3E Skylis Rules
Chapter 2: Races.
Races
BILKIN
Demkin, Rohdkin, StromkinBilkin are a type of halflings that are indigenous to Skylis. They are found in three regions: the State of Demoern, the Kingdom of Rohd, and Stromvale in north-eastern Forestaine. Respectively, they are known as Demkin, Rohdkin, and Stromkin. Generally, they fit the description of the halfling that is given in the Players Handbook, with just a few differences (listed in the descriptions below). All other racial abilities and resistances remain the same.
DEMKIN
Demoernic bilkin are a gentle and peaceful people. They are famous for their cultivation of fine pipe-weed, and other herb, and their keen culinary sense. They make for masterful gardeners and sought-after cooks. These bilkin value the creature comforts above all else, and are accustomed to leading a somewhat lazy lifestyle, though they would gladly explain in detail how much work is required to grow an orchid or to make a cinnamon roll. Recently, though, their pleasant lifestyle was severely damaged and threatened by the military incursions of Zlangers. Many of today's demkin have been emotionally affected and spiritually scarred by the war, but they are trying to move on.
Demkin receive a +3 racial bonus on all checks for cooking, brewing (including magical potions), gardening or herbalism related activities. Automatic Languages: Bilkin, and either Baleric, Galornic, Kithyar or Ladish.
"Pass the potatoes before they get cold."
"A good wine shared among friends tastes better than the finest wine kept to yourself."
Two popular Demkin sayings.
ROHDKIN
Rohdese bilkin are a highly-educated and pragmatic people whose idioms are somewhat close to those of dwarves. However, unlike dwarves, they value magic above all else, and most are studied wielders of the art. They dislike the practice of adventuring as it takes them away from their comfortable lives, their precious books, and their valued research. Only the most intriguing subject or dire need would convince a Rohdkin to leave his library and laboratory behind. These bilkin get along extremely well with holleuthar elves, whom are mutually regarded as esteemed colleagues. Rohdkin also enjoy the security of the Kingdom of Forestaine, of which the Kingdom of Rohd is a Protectorate.
Unlike their cousins, Rohdkin ability score adjustments are: +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, -2 Strength. Rohdkin receive a +1 racial bonus to all Alchemy, Concentration, Knowledge, Scry and Spellcraft checks. Rohdkin do not receive any racial bonuses to Climb, Jump or Move Silently Checks. Automatic Languages: Bilkin, Baleric and Kithyar. Favoured Class: Wizard.
"Study brings wisdom.
Wisdom brings peace.
Those who disregard study, disregard wisdom.
Those who disregard wisdom will find no peace."
Ombertur's Axiom.
STROMKIN
Stromkin are friendly, gregarious and well-cultured, preferring music and art to anything else. In fact, they are known worldwide as brilliant artists who apply their artistic ethics to whatever profession they select. Stromkin, as a general rule, dislike the practice of stealing, as it goes against their cultural ethics, but they have yet to deny their natural aptitude for the associated skills. Instead, they tend to reserve such activities for those they consider reprehensible or otherwise destructive by nature.
Stromkin receive a racial bonus of +3 to all Perform checks and to any Craft checks that involve the creation of an object of art (such as a drawing, painting, sculpture, etc). Furthermore, both Perform and Craft (art) are always considered Class Skills for the Stromkin, regardless of normal Class restrictions. Automatic Languages: Bilkin, Baleric and Kithyar.
"The joy of life is the chance we are given to make it more beautiful than was found. The trick is to distinguish between what is beautiful and what is gaudy. No matter what anyone tells you, these are not subjective properties - they are absolutes. Very few things in this life can claim to be one or the other in entirety, and are more often a combination of the two. If you search for true and absolute beauty amidst all the clutter in your vision, the secret of this determination is not practice, pertinence or pompousness, but soul. True beauty commands the attention of the soul which, in the end, is the only critic who matters."
Excerpt from the Art of Art, by Stromkin master sculpture and poet, Willum Murano, 887-939 RT.