GathlainsSource Ultimate Wilderness pg. 9, Inner Sea Races pg. 243, Bestiary 4 pg. 122 Monster Entry Link According to some fey ballads, gathlains were one of the first peoples awakened in the First World, the primal realm of the fey. Gathlains grow from the seeds of an enormous magical tree—seeds that often drift for hundreds of miles before developing into adolescent gathlains, with the tree’s mistletoe grown into their flesh to form their strange wings. Despite being born with a basic understanding of their world, gathlains are inquisitive to a fault. They are known to be invaluable guides and knowledgeable explorers, if one can put up with their numerous questions and strange japes.
Physical Description: Wings of wood and vines grow out of the bodies of these lithesome fey. Gathlains prefer to wear a mix of clothing, with a base of natural materials like grass skirts or simply woven tunics combined with bits of finery gathered from a variety of sources.
Society: Gathlain society is built around art, discovery, experimentation, and storytelling. These fey constantly seek new ways to look at the world. Gathlain leaders are often popular explorers followed primarily as idols worth emulating and as sources of intriguing gossip. Although gathlains tend to engage in raucous romances born of melodramatic or fanciful encounters, they do not procreate conventionally from such pairings, even when the two happen to be of different physical sexes. Gathlains show little interest in gender, finding it quaint when other races use it as a basis for assigning roles or choosing partners.
Relations: Gathlains associate with a variety of other fey as freely as among their own kind. These mixed communities of fey are called courts and feature elaborate titles for those members deemed most interesting or most worthy of admiration. When a gathlain chooses to join a different community, it is generally a temporary membership, whether it lasts only a season or persists for decades. Adventuring gathlains frequently seek out and attempt to mingle with like-minded gnomes; however, gnomes often find gathlains too flighty, foolish, and undisciplined for their tastes.
Alignment and Religion: Mischievous and capricious, gathlains have discordant temperaments. Most are chaotic, and they tend to be morally neutral. The typical gathlain finds mortal religions strange; like many fey, they trade respect and token offerings to godlike fey in exchange for protection, but they see little difference between that and offerings to lesser kings and queens.
Adventurers: Gathlains strive to entertain themselves and sate their immense curiosity about the world around them, and those who decide to become adventurers often migrate to the Material Plane to explore. Those who remain in the First World seek the strangest parts of their home plane and try to learn about its most unusual inhabitants. They favor spellcasting classes and skilled classes such as bard or rogue.
Names: Gathlains lack gender-specific names, but instead attempt to create unique names for each individual. Some examples are Agollia, Armath, Arnonwy, Brazial, Dwynnen, Eirgara, Finnath, Gummow, Inirha, Marcanth, Nirialu, Sollowy, Tiltiu, and Urhiod.Gathlain Racial Traits+2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Constitution: Gathlains are quick, with dynamic and engaging personalities, but are rather fragile. Fey: Gathlain are fey. Small: Gathlains are Small and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty on combat maneuver checks and to CMD, a +2 bonus on Fly checks, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks. Normal Speed: Gathlains have a base speed of 30 feet and a fly speed of 40 feet (poor maneuverability). Low-Light Vision: Gathlains can see twice as far as humans in dim light. Natural Armor: Gathlains have a +1 natural armor bonus. Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—entangle, feather step (caster level equals the gathlain’s character level). Languages: Gathlains speak Common and Sylvan. A gathlain with a high Intelligence score can choose from the following languages: Draconic, Elven, Goblin, Halfling, and Orc.Gathlain Alternate Racial TraitsReplaces Feather Step Spell-Like Ability Titled Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Certain gathlains play at the games of courtly intrigue that dominate much of First World culture, assuming titles that other fey may or may not recognize. These gathlains treat Bluff, Diplomacy, and Knowledge (nobility) as class skills.
This replaces the feather step spell-like ability.
Replaces Base Speed Symbiotic Imbalance Source Legacy of the First World pg. 8 Occasionally the conditions for a gathlain seed’s growth heavily favor the plant portion of its body, causing more nutrients to go to the building of its vine wings and fewer to developing the gathlain’s legs. These gathlains have larger wings than normal. They have a base speed of 20 feet and a fly speed of 40 feet (average). This racial trait alters the gathlain’s speeds.
Replaces Constitution Penalty, Speed Tree-Born Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Some gathlains take after their tree ancestors, standing more firmly but moving more slowly. They have no Constitution penalty but have a base speed of 20 feet and a fly speed of 30 feet (clumsy maneuverability).
This replaces the penalty to Constitution and alters speed.
Replaces Low-Light Vision Photosynthetic Vision Source Legacy of the First World pg. 8 Occasionally the tendrils of a gathlain’s symbiotic vines wrap around the gathlain’s face like a leafy mask. The vines supplement the gathlain’s vision with photosynthetic receptors. Gathlains with this racial trait gain a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks. Photosynthetic vision replaces low-light vision.
Replaces Natural Armor Bower Born Source Legacy of the First World pg. 8 Some gathlain seeds find their way to the Hanging Bower, the realm of the alluring Eldest known as the Green Mother. Gathlains grown in the Hanging Bower sprout beautiful but delicate hibiscus flowers on their vines and emit a seductive pheromone. Gathlains with this trait gain a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Handle Animal checks. This racial trait replaces natural armor.
Flighty Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Some gathlains are too easily distracted to miss anything going on around them. They gain Perception as a class skill and gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against patterns and effects that cause the fascinated condition.
This replaces natural armor.
Honey Whisperer Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Some gathlains keep bees of all sizes, collecting their honey and sometimes even riding the largest of them. They can use Handle Animal and wild empathy to influence vermin as if they were animals with an Intelligence score of 1.
This replaces natural armor.
Soaring Agility Source Wilderness Origins pg. 10 A gathlain whose seed spends a long time drifting through the air before coming to rest grows with a natural aerial agility. Gathlains with this racial trait gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks originating from at least 20 feet below the gathlain.
This replaces natural armor.
Replaces Natural Armor, Spell-Like AbilityNatural Bounty Source Wilderness Origins pg. 10 Some gathlains command natural plants in a different way, with their control increasing as they grow more powerful. Once per day, a gathlain with this racial trait can cast goodberry as a spell-like ability. When the gathlain’s character level reaches 9th, he can cast plant growth (overgrowth only) as a spell-like ability once per day, and at 13th level, he can cast heroes’ feast as a spell-like ability once per day. The gathlain’s caster level for these abilities is equal to his character level.
This replaces the natural armor and spell-like abilities racial traits.
Replaces Racial Fly SpeedArboreal Vitality Source Wilderness Origins pg. 10 Some gathlains draw exceptional nourishment from any kind of tree through their wings, although their wings are much more delicate. A gathlain with this racial trait has a fly speed of only 20 feet (poor maneuverability) but gains fast healing 2 for 1 round whenever he is adjacent to a living tree larger than he is. The gathlain can heal up to 2 hit points per level per day with this ability, after which it ceases to function.
This modifies the gathlain’s fly speed.
Sticky Tendrils Source Legacy of the First World pg. 8 When a gathlain seed finds itself taking root in an environment that warps and changes erratically, the resulting gathlain learns to cling tenaciously with its vines. The gathlain can cling to walls and even ceilings as long as the surface has handholds, and it is treated as being constantly under the effects of a nonmagical spider climb spell (except that the gathlain may not cling to smooth surfaces). The gathlain’s vines provide only the ability to glide rather than true flight; the gathlain takes no damage from falling, as if subject to a constant nonmagical feather fall spell. While in midair, a gathlain can move up to 5 feet horizontally for every 1 foot it falls, at a speed of 60 feet per round. The gathlain cannot gain height with its wings, but instead coasts in other directions as it falls. If subjected to strong winds or any other effect that causes it to rise, the gathlain can take advantage of this updraft to increase the distance it can glide. This racial trait replaces the gathlain’s fly speed.
Replaces Spell-Like Abilities Body Thorns Source Legacy of the First World pg. 8 Gathlains that mature in particularly hostile environments develop thorns on their vines to protect them from overeager herbivores. A gathlain with this racial trait is considered to be wearing masterwork armor spikes when not wearing armor or bulky clothing, and it is proficient with armor spikes. These thorns can be sundered or destroyed as if they were a worn object (hardness 1, 5 hp), but grow back 1 week later. This racial trait replaces the spell-like abilities racial trait.
Fey Resilience Source Wilderness Origins pg. 10 Even gathlains who leave the First World can retain a bit of the supernatural resilience shared by many fey. A gathlain with this racial trait gains DR 1/cold iron. This DR increases by 1 for every 5 HD the gathlain has.
This replaces the spell-like abilities racial trait.
Intense Curiosity Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Some gathlains habitually fixate on someone or something nearby and examine its every detail. When taking 20 on the check, they gain a +4 racial bonus on Perception and Survival checks to find and follow tracks and to predict the weather.
This replaces spell-like abilities.
Nimbus of Vitality Source Inner Sea Races pg. 215 Gathlains sometimes retain a powerful connection to the First World, which allows them to channel life-giving energy. As a standard action once per day, they can surround themselves in an aura that affects them as faerie fire and grants fast healing 2. The nimbus lasts for 3 rounds plus 1 additional round per 2 character levels the gathlain possesses. This racial trait replaces the spell-like ability racial trait.
Otherworldly Gossip Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 Many gathlains excitedly share every last bit of gossip they can find. These gathlains gain a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy checks to gather information and on checks with one Knowledge skill of the gathlain’s choice. Once the choice of Knowledge skill is made, it can’t be changed.
This replaces spell-like abilities.
Tree Dialect Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10 A rare few gathlains are born with the knowledge of an ancient way of speech that allows them to communicate with trees. Once per day, they can cast speak with plants (trees only) as a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to the gathlain’s character level.
This replaces spell-like abilities.
Whimsical Outlook Source Wilderness Origins pg. 10 Some gathlains can use their unusual mentality as a defense against efforts to control their minds. Once per day when a gathlain with this trait attempts a Will saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and use the better result. He must decide to use this ability before attempting the saving throw.
This replaces the spell-like abilities racial trait.
Gathlain Favored Class OptionsInstead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, Gathlains have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored class.
The following options are available to all Gathlains who have the listed favored class.
Alchemist (Legacy of the First World pg. 8): Add 10 minutes to the duration of the alchemist’s mutagens. Barbarian (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add 1/4 to the barbarian’s damage reduction. If the barbarian would not otherwise have damage reduction, this damage reduction can be bypassed by cold iron. Bard (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10, Legacy of the First World pg. 8): Add one spell from the druid spell list to the bard’s spell list and known spells. This spell must be at least 1 level lower than the highest-level spell the bard can cast. Bloodrager (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add 1 additional round of bloodrage per day. Cavalier (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add a +1/2 bonus to the cavalier’s Knowledge (nature) and Knowledge (nobility) checks relating to fey courts and fey courtiers. Druid (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add a +1/2 bonus to wild empathy checks. Hunter (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): The hunter’s animal companion gains DR 1/cold iron. Each time the hunter gains another level, this DR increases by 1/3 (maximum DR 5/cold iron). If the hunter replaces this animal companion, the new companion gains this damage reduction. Investigator (Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Add a +1/3 bonus on inspiration rolls applied to Bluff and Knowledge checks. Kineticist (Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Increase the amount of burn cost reduction when using the kineticist’s gather power ability by 1/6 point (the minimum burn cost of 0 still applies). Mesmerist (Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Increase the number of mesmerist tricks the mesmerist can use per day by one-third. Oracle (Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Add one spell known that is an enchantment spell from the sorcerer/wizard spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the oracle can cast. That spell is treated as one level higher unless it is also on the oracle spell list. Ranger (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add 1/4 to the damage dealt by the ranger’s animal companion’s natural attacks. Rogue (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10, Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Add a +1/2 bonus to Bluff checks to pass secret messages or create a distraction to hide and on Sleight of Hands checks to pickpocket. Shaman (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add one spell from the druid spell list to the shaman’s spell list. This spell must be at least 1 level lower than the highest-level spell the shaman can cast. Shifter (Wilderness Origins pg. 8): Add a +1 bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks relating to plants and flying animals. Skald (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add a +1/2 bonus to Acrobatics checks to avoid attacks of opportunity and to Perform checks while performing a raging song. Sorcerer (Legacy of the First World pg. 9): Choose a bloodline power from the fey or verdantAPG bloodlines that the sorcerer can use. The sorcerer treats her class level as though it were 1/2 higher (to a maximum of +4) when determining the effects of that power. Summoner (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add 1/4 evolution point to the eidolon’s evolution pool. These bonus evolution points must be spent on evolutions that grant spell-like abilities or protect the eidolon from spells. Witch (Ultimate Wilderness pg. 10): Add one spell from the druid spell list to the witch’s familiar. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the witch can cast. If the familiar is ever replaced, the new familiar knows these bonus spells.
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