Vaulters
Basic Information
Anatomy
Vaulters are a short and squat race of underground dwelling people. Vaulters are very much defined by the Vaults they are from, with one of the 20 Living Vaults naturally exposing them to Dust of certain elemental Dust from the day they're Born, to the day they pass on. While not commonly known by the species above, Vaulters often wear heavy coverings above the surface, which is assumed to be a reaction to the Sun, and worry about the Sensitivity other underground species like the Morgal sometimes show Sensitivity to the Sun. The actuality of it is that Dust Exposure at such a young age, and consistently into Adulthood causes Natural markings to form on the Skin in complex patterns, that often Light up, in beautiful soft colors across the skin of a Vaulter in darkness. In the Cities, artificial light often hides this to Visitors, where Vaulters are often willing to show more skin, but in the Darkest parts of the Vaults, various members of different Vaults can often identify other Vaulters by their common Patterns, often forming near the Chest, and then the individuals Patterns, which will form along the Neck, arms, and legs of the Individual, with a few Vaults even having Markings forming on the Face.
Biological Traits
MECHANICS
See the Below Table for a representative Vault and the associated Traits:
See the Below Table for a representative Vault and the associated Traits:
| Vault of Origin | Ethnicity | 5e Traits | Pathfinder Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haveena - Iyen | Vaada | Mountain Dwarf - Core Rules | Dwarf - Rock Dwarf Heritage |
| Toriko - Peakworis | Moka | Mark of Warding Dwarf - Eberron | Dwarf - Ancient Blooded Dwarf Heritage |
| Zanir - Baesen | Sil'nyy | Deep Gnome - Core Rules | Goblin - Snow |
| Assanko - Claeria | Divjaz | Lotusden Halfling - Wildemount | Halfling - Wildwood |
| Dugbulg - Kandever | Harcos | Gray Dwarf - Core | Dwarf - Death Warden Heritage |
| Kazbat - Ephox | Tasaro | Ghostwise Halfling - Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Halfling - Observant |
| Evada - Alhayat Haya | Afkar | Mark of Scribing Gnome - Eberron | Halfling - Nomadic |
| Laufauna - Osoneth | Tagaata | Hill Dwarf - Core | Dwarf - Strong Blooded Heritage |
| Aphata - Priavegia | Torio | Rock Gnome - Core | Dwarf - Anvil Heritage |
| The Old Loom - N'dir | Azura | Goblin - Mordenkainen | Goblin - Unbreakable |
| Trebiz - Fevas | Oachawr | Mark of Healing Halfling - Eberron | Halfling - Hillock |
| Fort Rixtel - Mojala | Toral | Stout Halfling - Core | Halfling - Gutsy |
| Red River - Ayru | Otome | Lightfoot Halfling - Core | Goblin - Charhide |
| Dashval - Nothenne | Karlek | Forest Gnome - Core | Goblin - Irongut |
| Owyer - Lessuraad | Vard | Mark of Hospitality - Eberron | Gnome - Vivacious |
| Il Vaulte Casse - Iolnois | Metiers | Hobgoblins - Mordenkainen | Dwarf - Elemental Heart Heritage |
| Glassden - Khezra | Vasille | WIP | Gnome - Chameleon |
| Listerall - Ancillion | Veros | WIP | Dwarf - Oathkeeper Heritage |
| Verdantia - Kast | Koros | WIP | Goblin - Treedweller Heritage |
| Aveos - Svulrok | Sanas | WIP | Dwarf - Forge Heritage |
Growth Rate & Stages
Life Stages
Infancy
Infancy for vaulters, is marked from the time that a Vaulter child is dependent upon its mother for nourishment, to the point and time they are capable of speaking the language and expressing ideas on their own, often around the time that are roughly around the age of 3 Years old. An Infant Vaulter no longer needs milk by 5 months old, and begins gaining teeth around 8 months of age. Walking often begins happening around 1-1.5 years of age, and Early language and communication can begin happening midway through the 1st year. Infant Vaulters, are almost indistinguishable from Human children, other than their size.
Childhood
Childhood amongst Vaulters, is often a time of learning and growth, where most of the physical growth of a Vaulter will occur. Markings are still not present on Vaulter Children. Boys will often be shorter than girls at the end of this period, roughly 10 years of age, while girls will be at roughly 3 and an half feet of height, while most boys will have barely hit 3 feet.
Young Adulthood
At this point of their lives, young Vaulters will begin experiencing several parts of puberty, including viability of producing offspring and development of their Ethnic Dust Markings. Men of the species will begin experiencing a roughly 80 day fertile cycle, often culminating in a 5 day period where they experience cramps, and their biological cycle resets itself. Females will experience a growth of their mammary glands, and can theoretically feed young, if they become part of a bonded pair. Depending on the Culture of a Vault, arranged marriages are common, to prevent pairs from bonding by accident during this time.
Adulthood
The transition from young adulthood to adulthood is less of a physical transition, and more of a social expectation, often occurring around 25 years of age. At this point, biology has for the most part stabilized, and a Vaulter will no longer grow. Adults are often at their peak physically, and find changing their musculature difficult, as their physical form is resistant to change outside of magical means or continuous and focused training.
Venerable
Old age for a Vaulter, begins roughly around the age of 80 for men, and 90 for women, both finding a loss of fertility, and hair begining to grey and whiten. During their evening years, Vaulter bones begin to calcify, making Vaulters heavier, stiffer, and more resistant to movement. Due to this, there is often a loss of muscle, often replaced with fat, meaning elder Vaulters tend to be a bit rounder than their stocky but strong younger selves. Elder Vaulters often become more and more androgynous with age, and will often live will into their 13th decade, though the oldest Vaulter on Record, managed to live to be 175.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Most Vaulters are used to dark Locations, and possess limited darkvision, that allows Vaulters to see the heat of a being, at roughly a range of 20 meters.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Author Note:
Vaulters as a species, are meant to represent the Old World. When writing sessions for my players, or trying to write stories in this world, that often means, I attempt to look at the culture of the region I'm using, and then trying to look at their "Old Ones". As an example, Iyen is very much my worldview of the United States of America, as a fantasy existence. It's a Roman styled Republic, focused on the power of "democracy" and everything in it. Their Vault though, I often use Native American Imagery and naming traditions, and try to find those names that are used in Mythology, and sometimes give family names and titles you'd expect to see in their stories.
First names (Personal names) though, are often very representative of the culture they are currently involved in. This is meant to create a blend of old and new, that can sometimes make an odd mixture of names.
History
Vaulters are a short and squat race of underground dwelling people, who are the custodians of a long lost Age. In the Age of the Living Gods, Vaulters where fanatical followers of the Sage, the Sovereign, and other gods of Civilization, using Dust, a powerful but natural substance found in Kalio that powered underground cities of Wonder and incredible things, along with Artifice and other things of incredible Power. These Vaults are some of the only places in the world where the Technology of the Living Gods still functions.
Vaulters believe that it is their sacred duty to both Maintain, and attempt to repair the broken Dust Technology of the world around them. However, with each generation, it is getting harder and harder to keep those vows without enlisting the help of the Azura, who not only want to learn the old ways, they want to update it, change it, and improve upon it. Often in a very dangerous way. Younger Vaulters also are being raised amongst the other species of Kalio who can't even remember a time of Dust Tech, and are finding fewer and fewer reasons to keep the Old Ways alive, besides the Tradition it represents.
Vaulters- The Keepers of the World
Patron Deity: The Sage
Racial Languages: Thrum
Traditional Homelands: None, The Vaults of Kalio
Racial Religions: The Path of Dust, The Five-Fold Court, The Church of the Deep
Traditional Female Names:
Traditional Male Names:
Traditional Surnames:
Lifespan
140
Average Height
3 and a Half Feet
Average Weight
130 lbs
Related Ethnicities
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