared to divine command?"

Lore

Celestial Planetouched are native outsiders that have in their blood some good, otherworldly characteristics. They are descended from celestials and other creatures of pure good alignment, but while predisposed to good alignments, they are not bound by the laws of immortals and are by no means always good.

Each of these Planetouched bears the mark of their celestial lineage differently in ways that often vary from individual to individual. Most are superficially similar to their base race, but are often uncommonly handsome or beautiful in a statuesque way.

Some know their time in mortal life is limited, and work tirelessly to be worthy of the heavens. Others seem certain of their ascension and instead spend their time among the salt of the earth attempting to uplift and inspire the down-trodden to a higher calling. Regardless, most Celestial Planetouched, certain of the existence of the divine by personal experience are particularly zealous and may even know the common name of their celestial ancestor and be able to trace their family line back to them a dozen or more generations previous.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.
Celestial Planetouched are often - but not always - quite religiously zealous; though some can become quite against religion, they are rarely apathetic to it.
Many Celestial Planetouched correctly or incorrectly believe themselves to have a cosmic destiny. A moment or grand purpose or cause for which they believe they were born, though some do rebel against this purpose.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
Celestial Eyes (White/Gold, Glowing, No Pupils OR Gold/Brass/Marble, No Pupils)
White/Silver Hair
At least one optional characteristic

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Celestial Halo (Ethereal, Radiant, Glowing, can not be hidden)
Pale White/Gold/Purple Skintones
Gold/Brass/Marble Extremities (Fingers/Toes/Hands/Feet/Ears/Nose)
1-3 Extra Sets of Eyes
Sparse Feathering (On Limbs/Across Skin, no wings, does not grant flight)
Diminutive Wings (Attached to head, does not grant flight)

Overview

Tracing their ancestry to the genies of the Elemental Planes, each planetouched can tap into the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of elemental planetouched. Some are direct descendants of a 'genie', while others were born to non-planetouched parents who lived near a place suffused by a genie’s magic.

"From the earth we come, and to the earth we shall return."

Lore

An earth planetouched, is descended from the cruel and greedy dao, though they aren’t necessarily evil. They have inherited some control over Earth, reveling in superior strength and solid power. They tend to avoid rash decisions, pausing long enough to consider their options before taking action.

Elemental earth manifests differently from one individual to the next. Some earth planetouched always have bits of dust falling from their bodies and mud clinging to their clothes, never getting clean no matter how often they bathe.

Others are as shiny and polished as gemstones, with skin tones of deep brown or slate, eyes sparkling like agates. Earth planetouched can also have smooth metallic flesh, dull iron skin spotted with rust, a pebbled and rough hide, or even a coating of tiny embedded crystals. The most arresting have fissures in their flesh, from which faint light shines.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
Green/Slate/Brown Skintone
Green/Slate/Brown Hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle Elemental Aura (can be manipulated when using magic, if character is magical)
Elemental Eyes (Green/Slate Iris, Subtle Glow, otherwise typical for Base Race)
Elemental Hair (Hair replaced with Stone/Plants)
Unnatural Extra Features (Earth themed, subject to staff approval. Ex: Stone Veins, Vines wrapped around limbs)

"I go where the winds of fate take me."

Lore

Air planetouched are descended from the djinn - the elemental genie of the Plane of Air. As changeable as the weather, their moods shift from calm to wild and violent with little warning, but these storms rarely last long.

Air planetouched’s skin tones include many shades of white, steel blue, and pale yellows. Sometimes their skin is marked by lines that seem like cracks with bluish-white energy spilling out. An air genasi’s hair might blow in a phantom wind or appear to be made entirely of clouds of vapor.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
White/Steel Blue/Pale Yellow Skintone
White/Steel Blue/Pale Yellow Hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle Elemental Aura (can be manipulated when using magic, if character is magical)
Elemental Eyes (White/Steel Blue Iris, Subtle Glow, otherwise typical for Base Race)
Elemental Hair (Hair replaced with Smoke/Fog)
Unnatural Extra Features (Air themed, subject to staff approval. Ex: Constant low level wind)

"A rising tide lifts all."

Lore

The lapping of waves, the spray of sea foam on the wind, the ocean depths — all of these things call to their heart. They wander freely and take pride in their independence, though others might consider them selfish.

Most water planetouched look as if they just finished bathing, with beads of moisture collecting on their skin and hair. They smell of fresh rain and clean water. Blue or teal skin is common, with occasional scales and most have somewhat overlarge eyes. Some have voices with undertones reminiscent of whale song or trickling streams.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
Blue/Teal/Pearl Skintone
Blue/Teal/Pearl Hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle Elemental Aura (can be manipulated when using magic, if character is magical)
Elemental Eyes (Blue/Teal Iris, Subtle Glow, otherwise typical for Base Race)
Elemental Hair (Hair replaced with Water)
Unnatural Extra Features (Water themed, subject to staff approval. Ex: Gills, Webbed Feet)

"Burn the brightest."

Lore

Fire planetouched have inherited the volatile mood and keen mind of the efreet. They tend toward impatience and making snap judgments. Rather than hide their distinctive appearance, they typically exult in it.

Nearly all fire planetouched are feverishly hot as if burning inside, an impression reinforced by flaming red, coal- black, or ash-gray skin tones. The more human-looking have fiery red hair that writhes under extreme emotion, while more exotic specimens sport actual flames dancing on their heads. Their voices might sound like crackling flames, and their eyes flare when angered.

Quirks

'Planetouched' traits sometimes skips multiple generations. Any given planetouched being may be the child of two seemingly normal mortals, and two Planetouched parents - even of the same type - likely will not give birth to Planetouched offspring. The results are often unpredictable.
Planetouched are not themselves, a race, but rather are a template applied to other base races (such as a 'human' or an 'elf' with otherworldly traits).
All Planetouched may be innately affected by magic spells that can affect or hold supernatural creatures - such as circles of binding or warding.

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by Base Race

Average Lifespan: Varies by Base Race

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by Base Race
Red/Orange/Charcoal Skintone
Red/Orange/Charcoal Hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle Elemental Aura (can be manipulated when using magic, if character is magical)
Elemental Eyes (Red/Orange Iris, Subtle Glow, otherwise typical for Base Race)
Elemental Hair (Hair replaced with Fire)
Unnatural Extra Features (Fire themed, subject to staff approval. Ex: Magma Fingers)

B E Y O N D O R C R E S T

Planetouched