Col

= Col = Natural-born leaders, the Col are by far the most diplomatic race in Armeya, gifted in all manner of helping others to get along as well as inspiring their allies to action when needed. They are friendly, outgoing, and helpful people who, though physically weak, are hardworking and just as quick to take a spiritual retreat as they are to die defending what they think is right. The Col and the Patak share a common racial ancestor with the ancient and unknown Sael, who modern society understand very little of outside of the language itself, Saelic, which both the Col and Patak, despite their differences, teach to each rising generation in hopes that one day the two races might one day discover more of their heritage. Whereas the Embir settle down wherever they darn well feel like, the Col prefer to live amongst the plains and in or near coastal areas, where their tougher bodies and natural skill for swimming may aid them in daily activities while the grasslands and waters also serve as protection to hide in in case a powerful foe wanders near, though this old racial fear is not as prominent in modern times, especially since the gift of magic was brought to the mortals.

Personality
The Col are extraordinarily social creatures, born with an innate tendency for conversation and presence in preference to physical activity. They shy away from intense labor, but are capable of enduring a great deal of strain when needed. Most Col, when faced with a dilemma, seek peaceful resolution as soon as possible. They have a proud history abstaining from civil war, with all disagreements being handled in a just and agreed manner. However, this does not mean that a Col would not turn to violence if warranted; their race adopts a heavy sense of realism when faced with a threat, knowing that you cannot reason with a beast or other evil that has already set its mind to the destruction of you and your loved ones. Because of this awareness that even as a peaceful people they must also maintain vigilance to defend themselves, many Col are highly spiritual beings who seek to balance these dueling aspects of their lives. Col take quickly to leadership positions within their communities, most notably serving as some of the most effective military leaders of the Imperial Legion as well as inspirational soldiers to their peers.

Physical Description
The average adult Col is a fair-skinned, slender creature who stands anywhere from 5'0" to 5'8" tall, weighing anywhere from 180 - 280lb. Males are often taller with darker skin, while females are on the shorter side and more fair. Col are similar in appearance with one another, usually pale or varying degrees of lightly tanned, with white or blond hair, and majestic eyes of blues, silvers, golds, and the like. They prefer plain clothing over decadence, believing that natural beauty is overall better than artificial, though of course some Col may think otherwise. Col live rather long lives in comparison to the Embir, with the eldest Col living for 328-474 Sets (real-world equivalent of 90-130 years).

Relations
Given their history of diplomacy and service to the Empire, it is understandable that the Col are by far the most positively accepted race by other cultures (with the exception of the Balna, who consider flowery talk a sign of weakness). The Patak have throughout history been off and on in regard to their relations with the Col. On the one hand, the two races share common ancestry, which bonds them and causes each side to really try to understand the plight of the other. On the other hand, the Patak are extremely warlike, and so are exceedingly difficult for other races to get along with, as well as being enemies to the Empire, of which the Col are allied.

Alignment
The Col find themselves easily approachable, and through this are at least usually viewed as possessing a good nature. Some, however, use their silver tongues for more devilish purposes, letting their words drip like poisoned honey into the ears of those they surround themselves with.

Lands
While the Col may be found all over the Empire, their civilizations are always found near large bodies of water. The Col were not always a part of the Empire, coming to seek shelter with the Embir after having lost a great deal of their ancient lands to the Deluge. In modern times a great number of Col make their living in Wosha, the floating commune.

Religion
Given their natural inclination to the seas, the Col are the favored race of Naneid, the goddess of water, protection, lust, love, and family. The Cols' natural gifts synchronize well with the goddesses' associations, reinforcing a philosophy of the importance of family and cooperation within the majority of the Col civilization. Since being brought into the arms of the Empire some Col have chosen instead to worship Asch Ment, perhaps out of appreciation for the sanctuary he provides. Still others may dedicate themselves to other elements of Armeya's pantheon.

Language
The Col and the Patak have differed greatly over time, becoming incredibly distinct from one another, but some pieces of the ancient Sael culture remain as shared qualities of either modern race, such as language. Both the Col and the Patak still pass down the Saelic tongue to their young ones. It is a mystical language which holds as much mystery as the Sael themselves and although the Col and Patak share the same words they apply them in very different ways more befitting their unique cultures; the diplomatic Col speak fluidly, with words drifting from their mouths like gentle waves, whereas the Patak speak matter-of-factly, gruff, and with defiant strength.

Names
The Saelic descendants allow their children to name themselves when they come of age, which serves that Col later in life as a quality which tells just as much of that person's life as their actions would. During adolescence the Col and Patak are called by a temporary name given them by their parents for convenience purposes. Traditional Col and Patak would choose names from the Saelic tongue, whereas more adventurous may elect to adopt a name more commonly found in the other races of Armeya. The Saelic races still hold a complicated network of noble houses inherited from their ancient roots. These noble families have names that carry merit and recognition through either culture and within the upper political reaches of the Empire.

Adventurers
Col adventurers are the usually the most outwardly friendly of their people, brave and ever-willing to test their conversational skills throughout the world. To adventure as a Col is to seek refinement in diplomatic ability, to better the lives of one's family and friends, or possibly to search for the secrets of their Sael ancestors.

Col Racial Traits

 * -4 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Charisma. The Col are pathetically weak yet tough, and all are naturally easy to get along with as a reflection of their social skills.
 * Medium: As Medium creatures, the Embir have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
 * Col base land speed is 30 feet.
 * Immunity to magic [|sleep] effects, and a +2 racial [|saving throw] bonus against enchantment spells or effects.
 * [|Low-Light Vision] : A Col can see twice as far as an Embir in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
 * Sael Blood. Col count as Sael for the purpose of spells and abilities that depend on race.
 * Hold Breath (Ex). A Col can hold its breath for up to 8 x Con number of rounds before it risks drowning.
 * +2 racial bonus on one social skill of choice from the following list: Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Sense Motive.
 * +2 racial bonus to Swim.
 * Automatic Languages: One dialect of Imperial, Saelic. Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, such as Privoda). See the list of available languages in Armeya RPG for more. Col live alongside the Embir, but keep to their tradition of teaching the ancient tongue to new generations.
 * Favored Classes: Marshal, Monk, Knight. A Col enters play with one bonus AP if he/she starts in one of these listed classes.