Gloomkin
Many people from the Oasis see their arrival in Amroth as a blessing. Others see it as a natural disaster. A Dwarven settlement, known as Riverhold, was buried under the crushing weight of the Oasis and its inhabitants in an instant. Tunnels collapsed, mines flooded, and everyone in that famed Hold died. Or did they?
Recent expeditions into the caverns under the Oasis have unearthed the remnants of Riverhold and something new down in those tunnels; something Dark. Some speak of new fledgling tribes and civilizations of people underneath the Oasis in a place many now refer to as The Gloom Below.
The first of these people to venture forth from The Gloom Below were clearly once part of the surface world, but something happened under the earth to make them what they are now. Seen as wretched by some and unique by others, these new ‘Gloomkin’ are beginning to venture forth from their subterranean home. What happened to them? Why are they coming out now?
Races
Gloomkin
Many people from the Oasis see their arrival in Amroth as a blessing. Others see it as a natural disaster. A Dwarven settlement, known as Riverhold, was buried under the crushing weight of the Oasis and its inhabitants in an instant. Tunnels collapsed, mines flooded, and everyone in that famed Hold died. Or did they?
Recent expeditions into the caverns under the Oasis have unearthed the remnants of Riverhold and something new down in those tunnels; something Dark. Some speak of new fledgling tribes and civilizations of people underneath the Oasis in a place many now refer to as The Gloom Below. The first of these people to venture forth from The Gloom Below were clearly once part of the surface world, but something happened under the earth to make them what they are now.
Gloomkin tribes can track their origins back to common Amrothian races who once occupied the Dwarven area of Riverhold before its destruction. Players can create characters from any background, but must choose one of the following templates at character creation for their Gloomkin character to show their role within their tribe or their tribe's culture:
Costuming & Makeup
Dark colored and (usually) heavily distressed clothing. Gloomkin come from a harsh environment and their clothing tends to become easily worn. Gloomkin tend to have little use for flashy garments or trinkets - any Gloomkin who chooses to expend the extra effort and resources to look well-kept and put together is trying to make quite an impression indeed.
Requirements:
Gray makeup on all exposed skin
Cracks in the skin, fissures, mushrooms, mossy lichen, slime, or other “underground” elements highlighted in various places on the body
Optional:
Optional items may include pointed ears, beards and/or contact lenses
Advantages
Scrapper Template
+5 Max Body
May purchase Armorsmithing at half cost, rounded up
Due to their hearty nature they may purchase Resist Disease and Resist Toxin
+2 damage with crossbow (increasing base damage to “8 Normal”)
Hermit Template
May purchase Resist Charm Skill, Resist Sleep Skill, and Resist Emotion skills
+2 damage with crossbow (increasing base damage to “8 Normal”)
Haggler Template
May purchase the Evaluate Item skill at half Build Cost (round up) and all Craftsman skills for 1 Build Point.
Because of the sulfurous fumes and poisonous creatures that can be found in the caves and tunnels in which they live, Haggler Gloomkin have a natural tolerance for toxic substances and may purchase the Resist Toxin skill.
Disadvantages
Scrapper Template
Size and physique prevent the Scrapper Gloomkin from purchasing the Two-Handed Blunt or Two-Handed Sword skills (Note: Gloomkin may purchase the Two-Handed Mastery skill, however, it only permits Mastery of Staff and Polearm).
Lack of educational resources underground prevents efficient learning of Celestial Magic; therefore, the Read Magic skill is purchased at double Build Cost.
Scrapper Gloomkin have an aversion to bright light but aren’t physically weakened by daylight.
Hermit Template
Size and physique prevent the Hermit Gloomkin from purchasing the Two-Handed Blunt and Two-Handed Sword skills (Note: Gloomkin may purchase the Two-Handed Mastery skill, however, it only permits Mastery of Staff and Polearm).
Hermit Gloomkin suffer a -5 to Maximum Body Points, and an additional -2 Body Points disadvantage while adventuring in the daylight hours (Gloomkin cannot be reduced to zero Body Points by their daytime Body Point penalty).
Hermit Gloomkin have a natural aversion to sunlight and will avoid it, especially skin contact, whenever possible
Haggler Template
These adventurers are creatures of the shadows and do not like sunlight. Because of this, Haggler Gloomkin suffer a -2 Body Point penalty during the daylight hours (Gloomkin cannot be reduced to zero Body Points by their daytime Body Point penalty).
As a result of their environment, Haggler Gloomkin cannot purchase the following weapon skills: Two-Handed Mastery, Two-Handed Blunt, Two-Handed Edged, and Polearm
Location
Black Falls:
Some Gloomkin refer to a great underground reservoir that was recently drained by some unknown people from the the surface. This dam now flows freely with water from an underground river that once provided all of Riverhold with plentiful drinking water and even fresh fish. The waters of this river run throughout the ruins and caverns of The Gloom Below.
Legends & Folklore
True Darkness:
Gloomkin fear places in The Gloom Below made of “True Darkness”. These places are said to contain creatures who are “absent of light” and fell creatures with many legs who spin unbreakable webs no Gloomkin can break. Of all the dangerous areas of their subterranean home, areas of True Darkness are the least known and most often avoided.
Culture
Gloomkin are a race that has suffered from and adapted to exposure from toxic environments and strange magics from under the earth. Wherever Gloomkin originally were, their connection to other races from Amroth have been nearly erased. As a newer race, the Gloomkin are made of several small clans and tribes. There are no large civilizations or nations to speak of; all are small extended family groups. Gloomkin have formed a tribal society out of necessity.
Creatures from the Darkness, mutated monstrosities, and the constant war over resources in the harsh and toxic environment of The Gloom Below have forced Gloomkin to band together to survive. Gloomkin are scavengers and opportunists by nature. They tend to barter and trade for goods and services but seem xenophobic when confronted by those not of their tribe. Adventurous Gloomkin have fought off this fear and may decide to explore other areas or reach out to new communities. Other cultural norms vary widely among the various Gloomkin tribes. Some Gloomkin are wild and violent, some are relatively civilized, and others are standoffish and fearful. Gloomkin culture is a broad spectrum with each tribe having been shaped by the threat of danger from the world of The Gloom Below.
Daily Life
Most Gloomkin remain with their tribe protecting their territory within the caverns and tunnels underground. Daily threats from underground beasts, ravenous Grimlocks, and toxic environments of The Gloom Below are a constant reminder of the safety of the tribe. Gloomkin spend their days gathering food from the vegetation and fungi common to their tunnels or scavenging from the recently killed creatures who share their home. Gloomkin use the darkness of The Gloom Below to their advantage. Rare is it that a Gloomkin ventures into the light and reveals themselves. Only the bravest and most adventurous of Gloomkin leave their homes and join the newly discovered world above.