Dellan (4e Race)

Dellan

By Max Dunbar

The force of dragons runs through them, granted by Io himself...

Racial Traits

Average Height: 6'5" - 7'0"

Average Weight: 250-400 lbs.

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom or Constitution

Size: Medium

Speed: 5 squares

Vision: Normal

Languages: Common, Draconic

Skill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 Intimidate

Tough: You gain a +2 racial bonus to saves against ongoing damage.

Iron Lung: You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes without penalty.

Steady Footed: You have a +5 racial bonus to saves against being knocked prone, pulled, pushed or slid.

Hard Shell: You gain a +1 racial bonus to AC. Due to your shell, you must wear armor designed for your unique shape. You can retrofit regular armor to fit you as long as you are proficient with it with two hours' work.

Dragon Core: You gain core gem as a daily power.

Core Gem	Dellan Racial Power
Channeling your draconic energy core, you increase your capabilities immensely.
Daily
Minor Action	Personal
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, you gain a +2 speed and +1 to your attack and damage rolls against non-bloodied creatures.

The dellan are a race of turtle people descended from a draconic origin. They are believed to have been created by Io alongside the dragonborn to serve true dragons. The dellan lack the appearance of dragons. Instead, they have a shard of the core dragon essence, gifted to them by Io's creation. It is unknown exactly what this is, but when the dellan invoke it, they bring about powerful changes in their bodies that seem above that of any simple turtle being.

Play a Dellan if you want...

• To play as a turtle.
• To have the heart of a dragon.
• To be a member of a race that favors the paladin, runepriest, and warden classes.

Physical Qualities

Dellan are turtle people with hefty, thick shells that often spike out in points. They stand and walk upright, having very powerful limbs to support their stance and also wield weapons. Their coloration is often odd, ranging from grey to even a pale bluish color. Dellan commonly have small green eyes and powerful jaws, as well as thick arms, legs, and reinforced ankles. This is because their shell often comprises so much weight that their bodies grow to be stout and thus have to bear with this burden. These shells can be valuable after a dellan's death with size. Their skin is covered in scales. At the very center of being is said to be the heart of a dragon. It is said that this is why they are rather long-lived, able to reach up to 300 years of age.

With their shells, dellan will not fit a majority of common armors or clothes. Often times, they require tailored items to accommodate. Many dellan have to be resourceful about this, as it can be pricy to find an accomodating smithy. They usually wear simple, nondescript clothes and avoid extras like jewelry, boots, or gloves.

Playing a Dellan

Dellan tend to be reserved. They like to let strength and foolishness speak for themselves. If they seem a bit slow just because they're turtles, then they may in fact be in deep thought. Dellan hate to be caught unawares, and they hate to display weakness too. They are not above a little heart-to-heart, but they will not show emotions like sorrow or overt happiness, even near allies. Dellan have either a great reverence or hatred for dragons. Some feel that they were unjustly made to be servants, while others worship Io for mere creation. Even if they may not show it, dellan can harbor fervent feelings. Durability is one of the dellan's greatest strengths. Not only are they very pain-tolerant physically, but they are also hard to be tempted by petty provocations. Insults and words will rarely hurt them, and sticks and stones don't even get past their shell.

Dellan Characteristics: Quiet, brooding, tenacious, reserved, repressed

Male Names: Daramareu Elado, Elod Deia, Ritderro Jhota, Urotei

Female Names: Alasza Massei, Syei Wadra, Massala Furyuoei, Reisa

Dellan Adventurers

Three sample Dellan adventurers are described below.

Diesk is a dellan paladin devoted to Io, not Bahamut or Tiamat. He is the survivor of a raid on one of the dragon god's sacred temples. He joins grudgingly with some other displaced members of defaced deities to seek revenge. Over time, he has come to call these his allies.

Vateu is a dellan runepriest devoted to studying the ancient draconic runes of the dragon gods. He is not aligned with any one deity, and much prefers to read his runic texts rather than fight. A lost tome of runic secrets sends him on a quest with other fellow rune and historic fanatics to find an ancient lost treasure.

Rata is a dellan warden who is a guard mercenary for hire. She failed to protect her client once and has been on a soul search ever since, as well as vengeance. The dead client's friends team up with her to pursue the shadowy group which evaded her clutches. Rata hopes to be able to find her strength to protect once more.

Dellan Utility Powers

When your dellan character gains a class utility power after 1st level, you can forgo taking a power granted to you by your class. Instead, you gain a dellan utility power of the same level or lower.

Dragon Flesh	Dellan Utility 2
Triggering a burst of your dragon core, you invigorate your body's healing factor.
Daily
Minor Action	Personal
Effect: You can spend one healing surge. Until the end of the encounter, you have regeneration 2.

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