Khallus by

# Khallus
### Lore and the Abyssal War

<div class='footnote'>Part 1 | History and Society</div>

Most of the true happenings, in the deep ocean and of how they shapeshifted from fish to mammal, has been forgotten. This is just the Legend that has been passed verbally for generations:

The Khallus once were an aquatic, evil and mindless folk, living in the deepest parts of the ocean, the Hadopelagic. They had war against every intelligent being they met, destroying millions of metropolises and creating billions of cadavers over thousands of years, which fed Tetrakah, Goddess of Death, the only God worshiped by Khallus.

One day, a senseless and ancient Titan, called Dasethrahes, killed Tetrakah, beginning the end of this war. The Khallus had nothing to fight for anymore and after three years, they were almost extinct. A few wise and intelligent of the around hundred still living Khallus brought all powerful relicts together they still had and created two new sibling Gods, Persuna and Patrocin, which should remind them of their foolish war and help them find a new home.

Using the old flesh and scales, Patrocin then shaped new bodies, able to walk, breath and survive on land. Organs and appearance were lost, new organs and a new appearance were created.

Persuna searched for a new home, where they can start a new life far away from war and death. She ascended out of the Ocean and found a dessert. Barren and sparse, but the perfect place for a new beginning.The other lifeforms involved in the Abyssal War banished the Khallus, so they would never return to the ocean.

### Society
#### Home
Living in the dry Dessert, beyond common culture and religion, the few hundret living Khallus have built a Temple called Selafassar for every being that is willing to live with them and respect their Gods.

The Temple, a massive hole in the dessert with a shrine on the bottom, is home to all Khallus who have not chosen the path of adventure. The two Gods Patrocin and Persuna provide magic growth, inside and outside.

Beneath the Temple mushrooms thrive with fruits, bringing food and water into the small, but strongly connected Caves. Only a small part of the Khallus can digest something else than mushrooms.

#### Khalli Names
Khallus do not have names. If Khallus meet other creatures that demand a name, most of the time they name themself Khalli.

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### Gods

Patrocin, the God of Scales, blesses the Khallus with thick skin, which grows with power. He grants the Khallus the power „Chlorophytscales“. All Khali who worship him have to provide one offering at the time of their 17th half moon. A gift that has no monetary value, only to teach the lesson that every gift has worth to somebody. (Examples: a rock, a selfmade sculpture or the first fallen scale)
Persuna, provides the conviction to  stay a good and humble being with all lifeforms. She forbids every piece of clothing, which has the purpose of covering the body, to respect the gift of Patrocin. On every full moon, she will be seen as four stars orbiting around it, as long as you gave your gift to the God of Scales.

#### Alignment
Khallus are mostly lawfull or neutral good, but will break rules if nobody else is harmed for it. Sometimes Khallus are born evil or chaotic.
Persuna advises the Khallus to create the least amount of harm possible.

### Physcal Description
There are 3 Subraces you need to choose from to create your character; Ganoid, Cycloid and Ctenoid

#### Ganoid
The Ganoid are the smallest of the three, the length between the tip of the nose and the end of the tail is around 4,4 ft (1.2 meters). They have pointy, dark-green scales which help hiding in moss or other plants. Their tails have short hair on the tip, providing balance and temperature regulation. Most Ganoid work in the mushroom caves because of their size and nature caring, soft claws.
#### Cycloid
The Cycloid are the medium of the three, the length between the tip of the nose and the end of the tail is around 5,3 ft (1.6 meters). They have round but crooked, yellow-green scales, able to absorb light, which later expels in the dark. Their long tails are used to create ritual and religious patterns on the ground. Most of them having a high intelligence, they work in the Temple and never break an oath.
#### Ctenoid
The Ctenoid are the largest of the three, the length between the tip of the nose and the end of the tail is around 7.7 feet (2.2 meters). They have clam like, sand-red scales, able to vibrate, creating a sound that is used as echolocation. Their short tails and the vibrating of the scales are for simple communication in caves. Because of their high Constitution, most Ctenoid work as constructionist in the tunnels of Selafassar.

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<div class='footnote'>Part 2 | Traits</div>

## Khallus Traits
___
As a Khallus, you gain the following race traits (whichever subrace you choose)
___
* **Age**: 
If death is of natural cause, the Khallus live exactly 5555 half moons (231,4583 years).
___
* **Language**:
They can speak, read and write Common and Terran. They can also read and understand traces of Celestial.
Mushroom digester: They cannot be poisoned by mushrooms, but not every mushroom can provide the right nutrients to keep them alive.
____
* **Rigid Body**:
They have an inflexible and strict body. They have – 3 on Dexterity saving throws acrobatics and Initiative
___
* **Known Kindness**: 
Khallus are known for their new openminded and peaceful self. – 3 on intimidation and – 1 on Deception.

### Chlorophyt scales:
___
With every level, Khallus scales grow harder and larger as long as they are exposed to sunlight or moonlight (only moonlight for Cycloid).

If they are not in sun/moonlight the transformation will occur in the next hour spent in it. 
Wearing armor would speak against Persuna, but if a Khalli would wear armor. The gift of Patrocin would fade and “Chlorophyt scales” would have no effect whatsoever. 
___
This ability causes the Khallus to have a special AC calculation which cannot be enhanced except through temporary spells and of course what your DM thinks would enhance it:
___
**(Constitution x2) + 5 + Level x 0.4 (round up at X.5)**

If your constitution is lover than 0 it will still be at least 0 to calculate your AC
___

##### Chlorophyt Scales Tabel:
| Level | AC (Con excluded) | Resistances |
|:---:|:---:|:---:|
| 1st | 5 | ─ |
| 2nd-3rd | 6 | ─ |
| 4th-6th | 7  | Slashing at 5th lvl |
| 7th-8th | 8 | ─ |
| 9th-11th | 9 | Bludgeoing at 10th lvl |
| 12th-13th | 10 | ─ |
| 14th-16th | 11 | Piercing at 15th lvl |
| 17th-18th | 12 | ─ |
| 19th-20th | 13 | Cold & Fire at 20th lvl |
</div>

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**Example AC calculation:**

Level 13 Khalli with a +3 constitution: (3x2) + 5 + (13 x 0.4) = 17
Every 5 Level their scales go through a transition which provides new resistance. Seen in the table. 
ASK YOUR DM if those resistances are okay or must be removed. It can be very overpowered!

| Lvl\ Con |
|:---:|
|  1  |
|  2-3 |
|  4-6 |
|  7-8  |
|  9-11  |
|  12-13  |
|  14-16  |
|  17-18  |
|  19-20  |

| +1  |
|:---:|
|  7  |
|  8  |
|  9  |
|  10  |
|  11  |
|  12  |
|  13  |
|  14  |
|  15  |

| +2  |
|:---:|
|  9  |
|  10  |
|  11  |
|  12  |
|  13  |
|  14  |
|  15  |
|  16  |
|  17  |

| +3  |
|:---:|
|  11  |
|  12  |
|  13  |
|  14  |
|  15  |
|  16  |
|  17  |
|  18  |
|  19  |

| +4  |
|:---:|
|  13  |
|  14  |
|  15  |
|  16  |
|  17  |
|  18  |
|  19  |
|  20  |
|  21  |

</div>

(Highest Possible AC with +5 Constitution is 23)

___
## Subclasses Traits
Choose One of these Subclasses (or create your own), you only get the traits listed under the chosen Subclass:

### Ganoid
* **Length**: 4 ft/1.2 m

* **Size**: small

* **Weight**: 110 lbs. / 50 Kg

* **Speed**: 30 ft

* **Ability scores**: Constitution +1; choose +2 Intelligence or +2 Wisdom

* **Keen Smell**: The Ganoid have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

* **Soft and caring hands**: Ganoid have proficiency with Nature and Animal Handling.

* **Water timid**: Ganoid don’t like to swim and have a swimming speed of 10 feet.

#### Stealth Curl
*Ability*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action or reaction
- **Range:** Self
- **Components:** None
- **Duration:**  Until dismissed

You withdraw into a curl. Until you emerge, you blend in with mossy rocks and plants. While curled, your stealth has up to +3 (depending on surroundings), you are prone, your speed is 0 and can’t be increased, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell. You can hold concentration while curled.

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<div class='footnote'>Part 3 | Traits</div>

### Cycloid
* **Length**: 5,3 ft/1.6 m

* **Size**: medium

* **Weight**: 220 lbs./100 Kg

* **Speed**: 25 ft

* **Ability scores**: + 2 Constitution; choose +1 Intelligence or +1 Wisdom

* **Religious Training**: Cycloid learn everything about religion they need to know in their first 22 
half-moons. They have proficiency with Religion and History checks.

* **Relict and Magic Knowledge**: Cycloid have advantage on Intelligence (Arcana) checks.

* **Fear of Water**: Cycloid cannot swim but they can float (Speed: 5 feet).

#### Shimmer Scales
*Ability*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action
- **Range:** 20 foot radius (6 m)
- **Components:** Half an hour of light
- **Duration:**  Until dismissed

Shimmer scales: After half an hour in sun or moonlight Cycloid have the ability to expel this saved light again. This can be done in one flash, which will blind enemies that are looking in your direction for one turn (see condition blinded) or over the time of 20 minutes as dim light (20-foot radius). It can also create light symbols which can be used for special rituals and religious things.

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___
### Ctenoid

* **Length**: 7.7 ft/2.3 m

* **Size**: medium

* **Weight**: 355 lbs./ 150 Kg

* **Speed**: 20 ft

* **Ability scores**: + 3 Constitution

* **Porter**: Carrying such heavy scales make you stronger on the long run. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

* **Tremorsense**: -> see "Ability: Vibrating Scales"

* **Friendly Giant**: Ctenoid like to help whenever they can, they have proficiency with Medicine.

* **Strong and adamant claws**: The Ctenoid have advantage on Strength checks that rely on using their claws.

* **Keen Ears**: The Ctenoid have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

* **Fear of Water**: Ctenoid cannot swim, do not float but can walk on the ground underwater. They do not like it at all and will not go into the water unless they get pushed or fall into it.

#### Stealth Curl
*Ability*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action or reaction
- **Range:** Self
- **Components:** None
- **Duration:**  Until dismissed

You withdraw into a curl. Until you emerge, you blend in with sand, rocks and sandstone. While curled, your stealth has up to +3 (depending on surroundings), you are prone, your speed is 0 and can’t be increased, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell. You can hold concentration while curled.

#### Vibrating Scales
*Ability*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action
- **Range:** Self
- **Components:** None
- **Duration:**  Until dismissed

Your scales are able to vibrate, creating a sound that is used as echolocation. Their short tails and the vibrating of the scales can create a sound, without others knowing where exactly it is coming from. If you are using this ability while your eyes are closed, you have Tremor sense (80 ft./ 25m).