Apsarava

Long ago, the Apsarava were created by Deniss the Beautiful as a dark mockery of the Vidari. They are said to have been cast from her blood. They are sensual, clever, and persuasive.

Physiology

Apsarava are usually the same build as Men, but they have violet or blue skin, and with dark black or purple hair. They have slightly pointed ears, and their eyes come in shades of purple and amber. Apsarava begin maturing around age 30 and are considered adults by age 60. They live for many human lifetimes, often hundreds of years.

Appearance

Apsarava are often found wearing blacks and grays, favoring cloaks and robes of silky materials. Adventurers and soldiers are known to favor lighter armor. Many Apsarava wear jewelry made of dark stones like amethyst or onyx. Apsarava are proud of their appearance and tend to keep healthy and adorn themselves with fine clothes and jewelry.

Personality

Apsarava are very clever and stealthy. The immortal Deniss holds dominion over lust and betrayal, and so true to their maker, Apsarava tend to seek out pleasure and lack trustworthiness. Being creatures of passion, Apsarava can be rash, judgmental, vengeful, and quick to anger, but they can also be quick to forgive and frequently give in to their desires. They possess a glib tongue and many dabble in Charms and Illusions. They seek out the pleasures that life has to offer, but most Apsarava look down on addiction to specific vices.

Habitat

Since Apsarava have no established countries, they typically live among other races who would tolerate their company. They can be found in most countries except the domain of the Evengar. Some Apsarava hot spots are Zirien, the Cerryn Islands, and Helvaras.

Society

Apsarava in the present age have no land to call home. They often take up lives as swords-for-hire, minstrels, and prostitutes. Occasionally, Apsarava may set up a secluded village, but keep quiet. Legends tell of once-great Apsarava kingdoms, but none stand to this day.

Going hand-in-hand with their pursuit of the pleasures in life, Apsarava delight in seasoned and flavorful food. They enjoy dishes with hot spices or zesty herbs, which are often way too powerful for others.

Apsarava rarely marry given their nature and that most have a lack of permanent residence. When they do, it is usually with another race, for it is rare to find two Apsarava capable of deep, committed love. Apsarava can procreate with each other and with Men, but a fair number of Apsarava children grow up without knowing their father a few of these take to an early life on the streets. In instances when Apsarava live in groups (rarely as families), deaths are most often observed with a funeral pyre.

Language

Apsaravan is rarely spoken today. It is written in its own alphabet, which is a cursive script. The spoken language is smooth and soft. Only very old books and places would have text written in the Apsaravan language.

Relations

Apsarava make great traveling companions, but they're sometimes mislabeled as hedonistic. Relationships with Evengar are usually out of the question — the Apsarava see the Evengar as rigid, hateful, and arrogant, and the Evengar view the Apsarava as immoral lechers without honor — but in some circumstances friendships have come to take root between the two. Apsarava can get along very well with Men or Vidari. Firnoy won't play cards with Apsarava because they're just too darn good at Bluffing.

Occupations

According to legend, Deniss created the lustful Apsarava as a mockery of the loving Vidari. In line with this, Apsarava make excellent escorts, courtesans, and minstrels. An Apsarava's keen mind and stealthiness would make him a perfect assassin, spy, scout, or ranger. In fact, many Apsarava fill the ranks of the Band of the Fox and the Shadow Talons.

In their free time, Apsarava might dabble as a sorcerer or mercenary.

Motivations

Motivations for an Apsarava could include something lofty and grand (defeating an Evengar army, finding ancient magic in the Castle Shyvyr) or simple (finding acceptance, locating your lost father).

Max Caps

• Muscle 8
• Cunning 12
• Persuasion 12
• Self-Control 8

Powers

• Born to Shag. If the Vidari were created by the goddess of love, surely the Apsarava were created as a mockery by the goddess of lust. Resultantly, they receive a +3 to Seduce checks to entice their quarry.
• Apsarava Cunning. Apsarava have better vision and hearing than Men, receiving a +2 to Perception checks. Their range for these senses is twice that of Men and can see clearly even in complete darkness.
• Through Their Teeth. Apsarava possess an extraordinary ability to fib convincingly, receiving a +2 to Bluff checks.
• Veil of Shadow. If you can count on anybody to win Hide and Seek, it's an Apsarava, for they gain a +2 to Stealth checks.