Harpos (5e Race)

Harpos

“

Queer buggers, ain't they? Not a peep.

”

General Description

By nephelomancer

Named after the Greek god of silence, Harpocrates, the harpos are ovine beings who are known for their silence. On the exterior, they resemble tall, shaggy mountains. Their faces are that of a goat, but with black sparkling eyes. They have long, bent horns that grow from atop their heads, and long, shaggy ears. The body of a harpo is usually concealed in their mass of shag. From what has been observed from their limbs that extend outward, it can be surmised that they are ultimately humanoid, with two arms, legs and five fingers and toes on each hand and foot, respectively.

History

While named after Harpocrates, the harpos were not necessarily mute themselves. Rather, their silence is a choice of life that allowed them to become excellent chaplains and secret keepers, and this made them recognized as a race for it. Originally, harpos are believed to originate from a strange variant of goat people who lived far from anyone and anywhere civilized, likely in a cold, high altitude climate. Their descent onto the outside world was supposedly spurred by their departure from some gestative stage, called their "Quiet Hibernation." It was through this process that they became what they are today. The old temples that are remnants of their home atop cold steppes are said to be eerie and contain remains of human bones as well as large furry sacs that appear like cocoons that burst...

Society

Harpos are known to occasionally return to their origin in the colder mountains as a form of pilgrimage. Supposedly they meditate there in their silence for a month, like ascetic monks. They are known to make this pilgrimage in herds, and one, selected as the "lama" is the one who leads their pilgrimage and meditations. Harpo herds outside their pilgrimage travel the world as nomads in search of secrets. They convene their finds at gatherings and thus form a huge network of closely guarded secrets. In addition to being secret keepers, the harpos are commonly storytellers by trade. This profession, as well as their secret-keeping, has sometimes garnered ill fame towards them by powerful people.

Harpos Names

The harpos are a versatile people who have come upon many cultures and languages in their journeys. They absorb the language customs as part of gathering stories and use them to name their newborns.

Male Names: Merlin, Orvis, Z'aagath, Chagan

Female Names: Shogaun, Zera, Ioth, Serevieve

Harpo Traits

Secret keeping goat people
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Wisdom increases by 1
Age. They are mysteriously long-lived. Their lives are said to actually be endless. However, they do age and grow frail after about 1,000 years.
Alignment. Generally, because of their even temperament, they are mostly neutral.
Size. Harpos are rather tall and stay at around 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Secret Keeper. As part of a long rest, you can store a secret you know deep in a vault within yourself that cannot be reached by anyone. This secret is no longer than 25 words. Once it has been stored, you will never forget this secret, and any spells short of wish cannot read it from your mind.
Caller of Quiet. Harpos value quiet, and silence those around them whom they deem too annoying. You know the silence spell and can cast it once, centered on yourself, without material components. You must finish a long rest before using this trait again.
Storyteller's Memory. You have an incredible memory. You are proficient in the History skill. Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to news or stories within the last decade, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Cold Dweller. You are resistant to cold damage. You’re also acclimated to high altitudes, including elevations above 10,000 feet.
Languages. You can read, speak and write in Common and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0''	+1d4	120 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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