LlethuThe Llethu are giants, both physically and otherwise. It was they who swept out of their homeland, mere barbarians at the start, and transformed both themselves and the land of Arhosa into the glorious empire it once was. At the heads of mighty armies, the Llethu led ever-increasing massed ranks against those who would have resisted their will, and yet, unlike almost all conquerors, the Llethu truly did focus on the health and growth of the society they founded, not just for themselves, but for all the peoples of Arhosa. Such a combination of altruism and might could last only so long as those who stood at the very pinnacle of empire were beings of honour and stature, and as with all things, such rulers slowly faded away. With the armies of the Llethu no longer holding faith with the bureaucracy, the ruling elite of the Arhosan Empire devolved into factionalism and bitter in-fighting. Some subject peoples fought for freedom during the turmoil, while others simply stared, aghast, as once worthy rulers squabbled like petulant children. But whatever the reaction, the strength of the Llethu was broken, and with it the empire. Now all that remains are the ghosts of past glories.
PersonalityThe Llethu are, almost regardless of their individual predelictions, outgoing, personable, and generally at ease with those around them. They are also loyal, both to those above them and those below, although under the strain of recent events, by their reckoning, loyalty has become somewhat less common amongst their kind. That being said, they are also capable of being roused to great anger, and that fury, whether it burn hot or cold, can be channelled into strategic thought or brutal combat. Very few creatures have crossed a Llethu and lived to tell the tale.
Physical DescriptionPhysically, the Llethu are enormous, standing about 11 ½ feet tall and weighing around 1,200 pounds, most of it ropey muscle that wraps about their forms. Generally humanoid in shape, Llethu walk with a proud and upright bearing that emphasizes their height. Despite their stature, they are mostly hairless, except on their heads and faces, possessing a form that could almost be called sleek. Where Llethu do have hair, it is thick and often kept braided (especially among females) or in a single tail that hangs behind the head and down the back. Their choice of clothing is most often functional, garb suitable to their occupation and environment. Llethu mature at about 24 years of age and can live about 170 years.
RelationsDespite being the drivers of the original conquering of Arhosa, the Llethu are generally on good terms with most other races. Not all, certainly, for there were those who always chafed under Llethu rule, even when it was just and fair. Most races, however, had the wisdom to see the honesty with which the Llethu conducted their affairs, and have long since forgiven them for the trauma of the original conquest. That being said, as the Llethu have collapsed, some of their number have returned to the old ways amidst the shattered remnants of imperial glory, and begun to fight and raid once more.
ReligionThe Llethu have always shown a particular trust in Hannhangnefedd, for they believe it was the blessing of the war god that brought their people from a scattered collection of clans to the mighty force that strode at the forefront of armies and subjugated a continent. But despite their long affection for conflict and those who revel in it, the Llethu are wise enough to know that each aspect of religion is worthy of respect, and so they have treated other gods fairly, ensuring that none are neglected in their lands.
LanguageLlethu speak their own language, although most are extremely fluent in Trade Common and often equally so in a host of other languages.
AdventurersMost often, those Llethu who venture further afield do it with some long term goal in mind. Perhaps they wish to refound the empire, or find a magical artefact, or hunt for a relative, but it is highly unusual for one to venture off alone without a given purpose in mind.
Llethu Racial Traits+8 Strength, +4 Constitution, -4 Dexterity, +4 Charisma: Llethu are renowned for their great strength and diplomatic skill.
Large: As Large creatures, Llethu receive a -1 size penalty to Armor Class, a -1 size penalty on attack rolls, and a -4 size penalty on Hide checks. They must use much larger weapons than humans would, and their lifting and carrying limits are double those of a Medium character. In addition, Llethu have an increased reach of 10 feet in melee combat as described on page 132 of the Player’s Handbook.
Giant type: Llethu are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only, such as charm person or dominate person.
Llethu have darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
Llethu base land speed is 40 feet.
Natural Armor: Llethu gain a +2 natural armor bonus to AC.
Racial Hit Dice: Llethu begin play with 3 Hit Dice, giving them 3d8 hit points, a +2 Base Attack Bonus, base saves Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1, and one starting feat of choice.
Racial Skills: A Llethu’s giant-type levels give him 4 + Int modifier skill points per level (x4 at first). His class skills are Bluff, Climb, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Warcraft.
Racial Profiencies: A Llethu is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and light and medium armour.
Born Leader: Trained almost from birth to lead lesser beings, a Llethu can do so almost without thought. Whenever he uses the Warcraft skill, he can do so as a swift action instead of a standard or a move action.
Reassuring Pose: A Llethu is a powerful figure, visible above any other in the fray. All allies within 30 ft. of him gain a +2 morale bonus on saves against fear or mind-affecting effects.
Crash of Combat: Sometimes, it takes nothing more than the imposing sight of a Llethu battering through his opponents to encourage his allies. Whenever the Llethu successfully lands a critical hit, trip, bull rush, or overrun, all allies within 30 ft. immediately may either gain temporary hit points equal to the Llethu's Charisma modifier, take a 5 ft. step towards the nearest enemy, or gain a damage bonus on their next attack equal to the Llethu's Charisma modifier (if the attack misses the bonus is wasted). Each ally chooses for themself.
Favored Class: Savage or Champion (choose one at character creation).
Automatic Languages: Llethu, Trade Common. Bonus Languages: Any Arhosan.
Llethu
The Llethu are giants, both physically and otherwise, for it is their culture that became the dominant one during the heyday of the Arhosan Empire. Their rulers held sway over all the Arhosan landscape, and it was the brutal strength of their armies that enforced the peace. Only when those armies devolved into factionalism and bitter in-fighting were the others races able to challenge the might of the Llethu.
Personality
Llethu are, despite their brutal style of combat and long history of conflict, generally outgoing and quite charming to all those around them. They are also loyal allies to those who have helped them in years past, and it is their great skill in diplomacy that let them forge the Arhosan Empire.
Physical Description
Physically, the Llethu is enormous, standing about 11 ½ feet tall and weighing around 1,200 pounds. Llethus have thick hair, which is often kept braided (especially among females) or in a single tail that hangs behind the head and down the back. They dress in garb suitable to their occupation or environment. Llethu mature at about 24 years of age and can live about 170 years.
Relations
Llethu are generally on good terms with most other races. Or, at least, those they aren't currently at war or otherwise subjugating. However, with the fall of the Arhosan Empire, a great deal of pent-up resentment has flooded out upon them, and they are often the target of ridicule as a result.
Religion
The Llethu show a particular affinity for Hannhangnefedd, but spend a great deal of time in worship of the other gods as well, believing that all aspects of life are necessary to a successful empire.
Language
Llethu speak their own language, although most are extremely fluent in Trade Common and often equally so in a host of other languages.
Adventurers
Most often, those Llethu who venture further afield do it with some long term goal in mind. Perhaps they wish to refound the empire, or find a magical artefact, or hunt for a relative, but it is highly unusual for one to venture off alone without a given purpose in mind.
Llethu Racial Traits
+8 Strength, +4 Constitution, -4 Dexterity, +4 Charisma: Llethu are renowned for their great strength and diplomatic skill.
Large: As Large creatures, Llethu receive a -1 size penalty to Armor Class, a -1 size penalty on attack rolls, and a -4 size penalty on Hide checks. They must use much larger weapons than humans would, and their lifting and carrying limits are double those of a Medium character. In addition, Llethu have an increased reach of 10 feet in melee combat as described on page 132 of the Player’s Handbook.
Giant type: Llethu are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only, such as charm person or dominate person.
Llethu have darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
Llethu base land speed is 40 feet.
Natural Armor: Llethu gain a +2 natural armor bonus to AC.
Racial Hit Dice: Llethu begin play with 2 Hit Dice, giving them 2d8 hit points, a +1 Base Attack Bonus, base saves Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +0, and one starting feat of choice.
Racial Skills: A Llethu’s giant-type levels give him 4 + Int modifier skill points per level (x4 at first). His class skills are Bluff, Climb, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Sense Motive, and Spot.
Racial Profiencies: A Llethu is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and light and medium armour.
Favored Class: Savage or Champion (choose one at character creation).
Automatic Languages: Llethu, Trade Common. Bonus Languages: Any Arhosan.
Level Adjustment +2: Llethu are more powerful than the other races of Arhosa and gain levels accordingly. A Llethu is a two Hit Die monster and may be played without class levels as the equivalent of a fourth level character.