Rournar

Any distinctions among human ethnicities are inevitably muddled because of several centuries of settlement and conquest have ensured that no division is absolute. The only ethnicity that has managed to stay virtually pureblooded are the Rournar. Descended from the scattered remains of Lun’vek slaves and elven wizards, the Rournar quickly grew to dominate the central region of Migdalia, establishing a magical kingdom known as Tael-Mohrd.

Following the cataclysm of the Fourth Age, known today as the Arcane War, the Rournar rose to become the self-declared rulers of Migdalia. Forcing their defeated opponents into servitude, the Rournar jealously hoarded all magical knowledge for the better part of the Fifth Age, plunging the world into a dark age of ignorance. Their stranglehold on Migdalia weakened during the Clockwork Wars of the Sixth Age and the Dragon Wars of the Seventh Age, eventually leading to the collapse of Tael-Mohrd at the end of the Seventh Age.

Though the Rournar eventually rebuilt their capital, their former glory had been incinerated along with many of their legendary libraries and academies. Overcome with anger and grief, the Rournar renamed their kingdom Walacia, which meant “Dying Phoenix” in their native tongue. In the years since, Walacia has slowly become a powerful force in Migdalia, leading many Rournar to believe that the resurrection of Tael-Mohrd is nearly upon them.

Personality: Rournar are elitists, and their society is built to reward this type of behavior. The average Rournar views himself as an extreme intellectual and will rarely admit failure, even when proved wrong. In battle, Rournar are calm and cool, putting on extravagant displays of spell casting or combat maneuvers to display their supposed superior skills. Rournar believe themselves to be superior to every other race, and have no qualms about saying so.

Physical Description: Rournar stand between 5 feet and 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 175 pounds, with men only marginally taller and wider than women. Rournar skin color tends to be very pale, and any sort of tan is considered unattractive by their culture. Their hair color tends to favor reds and browns, though Rournar men and women who occupy places of prestige traditionally shave their heads. The faint traces of elven blood flowing through many Rournar tends to give them a thin, graceful appearance, and many Rournar can expect to live about as long as a half-elf.

Relations: Rournar are almost universally disliked. Their constant arrogance, elitist attitudes, and history of attempted genocide tends to alienate any would-be allies. However, Rournar make up for this by being highly trained and very efficient. The Rournar are said to squirrel away arcane secrets almost instinctively, and what few notes they do keep tend to be so layered in codes and ciphers to be almost unreadable. Thus, many non-Rournar who seek the arcane arts are forced to swallow their pride and endure constant insults and degradations in order to learn the Art. Also, the dwarves tend to view the Rournar favorably for some unknown reason, and many Rournar view dwarves as not quite as bad as other races (though still inferior to those with Rournar blood).

Alignment: The majority of Rournar are neutral, too absorbed in their own studies and research to bother interacting with the outside world. When they do, they are met with hostility and enmity from the other races, a fact that has spurned a growing number of bitter hearts within Rournar society. Though kind-hearted Rournar do exist, they are often overshadowed by the extravagant actions of their evil brethren.

Religion: Nearly all Rournar pay homage to Selasarae, the goddess of magic. Worship of Selasarae is ingrained into every aspect of Rournar society, and is the state religion of Walacia. While not expressly forbidden, those Rournar who follow other gods are all too often viewed as either outcasts or failures by the rest of Rournar society.

Language: Rournar speak their own language, Mohdrin. This language borrows heavily from draconic, and includes precise definitions and pronunciations necessary in arcane rituals. Many words vary greatly depending upon the emphasis placed on each syllable, making it an extremely difficult language to master for those not raised with it. Mohdrin is an ideal language from discussing arcane principles and formula.

Names: Rournar surnames are usually long, flowing names with beautiful phonetic harmony. Rournar rarely use their long surnames with outsiders, and seldom use them even within their own cities. Most often, Rournar will use only their first name. Rournar first names are usually short, with names rarely exceeding two or three syllables.

Male names: Azhar, Nasum, Rashib, Zuhayr

Female Names: Akila, Alima, Baraka, Safa

Surnames: Lyssyrissol, Ellonialis, Hahlihalila, Azzizozia

Adventures: Rournar adventure both to acquire forgotten or lost arcane secrets or to simply see the world. Others may seek respite from the self-absorbed and hateful society that raised them, seeking a simpler life among “simpler” people. Still others are drawn to a life of adventure by the promises of wealth, fame, and power.

Human (Rournar) Racial Traits

* Medium size. As Medium creatures, humans have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.

* Human base land speed is 30 feet.

* 1 extra feat at 1st level. Humans are quick to master specialized tasks and varied in their talents.

* 4 extra skill points at 1st level and 1 extra skill point at each additional level, since humans are versatile and capable.

* Rournar receive a +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (arcana), Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device checks.

* Automatic Languages: Mohdrin. Bonus Languages: Any.

* Favored Class: Any.

Back to Races of Migdalia
Migdalia Home