Euryalian People
Euryalian Order
Stats
Quasi-Immortal: they stop aging between 16-70. They are vulnerable to fatal wounds.
Stamina: +8
Strength: +3
Reflexes +4
Dexterity: +2
HP Bonus: +50
Swimming: +3
Climbing: +2
Priest and Priestess Advantages
Healing Touch: +1 HP per success, +5 per ace.
Focus: +3 constitution vs. distraction
Improved Constitution: +5
Improved Willpower: +8
Resist Charms: +3% per level
Resist Disease: +3% per level
Limited Path Bonus: +1 HB or +4 d6 on all rolls
Paths
Unique Shamanism and Witchcraft
Learn powers in any order at level 1, add levels to chosen powers
Option to Improvise powers; replace powers in any path with powers from other spell books, or replace with custom powers, including powers in Book of Suvanu, which is called Book of the Serpent for these people.
Weaknesses
Susceptible to Cold: cold temperatures and ice do double damage and stamina loss.
Susceptible to Toxins: LoD of toxin = damage, lowers HP permenantly by +1 per ace, until body can be purified and healed.
Vulnerable to deadly wounds.
Description
Euryalians are quasi-immortal, reptilian related, hairless people. There are two breeds. One is bald, with varying horns on their head which sweep back in ribs that curve away from the head in various positions. The other has scalp hair which is usually shades of grey or black. Both breeds have pale blue skin that is often mottled with darker blue or grey. Their skin color is a result of their blue blood. These people are cold blooded; they seek warmth and live in warm climates. They wear very little, enough to cover their privates unless they travel to colder climates, in which case they wear very warm clothes. They wear various jewelry including delicate arm, leg, and waist bands or chains, are often pierced and wear rings.
Society
These people are a snake cult and have been snake worshippers as long as they can remember. Indeed they were a snake cult before they began recording the history of their people some four thousand years ago. These people are isolationists and are guarded against any outsiders interferring with their lifestyle or bringing foreign ideas and beliefs to their culture. They are polite even welcoming to strangers, but are suspicious of and do not tolerate the presence of outsiders and strangers for long. Outsiders are forbidden to observe their religious rites and customs. They have a tight society based on a religious heirarchy. Their priesthood is their government. They have priests and priestesses but are a matriarchal society. These people believe that males and females must serve the roles they are most suited to fill. Males serve the females, who are larger and stronger than the males, as laborers, advisors, mates, and warriors, and the females fill the leadership roles which the males protect. In this way, leaders are not in as much danger of being killed in conflicts or being injured and are more reliably available to serve their people. Every Euryalian community is centered on a castle-like temple which over time developes into a citadel. As one community grows too large for one temple and citadel; another temple is built from which another citadel may develope over time. Each temple supports its own heirarchy and society but there is only ever one Matron who governs all Nagorian Temples.
Some Euryalian Societies are also dragon worshippers, and pay tribute to an ancient male shadow dragon which acts as their patron god. Select priestesses are also selected to 'encourage' their patron dragon to fertilize their eggs; which results in the creation of Euryalian dragonians their people call 'The Shadow Blessed', who can shapeshift between their Euyalian form and a shadow dragon form. Their warriors who can bond with and claim a dragon as a mount are considered their most heroic and celebrated of all warriors. All customs which apply to snake worship below apply to those who worship dragons instead.
Names and Maturity
Euryalians have one name which they are given when they come of age; which is determined by the year they stop aging. This process occurs between the ages of 16 and 70. (1 d100, roll again if a 1-15, or 71-100 is rolled). Until they are named, they cannot attain a rank of above a sister
Procreation
These people cannot produce offspring with any other race. When impregnated, they lay one to three eggs one month after conception in a nursery which is kept at an even temperature of 89.9 to 90.2 degrees. Three female sisters are assigned to each nursery as nest keepers which turn the eggs every three hours and make sure the temperature and humidity levels of the nursery chamber are maintained. The nurseries are small stone rooms with a large open fireplace at the center of the chamber which heats a steam cauldron. The steam keeps the eggs moist. When the egg or eggs hatch, the mother is always present and takes care of her offspring until they join the priesthood as children. Mothers feed their children mashed meat, fruit and vegatables for two years. Children become novices at the age of eight at what time they are cared for by the entire priesthood until they come of age. Until they become a novice, they are referred to as Eurens. The Euryalian religious society is a communal one.
Facts
These people are quasi-immortal, which means they are susceptible to the same wounds as mortal people are but stop aging when they mature into adulthood. When they stop aging it is called coming of age, as it is with many ageless cultures.
Euryalian Priesthood Ranks
The Matron Mother: is the arch priestess and she has all the duties and power of a queen.
The Patron: is the mate of the Matron and acts as her guardian and vizier and is a judge in courte.
The Venerable Mother: is the high priestess under the Matron and she maintains the duties of a prince or princess. She is the keeper of the sacred texts. She also acts as regent or steward and takes over for the Matron if she is unable to function, and until a new Matron is chosen if the Matron dies. If a new temple is built, she becomes the ruler of that temple, as a Venerable Mother, at what time she is replaced by the Eldest Venerable daughter who then serves under the Matron.
The Venerable Father: is the mate of the Venerable Mother and is her protector, the protector of the sacred texts, advisor to the mother and matron, and a judge in courte. If the mother becomes the ruler of another temple he goes with her.
The Venerable Daughters: these are the daughters of the Matron out of Naga. If a Matron dies, these daughters are adopted by the new Matron. The eldest daughter acts as a steward for the Matron and Venerable Mother if they are unable to function and otherwise acts as a magistrate.
The Venerable Sons: these are the sons out of the Matron out of Naga. If a Matron dies, these sons are adopted by the new Matron. The sons are all equals in rank and are the person guards of the Matron when they come of age. If a son is unable to fulfill his duty as a guard because he is not a fighter by nature, he is demoted to a comrade and must achieve the rank which suits him over time.
Venerable brothers: are warrior priests which act as knights and regulators which keep order and the peace among their society. These priests choose this path as comrades.
Venerable Sisters: are the teachers of the faith, the sacred texts, of knowledge, history, and proper society.
Sisters: tend to the gardens and crops, assist in the harvesting, clean the temples, help look after and teach the children, and cook for their community.
Brothers: are warrior priests who act as soldiers and begin train for combat as comrades if they choose the path of the protectors.
Male Comrades: do all the labor in their society, they build, sow and plant the fields, harvest the crops, etc. All comrades who do not choose the path of the soldier learn a craft, including but not limited to; smith, farmer, trader, household servent, toy maker, carpenter, well digger, stone mason, treasurer, etc.
Female Comrades: share the same responsibilities as the sisters with exception of teaching the children.
Children: have the sole responsibility of being students and are assigned daily chores which help the community. They are then encouraged to play from mid-afternoon until nightfall. Play is considered an essential part of learning. They become comrades when they come of age and pass the Rite of Camaraderie.
Hierarchy
Imperials
Matron Mother: grand priestess, 1, Nagina Witch stats
Patron Father: mate of Matriarch, 1
Peers
Venerable Mother: arch priestess, 1, 1st regent or steward
Venerable Father: mate of Venerable Mother, 1
Venerable Daughter: high priestess, number depends on how many are reproduced, regent or steward, Nagina Witch stats
Venerable Son: personal bodyguard and blood son of the Matron, number depends on how many are reproduced, Naga Warlock stats
Venerable Sister and Brother: esteemed priests and priestesses, 30 of Each
Residents
Sister and Brother: adept priests and priestesses, unlimited
Comrade: priests and priestesses, unlimited
Child: novices, unlimited
Key Religious Rites
The God and Goddess: Naga and Nagina are the God and Goddess these people worship. Naga is the Father and Nagina the Mother. These demon gods are the most powerful and respected gods and are in the shape of snake people or giant snakes. The children of Naga and Nagina are also worshipped, and their progeny, the nagina witches or naga warlocks are shown the highest respect and are among the only non-Euryalian people that are allowed to dwell among them. All snakes are worshipped and considered sacred. The killing of a snake results in a penalty of death.
Naga and Nagina reside in a rugged castle on the Island of Ulduche, the largest island of the group of islands called the hangman's knot off the southern horn of An Morendor. Ulduche means, the hangman's knot. This island is also called snake island by some, because snakes of all kinds are found all over the island. Few venture to this island for fear of the demon gods and the snakes.
Blessing of the Snake Gods: These people pray to Naga and Nagina for various reasons, including protection, fertility, good fortune, high crop yeilds, rain, and various blessings, and give proper offerings of food, treasure, and wine when they do so. Personal prayers require an offering of one pint of blood and a personal item.
Tribute: Once a month they gather together and pay a tribute of wine, gold and or jewels to their Gods. If either Naga or Nagina demand a sacrifice in place of a offering, a Venerable Brother or Sister is chosen for the sacrifice to show respect. To be chosen for a sacrifice is considered to be among the greatest honors a priest can be bestowed. At the same time, such a demand by the Gods means the gods are angered. Sometimes the one sacrificed is resurrected by Naga and becomes a servant or slave of the Snake Gods.
Rite of Matriarchy: Matron Mothers come into being owed to four circumstances; The prior Matron dies, retires, is demoted, or is banished and needs to be replaced. The Matron Mother is chosen from among the Peers by Nagina. The Matron is then sired by Nagina during a ceremony which both gives her the right to rule as sovereign matriarch and observes the changes into demonhood. This ceremony is witnessed by the entire community in the shrine and can last up to three days. If the chosen Matron dies rather being reborn as a Matron, another peer is chosen and the rite is repeated. Naga then mates with the Matron Mother on the sixth night after she has received the title of Matron, who as a Naga Witch is now fertile to him. If a child is produced from this mating (there is 65% chance) and is female (1 d6 1-3), she becomes a Venerable Daughter when she comes of age. If a male is produced (1 d6 4-6), it is raised to be the Venerable Mother's personal guard and protector. If their are prior Sons, the new son joins their ranks as an equal when he comes of age.
Rite of Banishment: These people only banish their own if they leave or betray the path of the priesthood, or chose to live outside of their society. Each subject of banishment must stand in sacrificial offering before Naga or Nagina to be judged. If they are banished, they are spared death. Those undergoing the Rite of Banishment may offer a tribute to the gods to aid in achieving their mercy.
Ritual of Mates: A female chooses six male prospects who must prove themselves worthy by surviving one night in a pit, called The Pit of Esteem, with a giant snake. In case of the Venerable Mother, she chooses two males who must survive one night in the Pit of Esteem against hundreds of poisonous snakes. If all of the males fail their test, the female must wait a year before chosing her prospects for a mate again. If more than one prospect survives, the female chooses from the survivors.
Rite of Peers: The hierarchy of the Euryalian Temple is split into three main classes; Imperials, Peers, and Residents. In order for a resident to become a peer, a peer must; leave their order to either serve at another shrine, replace a higher ranking peer or Imperial, die, or be banished. Only under these circumstances are they replaced by a resident. The resident with the highest status replaces a peer, and if more than one resident holds the same status, the one who holds the most wisdom achieves the promotion. Each of the resident equals is tested on their knowledge of the sacred texts, including a contest of the arcane, and the one which accumulates the highest score undergoes the Rite of Progress to become a Peer. Unless there is a shift in the hierarchy of Peers, residents remain residents.
Rite of Progress: When a priest or priestess achieves a higher rank, they undergo the Rite of Progress. They are sung a song of farewell, a song of change, and a song of honor by the order they are leaving and receive a young, healthy fruit bearing tree, shrub, or vine (peach, apple, pear, citrus, blueberry, fig, plum, grape, rosehip, rasberry, kiwi, etc) and with it a ring bearing the mark of that tree as a ceremonial gift from the order they are joining in honor of their achievement. If the tree or plant dies or does not produce fruit, then the priest or priestess is demoted to their prior order and returns the ring to the order they failed. No enchantments are permitted in the care of the plant which is planted in a communal orchard. Each plant has a stone marker engraved with their care taker's name. Each year the plant bears fruit; they share its harvest with their order and receive a jewelry item in the order listed below. Each piece of jewelry bears the mark of the fruit from the tree or plant they nurture over the years. If the item requires a piercing, they are pierced ceremoniously. This is to teach the apostle responsibility, wisdom, and to care properly for what is their's. The number of items they receive and maintain determines their status in their order. It is their choice if they use their jewelry for money, accumulate their fruit of progress, or even use them as offerings, thus maintaining their present rank, promoting it, or lowering that rank. Each jewelry item represents wisdom and signifies the Euryalian's status within their order. Priests and Priestesses can wear all of their jewelry, or the high end status piece and ring or rings of hierarchy; otherwise they choose what other jewelry to wear. The higher rank a priest achieves, the more trees or plants they have under their care.
Fruit of Progress Jewelry
Ring of Hierarchy: received each time they are promoted to a new order, every 2 levels, each bears the symbol of the fruit tree or plant they received.
Jewelry Signifying Status within an Order
Amulet: Level 2
Right Wrist Band: Level 4
Right Ear Ring: Level 6
Right Anklet: Level 8
Right Arm Band: Level 10
Right Nostril Ring: Level 12
Right Thigh Band: Level 14
Right Brow Ring: Level 16
Left Side "Repeats": Levels 18 - 32
Belly Chain: Level 34
Naval Ring: Level 36
Nose Ring (septum): Level 38
Throat Band: Level 40
Circlet: Level 42
Rite of Camaraderie: A child cannot enter the order of comrades to become a priest until they can prove that snakes accept them as much as they accept snakes. They must spend one week in a garden called The Garden of Serpents, and if they are bitten during this interim, they must wait another year before they can participate in this rite to become a comrade again.
Other Rites: These people have various other rites, including but not limited to: daily prayers; fertility rites; blessing pregnancies, eggs, and hatchlings with gifts; autumn, winter, spring, and summer festivals; marriages, etc.
Euryalians Standards
These are the laws and customs these people abide by.
Divorce: This is a tricky matter and can only come to pass if a courte judges it is necessary. If one of the mates was proclaimed and proven unfaithful, they must face the standard of infidelity.
Infidelity: Any mate who is unfaithful faces a trial of death, and if they survive it, they are banished from the community. One who is banished from one community for this act can petition to join another shrine. If they are rejected by all shrines, they are banished forever from Euryalian society.
Murder: The penalty for murder is death and the guilty party is sacrified to a giant snake.
Harm: Anyone who is proven to abuse another physically or emotionally is counseled by a venerable for one year. If the abuse continues, the perpetrator is stripped of rank, enslaved and become a laborer until they are able to prove themself rehabilitated. When released, they are placed in the order of children and must earn rank all over again.
Theft: As a community which shares everything and sees that everyone has the same needs met, theft is looked upon darkly. Thieves are demoted one rank and counseled and if a second charge is proven, the guilty party is banished.
Fraud: If a priest tries to cheat in order to gain rank or is otherwise guilty of fraud, they are first demoted to a child, and if a second attempt at fraud is made, they are banished.
Harboring Outsiders: Unless a very good reason can be proven, this results in banishment.
Consorting with Outsiders: This can result in a demotion in rank if a priest allows an affiliation with an outsider to compromise their belief system. If it occurs too often, it can result in banishment.
Sedition: This results in death if harm to another is intended to break down the social structure, or banishment if ideas are spread to harm their structure. Treason falls under sedition.
