Quadav

A race of turtle-like bipeds, the quadav inhabit certain swampy regions, as well as subterranean caverns, on the continent of Quon. Apparently closely tied to the earth in which they work and live, the quadav identify themselves individually and culturally with the materials with which they work. As their shells thicken with age, the titles given to individual quadav change. Within their strict caste system, those chosen to serve in the Elite Guard are given titles portraying hard and precious metals, while those chosen to be magicians are given titles taken from precious gems.

The quadav have long possessed an understanding of metallurgical technology, and have adapted their skills in metalworking to even create fire-fueled incubators with pipes to carry warm air into the ground to warm the damp caves where their eggs are kept. The incursion of miners from the Bastok nation have repressed the quadav and driven them out of territories which they have long occupied, to which they respond with aggressive acts against most foreigners they encounter.

## Standard Racial Traits

* **Ability Score Racial Traits:** Quadav are wise from living long lives, and have natural protection, however, their shells hinder movement. They gain +2 Constitution,+2 Wisdom, and -2 Dexterity.
* **Size:** Quadav are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
* **Type:** Quadav are Humanoid creatures with the reptillian subtype.
* **Base Speed:** Quadav have a base speed of 20 feet and a 30 foot swim speed, but their speed is not modified by armor or encumbrance.
* **Languages:** Quadav begin play speaking Common and Quadav with high Intelligence scores can choose Kindred, Terran, Aquan, Yagudo, Orc and Draconic.

### Defense Racial Traits

* **Bond to the Land:** Quadav gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC when fighting on swamp or underground areas. Must pick one during character creation.
* **Full Withdrawal:** As a full-round action, quadav may retract their body into their shell. This allows them to gain DR/5 Bludgeoning. It also allows for 20% concealment. When they use this ability, they immediately fall prone, drop anything they were holding, and any item that isn’t directly attached to their skin. While they are in this form, they cannot make attacks, use items, or cast spells. They must remain in this form for at least one complete round. To come out of their shell, they must spend another full round action (this does not provoke AoO).
* **Hold Breath:** Quadav can hold their breath underwater for a number of rounds equal to four times their Constitution score before risking drowning or suffocating.
* **Steel Shelled:** As a quadav gets older the harder its shell gets and gains a +1 natural armor bonus.

### Feat and Skill Racial Traits

* **Cave Dweller:** Quadav gain a +1 bonus on Knowledge (dungeoneering) and Survival checks made underground.
* **Craftsman:** Quadav gain a +2 racial bonus on all Craft or Profession checks to create objects from metal or stone.
* **Master Tinker:** Quadav gain a +1 bonus on Disable Device and Knowledge (engineering) checks. Quadav are also treated as proficient with any weapon they have personally crafted.

### Offense Racial Traits

* **Bite:** Due to the shape of a quadav’s beak, they gain a natural bite attack that deals 1d4 damage. The bite is a primary attack, or a secondary attack if the creature is wielding manufactured weapons.

### Senses Racial Traits

* **Low-Light Vision:** Quadav live both on the land and deep within lit caves and, therefore, can see twice as far as humes in conditions of dim light.

### Weakness Racial Traits

* **Armor Non-Proficiency:** Due to their distinct body type, the quadav have to have pay double for their armor (unless crafting it themselves).

## Alternate Racial Traits

The following alternate racial traits may be selected in place of one or more of the standard racial traits above. Consult your GM before selecting any of these new options.

##### Replaces Full Withdrawal

* **Water Tribe:** Some quadav live in the water more then live on the land and are treated as amphibious, allowing them to breathe both air and water. In addition, they are powerful swimmers and receive a +20 foot bonus to their swim speed.

##### Replaces Hold Breath

* **Desert Tribe:** Some quadav derive from the more dry and barren wastelands and receive a +4 racial bonus on Constitution checks and Fortitude saves to avoid fatigue and exhaustion, as well as any other ill effects from running, forced marches, starvation, thirst, and hot or cold environments.

##### Replaces Low-Light Vision

* **Darkvision:** Quadav build vast cave systems in order to hide their young from predators and smooth skin alike and have darkvision up to 60‘, but also light sensitivity.

## Age, Height and Weight

Table: Quadav Starting Ages:

 15

Table: Aging Effects:

 70 years

Table: Height and Weight

 Male
(4 ft. 6 in. – 5 ft. 9 in.)
 Female
(4 ft. 3 in. - 5 ft. 6 in.)
(155 – 230 lbs.)

## **Racial Archetypes**

The following racial archetypes are available to the quadav:

* Shell Knight (Knight; Quadav)
* Jewel Knight (Geomancer; Quadav)

## Favored Class Options

The following favored class options are available to all characters of this race who have the listed favored class, and unless otherwise stated, the bonus applies each time you select the favored class reward.

* **Beastmaster:** Add +1 hit point or +1 skill rank to the beastmaster’s animal companion. If the beastmaster ever replaces his companion, the new companion gains these bonus hit points or skill ranks.
* **Black Mage:** Select one item creation feat known by the black mage. Whenever he crafts an item using that feat, the amount of progress he makes in an 8-hour period increases by 200 gil (50 gil if crafting while adventuring). This does not reduce the cost of the item; it just increases the rate at which the item is crafted.
* **Dark Knight:** Add +1 to the dark knight’s holy element resistance (maximum +10).
* **Geomancer:** Add +1/2 to the bonus on initiative checks the geomancer gains based on favored terrain.
* **Holy Knight:** Add +1 bonus on concentration checks when casting holy knight spells.
* **Knight:** Add +1 to the knight’s total number of defensive stance rounds per day.
* **Red Mage:** Add +1/4 point to the red mage’s arcane pool.
* **White Mage:** Add +1/4 to the number of uses per day of the white mage’s lay on hands class feature.