Ephryn, Wayward

Summary

The Wayward were once Natives of the land of Ephyrne. Long ago, the tribes began to band together, choosing to settle in one place instead of maintaining their nomadic traditions. Thier religion and culture began to change, slowing transforming into the domains that Men had left behind. The Wayward rebelled, casting off the shackles of this new society. They heard the call of the water and followed it to the sea. There they took up the sail and set out for the unknown lands that promised to keep their ancient traditions.

Since falling out with their Native brethren, the Wayward have become renowned for their expert sailing and ship crafting skills. Any captain or crewman is happy to have a Wayward with them. Wayward Ephryn prefer to take their problems head on, be it the raging forces of a seaborn storm or even a simple task. Their lack of fear and willingness to do what is necessary makes them a powerful asset wherever they may be found.

Personality

Wayward Ephryn are free spirits. They are quick to try new things and achieve greater feats of bravery. The Wayward Ephryn is rash, prone to action, jumping into danger with little thought for risk toward their own lives.

Wayward are brutal honest with themselves and others. They take most situations at face value and are usually good judges of character. Unlike their Native brethren they are experts at bending the truth to fit their purposes, though they never craft outright lies leading most seafaring folk to believe a Wayward is more truthful than not. That said, a Wayward’s penchant for secrets should never be underestimated. Most Wayward maintain strict secrecy about their culture and rituals, though they are always willing for a chance to boast about past accomplishments.

Wayward maintain close ties with their departed and often seek wisdom from the spirits of their ancestors. Women maintain their matriarchal role in Wayward society, and are often serve the role of powerful shamans who can bend the spirit realm to their bidding. As conduits to the spirit realm, a shaman is powerful and highly respected. Her role is to serve as a guide, following from the wisdom of those who came before her.

Wayward Ephryn choose to think for and look out for themselves, highly regarding their own individuality.

Physical Description

There are very few differences between the Wayward Ephryn and their Nomadic brothers and sisters (See Ephryn, Native). They stand 6 to 8 feet tall, but weigh in heavier at 300 to 370 lbs due to muscles gained from sailing the seas. Large hooked nostrils, and a hooked nose; oblong face and deep set jaw from the tooth structure. Their dreadlocks are present as well, due to the hooked hair follicles.

The differences are in skin color. Wayward Ephryn often have a deep navy blue skin tone that allows them to blend with the open seas. It is widely believed that an Ephryn's skin color is dictated by the colors present when they are born because of the staggering frequency in these colors when compared to those who choose the land as their home. Others speculate that Ephryn possess some measure of chameleon abilities, though it has never been observed. The Wayward's skin is leathery thanks to the effects of salt water.

Wayward Ephryn often have shorter lives because of the many dangers to sailing the sea. Their typical lifespan runs 150 years on average; the oldest recorded Wayward Ephryn was 227 years old.

Relations

Unlike their nomadic brothers and sisters, the Wayward Ephryn rarely band together in anything larger than a small group. They prefer to spread out, often joining with group that seek adventure and provide them with opportunities to display their prowess. Wayward are not known to hold grudges against races but do tend to be unscrupulous equal opportunists. Ambition is embraced and going for the greatest gains, physical or otherwise, is always encouraged, even if it could be detrimental.

Wayward are incredibly hard workers, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. They speak their mind and forge their own path heedless of others standing in their way; a trait that is as admired as it is hated.

Most intelligent folks keep a wary eye on a Wayward. Beneath their typically agreeable attitude is a desire to get whatever they need in any way necessary. This drive has brought forth a burgeoning slave trade and the Wayward have little care who they take or who they sell to. They are quite willing to scavenge battlefields for survivors or lure unsuspecting travelers to be traded to the elves. The most despicable acts committed are against their own people. A Wayward will not take another Wayward, but they are more than willing to strike inland and capture others from small Native tribes.

Much of their trade is done with the Elves of Tyr. They are one of the few who are welcome beyond the Obos (towns set up outside of Tyran coastal cities for non-elves, humans translate it as a shit town) and into the Prim'isla (first tier of Tyran society, usually occupied by noble-less families.

Homeland

Wayward do not have a homeland, having given up the land of Ephyrne so long ago. Whenever they find themselves in a place for more than a week, it becomes their home. For most, home is aboard a ship, sailing across the wide open seas. It is there that they are most at ease.

Wayward are welcomed in most coastal villages and cities regardless of race, but are rarely allowed to go inland for fear that they are scouting out new victims. Those who do make it inland have done so by sneaking in, or by proving themselves a friend of the nation in question.

Religion

While Wayward recognize the seven gods of the Ephryn pantheon, they only pay attention to one; Zamikeye. The hard-hearted Queen of the Deep gathered up the spirits that were blasted far from the Mountain by Poligyle and hid them in the deep for fear that he would take vengeance upon her for taking what was his. When Poligyle breathed the Mountain's spirits into the fallen rock Zamikeye did the same for the spirits she held, but her stone was different. It had fallen into the Deep and become saturated with water.

When the spirits were joined to stone the Wayward were born in the Deep with the form of Ephryn. Knowing they could not live without air, the goddess placed them on shore. For days they were compelled to swim back into the sea, and each time the goddess pushed them back. When her sorrow for their plight grew to great she appeared to them and told them to seek out their brothers and sisters on the land. They obeyed and ventured inland, settling for some time with the others. Despite years of being on the land, the Wayward could not adjust, gazing longingly out to sea.

Poligyle saw this and became jealous. He went to Zamikeye and demanded to know what treachery she had committed against him. When he learned the truth, Poligyle appeared before all of the Ephryn and ordered the Wayward to be destroyed lest their tainted blood of the sea mix with the Mountain. The First Matron approached her god and asked with aged wisdom,

“Do we not all come of the same stone?”

The god softened when the matron spoke, his heart warmed by her use of the wisdom he had given. Poligylee relented and ordered the Wayward to be banished to the seaside from whence they came. To this day, it is believed that the tribes who make their home closest to the sea have water in their blood (and not surprisingly, most Wayward were born from the coastal tribes before they decided to venture to sea).

Language

Wayward's speak Ephryn and Hestain (A derivative of Common, spoken by seafarers).

Racial Traits

+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Charisma: Wayward Ephryn are powerful creatures, possessed of might and health like their ancient ancestors, but they tend to be direct and rash.

- Medium: Ephryn are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size. Normal Speed: Ephryn have a base speed of 30 feet.

- Swim Speed: Ephryn have a swim speed of 30 feet.

- Blessing of Zamikeye: Wayward Ephryn gain a +12 racial bonus on Swim checks, can always take 10 while swimming, and may choose Aquan as a bonus language.

- Breath of the Deep: Wayward Ephryn may hold their breath underwater for up to 10 hours. It is believed that they are able to absorb oxygen through their skin.

- Fearless: Ephryn gain a +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear effects.

Languages: Wayward Ephryn begin play speaking Common and Ephryn. Ephryn with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aquan, Dwarven, Draconic, Elven, Gnomish, Goblin, Orc, and Undercommon.