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Balayag

Shortlegged and stout, this hardy race is capable of surviving the harshest of climates. The ferocious Balayag, a relative of their feline cousins, the Tabaxi, have made the Granted Sands desert into their home. Fierce and independent, they require no social interference other than the gratification they receive from their authentic tribal rituals and culture.

Not to be Underestimated

Characterized by their short posture and stubby limbs, the Balayag is often mistaken for being cuddly or harmless. Those who make this miscalculation, usually don’t get to change their mind ever again. Balayag are very muscular and sturdy creatures with tough fur and a layer of fat to protect them from the cold desert nights. However unlikely it may seem by their appearance, the Balayag are actually incredibly nimble and are expert climbers. While speed is not their forté, they make up for their slower pace with their resilience. The Balayag their fur can range from a grayish color to brown, but in reality they are often covered in all sorts of dirt and sand anyway. Their eyes light up an enthralling bright orange color once the sun sets as they are well adjusted to the darkness of the desert. They speak in deep, rough tones that let their voices be carried by the desert winds. While not particularly violent in nature, they are notoriously defensive towards their own kind, especially those from their tribe. Those who are looking to harm the Balayag will not get to deal with the roughness of their voice, but the sharpness of their claws.

Progressive Ritualists

Balayag have claimed the Granted Sands desert as their home for centuries. The vastness of the unforgiving colored wasteland keeps out intruders from meddling with their way of life. From all indigenous Ar’k-Liran races, the Balayag have kept most to their traditions due to their isolation from the more urban areas. Through fertility rites, battle rituals and other sacred activities, the Balayag strive to gain sovereignty over the unpredictability of nature. Regardless of a Balayag their later profession, it is trained in one of three ways of old: a hunter, a druid or a defender. After a relatively short childhood, they are trained so that they will always have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge on which to rely. Their training is of little consequence to their later role in the tribe; although it might define their aptitude for certain activities, the tribe’s demand will determine if an adolescent Balayag is to become a tailor, scout, chef, warrior or whatever might be necessary at that time. Being so close to nature, the Balayag are apt at both surviving and understanding the dire circumstances in which they are placed. By perceiving natural cycles and trends, they can predict both sandstorms and seasons of fertility with extreme precision. The secrets to doing so are passed on from generation to generation, cherishing the solidarity of familial relationships in the process. Once a young Balayag completes their initial training, they are expected to go out into the desert and complete a series of challenges as described by the tribe leader before they are considered real adults.

Living in Seclusion

So Balayag are most commonly found living in tribes, secluded from the bustling Ar’k-Liran cities. Throughout the inhospitable Granted Sands desert, these adaptable felines have traditionally roamed for centuries trying to carve out a place for themselves. While more traditional Balayag still uphold this nomadic tradition, modern Balayag settled for sedentary life in well-hidden and well-protected trenches, caves and oases in the desert. Their tribal villages were built to last, casting aside more ancient beliefs on survival for a newfound integration with other civilizations. While still highly territorial and isolated, some Balayag take to trading or even a life of crime to profit from the more urban societies, effectively closing the cultural gap. Internally, the Balayag are far from secluded. They are warm and open people that regard each other as family. At birth, a newborn is taken by the tribe leader, usually the eldest, and all parents are given a few random children after a series of rituals to inspire bravery and strength to the newborns. By collectively sharing the litter among all adult Balayag, the community instinctively learns to feel responsible for the entirety of the tribe. A strange phenomenon according to more urban cultures, but there are very few societies that can rival the solidarity and sense of family of the Balayag.

Balayag Names

Most Balayag tribes give their children two names. Balayag are most commonly named after natural phenomena and colors, reflecting their innate connection to the natural world and the Granted Sands desert. The tribe leader gets to give a newborn their first name, a natural phenomenon they feel fits the child. The adoptive parents of the Balayag get to grant them their second name, a color they feel connected to. Prime examples of Balayag names are therefore: Rupture Gray, Quake Purple, Rainy Yellow or Stormy Silver.

Balayag Traits

Your Balayag character has certain characteristics derived from your race.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age. Balayags reach adulthood in their early teens and live for a century on average.

Alignment. Balayags are usually neutral, but the best and worst can be found among them.

Size. Balayags are slightly under 5 feet tall and weigh approximately 75 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision. Due to your feline ancestry, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Stocky Build. Through thick fur and fat reserves, you protect yourself from harsh climates and pain. Whenever you receive damage that isn’t psychic, you take 1 less. At 10th level, this damage reduction increases to 2.

Cat’s Claws. Because of your claws, you have a climbing speed of 25 feet. In addition, your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Makers of Mischief. You gain proficiency with the sleight of hand and deception skills.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common, Bayaga, and one additional language of your choice based on the location of your Balayag tribe.