Pterran
Pterrans are a reptilian race. Civilised pterrans are rarely seen in the Tablelands. They live their lives in the Hinterlands that lie beyond the Ringing Mountains, seldom leaving the safety of their villages. Other pterrans are native to the Tablelands, where they dwell in savage tribes. Less civilised than their Hinterland cousins, they are known as raiders and hunters and seldom mingle with the folk of the Seven Cities. Over time, civilised pterrans have made their way from Hinterland to Tableland and more now venture outside their homes, coming to the Tyr region to seek trade and information. Despite their varying levels of civilisation and sophistication, all pterrans revere the world of Athas as their Earth Mother, believing themselves to be her first, best children. They see the damage to Athas as the worst crimes imaginable, and many of these beings have left their homes to aid Athas in her time of need.
Personality: Among strangers, pterrans seem like subdued, cautious beings but, once others earn a pterran’s trust, they will find an individual that is open, friendly, inquisitive, and optimistic. Pterrans look to a person’s deeds before judging their worth. In other respects, a pterran’s personality is largely shaped by her chosen Life Path. The three greatest Life Paths are those of the Warrior, the Druid, and the Mind.
Pterrans who choose the Path of the Warrior are less disturbed by the brutality of the Tablelands than other pterrans; they constantly examine their surroundings and consider how the terrain could be defended. They take greatest satisfaction from a strategy that results in victory without friendly casualties.
Pterrans who choose the Path of the Druid are most interested in plants, animals, and the state of the land; they take greatest satisfaction when they eliminate a threat to nature.
Pterrans that choose the Path of the Mind are most interested in befriending and understanding other individuals and societies; these telepaths take greatest satisfaction from intellectual accomplishments such as solving mysteries, exposing deception, forging alliances, resolving quarrels between individuals, and establishing trade routes between communities. Lesser Life Paths also exist. They allow pterrans to become scouts, traders, or even follow more than one calling at once.
Physical: Pterrans are 5 to 6 1/2 feet tall with light brown, scaly skin, sharp teeth, and a tail, which can vary considerably in length between pterrans. They wear little clothing, preferring belts and loincloths, or sashes. They walk upright, have opposable thumbs, and three-fingered, clawed hands. Pterrans have two shoulder stumps, remnants of wings they possessed long ago, and a fin-like growth that juts out at the back of their heads. Pterrans weigh between 180 to 220 pounds. There is no visible distinction between male and female pterrans.
Relations: Many pterrans are new to the Tablelands, and unaccustomed to the cultures and practices of the region. They have learned to not judge too quickly. Their faith in the Earth Mother means they undertake their adventures with open minds, but remain subdued and guarded around people they do not trust. A pterran’s respect for the Earth Mother governs all his behaviour. Creatures that openly destroy the land or show disrespect for the creatures of the wastes are regarded suspiciously. Pterrans understand the natural cycle of life and death, but have difficulty with some aspects of the city life, such as cramped living spaces, piled refuse, and the smells of unwashed humanoids.
Lands: Most adventuring pterrans come from one of two villages in the Hinterlands, southwest of the Tyr regions: Pterran Vale and Lost Scale. Less-civilised pterrans hail from a number of tribes across the Tablelands. The lack of stability and safety in this environment, however, means that these tribes seldom remain in the same place very long. Forced to turn to raiding in order to survive, they travel wherever opportunity demands.
Language: Pterran language is difficult for other races to understand. The appendage at the back of their head enables them to create sounds that no other race in the Tablelands can reproduce. The sounds are low and resonate through the pterran’s crest. Pterrans learn the common tongue easily, but speak it with an odd accent.
Pterran Society: Pterran society is based largely on ceremony and celebrations. An area is set aside in the centre of each village for ceremonies. Throughout the day, they engage in a number of rituals that give thanks to the Earth Mother. These are led by druids, who play a very important role in pterran society. Pterran devotion to the Earth Mother is deeply rooted in all aspects of their culture, and it defines a pterran’s behaviour. All rituals and religious events are related to their worship of the Earth Mother. Religious events include festivals honouring hunts or protection from storms, with a priest presiding over the celebration. Most pterran priests are druids – those who are not tend to draw upon the powers of elemental earth in their worship of the Earth Mother. Pterrans earn their first name just after they hatch, based on the weather and season of their hatching. After a pterran has decided upon a Life Path and has completed her apprenticeship, she receives a title that becomes the first part of her name. This marks her transition into pterran society. There are a number of traditional names associated with each Life Path, but names do not always come from these ranks. A pterran village is a collection of many smaller family dwellings. Pterrans always bear young in pairs. At age 15, every pterran chooses a Life Path. More pterrans follow the Path of the Warrior than any of the other paths, and become protectors of their villages as well as the tribe’s weapon makers.
Pterrans who choose the Path of the Druid provide an important role in the daily ceremonies to the Earth Mother and enjoy much respect as a consequence. Fewer pterrans choose the Path of the Mind than the other two major paths, as psionics are viewed as outside of nature. Mindbenders are viewed with suspicion by the rest of the tribe, however, they do provide valuable skills to the tribe and are often the tribe’s negotiators when they meet outsiders.
Pterrans are omnivores. Much of their diet comes from hunting animals and raising crops. Kirre, id fiend, and flailer are all considered pterran delicacies. Pterrans are known for domesticating and training wild pterrax and a cadre of pterrax riders enjoys an elite position in pterran society. Becoming a pterrax rider is the aspiration of many young pterrans, but this Life Path is a demanding one and few possess the skills and talents required to walk it.
Role-playing Suggestions: Remember that your character class is your Life Path. You think of yourself, and present yourself first and foremost as a druid, a warrior, or a psionicist. Remember your daily celebrations and giving of thanks to the Earth Mother. You can usually find a reason to be grateful. Disrespect for the land angers you, since the whole land has withered under the disrespect of foolish humans and others. You celebrate with song and with dance. You have a good sense of humour but it does not extend to blasphemies such as defiling. In initial role-playing situations, you are unfamiliar with the customs and practices of the societies of the Tablelands. However, you are not primitive by any definition of the word. You look upon differences with curiosity and a willingness to learn, as long as the custom doesn’t harm the Earth Mother or her works.
The following game statistics apply to the pterran
player character:
Pterran Racial Traits
+2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +4 Wisdom, -2 Charisma: Pterran are vigorous.
Medium: Pterran are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Pterran have a base speed of 30 feet.
Natural Armour: Pterran have a +2 natural Armour bonus.
Claws and Bite: Pterran have 2 primary claw attacks 1D4 and a secondary Bite attack 1d6.
Desert Camouflage: A Pterran’s A pterran’s colouration allows him to blend in with desert terrain. +2 Bonus to Stealth Skill.
Languages: Pterran begin play speaking Common and Pterran. Pterran with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Aquan, Draconic, and Elven.