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The runari are a humanoid race with the ability to inscribe a spell from a magical text to their bodies and use it as spell-like ability, taking the form of runic tattoos on their skin. They revere contructs as holy artifacts and believe themselves descended from golems given sentience and flesh by their goddess. Their society places an emphasis on finding a personal role in one's life.
You can view the full description here or their basic racial traits below.
- +2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom: Runari are physically robust and naturally adept to eliciting arcane energies, but rely heavily on impulse and know-how.
- Medium: Runari are medium-sized and have no penalties or bonuses due to their size.
- Normal Speed: Runari have a base speed of 30 feet.
- Magic Device Adept: Runari naturally possess a connection to magical devices as they consider their own bodies as one. Runari receive a +2 racial bonus on Use Magic Device checks.
- Magical Linguist: Runari gain a +1 bonus to the DC of spells they cast that have the language-dependent descriptor or that create glyphs, symbols, or other magical writings. They also gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against such spells. Runari with a Charisma score of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—arcane mark, comprehend languages, message, read magic. The caster level of these abilities is equal to the runari’s character level.
- Runic Body (Su): A runari’s body functions a magical slate for inscribing arcane runes. A runari may inscribe a 0-level spell or a 1st level spell into their body from a magical text in the same manner a wizard adds a spell to his spellbook. Once inscribed, a runari may cast the spell as a spell-like ability once per day, using his character level as the caster level and his Charisma modifier to determine the ability’s DC. A runari possesses this spell-like ability until he chooses to replace it with a new one using the same process. If a spell-like ability from runic body has already been cast for the day, any new spell replacing it is also treated as already cast. A runari begins play with a 0-level spell from the wizard's or cleric's spell list already inscribed on their runic body.
A spell-like ability appears on a runari’s body as glowing magical writing that sheds light as a candle. This writing stops glowing when a runari expends their daily uses of the ability. A creature can decipher the writing as if it were a scroll to learn a runari’s spell-like ability, but takes a -4 penalty if the runari is unwilling. An erase spell can remove a spell-like ability gained from runic body.
- Languages: Runari begin play speaking Common and Runescript. Runari with a high Intelligence can also choose from the following: Aklo, Celestial, Draconic, Elven, Infernal, Sylvan, Terran, and Undercommon.
I also developed this race as my take on magitech. Runari tend to have advanced technology that uses crude materials, such as stone, due to the scarcity of metal and wood. This contrasts with most magitech, which tends to appear mechanical and almost steampunky.
I will continue to update with feats, class options, artwork, equipment listings for their technology, and a full description of their goddess. I'd like some feedback. Do you find them corny? Do they appear mechanically underpowered/overpowered? Anything about them feel trite or need expanded on? Any suggestions for material?
Read through what you have so far, and I must say, you've got something here.
Its not often that I see a homebrew race that feels like it could actually be published in a setting book, but this one of them. What you've got so far concisely defines their society as a race, and your description and illustrations perfectly encapsulate the base form, and bring to mind all the various possible appearances they might have.
The concept itself is delightfully novel as well. A rune-scribing race that claim to be descended from constructs, yet are not constructs themselves? This excites me greatly.
The racial traits are also very well thought-out and seem to be well-balanced, including the runic body racial trait, which is sufficiently interesting enough to make people want to play the race, yet not ridiculously powerful on its own. The limitations of requiring a copy of a spell to inscribe, as well as the vulnerability to erasure and the fact that those knowledgable in magic can identify the spell, and any layman can tell whether or not they've used their spell that day makes it easier to suss out their combat strategy and capability.
They'll no doubt have trouble with stealth, due to their the glow, but this can be offset.
All in all, This is a great rendition of the "Magically-inclined race" trope, and I would definitely play one. Looking forward to seeing you expand them.
I like it.
Also: this class is begging for a wizard archetype to let them scribe higher level spells on their bodies (probably in exchange for their familiar). Alternately, you could make an alternate version of the magic bloodline for sorcerer.
Remind me on a point of notation: you can use each of those abilities once per day? Or can you use any one of those abilities once per day?
I'm very delighted to hear that, SquirmWyrm. I was very concerned the runari may come off as trite since runes and magically-inclines races seem to be cliche.
I like it.
Also: this class is begging for a wizard archetype to let them scribe higher level spells on their bodies (probably in exchange for their familiar). Alternately, you could make an alternate version of the magic bloodline for sorcerer.
I considered a feat tree that lets you scribe higher level spells, but a wizard archetype that replaces arcane bond makes a lot more sense. In essence, they'd be using their own bodies as their arcane bond? Maybe it could let them use Charisma instead of Intelligence for spellcasting, too, since runari culture blurs the line between studied and invocative magic. However, I always have conflicted feelings about archetypes that let you use different casting abilities.
Another idea I considered was a feat or trait that allowed a runari wizard, magus, or alchemist to use their own body as a spellbook.
A bloodline for the sorcerer sounds like a great idea! Maybe I could go a step further and make a unique one, an artifice bloodline?
Remind me on a point of notation: you can use each of those abilities once per day? Or can you use any one of those abilities once per day?
I just had to look that up, too. Racial spell-like abilities are not pooled like a sorcerer. So the notation means they can cast each of those abilities from magical linguist once per day. This does concern me, because comprehend languages is a really nice daily, even by itself. I considered changing it so that it only applies to written language. I'm not sure how often language comes up in other campaigns, but I make heavy use of it in my games. My players are always exploring ruins of ancient civilizations, filled with texts and intelligent creatures that speak the culture's native tongue. As a result, the magus invested in Linguistics and the alchemist always likes to keep an extract slot open for comprehend languages.
Change Log:
I just swapped Dwarven for Elven in their languages. I realized it makes more sense that runari know Dwarven than Elven since they have better relations with dwarves.
The next expansion is looking to be their goddess's description. It will also have obedience rules and aphorisms like in Inner Sea Gods. I should have it done in a couple of days, maybe longer depending how long it takes me to draw illustrations for her.
I like changing it to written languages only both for balance reasons and theme-ing reasons. As a note: I perhaps worry about that one spell that recharges all lv 1 and 0 (maybe 2? I forget) racial spell-like abilities.
Edit: Never mind. I looked that spell up and it is for gnomes only. Other races can only take it with GM fiat.
I'm very delighted to hear that, SquirmWyrm. I was very concerned the runari may come off as trite since runes and magically-inclines races seem to be cliche.
Do they? I've never seen it that. When I think cliche magic race, I think gnomes and elves.
Oh, maybe I'm mistaken. I assumed as such because I came from a background where many people invented their own races with magical inclination for the sake of making them more "special" than humans. It's a large reason why I focused on a specific aspect of magic (magical devices) when I started developing this race. I wanted to invent a concrete reason why they're naturally magical, as opposed to hand-waving it as "they came from a magical realm." Eventually, this idea blossomed into the result you see here.
I like changing it to written languages only both for balance reasons and theme-ing reasons. As a note: I perhaps worry about that one spell that recharges all lv 1 and 0 (maybe 2? I forget) racial spell-like abilities.
Edit: Never mind. I looked that spell up and it is for gnomes only. Other races can only take it with GM fiat.
Still a good catch. I was going to say, that's a pretty strong spell if your race has several decent SLA.
I suddenly got a brainstorm of a magus archetype with a spellstrike replacement ability that allows a magus to scribe a rune on their weapon and have it detonate with a spell or another effect on impact, like a spell-storing weapon but with some other kind of benefit.
Change Log: The comprehend languages spell-like ability gained from magical linguist now only works for written languages.
This is a very well-thought-out race. I must say, I too was almost expecting some kind of wizard/magus/alchemist synergy when you said that they inscribe spells on their body like a wizard inscribes spells into his/her book.
This is a very well-thought-out race. I must say, I too was almost expecting some kind of wizard/magus/alchemist synergy when you said that they inscribe spells on their body like a wizard inscribes spells into his/her book.
This is a major issue of debate for me. The race is all about writing/reading/casting sigils and glyphs. They should make great wizards/magi/alchemists. In fact, I even envisioned them as impressive magi, which is why I gave an Intelligence bonus for the sigilon heritage. Yet, I feel Charisma fits the race more thematically than Intelligence. On the other hand, I can't think of any race that has a +2 Con and +2 Int, which would give the race an additional unique niche. However, replacing Charisma with Intelligence would be a direct buff to the race.
What do you think? Change the ability scores? Or maybe introduce a trait/feat that lets a spellbook spellcaster use Charisma? Or maybe some other option?
I think the alternate racial feature is fine, I think. And I honestly people undervalue charisma (mostly because so many GMs ignore making characters rp).
You think make an alternate racial trait that grants +2 Con and +2 Int? Or an alternate racial trait that enables Charisma-casting? I considered making Charisma-casting a race trait not a racial trait. As in, one of these (thank you Paizo for making things confusing!).
I guess this can be solved in one of these ways:
1) Alternate racial trait enabling Charisma-casting
2) Alternate racial trait (or another runari heritage) granting +2 Int instead of +2 Cha
3) Trait that enables Charisma-casting
4) Archetypes that enable Charisma-casting and perhaps do something else, too.
I think 1 and 3 step over some really weird lines. There are not many ways to change the casting stat for a class and this ability could change it for every class.
I think option 2 is reasonable.However, if you are worried about balance then you can make it +2 int +2 cha -2 wis (if you think cha<con). But if +2 str and +2 int is there to make good magi then just let that be. If you are then worried about the balance being slightly off then you can change the use magic device class feature to an arguably less useful skill like linguistics or trade out some spell-like abilities. I know that is a little cumbersome (the trait would replace both the normal stats and either the skill or spell-like ability trait), but it is a potential solution.
4 is doable, but the only current archetype that does this that I like is the sage sorcerer path. All the rest seem weird to me (especially the orc constitution witch). It always comes off as forced to me. That is an aesthetic comment more than a balance comment mostly. Whether such trades are balanced needs to be consider on a a class by class (and stat by stat) basis.
4 is doable, but the only current archetype that does this that I like is the sage sorcerer path. All the rest seem weird to me (especially the orc constitution witch). It always comes off as forced to me. That is an aesthetic comment more than a balance comment mostly. Whether such trades are balanced needs to be consider on a a class by class (and stat by stat) basis.
I agree. The idea intrigues me, but every archetype that does this feels forced and awkward. The Con witch seemed interesting at a first glance, but the archetype hand waves the fluff and doesn't really do anything with mask.
I have tried something like this for years, but that's like saying 'I tried to jump once' to Neil Armstrong...
Killer idea AND development!
I just put up the description for the runari race's patron deity. I'll put up their paladin code in a couple of days. I'm still working on her Exalted/Sentinel/Evangelist boons. I'm also debating whether to make the base race be +2 Con, +2 Int, and -2 Wis because it might fit better for a race using language and glyphs. However, I'd be concerned for the power level as runic body basically gives a wizard a bonus 1st level spell slot. On the other hand, I'd think even with that, the elf is a better late-game choice.
Full description of Lyphera, the Rune Mother
Lyphera, the Rune Mother
Goddess of artifice, constructs, hope, healing, and runes
Alignment NG
Worshipers Artificers, healers, runari
Domains Artifice, Good, Healing, Magic, Rune
Subdomains Agathion, Arcane, Construct, Language, Resurrection, Wards
Favored Weapon light pick
Nationality runari
It is an interesting concept for a race. Also like the look you gave them. I like what you have done.
I just added Lyphera's paladin code. The next additions will probably be obedience rules for Lyphera and some character options.
It is an interesting concept for a race. Also like the look you gave them. I like what you have done.
I wasn't sure how others would react to their appearance. I worried it was too similar to a drow, but I liked the dark skin because it made their runes "pop out."
I completely agree with that. The dark skin definitely makes the runes pop more. Though light skin would work as well (just look at the iconic sorcerer and her tattoos). But their darker skin makes it much more noticeable.
I did consider blue, but that would be difficult to justify. I really liked the idea that their skin matches the color of the surrounding minerals, which gave rise to the sandstone and marble appearances of their alternate heritages.
Hm, now I ponder a heritage drawn from a planet or location with crystal-like minerals...
Finally an update! It took me awhile to develop the Obedience abilities. I did not want to merely copy existing ones.
I also finally caved in and decided to make the race gain an Intelligence bonus.
- New Changed racial ability scores to replace +2 Charisma with +2 Intelligence. Runic body and the runari heritages have been changed to reflect this.
- New Added Lyphera's boons for the Deific Obedience feat and the exalted, evangelist, and sentinel prestige class.
- Jun 19, 2014, 10:46 AM Added Lyphera's Paladin Code
- Jun 18, 2014, 09:21 AM Added description for runari goddess Lyphera the Rune Mother
- Jun 9, 2014, 01:02 PM The comprehend languages spell-like ability gained from magical linguist now only works for written languages.
- Jun 9, 2014, 02:17 PM Swapped Dwarven for Elven in languages
I also can't decide the name of a magically synthesized mineral designed to hold enchantments and sigils well. Maybe you can give a suggestion?
Some ideas I had where:
runestone
blackstone
nightstone
runite
luxiprite
oxiphrite
onyxite
imbunum
imbunite
ebonite
Now for the crunch! I added a feat that allows Lypheran clerics to heal constructs and objects with channel and cure spells, a trait that grants a bonus on saves depending on the runic body's spell descriptor, and an archetype for the magus that lets him use his body as a spellbook and regain use of his runic body using his arcane pool. I do want to add some arcana for the archetype and give it a better name. Rune Magus sounds pretty generic.
Jul 10, 2014 Added the artifice channel feat, the rune magus archetype, and the warded body trait.
Jul 7, 2014 Changed racial ability scores to replace +2 Charisma with +2 Intelligence. Runic body and the runari heritages have been changed to reflect this.
Jul 7, 2014 Added Lyphera's boons for the Deific Obedience feat and the exalted, evangelist, and sentinel prestige class.
Jun 19, 2014 Added Lyphera's Paladin Code
Jun 18, 2014 Added description for runari goddess Lyphera the Rune Mother
Jun 9, 2014 The comprehend languages spell-like ability gained from magical linguist now only works for written languages.
Jun 9, 2014 Swapped Dwarven for Elven in languages
Oh I like this. It takes the basic concept I loved about 3.5's Illumians - a race centered around glyphs and the power of the written word - and runs with it to a really fun place. Well done. I may be stealing this for my homebrew setting.
Oh I like this. It takes the basic concept I loved about 3.5's Illumians - a race centered around glyphs and the power of the written word - and runs with it to a really fun place. Well done. I may be stealing this for my homebrew setting.
Heh, alright then! If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Added a Starfinder conversion for the basic race and a new race: android runari.
One of my friends requested a runari as an android.
This is top-notch work, enjoyed reading it and may selfishly employ in my games :)
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Glad you like it. I was surprised when half my group wanted to play runari in Starfinder. My group got a kick out of runari when they visited a runari city in my Pathfinder campaign where intelligent items have similar rights as people and the bladebound magus's black blade got framed for murder. They had a murder trial and everything.