Race Preview: Nimbic

Nimbics forsake the desperation of the elves, throwing themselves instead into every task with abandon. They are quite fond of quests, romances, and combat, especially if the odds are terrible. While not truly reckless, nimbics have no patience for deliberation.

Fear has no place in a nimbic’s heart, save when others are threatened. While no more likely to be good or evil than any race, nimbics are terrified of the thought of losing those close to them. Many a nimbic has leapt to his or her own death within moments of a dear friend or lover dying, hoping to avenge the death rather than waste time mourning.

Short and wiry, nimbics stand from two and a half feet to three and a half feet tall, weighing between 50 and 80 pounds. They are almost always stunningly attractive, with strange eye and hair colors such as violet, fire red, or pure silver. A pair of short horns protruding from their foreheads and the dim glow that encircles them at all times hint at their ancestry. They prefer comfortable clothing, and usually choose to wear only light armor.

Nimbics do not need to sleep, though many choose to do so if bored or physically exhausted. They eat almost constantly, though they need consume no more in a day than would a normal human. Most strangely, they age noticeably only twice in their short lifespans: during their first year of life, when they mature to adults; and in the last months of their life, when they grow into middle and late ages before dying. Though the oldest nimbic known died at the age of ten, few of the race have the temperament to survive so long.

Nimbics form their opinions of other races solely through personal experience, though this trial and error method usually produces the same results. Deverenian companions are rare and unlikeable but trustworthy, while dwarves share some of the nimbics’ wild-eyed wonder for the world. Nimbics tend to enjoy the company of Nothrog and humans, too, as those races tend to appreciate their abilities. The patronizing attitude of many elves grates on nimbics, as no self-respecting nimbic would let another protect him without need. Netheryn elves are almost cousins, hated and loved in equal measure.

Strangely, celestials of all types view nimbics with hostility, and not even the nimbics themselves understand this malice.

Nimbics rarely have time for worship, and hardly any nimbic clerics, druids, or paladins exist. This non-religious tendency stems from the nimbics’ lifestyles rather than any deep feeling about deities, and religions that capture the occasional nimbic’s heart find a devout believer.

Nimbics speak in a startling, speedy elven tongue, and write in the same language. They have an astounding ability to learn new languages, and frequently pepper their speech with terms from other tongues.

Nimbic Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Strength, –2 Constitution. Nimbics are as quick with their hands and wit as they are with their lives, though they are frail.
• Small: As Small creatures, nimbics gain a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but they must use smaller weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters those of Medium characters.
• Nimbic base speed is 20 feet.
• Low-light vision: Nimbics can see twice as far as normal humans in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
• Nimbics have immunity to sleep spells and effects, and a +2 racial saving throw bonus against Enchantment spells or effects.
• Stout-Hearted: Nimbics are immune to fear-based effects, as well as any Intimidate check made directly against them. They are not immune to threats against those they care for.
• Short life span: Nimbics live no longer than a decade, which is not enough time to gather the wisdom typically associate with age. Nimbics do not gain ability score points as they age, nor do they accrue penalties until they reach the age of nine years and nine months, at which time they age rapidly and suffer the full effects of their advanced age.
• Nimbic Glimmer: Nimbics glow faintly, usually noticeable only in close (3 feet or less) proximity, and do not usually emit enough light to see by. In times of need, a nimbic can burn his own life force to brighten his aura. As a supernatural ability, a nimbic may radiate light as per the spell daylight at will. There is a terrible price for the use of this ability, as the nimbic burns away one point of maximum hit points for every ten full minutes he uses this ability. This ability need not be used in consecutive rounds, but it must be used for a minimum of a full round.
• Automatic Languages: Celestial, Common and Elven. Bonus Languages: Deverenian, Draconic, Kabal, and Nothrog. Nimbics have an astounding ability to learn languages.
• Favored class: Rogue.