Kyuki (3.5e Race)

Author: Eiji-kun (talk) Date Created: 9-24-14 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Kyuki

In the windy planes of the East lie the Kyuki, fey spirits of wind known for their blistering speed and fiendish mischief. Legends have often confused them with the legendary kamaitachi weasels or elemental spirits of air. The latter may be half true, as they may have originated not as true fey but as air elementals stranded on the prime material after the wars between the Wind Dukes of Aaqa and the Queen of Chaos. After years of adaptation they were merged with the local fey to produce their descendants.

Personality

The kyuki are flighty things. Their emotions run high and one moment a friendly game may turn into a fight to the death, and equally change from bitter rivals to mutual respect and laughter. Their only consistency seems to be a carelessness in all things except areas of competition, which they adore. Sports and other competitive activities are huge in kyuki society, and indeed build deep within it. One of the few laws they follow are the teachings of an ancient kyuki hero known as Hijikata, who use their love of sports as a safer alternative to the many wars they would otherwise face. By transforming their aggression into a game they keep the peace, and all one asks is that the results of the game be respected for vengeance can always be had in another friendly competition.

Physical Description

Kyuki are generally thin humanoids with pale skin, long elven or nearly animal-like ears, and animalistic noses with whiskers. Darker markings are often displayed underneath their eyes, on their cheeks, or on their forehead as well as on in a few parts of the body (such as arms and legs) and each is an unique pattern, like a fingerprint. Hair trends to metallic colors, and their eyes are large, glassy, and black. Their hands contain small but unusually sharp black claws which can be retracted. They are unusual lightweight, even for their small size.

Relations

Historically the kyuki were seen as monsters, one of the many yokai, spirits, and demons of the more magical parts of nature. As a result interactions were either a matter of fear or respect, and generally they were not interacted with by the upcoming humanoid races. But when they were brought into the matter of humanoid affairs they were often employed as assassins and ninjas due to their unique talents. This only perpetuated the myth around the kyuki, eventually confusing them with the legendary kamaitachi. For hundreds of years, this suited them fine. However civilization was ever-encroaching and eventually some would depart the hidden villages of kyuki to explore or try and join the cities of man. They have had some difficulty settling in, but both they and others can find camaraderie in the world of sports, and so these games have become the glue that keeps them relatable to others.

Alignment

Kyuki are mostly chaotic neutral, though their history often paints them as chaotic evil.

Lands

The kyuki have usually made villages in windswept plains, canyons, and other places of tumultuous wind. They are rarely found on other planes as well, especially the Elemental Plane of Air on small outcroppings where the other planes touch it briefly.

Religion

Kyuki are not known to follow any deities, though those that do often get involved with deities of Air, Luck, and Chaos.

Language

Kyuki speak Common, Auran, and Sylven. Their base language is actually a combination of Auran and Sylven.

Names

Kyuki names tend to be of the "Eastern" sort with a strong proclivity to Auran-accented names, names which envolve hissing or exhalation sounds within them.

Racial Traits

• -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity: Quick and nimble, but lacking strength behind their wiry frames.
• Fey (Air): Associated with the wind but born of the natural world, the kyuki are considered fey. Perhaps their ties to the air explain their fantastic speed. 
• Small: As a Small creature, a kyuki gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –4 size penalty on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but it uses smaller weapons than humans use, and its lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
• Kyuki base land speed is 40 feet.  
• Bonus Feats (Ex): Kyuki gain Spring Attack and Run feats as bonus feats. 
• Cold Iron Vulnerability (Ex): Kyuki take +50% additional damage from cold iron attacks. They take a -1 penalty on attacks when using a cold iron weapon themselves, and -1 penalty to AC while wearing cold iron armor. 
• Glide (Ex): A kyuki can glide at a speed of 40 ft (poor maneuverability) for every 10 ft of altitude lost. An unconscious falling kyuki still slows down in air, reducing fall damage to a maximum of 1 dice of damage (1d6). 
• Natural Weapons: Kyuki have a pair of sharp claws which deal 1d3 damage, but with a 18-20/x2 critical. If they gain an unarmed strike they may use the 18-20/x2 critical with it, and choose to deal slashing damage. 
• Skills: Kyuki gain a +4 bonus on Jump and Tumble checks, and both skills are always class skills. They also have a +4 on Listen checks thanks to their large ears. 
• Weapon Familiarity: Kyuki are proficient with daggers, kama, kukris, sickles, and scythes.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Auran, and Sylven.
• Bonus Languages: Abyssal, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, and Halfling.
• Favored Class: Monk or Rogue
• Level Adjustment: +1
• Effective Character Level: 2

Vital Statistics

Table: Kyuki Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
12 years	+1d4	+1d8	+3d6

Table: Kyuki Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
40 years	80 years	120 years	+4d10 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Kyuki Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	2' 8"	+2d4	15 lb.	× (1) lb.
Female	2' 6"	+2d4	10 lb.	× (1) lb.

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