Salori (5e Race)

Salori

“	If you ever see the black ape, run. Run as fast as you can.	”
—Unknown hunter

Physical Description

Salori, from a distance, resemble tall, dark, slender apes. Only on closer inspection do the stark differences become apparent. While salori often stand hunched like a simian, they have a long, thin tentacle protruding from either side which ends in a sharp tip. Their ears are longer and more angular, looking more elven or orcish than primate, and appear grayish in hue against the jet-black, leathery skin which covers their bodies. Despite differences in height and build that would come with gender, their bodies are otherwise completely sexless. Most disturbing of all, however, is the blank, empty face of a salori, showing no features of any kind.

History

The salori were once normal apes. It is believed that they came into existence by means of a wish spell used in reckless expedience, which left them scattered across the world and permanently altered, both physically and mentally. While many scholars suspect that the salori have a connection to the Far Realms due to their aberrant nature, others further speculate that their origins are tied to the illithids. However, both claims appear to lack solid basis, since no one has yet managed to have a salori in captivity long enough to study its biology in any depth.

Although salori are shunned and feared by most societies due to their alien anatomy and hostility, those who live up to their reputation often learn their savage and ruthless nature by necessity, owing to the cruel persecution and exile they first suffered for their unsettling appearances. Indeed, the salori were placed into a world old yet familiar, with deformed bodies, strange abilities, and newfound intelligence, but only hazy memories of their former lives, leaving them filled with confusion and fear. Salori have extraordinary lifespans, outliving generations of the villages they skirt and spawning legends and folk tales in their stead. Since their creation, salori have roamed the lands, seeking understanding and acceptance which they seldom receive.

Society

Despite their sentience, salori are ruthlessly shunned from society due to their horrific appearance, with some even being hunted and killed. Their limited numbers and the scope of their dispersal means that they are unlikely to ever meet another of their kind. As such, most salori live reclusive, solitary lives, and have savage or even violent tendencies, living as hermits or hunters in the forests bordering civilisation. Occasionally, a compassionate culture may show charity enough for a salori to become a trusted and integrated member of society. Such salori have lives much like those they live with, though they are forever marred by a body which inspires both fear and disgust in all but the kindest of creatures.

Salori who live in company vary in their attitudes to clothing: some see it as impractical and inconvenient due to their sexless bodies, while others cover themselves obsessively to try to obscure the extent of their frightful appearance. Others still try to wear clothes as normal members of their societies in a vain attempt to appear more ordinary.

Personality

Due to their tenuous relationship with society, salori are often chaotic, and those who have been persecuted often respond with either deep compassion, or bitterness and resentment, tending to the extremes of good and evil. Their novel sentience combines with their unnatural age to produce behaviour that is simultaneously childlike and naïve, yet profound and discerning. Wild salori have learned to be vicious and cutthroat, and struggle to form bonds with others after prolonged isolation. Despite their sexless bodies, those salori who have overcome their social rejection are fully capable of romantic connection, limited only by the extent of their trauma.

Salori Names

Most Salori don't have names, having never been given one. However, they typically accept a name from their first companions, either by necessity or by request. The unconventional nature of their naming leads to a mix of names typical to the cultures they encounter, as well as some of a more descriptive nature.

Male: Albert, Begger, Cade, Dime, Harbek, Rhogar, Shorn, Steve

Female: Beiro, Breena, Cloak, Jasmal, Lovely, Sally, Tender, Varis

Salori Traits

Salori are black, faceless, sentient apes with leathery skin and long, pronged tentacles.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Salori age extremely slowly, dying at around the age of 600.
Alignment. Salori are usually non-lawful, and tend to the extremes of good and evil.
Size. Salori are typically 6 feet, sometimes taller. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Through the Mask. Salori have no visible eyes on their ominous, blank faces. You are immune to the blinded condition.
Rift Warp. As an action, you can teleport, along with all the equipment you are carrying, up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see. Once you use this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Natural Weapons. You have tentacles protruding from either side of your torso which end in sharp tips. You can use them as natural weapons to make unarmed strikes with the statistics of a whip.
Dark as Night. Your inky black body lets you easily blend into the shadows. When in dim light or darkness, you gain a +2 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Languages. You can speak Common and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0''	+2d6	140 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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