We Xaela are nomads who roam and live off the land. My tribe was no different. Yet though we did no harm to those whose lands we traversed, they treated us as vermin. In their ignorance, they feared us, and that fear manifested as spite and violence.

My loved ones and I were cursed at, spat upon, beaten, and worse. It was out of the desire to protect them that I began my research.

— Alaqa the Witch

The Au Ra are a misunderstood people due to their physical appearance. Their scaled bodies and horns led many to fear them, believing them to be descendants of dragons or demons. This fear led to hate, which gave way to violence, leaving these proud people fewer in number across much of the world. These conditions have led the Au Ra to value their families beyond all else.

Variable Size

Au Ra are characterized by their curved horns and intricate patterning of scales across their bodies. Sleek and powerful tails extend out from behind the Au Ra. There is a striking difference in height between the males and females of the race, the men ranging from just over 6 feet tall to 7 and a half feet tall, while the women are dwarfed, rarely coming close to 6 feet tall. Their faces contain sharp features and piercing eyes.

Divided By Blood

The Auri creation myth tells the tale of two beings, the dawn father and the dusk mother. The two kinds of Au Ra have beliefs about their connection to these beings. The dark-scaled Xaela are a nomadic people who believe that the blood of the dusk mother courses through their veins.

On the Azim Steppe, their traditional garb varied widely from tribe to tribe. Each group had a special way to adorn themselves which had meaning to their group. Outside of their tribal roots, Auri tend to blend into the fashion style of the region they live.

The Xaela view themselves as free spirit folk, who roam the lands hunting, gathering, and battling against other roaming tribes, in honour of their ancestors. The light-scaled Raen have instead decided to assimilate into Eastern society, though they are a minority, their loyalty and service have been a great boon to the culture they've ingrained themselves in.

Peaks, Valleys and Plains

The Auri homeland is known as Othard, a region of the Far East. A majority of their homeland is covered by sprawling plains known as the Azim Steppe which dominates the region. The Xaela clans travel across this sea of grasslands in close-knit tribes. The northern and western reaches of Othard are shielded by high mountain peaks and deep valleys shrouded in mist. It is from these mists that the Raen originally hailed. Today most live in civilized society or hidden villages allowing them to live peaceful lives.

For my family

An Au Ra may set off on an adventure for any number of reasons, a thirst for adventure, defence of their tribe or a mission for a master could send them on their path. This could go as far as searching for lost family members or seeking revenge for a slight against their family.

It was consideration for their families which helped define the two bloodlines of the Au Ra. The Xaela sought to keep their traditional ways and use power to protect their families. The Raen felt that a peaceful livelihood amongst the other races of the world was the best approach to protect their community.

Au Ra Names

The Au Ra approach is named in two strikingly different ways. The Xaela see many names shared across tribes, but there are as many spellings for the same name as there are tribes. Xaela takes the name of their tribe as their surname. The Raen name themselves in their tongue in a way that their name carries meaning. Only those belonging to the ruling and warrior class of society legally have surnames, while commoners may take a surname, but it is not legally recognized. Raen who are in power often take surnames related to their feats in battle, while commoners take names related to their profession. Those from outside the Hingan culture tend to use names common in their home region.

Male Raen Names. Tosetu, Keimei, Rakuyo, Hien, Genbu, Fugetsu, Unzan, Masatsuchi, Izuna, Sagan, Karaku. Chikamasa Rokuyari,Tanehiro,Yoshikore,Hidetake, Norishig.

Female Raen Names. Yachiyo, Kikyo, Awayuki, Narumi, Azami, Kurenai, Tsubaki, Chidori, Suzume, Mizuki, Ibuki.

Male Xaela Names. Arslang, Agasiletai, Chaghagan, Chuacenur, Bayan, Luvsan, Bujeg, Khalja, Charakha, Khaishan, Chigu, Jebke, Cirina, Narangerel, Ogul, Altan

Female Xaela Names. Boragchin, Narengawa, Chotan, Qoyar, Khorchi, Ogul, Checheyigen, Altun, Eji, Baguchi, Odchigin, Khorghosun, Yesun, Ariunbold, Bayar.

Clan Names. Adarkim, Bolir, Dalamiq, Khatayin, Oronir, Malqir, Khatayin, Ura, Goro, Oroq

Family Names. Yuzuka, Obinata, Yuzuka, Yatsurugi, Rokuyari, Godo, Tabito, Yumishi, Musa

Au Ra Traits

Your Au Ra character has a variety of natural abilities.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age. Despite their extraordinary physical features, the Au Ra live about as long as any of the other races of Eorzea, reaching physical maturity around the age of 16, and living to be around 80 years old.

Alignment. The Au Ra as a whole does not tend to be neither good nor evil, or towards law or chaos. The Xaela tend strongly towards the chaotic lives of nomads outside of the laws of civilized city-states, while the Raen enjoy the order provided by the law. Oftentimes times an Au Ra finds themselves to be the product of their upbringing.

Size. There is a large size disparity between men and women of the Au Ra. Males range anywhere from 6 and a half to 7 feet tall with a lean build dwarfing the females who rarely grow taller than 5 feet. Your size is medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30ft.

Cranial Horns. You gain proficiency in the perception skill.

Scaled Bodies. When unarmored, your AC is equal to 11 + your Dexterity modifier.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Auri. The Auri language does not include numbered nouns or verbs, causing an Au Ra to mislabel things sometimes when speaking another language.

Subrace. The Auri bloodline has split into two distinct groups, the nomadic Xaela and the solitary Raen, divided by the divine blood of their creators the Dusk Mother and Dawn Father. Select one of the two subraces of Au Ra.

Xaela

As an Xaela, you've been hardened by your life on the road as a part of a nomadic tribe. A life of hunting and warring has led you to martial prowess and improved strength. You are more outgoing than your Raen counterparts and are much more willing to engage in battle to resolve a conflict. Xaela tribes are small but numerous, battling for territory against one another on the Azim Steppe. Despite a willingness to fight, Xaela does not seek war, it is merely a tool to settle differences.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.

Nomadic Instincts. You gain proficiency in survival skills.

Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Raen

The Raen live in harmony with the other civilized races of the East. They've assimilated fully into Doman culture, becoming valued for their unwavering determination to loyalty to their allies. They are largely looked upon favourably by the other races for their peaceful demeanour and respectable approach to life.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Polite Society. You gain proficiency in the Persuasion skill.

Unwavering Loyalty. You have an advantage on saves against being charmed.