Lugaru

Lugaru

The Lugaru are Lugeste's true natives. Originally, they settled along the eastern coast, with Yakusagi at the tip of the Shogunate, the Dhavakaharu inhabiting Vedakar's high peaks, and the Bvamsoyodharu settling Vedakar's lowland forests. These three species are often grouped together as "Beastmen" by the other intelligent peoples of Lugeste, but the only thing that's comparable between them is their status as natives.  

Yakusagi

The Yakusagi lived on Mt. Yuri since time immemorial, until shortly after the Sergal arrived on Lugeste around a millenia ago. The Sergal saw them as an easy source of food and labor, hunting and enslaving them to a point of near-extinction. The stress of this species-wide ordeal combined with the Yakusagi's propensity to rapidly breed in times of strife created a bizzare generational cognitive atrophy, radically transforming a peaceful agrarian society into bloodthirsty and ruthless warrior-monks. A massive slave revolt caught the Sergal off-guard, as legs previously renowned for their ability run away were now being used for terrifying leaps, ending in a double-legged kick with enough power to snap vertebrae and, reportedly, generate sparks. The Sergal dubbed this technique the "Nalakagi", and determined that there was far less risky prey elsewhere in L'yuko.   Following the revolt, the Yakusagi fled south, finally concentrating in Northern Vedakar. The consequences of their treatment at the hands of the Sergal linger in their subconscious minds to this day. A Yakusagi will defend themselves and their kin to the death, killing first, and not bothering to answer questions under most circumstances. It's not uncommon to find the unlucky bodies of travelers near Yakusagi burrows, bludgeoned to death and stripped of anything useful or sufficiently shiny.  

Playing as a Yakusagi

  Ability Score Modifiers: A Yakusagi is agile and surprisingly durable, but generations of enslavement led to an eruption of bloodthirst and near-madness, the echoes of which are still present in the Yakusagi's genes. They gain +2 DEX, +2 CON, -2 WIS, -1 CHA.   Size: Yakusagi are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.   Type: Yakusagi are humanoids with the "Lugaru" subtype.   Base Speed: Yakusagi are fast for their size, granting them a 30 ft. base speed.   Languages: Yakusagi speak Lugessan and Lugaru.   Nalakagi: Yakusagi are capable of dealing superhuman amounts of blunt force trauma using their infamous kicks. To use Nalakagi, a Yakusagi must choose a target within 30 feet. They then make a DC 13 Acrobatics (Dexterity) check, provoking Attack of Opportunity. On a success, they leap into the air. At the beginning of the target's next turn, the Yakusagi rolls an unarmed attack with a -3 circumstance penalty. On a hit, they deal 8d8 bludgeoning damage, and may jump off of them to make another attack against a different creature. On a miss, the Yakusagi takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage from the fall, and is knocked prone in front of their target. A Yakusagi may use this ability a number of times equal to their Constitution modifier before completing a long rest.   Digitigrade Suspension: A Yakusagi halves all fall damage when they land on their feet. This ability does not apply to a missed Nalakagi, because a Yakusagi will land on their back in that case.   Prey's Reckoning: A Yakusagi has a +2 racial bonus to Perception (Wisdom) checks.   Inscrutible: Creatures attempting a Sense Motive (Wisdom) check on a Yakusagi suffer a -2 penalty due to their erratic nature and bizarre ways of thinking.  

Dhavakaharu

The Dhavakaharu are goat-like humanoids who inhabit central and southern Vedakar's high peaks. They live in temples constructed by an unknown lost civilization and dedicate their lives to ridding Lugeste of planetary interlopers. Dhavakaharu are a rare species. Slow to reproduce, there may only be 100-200 at any given time. According to their legends, the Dhavakaharu were driven to near-extinction by an alien threat hundreds of years in the future, and executed a desperate ritual in order to prevent their total erasure. Segments of the Dhavakaharu population were sent spiraling through different periods of time. Their equipment is exotic. They can often be seen clad in gold-trimmed black metal armor, composed of a bizarre lightweight alloy. They fight with their fists, hooves, sharpened boomerangs, and "Tōḍnē Taravāra", long straight swords that are traditionally held in a reverse grip. In combat, they are known for their peerless agility and sure-footedness, and fighting a Dhavakaharu warrior on a sheer surface is considered suicide.  

Playing as a Dhavakaharu

  Ability Score Modifiers: A Dhavakaharu is physically and mentally adroit, but insular and stubborn. They gain +2 DEX, +2 WIS, and -1 CHA.   Size: Dhavakaharu are medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties.   Type: Dhavakaharu are humanoids with the "Lugaru" subtype.   Base Speed: Dhavakaru have long, muscular legs, granting a 35 ft. base speed.   Languages: Dhavakaharu speak Lugessan and Lugaru.   Warrior Culture: Dhavakaru are proficient in the use of Unarmed Strikes, War Boomerangs, and Tōḍnē Taravāra.   Wallrunner: A Dhavakaharu can run along vertical surfaces and will not fall until they stop moving. While moving on a vertical surface, Dhavakaharu do not provoke attacks of opportunity, and their attacks are treated as though they are on high ground. If a Dhavakaru ends their turn on a vertical surface, they fall.   Magical Resonance: Dhavakaharu horns ring at a bizarre frequency that attracts magic. If an ally within 30 feet of a Dhavakaru is targeted by a damage-dealing Wavemastery spell, it hits the Dhavakaharu instead. If that spell would hit multiple creatures (i.e. Lighting Bolt), it is entirely absorbed by the Dhavakaharu. A Dhavakaru has a -4 circumstance bonus on Reflex saves against Wavemastery spells. Due to this, a Dhavakaharu cannot take levels in Wavemaster.            

Bvamsoyodharu

The Bvamsoyodharu, native to the lowland forests of southern Vedakar, were long ago a just and lawful people, relying on strong foundations of pack loyalty. In those days of antiquity, they were perhaps the most civilized species inhabiting Lugeste. According to their ancient records, a hunting party encountered a "strange animal", clad in jet-black chitin and capable of inflicting grevious wounds on both the body and soul. They are said to have somehow subdued the creature, and planned to imprison it in the Divine Zigurrat. While they were able to successfully do so, the Zigurrat's insidious curse tainted the warriors sent on that fateful mission...   Today, the Bvamsoyodharu are known for their undying devotion to Vorn, Aspect of Death. For centuries now, they've constructed twisted simulacra of the Zigurrat. These structures have come to be known as "Pseudozigurrats". It is in these Pseudoziggurats that they carry out twisted sacrificial rituals in hopes of making contact with their patron. While they have yet to succeed, the levels of pain and violence that they inflict on those in their clutches appears to attract the attention of lesser Starspawn, who manifest in the twisting, non-sensical halls of their decrepit temples.   Bvamsoyodharu warriors wield weapons and armor constructed from fallen meteorites and "Ravenglass", an impeccibly sharp mineral harvested from the solidified hearts of the Wolfmen and their victims, another effect of their dire curse. Despite this severe societal collapse, not all Bvamsoyodharu revel in their people's sacrificial rites. Those who are born deaf seem to be able to resist the effects of their curse, and flee to the north, often living in peaceful solitude atop Vedakar's peaks.  

Playing as a Bvamsoyodharu

  Ability Score Modifiers: A Bvamsoyodharu is a wall of muscle and fur, and often subconsciously possess forbidden knowledge. Their alien ways of thinking can make interactions with others difficult. They gain +2 STR, +2 CON, +1 WIS, -2 CHA.   Size: Bvamsoyodharu are medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties.   Type: Bvamsoyodharu are humanoids with the "Lugaru" subtype.   Base Speed: Bvamsoyodharu possess a 30 ft. base speed.   Languages: Bvamsoyodharu speak Lugessan and Lugaru.   Bloodbathed: The grim work of most Bvamsoyodharu often results in them being covered in, or even drinking, the blood of all manner of creatures. As a result, they gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made to resist nausea, the sickened condition, and disease. Additionally, a Bvamsoyodharu can identify when a creature is at or below 1/2 of their maximum hit points. They gain a +2 Morale bonus to all attack rolls against these creatures as they're filled with devout glee.   Heart of Stone:When a Bvamsoyodharu dies or slays a helpless creature, their (or their victim's) heart solidifies into a solid hunk of Ravenglass worth 50 نـا.   Dread Presence: A Bvamsoyodharu may make intimidation checks using Wisdom.