Khionans
"A warrior's true strength comes not from his rage, but from his mercy" - Jarl Caldor
The Four Holds of Khiona
Khiona is a harsh and unforgiving land; anywho call it home know that the wilds are not a inviting place to live. The ancient Khionans learned this lesson quickly and came together to build walled cities to protect their people in. The four Holds of Khiona are ancient city-states long ruled by four powerful families: Caldor, Falksmar, Stormgard and Marheim. Each hold has a unique culture that influences the way its citizens hold themselves.
Caldor, the city of the southeast ruled by the Caldor family. This city is known for its fair seasons and rolling golden waves of wheat and other crops that grow aplenty every harvest. Their symbol is a red banner decorated with a dancing mare.
Falksmar, the city of the northeast ruled by the Falksmar family. This city was built deep within the verdant pine woods of northern Khiona, the citizens of Falksmar are known for their impressive hunters, livestock, and druids who help the wilds and its people flourish in this harsh wilderness.
Their symbol is a green banner with a large and majestic stag's head, it's antlers covered in runes and rings.
Stormgard, the city of the southwest ruled by the Stormgard family. Stormgard is build at the cusp of the frozen but natural bay known as The Bay of Knives, nicknamed by sailors for its choppy waters and small, but deadly icebergs. The Stormguards are known for the College of Stormgard, a college primarily focused on the study of the elements. Those who study there are known as Storm-Seers, or Storm Druids. The city is also known for their impressive ships, exports of fish, blubber, and other nautical goods. Their symbol is a blue banner with a Stormcrow flying in a violent storm.
Marheim, the mountain-city of the northwest, ruled by the royal bloodline of the Marheims. The city has always been the pinnacle of Khionan architecture and might; the ancient Khionans built the city inside and around a lone tall mountain with many artificial plateaus and levels etched into the mountainsides, the city is almost impenetrable. At the top of the city lies the Stormsky Cathedral, a once pagan temple now turned into a holy place where the Highking of Khiona resides and where the center of the Church of the Holy Light in Khiona spreads its influence. The city is also known for its vast riches in metal ores and stone. Their symbol is a gray banner with a horned ornery ram charging.
Today, all Khionans call home, or at least trace their lineage back to one of these four great clans. The city-states and their politics dictate the lives and laws of all of Khiona, making their leaders, the Jarls, powerful and influential people.
Caldor, the city of the southeast ruled by the Caldor family. This city is known for its fair seasons and rolling golden waves of wheat and other crops that grow aplenty every harvest. Their symbol is a red banner decorated with a dancing mare.
Falksmar, the city of the northeast ruled by the Falksmar family. This city was built deep within the verdant pine woods of northern Khiona, the citizens of Falksmar are known for their impressive hunters, livestock, and druids who help the wilds and its people flourish in this harsh wilderness.
Their symbol is a green banner with a large and majestic stag's head, it's antlers covered in runes and rings.
Stormgard, the city of the southwest ruled by the Stormgard family. Stormgard is build at the cusp of the frozen but natural bay known as The Bay of Knives, nicknamed by sailors for its choppy waters and small, but deadly icebergs. The Stormguards are known for the College of Stormgard, a college primarily focused on the study of the elements. Those who study there are known as Storm-Seers, or Storm Druids. The city is also known for their impressive ships, exports of fish, blubber, and other nautical goods. Their symbol is a blue banner with a Stormcrow flying in a violent storm.
Marheim, the mountain-city of the northwest, ruled by the royal bloodline of the Marheims. The city has always been the pinnacle of Khionan architecture and might; the ancient Khionans built the city inside and around a lone tall mountain with many artificial plateaus and levels etched into the mountainsides, the city is almost impenetrable. At the top of the city lies the Stormsky Cathedral, a once pagan temple now turned into a holy place where the Highking of Khiona resides and where the center of the Church of the Holy Light in Khiona spreads its influence. The city is also known for its vast riches in metal ores and stone. Their symbol is a gray banner with a horned ornery ram charging.
Today, all Khionans call home, or at least trace their lineage back to one of these four great clans. The city-states and their politics dictate the lives and laws of all of Khiona, making their leaders, the Jarls, powerful and influential people.
Honorable But Stubborn
All Khionans are deeply rooted within a culture of tradition and honor. To a Khionan, every man, woman and child is a warrior, although their battles may look different, strong character and struggle are what make a warrior honorable and strong - whether that strength comes from might or wisdom is up to the individual. Khionans stride to make their actions honorable and their character bold in any situation they find themselves in. However, this does not mean Khionans are naturally altruistic or caring. Many Khionans are stubborn and refuse to shake beliefs they have learned from their elders or experienced years ago; they can harbor grudges for years and hold onto suspicions of certain races after one bad encounter. Although, while sometimes it can be quite irritating to argue with a Khionan, once loyalty is earned, they will stubbornly defend their friends as well.
Physical Traits
- Age - Most Khionans can live to be around 85 years old. Some few can be even older.
- Speed - Khionan base walking speed is 30 feet.
- Size - Khionans average at a staggering 6 feet 10 inches to sometimes over 7 feet tall, making them one of the tallest humanoid races in Amora. Khionans are not just tall but also very well-built, most have a naturally large frame of muscle to go along with their already massive height. Despite this, their size is shockingly still considered medium.
- Complexion - Most Khionans have a lighter complexion with varied shades of blond, black, brown, or copper-red hair. However, sometimes Khionans are born with naturally white hair, most who are either from or have their roots in Marheim.
- Eye Colors - Most Khionans have either pale blue or dark blue eyes, although brown, hazel, and green are also common.
D&D Race Stats - Khionan
- +2 Constitution, +1 Strength
- Brawn - Gain proficiency in the Athletics skill.
- Viking Weapon Training - Gain proficiency in all martial and simple weapons.
- Wintry Endurance - Your Khionan blood has adapted to the freezing winters of Khiona causing you to gain resistance to Cold damage.
- Battering Ram - As a Khionan, you can throw away all caution and attempt to charge anyone in front of you. When you use the Dash action and travel at least 10 feet in a straight line, you can attempt to knock all targets Prone that you pass through (can only affect targets that are considered Large or smaller). Targets struck by the Khionan must make a Constitution saving throw against the Khionan's Constitution to resist being thrown to the ground. If the target fails the saving throw, they are knocked Prone and moved 5 feet away from the Khionan in any direction (your choice) and take damage equal to the Khionan's level. If any targets resist the charge, the charge stops at their location, moving the last target 5 feet backwards. Can be used once per long rest. (See Spells Page for more details)
- Languages - Khionans can speak, read and write in Common and Runetongue.