Questauuans
2344 Words
# THE QUESTAUIANS: ANCIENT STAR CHILDREN
*"Before the mountain grew from earth, before the seas were filled, the Star Children walked the silent world."*
## ORIGINS & COSMIC SIGNIFICANCE
The magnificent Questauians are widely believed to be the most ancient of all sentient beings in the known world, their existence gloriously predating even the formation of mighty Mythril Mountain itself. According to their own sacred oral traditions, passed down through countless generations, they descended from the very stars in the First Age when the cosmic boundaries between realms were still forming like morning mist upon a lake.
The five-pointed star serves as their most sacred symbol, representing the five magnificent fundamental forces they believe govern the infinite universe: Light that illuminates all possibilities, Shadow that defines through contrast, Form that gives shape to thought, Void that allows for movement, and Essence that binds all together. Unlike other races who align exclusively with either the White Star or Black Star paths, the Questauians recognize both as mere fragments of a far greater, more spectacular cosmic pattern that spans dimensions beyond mortal comprehension.
Often reverently called "The Ones Who Live Under the Hills" by common folk who glimpse their passing, Questauians have long established their hidden, wondrous sanctuaries beneath ancient hillsides and verdant mounds. These spectacular subterranean dwellings connect to vast networks of natural caverns they have carefully, lovingly expanded over centuries without disturbing the sacred land above. The entrances to these magnificent hill-homes are typically concealed by extraordinarily clever natural camouflage, revealing themselves only to those who know precisely where to look or to those fortunate souls the Questauians wish to welcome into their realm.
## PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Questauians possess a truly remarkable diversity of physical forms while maintaining certain unifying traits that mark their stellar heritage. All share a graceful, deliberately measured quality of movement that makes even their simplest actions appear almost ritualistic and profound—as if each gesture carries cosmic significance.
### Common Physical Traits
- **Eyes**: Large, gloriously luminous eyes with multiple specialized eyelids that change color based on function (perception mode, emotional state, or response to environmental conditions)
- **Mouth**: Small, delicately slit-like mouths perfectly designed for their primarily vegetarian diet of fruits, nuts, and crystalline formations
- **Breathing**: One specialized nasal orifice that can filter various atmospheres, allowing them to survive in environments that would prove toxic to other races
- **Movement**: Slow, deliberate, and precisely beautiful movements that appear almost meditative, each step placed with conscious intention
- **Digits**: Three to five wonderfully slender, highly articulated fingers capable of extremely fine manipulation far beyond the dexterity of other races
- **Height**: Varies magnificently by subtype, but generally 5'6" to 7' tall, standing with perfect posture
- **Weight**: Surprisingly, almost magically light for their size due to hollow bone structures (130-220 lbs)
- **Lifespan**: Exceptionally, gloriously long-lived (300-500 years), allowing them to witness the rise and fall of human kingdoms as humans might watch seasonal changes
### The Three Primary Subtypes
#### 1. **Stellar Questauians** (Sky Walkers)
- **Appearance**: Tall, magnificently slender bodies with graceful, elongated necks reminiscent of the noblest deer or most elegant horses
- **Limbs**: Two spectacular long legs ending in one to three-toed hooves that leave no mark upon soft ground, two arms with five-fingered hands capable of incredible precision
- **Special Features**: Small, breathtaking vestigial wings attached to shoulders that glow with inner starlight during magical casting
- **Colors**: Predominantly glorious pale blues, shimmering silvers, and pristine whites that catch and reflect light in mesmerizing patterns
- **Temperament**: Contemplative, scholarly, often serving as astronomers and prophets whose predictions span centuries
#### 2. **Druid Questauians** (Earth Tenders)
- **Appearance**: Lower body magnificently resembles a millipede with six short, perfectly balanced stubby legs
- **Limbs**: Four strong, wondrous arms with highly articulated five-fingered hands capable of working on multiple tasks simultaneously
- **Special Features**: Natural camouflage ability, their skin can subtly shift to match surroundings with breathtaking precision
- **Colors**: Earthy greens, rich browns, and occasional amber highlights that seem to capture sunlight within their flesh
- **Temperament**: Patient, nurturing, typically serving as caretakers of ancient groves and healers whose remedies combine physical and spiritual cures
#### 3. **Mystic Questauians** (Void Speakers)
- **Appearance**: Spectacular dinosaur-like features with elegantly elongated necks and refined facial structures of otherworldly beauty
- **Limbs**: Four slender, perfectly balanced legs and two arms with four-fingered hands whose touch can sense magical energies
- **Special Features**: Breathtaking bioluminescent patterns that activate during trance states or magical workings, forming complex symbols
- **Colors**: Deep, mysterious purples, unfathomable indigos, and occasional gold highlights that emerge during moments of insight
- **Temperament**: Enigmatic, introspective, often serving as seers and dimensional travelers who perceive paths between worlds
## SOCIETY & CULTURE
### Social Structure
Questauian society is organized around magnificent "Stellar Circles" - communities formed not by mere blood relation but by shared cosmic purpose recognized through meditation and star-reading. Each Circle typically consists of 5-25 individuals who have recognized complementary life paths that together form a complete cosmic pattern.
Leadership within Questauian communities is based on wisdom rather than mundane power or simple age. The most insightful member of each Circle serves as the "Focal Point," though decisions are made through contemplative consensus rather than decree, sometimes requiring days of silent meditation before all members sense the proper path forward.
### Settlements
Questauian settlements are gloriously rare and typically hidden from other races behind veils of illusion or natural camouflage. Known as "Constellations," these communities are designed in spectacular geometric patterns that precisely reflect stellar formations. Buildings are often constructed of living materials (lovingly shaped trees, carefully cultivated crystal formations) rather than carved or assembled materials, creating dwellings that continue to grow and evolve over centuries.
Most known Questauian settlements are located in remote areas where cosmic energies gloriously converge - majestic mountain peaks, deep forest sanctuaries untouched by other races, or isolated coastal promontories where they can observe the stars unimpeded by artificial light or distraction.
### Language & Communication
The Questauian language (Astralogue) magnificently combines verbal sounds with subtle body movements and eye-color shifts in a symphony of communication. This makes it nearly impossible for other races to fully master, though some dedicated scholars have achieved basic proficiency after decades of study. They communicate with other species using a simplified form called "Common Astralogue" that omits many of the nuances only perceptible to their kind.
Questauians can also communicate through a form of limited but profound telepathy with those they trust deeply, though this ability requires physical contact and mutual consent, creating a bond that both parties remember for the remainder of their lives.
### Religion & Philosophy
Questauians practice what they call "The Witnessing" - a non-interventionist philosophy that emphasizes observing cosmic patterns rather than directly manipulating them. They believe their primary purpose in the world is to record and preserve knowledge of the greater cosmic cycles that span millennia, serving as the living memory of a world where other races live such tragically brief lives.
They acknowledge both the White Star and Black Star traditions as valid but incomplete understandings of universal truth, like children grasping at fragments of a map too large for them to fully comprehend. Many Questauians serve as neutral mediators between these opposing forces, helping to maintain the cosmic balance that sustains all life.
## RELATIONSHIP WITH MYTHRIL
Questauians possess a unique, profound relationship with mythril unlike any other race. Where others merely mine and forge it as a material, Questauians can sense the metal's latent consciousness—its dreams, memories, and aspirations. They believe mythril is not merely a material but a form of cosmic energy made gloriously solid - fragments of fallen stars that descended to the world in the earliest ages.
Some particularly gifted Questauians can communicate with mythril through a meditative practice called "Star Listening." This allows them to shape the metal without heat or tools, guiding it to assume forms through gentle persuasion rather than force, though this process is extremely slow and energy-intensive, sometimes requiring years to complete a single artifact of great significance.
The Mother Brain beneath Mythril Mountain is believed by some Questauians to be an ancient, transcended entity of their own kind who merged with the mountain in the distant past to serve as guardian of cosmic knowledge too dangerous for younger races to access directly.
## GAME MECHANICS
### Ability Adjustments
- +2 Wisdom (reflecting their profound cosmic understanding)
- +1 Dexterity (representing their precise, deliberate movements)
- -1 Constitution (their delicate, lightweight physiology)
- -1 Strength (prioritizing mental over physical development)
### Special Abilities
- **Astral Sight**: Can see magical and cosmic energies with spectacular clarity (detect magic at will, 3 times per day)
- **Ancient Knowledge**: +2 bonus on knowledge checks related to history, the cosmos, or planar entities, drawing on racial memories
- **Deliberate Movement**: -10 feet movement speed, but +2 bonus on Dexterity checks requiring fine manipulation
- **Multiple Vision Modes**: Can gloriously switch between normal vision, darkvision, and aura vision (1 minute per day)
- **Long Memory**: Can perfectly recall any event they have personally witnessed, regardless of how much time has passed
### Subtype Abilities
- **Stellar Questauians**: Can cast Light at will and Levitate once per day with graceful control
- **Druid Questauians**: Can cast Speak with Plants at will and Pass Without Trace once per day with perfect harmony
- **Mystic Questauians**: Can cast Detect Thoughts at will and Augury once per day with uncanny accuracy
### Class Limitations and Affinities
Questauians have unusual class relationships and level limits reflecting their cosmic nature:
- May advance as White Star Sorcerers to 15th level (natural affinity for harmony)
- May advance as Black Star Sorcerers to 15th level (natural affinity for knowledge)
- May advance as specialized "Cosmic Observers" (unique class) to unlimited level
- May advance as Druids to 12th level (natural affinity for life energies)
- May advance as Clerics to 12th level (natural affinity for spiritual matters)
- May advance as Bards to 10th level (natural affinity for recording history)
- Limited to 6th level as Warriors due to physical frailty and aversion to violence
- Cannot be Rogues (their movements are too deliberate for stealth and subterfuge)
Questauians most commonly serve as sorcerers, druids, clerics, bards, advisors, and ambassadors throughout the realms. Their patient nature, cosmic understanding, and deliberate, thoughtful mannerisms make them exceptionally well-suited for diplomatic roles and positions requiring deep wisdom and long-term perspective. Many royal courts and councils eagerly seek Questauian advisors for their unparalleled long-term thinking and perfectly balanced judgment, though such service is given sparingly and only to worthy rulers.
### Alignment and Spiritual Balance
All Questauians are gloriously Chaotic Good in alignment. Despite their deliberate movements and thoughtful demeanor, Questauians fundamentally believe in the freedom of all beings to pursue their own paths and the importance of benevolence toward others. They reject rigid structures and dogma, believing cosmic truth cannot be contained within strict rules or hierarchies, but must be experienced directly.
Their Chaotic Good nature manifests as a gentle rebelliousness rather than overt disorder - they quietly subvert oppressive systems while nurturing freedom and compassion wherever they travel, often through subtle guidance rather than direct action.
On the Three Times Back spiritual balance scale, Questauians begin with a positive position reflecting their inherently benevolent nature. However, they accumulate both positive and negative balance more slowly than other races, representing their detached cosmic perspective that sees beyond immediate consequences to the greater patterns of existence.
## PLAYING A QUESTAUIAN CHARACTER
### Roleplaying Suggestions
- Move deliberately and speak thoughtfully, measuring words before uttering them as if each carries cosmic weight
- Describe subtle eye color changes to indicate emotional states—violet for curiosity, blue for contemplation, gold for excitement
- Approach problems from unexpected angles, focusing on observation before action, seeking patterns others might miss
- Express curiosity about cosmic patterns and cycles in everyday events, finding meaning in coincidences
- Maintain an air of gentle detachment without seeming aloof, like a loving parent watching children play
### Relations with Other Races
- **Humans**: Regard them with fascination for their adaptability and short-lived passion, like brilliant comets that burn brightly but briefly
- **Elves**: Share mutual respect for knowledge and long-term thinking, though find their racial pride somewhat limiting
- **Dwarves**: Appreciate their magnificent craftsmanship but express concern over aggressive mythril mining that disrupts the metal's own wishes
- **Quabbits**: Find them delightfully chaotic but sometimes exhausting, like trying to study a storm while standing in it
- **Purebred Orcs**: View them with compassionate curiosity as artificial beings seeking purpose, perhaps seeing in them reflections of their own cosmic journey
### Adventure Hooks
- Searching for fragments of a fallen star believed to contain ancestral knowledge crucial to understanding a coming cosmic shift
- Documenting a rare cosmic conjunction that occurs only once every 700 years and dramatically affects magical energies
- Mediating a potentially catastrophic conflict between White Star and Black Star factions that threatens cosmic balance
- Investigating disturbing disturbances in the natural flow of mythril beneath the mountain that whispers of ancient dangers
- Seeking other Questauians who have wandered too far into dangerous realms while pursuing visions of cosmic significance
## QUESTAUIAN NAMING CONVENTIONS
Questauian names typically consist of three magnificent parts: a personal identifier, a cosmic aspect, and a Circle designation, creating names that serve as both identity and purpose.
**Personal Identifiers** (examples):
- Aeo, Lyra, Seren, Cassi, Rigel, Vega, Nova, Orbit, Zenit, Nadir
**Cosmic Aspects** (examples):
- Starshaper, Voidwalker, Lightbearer, Pathtender, Dreamweaver, Cyclewatcher
**Circle Designations** (examples):
- of the Azure Spiral, of the Five Harmonies, of the Northern Crown, of the Veiled Nebula
**Example Full Names**:
- Aeo Starshaper of the Azure Spiral
- Lyra Voidwalker of the Five Harmonies
- Seren Pathtender of the Northern Crown
When a Questauian undertakes a significant new cosmic purpose, they may adopt a new cosmic aspect to reflect this change, though their personal identifier and Circle designation typically remain constant throughout their long, wondrous lives.
- Writer
