Crystolix

Without a doubt, the crystolix are the most charming race of Isinblare. Beautiful and delicate in form, they have relied on the principles of diplomacy and commerce rather than innovation or military prowess. Their largest strength is cemented in generations of successful trade and warehouses full of potential merchandise.

**Physical Description:** Crystolix are stunningly beautiful merfolk with a surplus of delicate lobed fins placed around their body. In fact, they seem to be thoroughly covered in billowing fins, from the tip of their tails to the end of their fingertips. Their scaly skin is pale white in the front, blending to cyan on their sides and finally to dark grey on their backs. From their heads sprout multiple long, flowing fins that give the appearance of blue-white hair. Their gills are located on their torso and seem like three large scales on either side. Crystolix lack secondary sex characteristics so that male and female bodies appear very similar. Gender is most apparent in their facial structure and voices, males having more prominent facial fins and resonating speech.

Crystolix very evidently evolved in extremely cold environs. Their anatomy is intricately designed to withstand being frozen entirely in ice. The clear blood of a crystolix lacks red pigment, leading many to falsely believe that they do not bleed. In fact, the crystolix possess large hearts and copious amounts of antifreeze-laden plasma. Because they lack hemoglobin, their bodies are intended to absorb and distribute large amounts of oxygen through their enormous gills and impressive array of fins.

**Society**: Crystolix physiology demands a life of relatively low stress. It seems almost paradoxical that they reside in one of the most war-torn realms of the Cerulean Seas world and perform jobs that, to most, would seem inordinately demanding. Evolution has compensated however. Crystolix have very low emotional peaks especially in regards to what many would regard as negative feelings. Many races who deal with the **c**rystolix believe that they are fearless, without regret and impossible to anger. This cool and reserved demeanor lends well to their renowned diplomacy and business skills. Social standing among their kind is based purely on property. While fiercely protective of their wealth they view their possessions solely in terms of power of trade rather than other intrinsic values. They are also known to eat their own dead or even sell the flesh of their fallen kin to other races. This is more out of tradition, rather than disregard for their families. They feel that putting everything to good use should be part of every sentiment.

**Relations:** Crystolix study the art of diplomacy from birth and know how to work well with other races without conflict. When conflict arises, usually out of greed, they do not hesitate to defend their belongings. Aside from commanding vast armies of mercenaries, crystolix are known to learn magic or psionics to both enhance their wares and defend them. While it is well-known that a crystolix seems to exist solely to collect profit, nearly all races still deal with them. They are one of the three neutral races of Isinblare because of this.

**Alignment and Religion:** Crystolix gravitate towards whatever best suits them including alignments and religions. Most are neutral good, as they have found that evil tends to draw too much negative attention. Still, evil crystolix do exist, often taking the form of conmen and charlatans.

**Adventurers:** Crystolix anatomy makes wearing armor very difficult and they have relatively weak physiques, therefore they tend to gravitate towards supportive or ranged classes, especially wizards and psions. Their nearly universal motivation to obtain more wealth and commodities drives most crystolix adventuring.

**Names:** Most crystolix adopt the name of their family business or their personal profession for business practices. For personal use, they allow others to give them whatever nicknames they prefer to use. Therefore, it has become common practice to come up with a new name for a Crystolix whenever friendship is attempted. One crystolix could have hundreds of nicknames.

## **CRYSTOLIX RACIAL TRAITS**

* **+2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength:** While both clever and charming, the crystolix also lacks physical strength due to its unusual anatomy.
* **Racial Buoyancy:** -60B, **Depth Tolerance:** 1000 feet
* **Merfolk:** Crystolix have the merfolk subtype, as described in the CERULEAN SEAS CAMPAIGN SETTING.
* **Medium:** Crystolix are Medium-sized creatures.
* **Normal Swim Speed:** Crystolix have a base swim speed of 30 feet.
* **Gills:** Merfolk can breathe underwater indefinitely through gills in their neck and sides. Consequently, most merfolk are water dependent, and can breathe for a few hours on land before having to submerge. Nommo begin suffocating immediately upon leaving the water.
* **Seawalker:** Merfolk were never meant to move on land. They do so at a movement rate of 5 feet (though may move faster by using the Climb skill, see Chapter 4 for details). This feature generally precludes them from a land adventure at low levels, which should not be a major issue for an entirely aquatic campaign. At higher levels, spells and magic items may help merfolk explore dry-land in short intervals, with more permanent solutions becoming obtainable at the highest levels.
* **Natural Diplomat:** Diplomacy is always considered a class skill for a crystolix. In addition, crystolix must take the Skill Focus (Diplomacy) feat as the bonus first level feat received from being a merfolk.
* **Greedy Eyes:** Crystolix gain a +2 racial bonus on Appraise checks.
* **Enhanced Cold Resistance:** Crystolix are not easily harmed by cold and have Cold Resistance 10. When frozen in ice, they enter a state of suspended animation until thawed.
* **Unshakable:** Crystolix gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against effects that elicit a negative emotional state, such as fear or despair effects. In addition, they may reroll any failed saving throw that results in the shaken condition and take the second result.
* **Languages:** All merfolk begin play speaking Common, which is their native language. Merfolk with high intelligence scores can choose any language they want (except secret languages and Pelagic).