Volki (5e Race)
Volki[edit]
| “ | They helped free us from our masters. They gave humanity their so-called freedom. Now they are hunted by those very same humans. | ” |
Physical Description[edit]
They resemble elves in many ways, having light bodies with an air of indescribable grace and beauty. However, instead of the long, pointed ears they have cat-like ears, situated in the same place as normal ears. These ears stick out of the sides of their head. They often have pale skin and cat-like eyes. They are said to be supernaturally beautiful. Their skin is covered in a thin layer of fur, which is so pale and transparent it resembles peach fuzz. This same color of hair tope their heads, though in varying hues, from white to beige and grey. They thus are like elves but with some features of wild cats, including longer nails, but no tail. They also do not hail from fey ancestry.
History[edit]
The volki are an ancient race. The name volki is adapted from the words 'vol,' which in their language means 'forest,' and 'ki,' which refers to 'living.' They also use it as "people". This makes them 'forest people.' When the influences of fey poured in from Faerie, some volkie lived amicably with elves, though their main sympathies lied with humans, of whom they saw themselves guardians.
They are said to have existed with the humans since the beginning of the world in the Days of Thunder, when man was still a quibbling primate. They are said to have saved humankind from demonic enslavement by battling the influences of the Underdark and Shadowfell, from which fiends came and sought to take the humans for their own uses. However, in the Age of Humanity, humans were drunk in their glory. Rapacious kings sought to capture volki for their beautiful women, which they ironically would enslave.
Alarmed, the volki reached out to these kingdoms in hopes of peaceful negotiation. However, the group sent was assassinated within the court where they were supposed to meet. This enraged some volki, who went to achieve vengeance. Something went horribly wrong upon their illegal entry of a king's castle. Details are scant, and people just know a chambermaid was murdered. The kingdom rose to arms and allied nations who were also whetting their blades joined in a sudden witch hunt for the volki. They were driven from their settlements from those which they had protected all these millennia.
Society[edit]
They often live in the forests, particularly those with high trees that reach up to mists. Volki have been known to live in solitary family groups within homes carved out of tree trunks, like owls. Strangely those trees do not fall over nor stop growing and die after these homes are built within their trunks. Singular volki live much more ascetically, not even having an abode. After their perceived betrayal by humans, volki have all but withdrawn from the world, into the High Forest where they live among wildlife and elves. Where their proud spirit as guardians used to be is now a great flourish of distrust and hatred against humans. This has prevented volki from being protectors ever again, as they are hesitant to even help non-human creatures in need.
Despite this developed reluctance however, volki have the astonishing ability of empathy which allows them to actually take the pain of other creatures onto themselves, saving the original target. It is believed this ability is what drew the volki to the primates that were humans originally. Volki thus are a tragic race built to assist others, going as far as taking hits for them. However, that which they sought to protect turned its head and backstabbed them. Their trust forever perverted, it is unlikely the volki will ever truly get to open up easily to just anyone.
Volki Names[edit]
Their names are given at birth and like the elves, it could also be changed at one point. Male names can be anything really, but they often use the -in suffix. The females' names often end with 'a's or 'i's.
Male: Gorin, Teylin, Kalrin
Female: Ayali, Kana, Aelia, Tura
Volki Traits[edit]
They are extremely quick creatures with an affinity to magic and stealth, they are also extremely smart.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age. Volki mature at 100 years old and live to about a 1000 years old.
Alignment. They tend to be more on the neutral and good sides, however, they have been known to become evil if it was to protect someone they loved.
Size. Volki have roughly the same dimensions as elves. 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.
Devotion. You have the power to give your all for those you deem in need of your aid. If a creature friendly to you within 30 feet of you is targeted by a ranged spell attack, you may expend a reaction to use your empathic power and draw that attack's effects on you instead, making it as though you were the spell's original target. You regain use of this trait after completing a long rest.
Awestruck. Anyone could find volki beautiful. You are proficient in the Persuasion skill.
Silent Movement. Volki have been known to be extremely silent while moving through foliage. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when in forest or jungle environments.
Languages. You speak read and write Common, Elvish, and one other language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 0″ | +1d4 | 80 lb. | × (1d4) lb. |
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