Aumaua
Attribute Bonus: +2 Might
The aumaua are a race of large (115% human-sized) humanoids that originated and typically live and work in warm oceanic climates. Although they are not the most widely-traveled racial group in the world (that distinction belongs to Calabandran humans), they have been exploring and settling continuously for the longest period of time, over 20,000 years.
Aumaua have two widely divergent ethnicities that are geographically separated by thousands of miles, likely due to a huge migration that took place over 15,000 years ago. Aumaua are not found in large numbers in any cultures other than “their” own, and when they do integrate into non-aumaua cultures, they tend to assimilate fully. They are occasionally found in the Dyrwood, Vailian Republics, Readceras, and rarely in Aedyr. When found, they are most often in or near port cities.
Aumaua are physically distinct from other races due to their towering size, “inverted triangle” physique, odd skin and hair coloration and textures, and head shape. Aumaua natural lifespans are typically between 70 and 115 years.
Island Aumaua
Features: Higher body fat, though not “actually” fat, very wide nose bridges and widely-spaced eyes. Round or square faces. Upturned or prominent eyes with epicanthic folds. Long skulls with prominent domes. Hair does not grow on the very top of their skull. Slightly webbed hands and feet (below the second knuckle). Long arms. Tiny ears that barely protrude from the head.
Skin: Warm tones, often brown or yellow running into (fish-like) white.
Hair: Clay-red, copper, green-brown, brown, black. Wavy or kinky texture.
Eyes: Yellow, silver, blue, copper, hazel.
The most common way non-aumaua distinguish aumaua is between southern “island” aumaua and northern “coastal” aumaua. Southern aumaua are physiologically similar in many ways, but have coloration that is starkly different from their northern kin. As their nickname suggests, island aumaua originate in a huge archipelago a thousand miles south of the Vailian Republics.
The island aumaua “native” culture’s dominant look is a blend of Polynesian and Japanese, with technology approaching that of 15th century Japan. Metal is used in small quantities, with wood, sharkskin leather (shagreen), abalone shell, and cloth being used extensively.
Though still uncommon in the Dyrwood and surrounding environments, island aumaua are more commonly encountered here than coastal aumaua, who are quite rare. When encountered around the Dyrwood, they are often laborers, fishermen, or sailors.
Racial Ability
Armed to the Teeth
Effects: All island aumaua gain an additional Weapon Set.
Coastal Aumaua
Features: Very wide nose bridges and widely-spaced eyes. Rectangular or square faces. Narrow, almond, or round eyes. Long skulls with prominent domes. Slightly webbed hands and feet (below the second knuckle). Long arms. Tiny ears that barely protrude from the head.
Skin: Cool tones, often blues, grays, or greens running into (fish-like) white.
Hair: Silver, blonde, strawberry red, brown. Straight or wavy texture.
Eyes: Yellow, silver, blue, gold, green, brown.
Dwelling primarily in the northern hemisphere, so-called “coastal” aumaua live in a conquered mainland region, mostly along the coast. Coastal aumaua cultures are more centralized and urban than their southern cultures, though they are still involved in seafaring.
While it isn’t accurate to think of island aumaua as peaceful and coastal aumaua as warlike, that is exactly how many people in the Dyrwood view them. The reason for this is connected to the ancient campaign of war in which aumaua pushed Thyrtan, Natlan, and orlan communities out of a number of territories. Because this successive series of wars allowed the aumaua to re-settle the northern lands, it is vaguely recollected in many peoples’ minds.
Coastal aumaua are more common in Aedyr than in the Dyrwood or surrounding areas, but when they are encountered, they are often mercenaries, bodyguards, or soldiers.
Racial Ability
Towering Physique
Effects: Self: +20 Defense against Stunned, +20 Defense against Prone
Costal aumaua are renowned for their natural “sea legs” and sturdy builds. Whether it’s due to their long history of seafaring or something that has been innate within them for generations, all coastal aumaua have an inherent resistance to being Stunned or knocked Prone.