Pekin

A diminutive, boisterous race, who despite their small stature have strength and courage that predisposes them to lives of adventure. Hailing from sweeping savannas, the pekin are largely nomadic simply because they have trouble settling down and seeing the same horizon every day. Their homelands are still dotted with small villages, resembling campsites, where the elderly, the injured, and the more sedentary pekin remain and perform what tasks cannot be done on the road.

It is believed that the pekin were created by a cruel god in its own pathetic image, referred to as The Rat God – its true name is treated as a curse and is also difficult to pronounce. However, they were blessed by the god Lion, who dyed their fur a brilliant white, gave them their fiery manes, and put boundless strength in their bodies and spirits.

Physical Description: The best description of a pekin's size is compact – they stand erect around 3 feet, most pekin outgrowing their natural tendency to adopt a slouched, hunched posture by adolescence. Their faces are rodent-like, with large black eyes and a button nose, and their short fur a bright white. Their heads are framed by a glorious mane, which are glorious reds, oranges, and yellows, often mixed and blended to brilliant effect. While these manes will often be trimmed or styled, it is all but unthinkable for most pekin to shave their mane off. This brilliantly coloured fur also grows in tufts at some of their joints, and at the tip of their tail.

Society: Most pekin band together in tribe-like groups, although they rarely form distinct tribal identities – two tribes meeting will simply treat each other as their own kind until they part again. Though pekin are friendly, they are slow to form true bonds of companionship, but once they do are extremely loyal and supportive.

Pekin are expected to dream of being heroes, and to follow those dreams. They learn swordplay from a young age, and are told stories by their elders of great heroes of all kinds. As such there is no stigma attached to leaving the tribe or the village behind to live among other peoples, and the pekin are a great exporter of knight errants.

Relations: The pekin are respected as warriors by anyone with any kind of experience of them. They are valued as guards and as companions, as their friendly nature and oral tradition makes them pleasant and entertaining company. Certain reveniens are often wary of pekin, due to a history of military losses in their homelands. Lizardfolk get along famously with them, finding kindred spirits in their wanderlust and friendliness. Helscarra tend to be most at home amongst pekin, as their stature and friendly outlook makes them relatively comfortable.

Alignment and Religion: Pekin are good by nature, as they are taught to hope to be known as heroes. They trend more towards lawful good as knights bound by codes of honour and paladins of Lion, though chaotic pekin who take a more swashbuckling approach to heroics are still relatively common. Most Pekin at least venerate Lion as the true father of their race, with the majority explicitly worshipping him. This does not preclude them from following other gods, though, and they will dedicate themselves to another good god if it matches their ideals. A small minority of outcast pekin shave their mane, dirty their fur, and devote themselves to the Rat God in self-hatred.

Standard Racial Traits:

Ability Score Racial Traits: Pekin are strong of body and stout of heart, though tend not to be especially studied. They gain +2 Strength, +2 Charisma, and -2 Intelligence.
Size: Pekin are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a -1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
Type: Pekin are humanoids with the pekin subtype.
Base Speed (Slow Speed): Pekin have a base speed of 20 feet.
Languages: Pekin begin play speaking Common and Leoror. Figure out the rest later.

Defense Racial Traits:

Lionheart: Pekin receive a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against fear, and once per day can add their charisma bonus to a single Will save. This must be declared before the saving throw is rolled.

Feat and Skill Racial Traits:

Fierce Reputation: Pekin receive a +2 racial bonus to Intimidate check, and always treat Intimidate as a class skill.

Offense Racial Traits:

Weapon Familiarity: Pekin are proficient with gladius, rapiers, and greatswords, and treat all weapons with “pekin” in the name as a martial weapon.


Alternate Racial Traits:

Passionate Fighter: Some pekin eschew their weapon training and simply fight with their heart. Pekin with this racial trait may add a +1 racial bonus on a single attack check once per day. This must be declared before the attack is rolled. This racial trait replaces Weapon Familiarity.
Gentle Hero: Some pekin are more focused on helping the innocent than smiting the wicked, and are good at conveying that intention. Pekin with this racial trait receive a +2 racial bonus to Heal and Diplomacy checks. This racial trait replaces Fierce Reputation.
Coward: Some pekin reject Lion's gifts and embrace their races' original form. Pekin with this racial trait receive a +2 racial bonus to Reflex saving throws and a +2 racial bonus to Stealth checks. This racial trait replaces Lionheart.
Martial Dodger: Some pekin think the smarter method to approach fighting is to take advantage of their small size and learn to avoid harm. Pekin with this racial trait receive a +1 dodge bonus to their AC. This racial trait replaces Weapon Familiarity.