GollwydGollwyd are relative newcomers to the art of necromantic magic, although that is only as practitioners. Once, they were one of the lesser peoples who populated the borders of the Hegni kingdom, and became the subject of the experiments conducted by their budding necromancers. But rather than afflict their people, as those experiments had done to so many others, they appeared to take favour upon them. Perhaps it was the hand of Lledrith at work, not wishing to put all of his new magic into a single basket, but for whatever reason, the Gollwyd grew in stature and personality over the many long years in the dark of Marleath, and are now vying with the Hegni for positions and power beneath the uncaring eye of Ve Angau.
PersonalityA shrewd people, Gollwyd are used to analyzing the motives of other people and preparing for as many variables as possible. In the best of cases, the Gollwyd are manipulative and commanding, unafraid to take charge or impress their opinion upon others. In the worst cases, they are paranoid and obsessive, hesitant to leave a room until they have counted all of the buttons on all of the shirts of each occupant of the room. But whatever form their personality takes, they either strike fear or admiration into the hearts of those who gaze upon them, and are more than willing to take advantage of such a change.
Physical DescriptionGollwyd share the same range of average height and physique as Hanians, with whom they might once have been kin, though they tend to be less hardy. Their skin is pale and cool to the touch, and though exceptionally smooth and flawless, seems to be drawn a little too tight for comfort. Their sharp, angular features do little to hide their opportunistic, predatory nature. Gollwyd tend to possess dark hair of brown or black, though some may be born with any hair color natural to Hanians. Likewise, a Gollwyd's eyes may be any color natural to Hanians, though in some cases red or solid white or black eyes have been observed. Some Gollwyd can pass for Hanian if they wish with little help.
RelationsGollwyd are distrustful of the Hegni, though they often have to rely upon their cousins in necromancy to garner subjects to practice their Necromantic experiments upon; As such, they tend to find ways to charm and beguile those who might be of assistance, or if that fails they use simple diplomacy or bribery to get what they want. Unlike the Hegni, the Gollwyd tend to look upon the Boncyff with some friendship, recognizing that they are more than just the dumb brutes that the Hegni generally treat them as. As for the Casglwyr, much as the Gollwyd will make use of their talents towards vivisection, they otherwise regard them as warily as the Hegni do. They do not have relations with other races, as such, and any Gollwyd on the surface is almost certainly goinng to be treated as a Hanian.
ReligionAs with their cousins in necromancy, the Gollwyd are devoted to the worship of Lledrith. Perhaps more so, as he raised them out of slavery and into a position of prominence within the lands of Marleath. Unlike the Hegni, they do not bare a particular hatred to Drancedigaeth, being able to understand his revilement at the practice of necromancy. Being somewhat more open in religious practices than the others in Marleath, they find time for each of the gods in turn, although Awyr Leuad is all but ignored, for the heavens do not exist in Marleath.
LanguageGollwyd speak Marletan, and have little to no cause to learn any other.
AdventurersUndead minions don't grow on trees, though they can often be found rooted in the ground. The most powerful undead companions are forged far from civilization, and the darkest magic is usually hidden in the depths of the hidden places of the world. Gollwyd adventurers go out to seek ever greater ways to further their goals, no matter what they may be. They will plant themselves within a group of other adventurers so that the seeds of their deceptions can grow strong over a longer period of time, as the undead are not the only unwitting minions that can be useful.
Gollwyd Racial Traits- -2 Constitution, +2 Charisma: Gollwyd are not the hardiest of the races, given their connection to the undead, but they more than make up for it with a canny ability for both deception and leadership alike.
- Medium: As Medium creatures, Gollwyd have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Gollwyd base land speed is 30 feet.
- Low-light vision: While Gollwyd cannot see in the dark as the Undead can, they have enhanced vision that allows them to see twice as far as a human in conditions of dim light.
- Unnatural Presence (Su): Animals, whether wild or domesticated, can sense the unnatural presence of a Gollwyd at a distance of 30 feet. They will not willingly approach nearer than that and panic if forced to do so; they remain panicked as long as they are within that range. The animal can make a Will save (DC of 10 + ½ your HD + your Charisma modifier) to resist the effect. Gollwyd cannot gain the service of an Animal Companion (such as that granted by the Totem Companion feat) unless the creature has a Type other than Animal, such as through an alternate class feature or feat.
- Perverted Life: Due to their link to the negative energy that powers Necromantic magic, Gollwyd take a -1 penalty per die of hit points healed by positive energy effects (to a minimum of 1 hit point restored), such as most effects that heal hit point damage. However, they are healed by negative energy at a rate of 1 hit point for every 3 points of damage they would otherwise take. This does not grant immunity to Energy Drain effects or Death effects.
- Leader's Charm (Su): Given their natural (and unnatural) charisma, Gollwyd make excellent leaders and can bolster their allies with their very presence. Allies within 30 feet of the Gollwyd receive a +1 bonus on Fortitude, Reflex, or Will saves. The Gollwyd can change which save receives the bonus as a move action.
- Wary: Gollwyd are naturally suspicious of creatures they come across. You gain a +2 racial bonus on Sense Motive checks, and take a -2 penalty on Diplomacy checks.
- Automatic Languages: Marletan. Bonus Languages: Any
- Favored Class: Overlord
Touched by the taint of undeath, the Gollwyd are inherently talented with Necromantic magic. Some tell tales that their Human ancestors sacrificed their humanity to breach the limits that had kept them from shaping the twisted, dark energies that they went on to shape and control. Others yet say that the Gollwyd are descended from the union of Humans and Vampires or other powerful Undead. Whatever the case, it is evident upon all accounts that the Gollwyd are not a race to be trifled with.
Personality
A shrewd people, Gollwyd are used to analyzing the motives of other people and preparing for as many variables as possible. In the best of cases, the Gollwyd are manipulative and commanding, unafraid to take charge or impress their opinion upon others. In the worst cases, they are paranoid and obsessive, hesitant to leave a room until they have counted all of the buttons on all of the shirts of each occupant of the room. Some Gollwyd may actually fight for the cause of Good, denying their heritage and embracing life, though they are so rare that rumor has it that any Gollwyd who does so reverts to being a standard human.
Physical Description
Gollwyd share the same range of average height and physique as humans, though they tend to be less hardy. Their skin is pale and cool to the touch, and though exceptionally smooth and flawless, seems to be drawn just a little too tight for comfort. Their sharp, angular features do little to hide their opportunistic, predatory nature. Gollwyd tend to possess dark hair of brown or black, though some may be born with any hair color natural to humans. Likewise, a Gollwyd's eyes may be any color natural to humans, though in some cases red or solid white or black eyes have been observed. Some Gollwyd can pass for human if they wish with little help.
Relations
Gollwyd are distrustful of most races, especially their own, though they rely on having subjects to practice their Necromantic experiments upon; As such, they tend to find ways to charm and beguile those who might be ideal candidates, or they may use simple diplomacy or bribery to get what they want. While some Gollwyd may prove to be productive members of society, most other races treat them with the same scrutiny and suspicion that they are subject to from the Gollwyd. Most often, a Gollwyd who is revealed to the public is subject to superstition and fear, and may soon be driven out of the community unless they have already proven their worth.
Religion
Most common among the faithful Gollwyd is worship of Lledrith, as he embodies all aspects of Gollwyd culture. Some who rebel against the Gollwyd practice of Necromantic magic follow Drancedigaeth, partly out of spite of their kin, and partly to set right the balance of the afterlife, however misguided the sentiment may be.
Language
Gollwyd speak Trade Common, though they may speak as wide a variety of other languages as their keen minds allow.
Adventurers
Undead minions don't grow on trees, though they can often be found rooted in the ground. The most powerful undead companions are forged far from civilization, and the darkest magic is usually hidden in the depths of the hidden places of the world. Gollwyd adventurers go out to seek ever greater ways to further their goals, no matter what they may be. They will plant themselves within a group of other adventurers so that the seeds of their deceptions can grow strong over a longer period of time, as the undead are not the only unwitting minions that can be useful.