Oreads are individuals whose ancestry includes the touch of an elemental being of earth somewhere along the line, often that of a shaitan genie. Stoic and contemplative, oreads are an ancestry not easily moved, yet almost unstoppable when spurred to action. They remain a mystery to most of the world due to their reclusive nature, but those who seek them out in their secluded hideaways find oreads to be quiet, dependable, and protective of their friends.
Physical Description: Oreads are strong and solidly built, with skin and hair colored stony shades of black, brown, gray, or white. While all oreads appear vaguely earthy, a few bear more pronounced signs of their elemental heritage—skin that shines like polished onyx, rocky outcroppings protruding from their flesh, glowing gemstones for eyes, or hair like crystalline spikes. They often dress in earthy tones, wearing practical clothing well suited to vigorous physical activity and preferring fresh flowers, simple gemstones, and other natural accents to complex manufactured jewelry.
While aasimars live a similar life span to humans, many mature a few years later. They reach adulthood around 20, with middle age at 35 and old age around 53. The most venerable of this ancestry live into their 70s.
Since oreads are descendants of outsiders, many live long lifespans. They reach adulthood around 60, with middle age at 150 and old age around their two hundreds. The most venerable of this ancestry live into their mid-two hundreds.
Oreads are sexual dimorphic, with the average height of males around six feet and females a couple inches shorter. Their body mass is similar, making most females weigh slightly less than males.
Society: As a minor offshoot of other ancestries, oreads often have no real established society of their own. Instead, most oreads grow up in other communities learning the customs of their parents. Adult oreads have a well-deserved reputation among others for being hermits and loners. Few take well to the bustle of city life, preferring instead to spend their days in quiet contemplation atop some remote mountain peak or deep below the earth in a secluded cavern. Oreads with a greater tolerance for life among other ancestries often join the city watch, or find some other way to serve their community in a position of responsibility.
Relations: Oreads feel comfortable in the company of dwarves, with whom they have much in common. They find gnomes too strange and many halflings far too brash, and so avoid these ancestries in general. Oreads gladly associate with those of mixed descent, feeling a sense of kinship with the other half ancestries despite inevitable personality conflicts. Among the elemental-touched ancestries, oreads have few friends but no true enemies.
Alignment and Religion: Oreads are, perhaps above all else, set in their ways and any disruption of their routine is met with quiet disapproval. Oreads are fiercely protective of their friends, but don’t seem particularly concerned with the well-being of those outside their small circle of acquaintances. As such, most oreads are only slightly drawn to the community alignment. Religious life comes easily to the earth-touched. They appreciate the quiet, contemplative life of the monastic order, and most dedicate themselves to the worship of earth- or nature-related deities.
Adventurers: Oreads are initially hesitant adventurers. They dislike leaving their homes and do not handle the shock of new experiences well. Usually it takes some outside force to rouse oreads into action, often by threatening their homes, lives, or friends. Once the initial threat is dealt with, however, oreads often find they have grown accustomed to the adventuring life, and continue to pursue it through the rest of their days. Oreads make good warriors thanks to their prodigious strength and self-discipline.
Names: Andanan, Besthana, Echane, Ghatiyara, Irice, Jeydavu, Mentys, Nysene, Oret, Pashe, Sithundan, Urtar