Tzik’ra (ZEEK-ra)
Tzik’ra are a small, slender reptilian people from the jungles of Sirus. Like humans, they have the ability to do anything they put their minds to. One is just as likely to see them in a human city as they are in the jungle. They realize as a race that they are just but a small part of a larger world, and can be found in any settlement living along side the other races, with exception to the elves. They are adaptable to any terrain, exceptionally long lived, and enjoy adventuring.
Personality: A Tzik’ra tends to be intense and adventurous, always seeking to learn what’s over the horizon. They are proud, self-sufficient, fun-loving people who also have a tendency towards gregariousness. At the same time, the average Tzik’ra believes in quick, simple justice and isn’t averse to taking the law into his or her own hands.
Physical Description: They have long, craned necks to compliment their long, narrow, football or pick shaped heads (vaguely reminiscent of a duckbilled dinosaur), although instead of a bill, they have a somewhat normal mouth, although it is beak-like. Their powerful jaws are filled with a row of sharp teeth, and a row of flat teeth. The head is centered on a wrinkled and grooved neck, which allows the head to crane back for a full out run on all fours. The ears are swept back, almost elven in shape. Their large, almond shaped eyes radiate warmth and intelligence, and can be any color.
The body, arms and legs are covered in ridges, bumps and very small spikes in an assortment of patterns. The skin is tough and leathery but still vulnerable to blades and such. Living in the rain forest, their skin color ranges from an olive to emerald green, with a pale, greenish-white neck, underbelly, feet and palms of their hands. The symmetrical hands are strong and nimble, (ideal for climbing, grasping branches and swinging through trees). The feet have a pair of thumb-like toes on each foot. Like most arboreal creatures, the Tzik’ra have a long, thin, prehensile tail. A tail that can also be used as a whipping weapon, to slash through underbrush, or as an extra
arm and hand able to grasp, hold and carry (as strong as the arms). Their bodies are completely hairless.
Tzik’ra, like humans, tend to mate for life. A female Tzik’ra can have up to 5 babies at a time, but usually goes 25-40 years between pregnancies. Tzik’ra give live birth.
Language: Tzik’ra speak Draconic and Common. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnollish, Goblin, and Halfling.
Example names: Male names: Bo, Don, Gar, Poss, Mon, Kur, Zayn.
Female Names: Jiss, Byss, Krylssa, Jessa, Wynna, Bryssa.
Family names: Kutsa, Boryu, Bakyneess, Yosuth, Weethyst.
Adventurers: Tzik’ra are capable of choosing any class and excelling at it, although most lean toward the rogue, monk, and ranger. Tzik’ra clerics follow a variety of deities, although those leaning toward a divine class become druids more often than clerics. They rarely practice wizardry, as being cooped up with books is not appealing. They have been known to display psionic powers, so any psionic class is available to them as well.
Tzik’ra Racial Traits
+2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma, -2 Constitution. They are nimble and quick witted, but a bit too intense and less robust than the other races.
Small: As a Small creature, a Tzik’ra gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, -1 to CMB and CMD and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks
Speed:30 (can move on all fours) by land or 30 by brachiating (moving through trees like a monkey).
Acrobatic: +2 to Acrobatics skill.
Double Jointed: +2 to Escape Artist.
Prehensile tail: Multi-attack feat. <dunno if this is the best representation...looking for other options>
Darkvision: 60 ft.
Lowlight vision: 30 ft.
Size table: Same as a Gnome
Age categories: Same as an Elf.
Feedback/constructive criticism is always welcomed =)
No comments? Did I get it right the first time?
The Tzik'ra sound like they live in trees, or at least, that their ancestors did.
Their race seemingly evolved to give them advantages to survive in that environment (acrobatics, brachiating speed etc) except for darkvision, which seems to be a useless "evolutionary tax" for a specie that live at worst in low-light conditions (which they also have). I can see how this could be useful to an adventurer, but I don't see how this was useful to their ancestors.
Also, the race is described as reptilian but they don't seem to have many reptilian traits (leathery hide, give birth to live babies involving pregnancy)
None of these are major issues mind you, only comments...
'findel
The Tzik'ra sound like they live in trees, or at least, that their ancestors did.
Their race seemingly evolved to give them advantages to survive in that environment (acrobatics, brachiating speed etc) except for darkvision, which seems to be a useless "evolutionary tax" for a specie that live at worst in low-light conditions (which they also have). I can see how this could be useful to an adventurer, but I don't see how this was useful to their ancestors.
Also, the race is described as reptilian but they don't seem to have many reptilian traits (leathery hide, give birth to live babies involving pregnancy)
None of these are major issues mind you, only comments...
'findel
I should change that to "reptile-like"...
I figured under a heavy canopy during the day would be best low-light and at night would be pitch black...so darkvision wouldn't be out of the question.EDIT: Yeah I forgot to add that...
Tzik'ra do in fact live in trees, in small communities clustered amongst the upper branches of the larger trees. They often vie for "realty" with jungle elves, as both find living in the trees advantagious.
Also, can you think of a better way to represent the prehensile tail?
Re: prehensile tail.
I'd say that the prehensile tail allows the Tzik'ra to grab things, hold things and help it keep its balance without the use of its arms. In short, the Tzik'ra is never denied its DEX modifier to AC when climbing or balancing on a narrow surface/branch.
You could also have the tail do some move actions as a swift action instead, like draw a weapon or fetch a potion etc...
Re: darkvision
I don't think there's a problem with the race having darkvision, but I still don't see its necessity on an evolutionary scale. Even by night under the jungle, its wouldn't be pitch black to the point where low-light vision wouldn't be effective and prevent the race's survival.
again, a rather minor pet peeve...
'findel
Ahh, good ideas, thanks!
Truth be told I wanted to give them thermal vision, but theres no precedent in 3.0/3.5/PF.