Orcrest | Planetouched

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, each one expressing their outsider lineage differently, and it is nigh unheard of for planetouched to create societies or settlements of their own, instead typically folding into their society of birth.

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.

Note: In the characteristics box, items separated by slashes are options that may be selected from.

"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-fiends, 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, purple, and grey. Their hair, cascading around 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.
Infernal planetouched are often stereotyped to be devilish in nature. This is, often, a self-fulfilling prophecy, as those pushed out from society's nicer arenas throw their lot in with outcasts who accept them.
Infernal planetouched are often the subject of folklore and children's tales, either as wicked villains or as lessons about not judging a book by its cover, so much so that "don't judge a man by his horns" is a common phrase, though one that doesn't do much to assuage prejudice.
Infernal planetouched are commonly referred to as "Fiendhearts".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Fiendhearts

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by base race
Base race/dark red/blue/purple hair
Horns
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Prehensile devil or bull tail
Pointed teeth
Short claws
Red/blue/purple/grey skin tones
Infernal eyes
- Black sclera, slit pupils
- Vivid red/orange/yellow/purple irises

Common Religions: Those of their base race.

"What are mortal laws compared to divine command?"

Lore

Celestial planetouched are mortals 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 in addition to the more overt marks of their lineage.

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 believe themselves to have a cosmic destiny - a moment, grand purpose or cause for which they believe they were born, though some do rebel against this purpose.
Celestial planetouched are commonly referred to as "Puresouls".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Puresouls

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by base race
Celestial eyes
- White/gold, glowing, no pupils OR
- Gold/brass/marble, no pupils
Base race/white/silver hair
At least one optional characteristic

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Celestial Halo
- Ethereal, radiant, glowing, can not be hidden
Pale white/gold/purple skin tones
Gold/brass/marble extremities
- Fingers/toes/hands/feet/ears/nose
1-3 Extra sets of eyes
Sparse feathering
- On limbs/across skin, no wings or flight
Diminutive wings
- Attached to head or ankles, no flight

Common Religions: Those of their base race.

Overview

Tracing their ancestry to those touched by the elemental planes, each planetouched emanates either air, earth, fire, or water elemental magic, even if they themselves aren't mages. The way this elemental magic enters bloodlines varies widely, with some planetouched being direct descendants of planar beings from the elemental planes, while others being descendants of those who lived in areas particularly suffused by elemental magic. Some are rumoured to even be the result of magical experiments, artefacts, or particularly powerful spells.

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

Lore

As solid as stone, as dependable as the ground they trod on. Earth planetouched tend to be hearty, strong, and steadfast. They tend to avoid rash decisions, pausing long enough to consider their options before taking action, though when they do act they do so with an inexorable persistence.

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.
Earth planetouched are typically strong and durable for their size, and are often calm almost to a fault.
Earth planetouched are generally considered to be excellent and sought after personal guards, mentors, and tutors.
Earth planetouched are commonly referred to as "Stonekin".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Stonekin

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by base race
Green/slate/brown skin tone
Green/slate/brown hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle elemental aura
- Can be manipulated when using magic
Elemental eyes
- Green/Slate iris, subtle glow
- Otherwise typical for base race
Elemental hair
- Hair replaced/intertwined with stone/plants
Unnatural extra features
- Earth themed, subject to staff approval
- Ex: Stone veins, vines wrapped around limbs

Common Religions: Those of their base race.

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

Lore

As changeable as the weather, their moods shift from calm to wild and violent with little warning, but these storms rarely last long. Still, there is little as persistent as the wind, and when something truly matters an air planetouched will often devote themselves to it, even if the effort may wax and wane over time.

Air planetouched 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. Their 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.
Air planetouched are considered to be flighty, being carried by their whims. While there is often some truth in this, equally as often the truth is that they are the last one remaining, struggling for some goal others have long abandoned.
Air planetouched are often particularly musical, singing and whistling as they go about their days.
Air planetouched are commonly referred to as "Skykin".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Skykin

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by base race
White/steel blue/pale yellow skin tone
White/steel blue/pale yellow hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle elemental aura
- Can be manipulated when using magic
Elemental eyes
- White/steel blue iris, subtle glow
- Otherwise typical for base race
Elemental hair
- Hair replaced/intertwined with smoke/fog
Unnatural extra features
- Air themed, subject to staff approval
- Ex: Constant low level wind

Common Religions: Those of their base race.

"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.
Water planetouched are often highly introspective, willing to self-examine and change in service of long term goals.
Water planetouched are known to move from place to place often. They are considered highly dependable, but not for long terms.
Water planetouched are commonly referred to as "Seakin".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Seakin

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
Elemental eyes
- Blue/teal iris, subtle glow
- Otherwise typical for base race
Elemental hair
- Hair replaced/intertwined with water/fins
Unnatural extra features
- Water themed, subject to staff approval
- Ex: Gills, scales, webbed feet, small fins

Common Religions: Those of their base race.

"Burn the brightest."

Lore

Fire planetouched have inherited the volatile mood and keen mind of the flames. 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.
Fire planetouched are often, but not always, headstrong, bold, and hotheaded.
For better or worse, fire planetouched are the most "visible" of the elemental planetouched, and often what people think of when speaking of them.
Fire planetouched are commonly referred to as "Flamekin".

Core Characteristics

Size: Varies by base race

Average Lifespan: Varies by base race

Common Name: Flamekin

Mandatory Physical Characteristics:

Varies by base race
Red/orange/charcoal skin tone
Red/orange/charcoal hair
At least two optional characteristics

Optional Physical Characteristics:

Subtle elemental aura
- Can be manipulated when using magic
Elemental eyes
- Red/orange iris, subtle glow
- Otherwise typical for base race
Elemental hair
- Hair replaced/intertwined with fire
Unnatural extra features
- Fire themed, subject to staff approval
- Ex: Magma fingers

Common Religions: Those of their base race.