Cassian

*"Such a gothic and bleak kingdom from the outside, yet the streets are always active and many will stop to smile. Despite being called the dead kingdom it is perhaps the most lively place in all of Vel."*

**- *Fernando Barboza*, *Denizens of a Desolate Vel.***

The **Cassian** are a humanoid race from Vel and currently reside in Cassia. Members of the Cassian race are generally thought to be charming and carefree. They have proven to be skilled duelist, enchanters, entertainers, and scholars.

## Statistics

* ***Ability Scores***
* ***Age***Cassians do not inherit the longer lifespan of their ancestors however they do live a little longer than other humans making it to roughly 125 years. Additionally, all age penalties are halved and they always look rather youthful.
* ***Speed***Your base speed is 30 feet.
* ***Size*** Medium
* ***Dark Vision***Cassian can see 60 feet away in the darkness.
* ***Languages*** You can speak, read, and write Velli and Vampiric.
* **Cassian Duelist:** All Cassians are proficient with the Cassian Fingerblade.
	+ Cassian's may also still score critical hits on undead with the Fingerblade however they only get an x2 modifier.
* **Dead Sense:** Cassians can feel undead, almost like a scent. While you cannot see undead aura like the spell Detect Undead, you can smell undead presence 60 feet away.
* **Gift of Cassia:** Once per day you may roll a d6 and add it to any D20 roll before knowing the result.
* **Glamouring Blood:**Due to the influence of Lord Cassius in their bloodline, cassians have an easier time resisting enchantments. They gain a plus 2 bonus to resist enchantments as well as immunity to the charm person spell.
* **Vampiric Senses:** Cassians have heightened senses and gain a +2 to spot and listen checks.

## Cassia

*Main article: Cassia*

Cassia is a small kingdom north of the Moorewood forest. Cassia is a safe haven to anyone traveling and trying to get away from the wilds of Vel. It is said to be home to the only good-aligned court of vampires in Vel and the royalty is blunt about their heritage. Despite their bloodline they extend their walls to any outsider with good intentions. Guards typically know a few arcane or divine spells as a ward to foul-blooded individuals and often times those with evil alignments have more difficulty entering the city.

## Physiology

Cassians blend in with other humans of Vel but have inherited some vampiric traits from their ancestors. Their eyes are often a shade of yellow, red, or white however those with potent bloodlines exhibit completely blackened eyes. They are often pale but due to the influence of many Moorish ancestors, it isn't outlandish to have tanning skin. The stereotype is they are tall and gaunt but truthfully a cassian can be any size. They rarely break 6'2" and are no shorter than 4'8".

## History

When the age of Vanquish introduced vampirism to Vel most began corrupting and feeding on the people of the land however Lord Cassius was an outlier. The vampiric lord had good intentions and despite spending years as a member of the Army of Vanquish he would eventually betray his people and take a small group of those who shared his beliefs and start a kingdom. Eventually, he would extend invitations to many looking for refuge and would personally invite various artist and performers.

## Culture

Cassia culture is heavily influenced by literature and plays that Cassius was reading to pass time as a member of the Army of Vanquish. His kingdom shows that he preferred to dedicate his life to the arts and not bloodshed. Cassia is sometimes described as a "Less-stoic" Ardor as magic, scholarly pursuits and the arts are all encouraged however the kingdom is very blunt about what it is instead of being mysterious.

Education opportunities are vast in Cassia and the path is chosen is usually up to the student and parents. Students are always encouraged to obtain a basic education however if they may choose to pot out and start an apprenticeship early. Bardic schools, stage schools, a small magic academy and a university are also all offered to those who have completed their basic education.

## Religion

Religion isn't as important to Cassia as it is other provinces as they developed much later in Vel's history and most of their refugee is thanks to a mortal entity. However, as King Cassius' existence is indirectly caused by the Cosmonious the divines aren't completely lost in Cassia. Practitioners of the New Dawn are perhaps the most common as religious reformation happened before Cassia was founded. Cedros is perhaps the most common deity there will be shrines to as the Prince of Lies redemption is a similar story to that of Cassia's founder.

## Military

Cassia was built on the promise of protecting it's citizens from Harburne and is quite successful at doing so. Guards are not just trained in martial prowess but also in arcane and divine principles as well in order to recognize specific threats when they see them. When pushed enough the cassian defenses will deploy the Cassian knights who are deadly swordsman and fencers, most wearing magic resistant armor of some kind.

Despite having a jovial and almost hedonistic reputation the most stoic of cassian may choose to join an order of hunters who specialize in killing either common undead or evil versions of their ancestors.