Race: Human Subrace-Slyth Bio- Thought by some to be genasi descended from human pairings with earth and water elementals, Slyths are humanoid shape-changers found in small numbers throughout the Underdark. Another theory traces their origin o Aboleth experimentation with humans and Derro, while one ancient legend holds that slyths were actually created by Shar, who shaped a gelatinous cube into a humanoid and breathed life into it. Still another myth tells the same tale, but maintains that Chauntea created the slyths to tend the deep places of the earth. Although there origins remain a mystery, slyths care deeply for the world of the Underdark and work to ensure that the many races and species that occupy it do not defile it. Slyths are few in number but strong in influence. They live long and make there presence felt in many ways. Personality- Slyths view themselvs as the custodians and caretakers of the underdark. At peace with the natural world, they consider it their duty to help others interact harmoniously with the enviroment. Because they maintain amicable relationships with most races, (including drow and duegar) slyths are welcomed almost everywhere. In peaceful communities, they offer advice on animal husbandry, food cultivation, or foraging. In conflict-threatened areas, they often act as aribiters. When fueding and raiding erupts into actual warfare, however, slyths -refuse- to take sides -- they simply leave.In times of open conflict, slyths retreat into faraway niches that are diffulcult, if not impossible, for anyone without their alternate form to find. Physical Description In her/his humanoid form, a slyth appears as a bald human, slightly taller than average, with softer and more rounded features. Her/his skin tone can vary in color, but brown hues are the most common. The slyth's real form is that of an amorphous, oozelike creature whose body is midway between solid and liquid. In this shape, she resembles a puddle of syrup, mud, or oil. Relations with other races In general, slyths get along well with almost all humanoid and monsterous humanoid races, especially Svifneblin and Orogs. Aboleths and illthids raise the ire of the slyths; in fact, the latter have been known to go out of their wayto advoid mindflayer settlements. Alignments Slyths unequivocally favor neutrality. No member of any other race has encountered a slyth that wasn't neutral. Perhaps this predilection for neutrality indicates that slyths are somehow part of nature's own essence, or perhaps results from their breeding or enviroment. Darker rumors speculate that slyth children who incline toward obdurate alignment extremes are abandoned, and few, if any, survive. Religion The deep spirituality of the slyths usually manifests itself in the worship of one of Faerun's gods, Chauntea, the Earth Mother, is popular among Slyths with good tendencies, and Shar is the deity of choice for those with evil tendencies. Languages Common and Undercommon, and usually one elemental, or monsterous humanoid language, although some of the more powerful slyths supply the knowledge of other languages with magic. Names Slyth names reflect their interest in nature. First names are often onomatopoeic, resembling natural sounds of the Underdark. A Typical surname is a compound word that unifies two aspects of the natural world. Male names: Drypp, Garock, Glythum, Ploawp, Rumble Female Names: Ffflla, Mrrwa, Ploosh, Scritch, Shooh. Surnames: Deepflight, Glowstone, mushroomlake, Rockridge, Rockriver, Silentcave, SwiftLight. Adventurers Because slyths families tyically settle in an area and become its keepers, slyths who take up classes usually become druids or rangers. Even Slyth Commoners or warriors devote themselves to the study of animal husbandry and try to learn more about nature. Eventually, these classed slyths leave the community, seeking areas that have greater need. Sometimes a slyth travels and explores the for many years before finding a place suited to him/her. Regions Slyth exist in all layers of the underdark, but only in the lower levels is the population large enough for permanents settlements. Virtually al slyths choose to live in the slyth Region.
Slyth Racial Traits. -2 strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom. Slyths are wise in the ways of nature, and reasonably agile, but their amorphous forms are not espcially strong. Medium size: Slyths have no bonuses or penalties due to their size Speed: Land speed 30, in amorphous shape (see below) while swimming, 30 ft Alternate form (Su): As a standard Action, a slyth can change shape, assuming a amorphous form. Any equimpment the Slyth is wearing or carrying transforms to become part of the new form. Matieral armor (Including natural armor) Becomes worthless though the slyth's Dexterity bonus, deflection bonus, and any armor bonuses from force effects (For Ex: Mage armor spell) still apply, (So basically like a monk without the wisdom bonus). In her/his amorphous form, he/she cannot be flanked or stunned, and she is immune to critical hits (Don't know about sneak attacks), but she suffers from spell failure, though this can be gotton around through metamagic feats (Still spell, silent spell only). The slyth loses all super-natural abilities and her magic items ceace functioning. Her/his amophous form is nearly fluid and boneless, enabling her/him to pass through narrow holes and opening 2 inches in diameter. Resuming her normal form is a full round action and does not provoke an AOO. A slyth can remain in her amorphous form up to 10 minutes per class lvl, but after resuming her normal form she cannot change again for as long she spent in her amorphou form. Water breathing: A slyth can breath underwater indefinitely Immunites: (EX) Because of shape changing abilities, Slyths are immune to polymorphing and poison Resistances (Ex): Slyths have a sonic resistence of 5 (Dmg resist) Racial bonuses: A slyth has a +4 to hide, +4 move silent, and +4 on search. Automatic languages, Undercommon and Common. Bonus languages, Aquan, Elven, Gnome, and Terran (Or by region of originzation) Favored class: druid Lvl Adjustments, +2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I bought the Forgotton realms guide to the Underdark, and I made some changes because certain skills are not listed in NWN. I will let the debate rage to see if this race can be included. ENjoy!