[Race] Jerliks [Archive] - Wizards Community

[Race] Jerliks [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Leaves
07-22-03, 04:56 AM Been pondering these guys for a while, and I thought they'd make a good addition to the racial mix of the world. They also make a good option for player characters, especially great archers (something D&D elves are known for).

Jerliks

The jerliks are a casual, fun-loving people. Their homeland is on the banks of the Taknontent River in the tropics, but in recent decades they have become more common in the larger cities around the world. They are known for bright colors, fast reflexes, and a laid-back attitude toward the troubles of the world.

Physical Description: A jerlik is only slightly shorter than a human and of a similar body type. Their most noticeable feature is a long furred and feathered tail, with multicolored feathers in the shades seen on tropical birds. They also have bright jewel-toned eyes and a hare-lip (or cleft lip).
Jerlik lands: The jerliks’ homeland is the valley of the Taknontent River in the tropics, but jerlik can now be found in many cities or in their own villages far from their ancestral home.
Culture: Multiple births and identical twins are common among jerliks, a fact which has had strong influence on their religion and culture. The three jerlik deities (Kes, Teksi, and Niknik) are twin women and a man born as triplets. The children in any similar birth among the jerlik are considered holy. These “noble triumvirates” lead the jerlik community regardless of ability or inclination.
However, the jerlik system of government is so laissez-faire, incompetent rulers have little effect on quality of life. While all noble triumvirates are given a degree of ceremonial respect, and are entitled to a small tithe and a militia, jerliks feel free to leave the tribe of any triumvirate they don’t care for and either find new rulers, or fend for themselves outside of the jerlik community. Jerliks that have left a triumvirate’s rule may stay to the open road, or settle in a community of humans, elves, gnomes, or any other race.
Religion: As mentioned, the jerlik have three racial deities: Kes, Teksi, and Niknik. Most jerliks worship all three. Clerics can follow one, or can devote their prayers to the pantheon as a whole (Jerlik clerics following the pantheon say they worship “Kesteksinik” when asked). More about them in the deities thread, when I get around to it.
Language and names: The jerlik language is full of short sharp syllables that begin and end in consonants (kat, nak, pep, kin, git, and so on). Names follow a similar pattern. The jerlik also like naming children after animals, especially the totem animals of the trio of deities. Jerliks in foreign lands might translate their name into the local language if they like the sound. Finally, “important” male children, either firstborn sons or male triumvirate members, are given repeating names (like Niknik, Gibdongibdon, Dabdab, etc.)
Alignment: The freedom-loving jerliks tend toward chaos, but they have no leaning on the good-evil scale. A typical jerlik response to a tyrannical dictatorship is to pack up and leave, and they have difficulty understanding why anybody wouldn’t respond the same way.

+2 Dex –2 Wis Jerliks are quick and graceful, but they are impressionable and easily distracted.
Medium-Size
Base speed 30 ft.
Extra Feat: Improved Unarmed strike: Jerliks spend their childhood wrestling and boxing, so they are considered armed even when they have no weapon.
(Ex) Flare-proof: In a land of dense tropical forests and bright sparkling water, jerlik eyes have developed to be resistant to damage from bright flashes of light. They are immune to being dazzled, stunned, or blinded by bright flashes of light (including light produced by magical effects).
+4 Dodge bonus against reptiles and enemies with the subtype (reptilian). Crocodiles and lizardmen are special annoyances to jerliks.
Weapon Proficiency: jerliks are proficient with all bows.
Favored Class: Fighter

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/fantasy/Juerlik.jpg
nick012000
07-22-03, 06:17 AM i think your going to need to make half-jerliks. combine females from easily distacted, highly fertile race with alcohol, cities, and expliotative male humans, and you're going to wind up with half-breeds.
Bandido
07-22-03, 10:42 AM I like these. They're an interesting race, and it seems like it would be fun to play one. They might be a touch underpowered though - I'm not sure. Perhaps giving them a skill bonus to something would be a good idea? I know they live on the banks of a river, but is that a forest or a plains? If it's a forest, Climb would be appropriate. Maybe Swim? They need a small boost, anyway.
Leaves
07-22-03, 05:30 PM nick: I figured on that being a pretty common profession http://www.geocities.com/leaves_or/leafwink.txt . I haven't decided whether humans and jerliks should be cross-fertile, though. It seems like people have the tendency to overdo the half-everythings, so I didn't want to come strait out and do it.

Still, I'd have to think about it. What do you suppose they'd look like?

Bandido: I left them a little underpowered because +2 dex -2 wis is officially "un-balanced" according to what they say in the DM Guide. But I don't suppose some skill bonuses would be over-doing it.

It is a forest river, like the Amazon.
WizO_Iyala
07-22-03, 06:56 PM They look very tropical and interesting :) Nice to see an above ground race :)

Would they all be happy-go-lucky types? how would any black sheep of the community be dealt with? And what sort of houses do they live in?
nick012000
07-22-03, 11:22 PM Originally posted by Leaves:
nick: I figured on that being a pretty common profession

I was actually refering to guys getting them drunk and raping them, not prostitution.
Galen
07-23-03, 04:17 AM What happened to the lizard like desert nomads we did? Anyway interesting concept but it needs further development.
Bandido
07-23-03, 10:12 AM Originally posted by Galen
What happened to the lizard like desert nomads we did? What happened to them? Everyone who was developing them disappeared in the mass exodus from the WCP which happened on the old boards. I liked the lizard-things though. I also thought of them when I saw that the jerliks had a dodge bonus to lizardmen. Start up a thread about the lizard-things (were they centaur-like? I know that was being debated at one points), and I'll gladly contribute. :)
Leaves
07-23-03, 02:31 PM Originally posted by nick012000
I was actually refering to guys getting them drunk and raping them, not prostitution.

Not to quibble, but I don't think low Wisdom would be the deciding factor in such a situation. Jerlik women would be more likely to fail the sense motive check to see through the "Just come into this dark alley with me, I'm not going to hurt you," ruse, but if the man is really drunk, it's more likely to come down to opposed strength checks, where the Jerlik lady is on even footing, or she can use here high dexterity to wriggle out of a grapple.

Still, it's beside the point if we are talking about half-breeds: I think Jerlik are vulnerable to a lot of big city hazards, including becoming hopelessly indebted to the madam of a brothel, or being convinced to be some merchant's mistress. The question is whether they are genetically compatible. (something like mules, where the offspring is sterile, could be interesting.)

Galen/Bandido: I've only read a little about the desert-lizard-centaurs, but I liked what I saw.

I suppose I should have specified for MTG folks that I meant the typical D&D lizardmen, who are like crocodile people. I'm fond of them, and I'd like to import them strait across into this world. But I like reptile-people all around, the more the better.

Hmm, maybe we could have a turtle-people race, and call them Koopas!

http://www.geocities.com/leaves_or/leafscratch.txt
WizO_Iyala
07-23-03, 07:04 PM Magic has a history of desert lizard-like people, the Viashino (eg viashino sandscout) which have been a fairly major race in the past.

Personaly I don't like the idea of turtle people. No offence but it seems to have been done before. Or maybe I just play too many random computer games with turtle people in them *shrugs*
Captain Mutilate
08-23-03, 12:44 AM Originally posted by WizO_Iyala
Magic has a history of desert lizard-like people, the Viashino (eg viashino sandscout) which have been a fairly major race in the past.

Personaly I don't like the idea of turtle people. No offence but it seems to have been done before. Or maybe I just play too many random computer games with turtle people in them *shrugs*

Personally, I'll have to disagree. (gasp) I like the idea of turtle people, although it wuold be rather hard to do...
Obsidianjaerc
08-23-03, 05:03 PM Turtle people bad :D :smirk:

Anything you want help with on the Jerliks , Leaves?

Also i think they should have at least one skill bonus maybe 2.

Even though they are technically overpowered they playable underpowered.
Leaves
08-24-03, 04:36 PM I think a bonus to climb would be in order. Balance might also fit. +2 to each?

I have actually been thinking about the jerlik language recently, since we started discussing verix language. I am such a perfectionist, it would drive me nuts having inconsistencies in jerlik names an so forth, and even with the few I mentioned they are already starting to slip in.

Basically what I have so far is that since the jerliks have split upper lips, they can't pronounce the sounds P, B, and M. I am replacing P with a sound halfway between P and F ("pf" ?) and B with a sound halfway between B and V ("bv" ?) which don't seem to appear in human languages. And when a jerlik wants to say a Common word with an M, they use N instead. They also have a consonent "NG".

And since the word Taknontent doesn't follow the rules I was trying to make (syllables begin and end with one consonent only), now it's Taknonteng. The Taknonteng River.

The other thing I'm doing is mapping out a section of the jerlik homeland along the Taknonteng River. So I've been trying to figure out how wide the river should be, etc. Strangely, it's really hard to find somewhere that says how wide a river is.

To answer some of Iyalla's questions I never got to: Typically, they are all very happy-go-lucky. Individuals who got too serious would be frowned upon by the community. But the only response to "black sheep" is just to ignore them. Shunning would be the strongest response in normal times. Problem is, if a jerlik was evil and also powerful, and didn't care about being accepted by the jerlik community, their community wouldn't do anything to stop them become more and more powerful until it was too late. Jerlik tyrants are rare, but when they do emerge they get to be very strong, and it usually takes an outside force to fight them (like an adventuring party).

About jerlik homes: when they are living in human (elvish, etc.) territory, they use whatever the local architecture is. In their own homeland: the Tatnonteng river floods annually, like the Amazon, so jerlik homes are built on stilts.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Leaves 07-22-03, 04:56 AM	Been pondering these guys for a while, and I thought they'd make a good addition to the racial mix of the world. They also make a good option for player characters, especially great archers (something D&D elves are known for). Jerliks The jerliks are a casual, fun-loving people. Their homeland is on the banks of the Taknontent River in the tropics, but in recent decades they have become more common in the larger cities around the world. They are known for bright colors, fast reflexes, and a laid-back attitude toward the troubles of the world. Physical Description: A jerlik is only slightly shorter than a human and of a similar body type. Their most noticeable feature is a long furred and feathered tail, with multicolored feathers in the shades seen on tropical birds. They also have bright jewel-toned eyes and a hare-lip (or cleft lip). Jerlik lands: The jerliks’ homeland is the valley of the Taknontent River in the tropics, but jerlik can now be found in many cities or in their own villages far from their ancestral home. Culture: Multiple births and identical twins are common among jerliks, a fact which has had strong influence on their religion and culture. The three jerlik deities (Kes, Teksi, and Niknik) are twin women and a man born as triplets. The children in any similar birth among the jerlik are considered holy. These “noble triumvirates” lead the jerlik community regardless of ability or inclination. However, the jerlik system of government is so laissez-faire, incompetent rulers have little effect on quality of life. While all noble triumvirates are given a degree of ceremonial respect, and are entitled to a small tithe and a militia, jerliks feel free to leave the tribe of any triumvirate they don’t care for and either find new rulers, or fend for themselves outside of the jerlik community. Jerliks that have left a triumvirate’s rule may stay to the open road, or settle in a community of humans, elves, gnomes, or any other race. Religion: As mentioned, the jerlik have three racial deities: Kes, Teksi, and Niknik. Most jerliks worship all three. Clerics can follow one, or can devote their prayers to the pantheon as a whole (Jerlik clerics following the pantheon say they worship “Kesteksinik” when asked). More about them in the deities thread, when I get around to it. Language and names: The jerlik language is full of short sharp syllables that begin and end in consonants (kat, nak, pep, kin, git, and so on). Names follow a similar pattern. The jerlik also like naming children after animals, especially the totem animals of the trio of deities. Jerliks in foreign lands might translate their name into the local language if they like the sound. Finally, “important” male children, either firstborn sons or male triumvirate members, are given repeating names (like Niknik, Gibdongibdon, Dabdab, etc.) Alignment: The freedom-loving jerliks tend toward chaos, but they have no leaning on the good-evil scale. A typical jerlik response to a tyrannical dictatorship is to pack up and leave, and they have difficulty understanding why anybody wouldn’t respond the same way. +2 Dex –2 Wis Jerliks are quick and graceful, but they are impressionable and easily distracted. Medium-Size Base speed 30 ft. Extra Feat: Improved Unarmed strike: Jerliks spend their childhood wrestling and boxing, so they are considered armed even when they have no weapon. (Ex) Flare-proof: In a land of dense tropical forests and bright sparkling water, jerlik eyes have developed to be resistant to damage from bright flashes of light. They are immune to being dazzled, stunned, or blinded by bright flashes of light (including light produced by magical effects). +4 Dodge bonus against reptiles and enemies with the subtype (reptilian). Crocodiles and lizardmen are special annoyances to jerliks. Weapon Proficiency: jerliks are proficient with all bows. Favored Class: Fighter http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/fantasy/Juerlik.jpg
nick012000 07-22-03, 06:17 AM	i think your going to need to make half-jerliks. combine females from easily distacted, highly fertile race with alcohol, cities, and expliotative male humans, and you're going to wind up with half-breeds.
Bandido 07-22-03, 10:42 AM	I like these. They're an interesting race, and it seems like it would be fun to play one. They might be a touch underpowered though - I'm not sure. Perhaps giving them a skill bonus to something would be a good idea? I know they live on the banks of a river, but is that a forest or a plains? If it's a forest, Climb would be appropriate. Maybe Swim? They need a small boost, anyway.
Leaves 07-22-03, 05:30 PM	nick: I figured on that being a pretty common profession http://www.geocities.com/leaves_or/leafwink.txt . I haven't decided whether humans and jerliks should be cross-fertile, though. It seems like people have the tendency to overdo the half-everythings, so I didn't want to come strait out and do it. Still, I'd have to think about it. What do you suppose they'd look like? Bandido: I left them a little underpowered because +2 dex -2 wis is officially "un-balanced" according to what they say in the DM Guide. But I don't suppose some skill bonuses would be over-doing it. It is a forest river, like the Amazon.
WizO_Iyala 07-22-03, 06:56 PM	They look very tropical and interesting :) Nice to see an above ground race :) Would they all be happy-go-lucky types? how would any black sheep of the community be dealt with? And what sort of houses do they live in?
nick012000 07-22-03, 11:22 PM	Originally posted by Leaves: nick: I figured on that being a pretty common profession I was actually refering to guys getting them drunk and raping them, not prostitution.
Galen 07-23-03, 04:17 AM	What happened to the lizard like desert nomads we did? Anyway interesting concept but it needs further development.
Bandido 07-23-03, 10:12 AM	Originally posted by Galen What happened to the lizard like desert nomads we did? What happened to them? Everyone who was developing them disappeared in the mass exodus from the WCP which happened on the old boards. I liked the lizard-things though. I also thought of them when I saw that the jerliks had a dodge bonus to lizardmen. Start up a thread about the lizard-things (were they centaur-like? I know that was being debated at one points), and I'll gladly contribute. :)
Leaves 07-23-03, 02:31 PM	Originally posted by nick012000 I was actually refering to guys getting them drunk and raping them, not prostitution. Not to quibble, but I don't think low Wisdom would be the deciding factor in such a situation. Jerlik women would be more likely to fail the sense motive check to see through the "Just come into this dark alley with me, I'm not going to hurt you," ruse, but if the man is really drunk, it's more likely to come down to opposed strength checks, where the Jerlik lady is on even footing, or she can use here high dexterity to wriggle out of a grapple. Still, it's beside the point if we are talking about half-breeds: I think Jerlik are vulnerable to a lot of big city hazards, including becoming hopelessly indebted to the madam of a brothel, or being convinced to be some merchant's mistress. The question is whether they are genetically compatible. (something like mules, where the offspring is sterile, could be interesting.) Galen/Bandido: I've only read a little about the desert-lizard-centaurs, but I liked what I saw. I suppose I should have specified for MTG folks that I meant the typical D&D lizardmen, who are like crocodile people. I'm fond of them, and I'd like to import them strait across into this world. But I like reptile-people all around, the more the better. Hmm, maybe we could have a turtle-people race, and call them Koopas! http://www.geocities.com/leaves_or/leafscratch.txt
WizO_Iyala 07-23-03, 07:04 PM	Magic has a history of desert lizard-like people, the Viashino (eg viashino sandscout) which have been a fairly major race in the past. Personaly I don't like the idea of turtle people. No offence but it seems to have been done before. Or maybe I just play too many random computer games with turtle people in them shrugs
Captain Mutilate 08-23-03, 12:44 AM	Originally posted by WizO_Iyala Magic has a history of desert lizard-like people, the Viashino (eg viashino sandscout) which have been a fairly major race in the past. Personaly I don't like the idea of turtle people. No offence but it seems to have been done before. Or maybe I just play too many random computer games with turtle people in them shrugs Personally, I'll have to disagree. (gasp) I like the idea of turtle people, although it wuold be rather hard to do...
Obsidianjaerc 08-23-03, 05:03 PM	Turtle people bad :D :smirk: Anything you want help with on the Jerliks , Leaves? Also i think they should have at least one skill bonus maybe 2. Even though they are technically overpowered they playable underpowered.
Leaves 08-24-03, 04:36 PM	I think a bonus to climb would be in order. Balance might also fit. +2 to each? I have actually been thinking about the jerlik language recently, since we started discussing verix language. I am such a perfectionist, it would drive me nuts having inconsistencies in jerlik names an so forth, and even with the few I mentioned they are already starting to slip in. Basically what I have so far is that since the jerliks have split upper lips, they can't pronounce the sounds P, B, and M. I am replacing P with a sound halfway between P and F ("pf" ?) and B with a sound halfway between B and V ("bv" ?) which don't seem to appear in human languages. And when a jerlik wants to say a Common word with an M, they use N instead. They also have a consonent "NG". And since the word Taknontent doesn't follow the rules I was trying to make (syllables begin and end with one consonent only), now it's Taknonteng. The Taknonteng River. The other thing I'm doing is mapping out a section of the jerlik homeland along the Taknonteng River. So I've been trying to figure out how wide the river should be, etc. Strangely, it's really hard to find somewhere that says how wide a river is. To answer some of Iyalla's questions I never got to: Typically, they are all very happy-go-lucky. Individuals who got too serious would be frowned upon by the community. But the only response to "black sheep" is just to ignore them. Shunning would be the strongest response in normal times. Problem is, if a jerlik was evil and also powerful, and didn't care about being accepted by the jerlik community, their community wouldn't do anything to stop them become more and more powerful until it was too late. Jerlik tyrants are rare, but when they do emerge they get to be very strong, and it usually takes an outside force to fight them (like an adventuring party). About jerlik homes: when they are living in human (elvish, etc.) territory, they use whatever the local architecture is. In their own homeland: the Tatnonteng river floods annually, like the Amazon, so jerlik homes are built on stilts.