Post by Abussian on Jul 1, 2011 20:18:09 GMT
Abyssian
Overall information on the race
What they are best known for:
Abyssians are a sea faring race by nature, most are content to stick to trading and they have become somewhat infamous for it, going between islands and different races to make a living. If you need something or someone transported over water and a boat isn't an option, an Abyssian needing to make a little cash is the next best thing.
Traits:
Abyssians tend to very between one member of the race to another, but for the most part they look like large humanoid crustaceans. Abyssians stand around 5 to 8 feet tall on average, though older members of the species can become larger. They have only two insect like legs that lead up to a rather human like hips and upper body, though they tend to resemble walking suits of armor do to their shelled bodies. It is not abnormal to see a few that have pincers instead of a hand, leaving the other human like and able to manipulate objects. Though rare, sometimes an Abyssian develops a claw on both arms, leaving them a little handicapped. In addition to their main arms, some Abyssians have a secondary pair, thinner and on average weaker then a human's arm. This pair are for delicate work or at times to make up for the main arms only having pincers, these sub-arms are always humanoid and never grow claws. Their heads are for the most part human looking, having top and bottom jaws with teeth set in the jaws as well as a small set of mandibles growing out of their cheeks. The eyes look human at a glance, though they have a thin glass like covering, similar to a pair of goggles, this means they have no need for eyelids and as such as unable to blink. Females tend to look much like the males, though their shells have curves similar to those found on a human woman.
Many Abyssians are just fine using their hard bodies and strong limbs alone, though both breeds are just as able to use magic. Abyssians tend to have the cooler forms of magic, dealing with the wind and the water or the other elements that are involved with the sea.
Oceanic: Broken up into two breeds, the Oceanic Abyssians are larger, crab like with shell colorations that vary between red and blue. They tend to be on the taller end of the scale with larger bodies, thicker shells and larger claws. They prefer staying in and around the ocean, often setting up shop on docks around the known world to try and drum up some business.
Inland: Slightly more rare then their ocean loving brothers and sisters, there exists an inland species of Abyissian. The Inland's shells tend to be either brown, red, green or blue in color. These are smaller, being more along the lines of a human in size and strength. While the ocean based Abyssians take after crabs, the ones who enjoy rivers and lakes tend to be leaner, thinner and take the form of lobsters or shrimp. They sometimes go into villages or cities to try and find work, but more often then not they like to keep to themselves. Due to their smaller size, the inland Abyssians tend to be more interested in magic or magical items and some members of this sub-species can be quite powerful at tossing around a spell or three.
Maximum age known: The oldest member of this race died at near 1000 years in age and while most do not live that long, it is considered possible.
How common is this race? Very Common, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, Unique
Extra info
Overall personality of the race:
As a race the Abyssians like to stay out of fights, though their rather beast like appearance may hint of violence, the race only has interest in trading. However, they do not discriminate who their buyers or sellers are and will accept coins from a demon or angle without any problem at all. They will only fight to defend themselves or those close to them, otherwise they will keep out of any and all conflicts that happen around them. Of course not all think this way as some Abyssians have broken off from their people to join Heaven or hell. Those that do are looked down on by the majority of their kind, seeing as given in and taking sides as weak for breaking their hardwired views against what they see as senseless fighting. When not trying to trade or sell something, an Abyssian is a rather friendly fellow, more then likely to offer to buy you a round at the local pub and ask to hear your stories of travel.
Natural enemies:
As a fellow water dwelling race, the Abyssians are no strangers to the Asrai, though when the two races first met there was a misunderstanding over how the Asrai act towards males. The short hostility between them, while largely harmless, has left the Abyssians with a heavy distrust of the water spirits. Other then this slight altercation, the race as a whole strains hard to stay out of the fighting of others.
Can you become this race in any way?
Must be born as one.
