Viera

The Viera may begin as part of the Wood, but it is not the only end that we may choose.

— Fran, Sky Pirate

The viera are a beautiful and mysterious folk, shrouded in mystery as many spend most of their lives in the Woodlands they call home. Their tall, slender bodies are adorned with rabbit-like traits, and true to their likeness, they are a graceful people.

Separate Paths¶

Male and female viera rarely interact. Outside of necessary meetings to keep their race continuing onwards and relinquishing the male children who have reached adulthood, they lead separate lives.

The males of the viera live secretive, lonely lives in which they shun everyone, even their own kin, to fully pursue their sacred role as a Wood-warder. The Wood-warders patrol the outer wilderness of their homes to ensure no outsiders make it through. That isn't to say the women are defenseless though, as the female viera are as fierce and capable as the men, but as a whole, they turn their attention to defending their young and their homes.

People of the Wood¶

The word viera itself means "people of the wood" and true to their name, the two clans live in different forests of Dalmasca. Both the Rava and the Veena boast tall, lithe frames and the graceful gaits of rabbits. The Rava make their home in the Golmore Jungle and grew to have umber skin and dark hair, allowing them to more easily blend in with the forest. In stark contrast, the Veena have very light skin and fair hair help them blend in with the Skatay Range they call home.

Of Jungles and Forests¶

Both the Rava and Veena clans make their homes exclusively in the Golmore Jungle, or the primeval forests which line the southwestern foothills of the Skatay Range, respectively. Both locations are large, sprawling canopies of forest which provide them with all the viera need to survive. In addition to the thick forest canopy, the Skatay Range boasts white mountains which the Veena have grown to use as a secondary home. Both the Rava and Veena guard their homes violently against trespassers. Anyone who enters their forest homes may be privy to a hostile reception.

The Green Word¶

The viera's set of laws are considered to be the laws of the forest in which they live. The viera take jobs under this set of laws and restrict themselves from having contact with the world outside of their forest.

Along with the many other restrictions they are subject to, some viera will eventually, undoubtedly, find their ways off putting. If a viera chooses to leave the forest, they are considered an outsider from that day forward. These strict laws and stark segregation often drive more individualistic viera away to seek adventure.

Viera Names¶

Viera adopt new names at different stages of their life. When a viera is born, their male or female characteristics are not yet present, and so they are typically given names culturally appropriate for any sex and gender. Once they reach adulthood, many adopt a new name. These are called "Forest Names."

Likewise, when striking out from their homes and going into the world, an adventuring viera will also adopt new "City Names" to mark their parting from the traditional viera way of life. These names are often inspired by the names of other races they encounter, or simply things that they like, such as "Cherry" or "Morning Glory."

Though in many cases viera will stick to names traditionally associated with their gender, there are myriad examples of viera who eschew these patterns by keeping or choosing names considered non-binary or associated with a different gender.

Forest Names. Ruuj, Shara, Rena, Rael, Bjonse, Arjm, Coeli, Ysera, Yurhee, Venase, Ukina, Sonja, Slejsa, Qestra, Petra

City Names. Fran, Cherry, Morning Glory, Rahan, Rowan, Yehu, Lilipo

Viera Traits¶

Your viera character has certain traits deriving from your forest ancestry.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age. Viera reach physical maturity at the same pace as all the other races, but once reaching adulthood live roughly three times as long as the other races, approximately 240 years.

Alignment. True-blooded viera tend toward a Lawful nature, as they have a strict code of staying within the woods and living their lives, while adventurers who leave home tend towards a more Chaotic alignment as they're a people who live outside of tradition.

Size. The Rava are a tall and lithe people who reach an average height just over 6 fulms tall, while the Veena are shorter, with an average height around 5 fulm 8 ilms tall. Your size is medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Lapine Hop. When you make a running jump, your long jump increases by 10 feet and your high jump increases by 5 feet.

Lucky. When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can re-roll the die and must use the new roll.

Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Woodland Adept. You gain proficiency in the Survival skill.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Vieran.

Subrace. The viera's bloodline has split into two distinct groups: the dark-skinned Veena and the fair-skinned Rava.

Rava¶

Making their home in the Gelmore Jungle, the Rava are a tall, powerful race with an intimating presence about them. Their robust bodies and unrelenting tactics in the forest make the Rava powerful friends and even more dangerous foes.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Powerful Presence. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Veena¶

Hailing from the forests which grow about the Skatay Range, the Veena defend their home with just as much vigor as the Rava, but have a much easier time if they leave their homes due to their more average size and softer appearance. With the rise of war near their homeland, many Veena left the Skatay Range, joining many pockets of civilization.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Approachable. You gain proficiency in the Persuasion skill.