Evengar

Legend holds that the Evengar were hewn from mountain stone by Krendar the Defender. Utilizing their innate connection with earth and rock, they carved out two massive city-states from under and above the mountains, Thoindyn and Disdarban, which remain to this day. Like the stone from which they were made, Evengar are stubborn, resolute, persistent, and steadfast.

Physiology

The Evengar are marked by stout bodies and tough skin which they tout as being leftovers from their beginnings as solid rock. Their hands and feet resemble the paws of burrowing mammals, with leathery pads, and tough claws. Evengar are in general shorter than humans, but on average appear around 4′ to 5&prime, and are naturally muscular, weighing in around 150 to 200 pounds. Most famously, Evengar are hairier than the other races and always sport a large beard (even women are able to grow a beard, but many customarily keep it shaved). Evengar keep their long beards and hair well-groomed and styled, usually with braids and fancy carved clasps. Their hair is course like fur, and is usually black, brown, or red. Their eyes are typically small and colored brown. Evengar begin maturing around 20 years of age and are considered adults by the time they reach 30. They live for several human lifetimes, often hundreds of years.

Appearance

Evengar are typically found wearing tunics made of leather or sturdy cloth. Women sometimes wear dresses. Adventurers are found in chain mail or heavy armor under a vestment. Evengar will adorn themselves with bracelets, rings, amulets, and earrings crafted of the fine rocks and metals that they mine. They don't wear shoes as their feet are tough enough to withstand the most rugged terrain.

Personality

As mentioned above, Evengar are stubborn and resolute, but also loyal and persistent. They are famously known as a warrior race, concerned with bravery, honor, and glory in battle. Evengar value friendships and family, but are cautious and suspicious around strangers. They can be quick to anger and slow to forgiveness. Evengar are boastful and proud, but rarely lie, and all Evengar can point out another's good points along with the bad. Evengar are not often scholarly or headsmart, but they are often very wise and insightful.

Habitat

There are two massive subterranean Evengar city-states, Disdarban and Thoindyn. Many Evengar make their homes here amongst the ancient halls of stone. Other Evengar take up residence on the surface in well-crafted homes in the mountains or hills. Few Evengar live among humans, but it happens occasionally.

Evengar homes are usually entirely carved out of rock and earth. Those on the surface are usually built into the side of a cliff or amongst a group of boulders. Humans describe surface Evengar homes as well-made but uncomfortable and yet they regard the Evengar homeland as awe inspiring and majestic.

Society

Evengar are excellent craftsmen and miners, and many belong to a working or merchant class. The eldest of their race earn seats on the Council of Stone: the advisors to the king and a legislature with limited powers. Ultimately, Evengar are led by the Evengar King, currently Khimzal the Brave, who takes up residence in Disdarban. Evengar maintain a deep-rooted code of honor and deal out harsh criminal punishment to those who sully their family name with dishonor. Evengar, given their preferred habitat of on top of the mountains or under them, do not usually perform much farming. Instead, they are known to relish the cheese and meat of mountain goats, as well as things they can grow in the ground: potatoes, carrots, radishes, and the like. The Evengar are excellent brewers and distillers, renowned for their tasty ales and spirits.

The Evengar celebrate births by presenting the child at a feast held in a massive stone hall. They regard the coming of a child as something the immortals have mined from eternity. Evengar mate for life and have a strong sense of familial loyalty. They celebrate marriages with gifts to the happy couple in the form of weapons, jewelry, and other things their friends and family have crafted by hand. Evengar see death as a natural occurrence, and embrace it with reverence as a chance to reunite with the stone from which they came. Evengar funerals are respectful occasions where the deceased is entombed in a family crypt of stone.

Relations

Evengar get along well with Men and relate to the Firnoy's enjoyment of good food and drink. Evengar mostly see Vidari as flighty and fragile. They regard the Apsarava as vulgar and without inhibition.

Motivations

Evengar make great bodyguards, warriors, or even earth magicians. Excellent motivations for a Evengar would include creating a magnum opus (their life's work), studying under a great smith or jeweler, finding distant family, or simply protecting the ones closest to them.

Max Caps

• Endurance 12
• Agility 8
• Intellect 8
• Courage 12

Powers

• Tunnel Vision. Evengar have developed sight in pitch darkness after generations of mining underground. They can see perfectly normal even in the absence of light.
• Well Grounded. Evengar have a connection to the earth — literally. Due to their build and distribution of weight, any Evengar can add +4 to any roll that opposes a trip, shove, or attempt to unbalance them.
• Landscapers. The Evengar have clawed hands useful for digging: they receive a +1 on Smash checks to dig with their bare hands. They also can use these claws as a weapon, and add +1 to the usual Hand-to-hand damage.
• Crafty. When Evengar feel their creative itch, and they sit down to create an object (be it a weapon, a piece of jewelry, or something similar), they receive a +2 bonus on the Lore check. This does not apply to fixes or repairs, only new creations.
• Dungeon Delvers. It's a piece of cake for a Evengar to find their way out of an underground dwelling. They receive a +2 on Search when underground.