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Iskani

Fire burns within your heart
A black ice fills your soul
Of storm you make the finest art
And earth would make you whole   Do beware winds of the north
Salt blows from ocean deep
To places you may venture forth
To earn the Worldspirit's keep
— Old Song of the North
  The Iskani are eldwrought humans who begin to meld with their natural environments as the leylines cause shifts and changes to the lands they inhabit.
Iskani Concepts by Polina Arteev (strixxline)
You'll quickly find that there is no environment in this world that is truly inhospitable.
Bloodline
Eldwrought

Hostile Comforts
Carrying the boon of the Primordials in their blood, the Iskani are built to adapt to whatever changes their homelands face, no matter how extreme.   Their tendency to live in extreme conditions makes their populations few and far between, often thriving in only small, remote pockets of the world.
Worldspirit's Price
If given the choice, many Iskani would prefer to live in less harsh environments, allowing them to better intermingle with other races and cultures. Unfortunately, many find these extremes to be the bare minimum for living comfortably.   Taking extended trips away from their homes is one way the Iskani cope with this involuntary isolation, but most return home once the change in environment has taken its toll.
Want Secrets?
Certain articles may have additional secrets for GMs — pick the role that suits you!
Seeker — Player Knowledge
Dawnbringer — GM Secrets

Blood of the Elements

With elemental magic flowing through their veins, the Iskani are deeply connected to the natural magics by which the world is constructed and functions. Though the leylines may sometimes influence natural forces of the world, the primordial elements are their own formidable force of magic; it is from these elements that the Iskani are born.

Not Exactly Inhospitable

Most Iskani civilizations are just that: Iskani civilizations. Despite not being known to have any issue with other humans, very few iskani settlements will feature other human subtypes living amongst their populations; many visitors to Iskani lands find that it is not the people who are inhospitable, but the lands themselves.   It is not unheard of for non-iskani, who become attuned to the elements through means other than birth, to find themselves able to live among the Iskani of their attuned element, and the added touch of diversity is often welcomed by more isolated settlements. Those who are able to handle living in environments less tailored to their physical needs often do so, for the sake of a more diverse living experience.

Primordial Hearts

Iskani vary greatly in their physiology; their size and shape, as well as colorations of skin, hair, and other features, differ between the different elemental iskani. Their skin tones typically come in shades of grey at their base, ranging from extremely light to extremely dark, with the potential for more colorful pigmentation dependent on element.   An Iskani's element may manifest itself physically on the body as well, resulting in unusual growths or parts of the body constructed of elemental material.
When thinking of the nature of the eldwrought, many find themselves intimidated by the prospect of people who carry the essence of the elements within them. The leylines are often perceived as a very whimsical source of magic, wondrous and free-flowing. The elements, however, are raw and unpredictable. The Iskani are often quite the same, having unstable temperaments.

Flameheart

Bringing with them the scent of brimstone, and a volatile temper, the Flameheart carry with them both the fury and elegance of the elemental plane of fire. Built to withstand blistering temperatures, these Iskani are often found in lands marked by extreme heat and volcanic activity.

Earthheart

With the depth and patience wrought from the earth itself, the Earthheart are shaped and molded by the strength and ancient wisdom of the elemental plane of earth. Known to be an extremely hardy people, these Iskani are often found in landscapes built of stone and raw earth, or deep underground.

Windheart

Free in body and spirit, Windheart possess the adventurous heart and tempestuous nature attributed to the elemental plane of air. Not quite as light and carefree as some may think, these flighty Iskani tend not to stay grounded in one place for long, and seldom go where the wind does not blow.

Tideheart

With an aura of relaxation and adaptability, the Tideheart are beings ruled by the ebb and flow that is the nature of the elemental plane of water. Found almost anywhere that large bodies of water are common, these wise Iskani make their homes anywhere from wetlands to the stormy seas.

Articles under Iskani



Cover image: by Strixxline

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