Rhodesse

*"They aren't as scholarly as Eladrin or cunning as the Lakar but the Rhodesse understand mechanisms and gears better than any. They are so focused on their work sometimes that the world around them can be on fire and they'd still sit and make corrections to their blueprints."*

**- *Marcario Moorehome*, *"The Art of Rhodesse Siegecraft "***

The **Rhodesse** are human descendants of "House Rhoda" a noble house that had many knights, but originally set sail from Vel as the architects and engineers for the proposed "new colonies." They are some of the proudest people in Waesyn. They are master siege operators, engineers, architects, storytellers and archers.

## Statistics

* ***Ability Scores*** +2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom; Rhodesse are fun and likeable but are somewhat naive and gullible.
* ***Age***Rhodesse reach adulthood around 16 and often make it to three-quarters of a century.
* ***Speed***Your base speed is 30 feet.
* ***Size*** Medium
* ***Languages*** You can speak, read, and write Sotteran and Velli.
* **Hilltop Survivor:**Due to living in an elevated environment, Rhodesse can easily traverse inclines. They can move their normal speed on steep slopes and do not need to make balance checks while charging downward on steep slopes. Foe's do not get a +1 to melee attacks when the Rhodesse are downhill from them and Rhodesse gain a +5 to hide and move silently while moving up or down a hill.
	+ This does not affect cliffs.
* "**Let's Do Lunch Sometime":** Rhodesse are likable and gain a +2 to diplomacy.
* **Siege Experts:**All Rhodesse are considered proficient with siege weapons, and gain a +2 bonus to Knowledge(architecture and engineering) and +2 craft (siege).
* **Rhodesse Reloading:** The crossbow is one of the many weapons rhodesse specialize in. All rhodesse are proficient with the hand, light and heavy crossbows. Additionally, when you use a crossbow you gain the R*apid Reload* feat for free and gain a plus 2 bonus to damage when using crossbows.
	+ Rhodesse may take *Rapid Reload* again to negate the attack of opportunity you'd take for reloading a heavy crossbow next to adjacent foes and lose only half your move action.
* **Rigged:** Rhodesse are privy to mechanisms and how they work. They all gain Disable Device as a class skill.
	+ Additionally, once per day a rhodesse may disable a spotted trap without making a check. Alternatively, they can try and roll a disable device check with an additional +2 and set the trap as their own.

## Rhoda

*Main article: Rhoda*

Rhoda is a mountainous region in eastern Waesyn. It has tons of lumber and other natural resources with many mountains having clear spring water on top. The Rhodesse have very calculated roads leading from one city to another, with almost all of them built elevated for maximum defense.

## Physiology

The Rhodesse are broad-shouldered humans who typically have red, orange or ginger hair. While many are on the shorter side, some may be the largest humans ones ever met. Their skin is similar to the Shurans but it is much less pale and pink and more on the "orange" or "red" side. They don't burn as easily as Shurans and tend to get a coppery skin tone.

## History

During the War of the Giants "House Rhoda" was responsible for barricades, siege weaponry and various other contraptions that helped the Empire during the war. What was originally a request for a small hilltop workshop from Sir Levio Essig eventually became him being granted to former land known as Cesebasso.

Essig renamed Cesebasso "Rhoda" after his house and they began meticulously planning each castle, keep and watchtower in their new land. As they had the most mechanic knowledge, they were able to invent easy ways to traverse the hilly regions of what was now known as Rhoda and managed to create more real estate than the area ever saw while it was a part of the Sotteran Empire.

The Rhodesse were, during most of the second era, a force to be reckoned with. While they had the most access to wood and crystal clear spring water across their mountains; other human kingdoms avoided invasion because of their natural advantage. Shura's calvary would have difficulties charging upwards into a volley of crossbow bolts and siege weaponry and Karthyn had to cross the Rhodesse Mountain Range to even step foot into Rhoda. Llewyn was the only true contender but Shura split them apart form Rhoda. This gave Rhoda a lot of time to spend perfecting their kingdoms and making even more defences-- yet it wasn't enough to protect them from the Lakarian Invasion.

The Lakar attacked the Rhodesse capital 'Vernach' in 2C 1371. The attack came from beneath the Rhodesse lands which made their siegecraft and strong walls useless. Moreover, the Rhodesse didn't even know the Lakar existed though it seemed like the grey-skinned invaders knew every tactic and technique the Rhodesse had to put up a fight with. Vernach was taken over by the Lakar and the other main cities had similar fallouts during that week. Rhoda would spend the next 6 and a half years forming various resistances and being slaves to the Lakar.

Eventually, Shura and Zuton would coordinate attacks on Lakar-Occupied-Rhoda to drive them out which would lead to a summit in Caldas. While agreements were made to free Rhoda finer details of the summit were interrupted by the Eladrin attacks which resulted in the Lakar simply packing up and leaving Rhoda with the mess they made.

## Culture

The Rhodesse are often said to be loud and proud-- but are also very kind and open. While they may be a little less trusting in the third cycle, it's hard for a Rhodesse person to turn down someone who needs food or shelter. They simply have hearts as big as there voices. Rhodesse schools are not as lax as Shurans but certainly not as high-culture as Wynish. Rhodesse believe the best way to learn is a hands-on approach with many being taught by people working in related professions with mathematics classes often being taught in a siege workshop. Rhoda itself doesn't have as many universities as many prefer to just attend an apprenticeship after completing basic schooling. Those who do want to continue onto university may find difficulties at foreign universities due to how different Rhodesse schooling is.

Family is important to the Rhodesse. Family gatherings are full of relatives that no one is exactly sure how they are related but everyone is still merry regardless. It isn't uncommon to look through a shop window after hours and see shopkeepers from around the block gathering for an after-hours drink together to celebrate a day of business. Festivals are quite common throughout Rhoda, frequently hosting parades and competitions.

## Religion

The Rhodesse follow the Cosmonious as many other kingdoms in Waesyn do. They are very thankful to Moralli as she governs creation and they have since applied her views of smithing to their lifestyle of engineering and siege. Heironeous was also quite popular before the Lakarian Occupation, however that has since shifted as they believe his teaching didn't help handle the invasion as well. Umiah has since become more popular with various mercenary groups and military personal-- even if the aspect of wrath is frowned upon by many.

## Military

The Rhodesse have two types of warriors: Those who master the crossbow and those who master the hammer. Either can be found using a big shield and standing uphill from their enemies. Rhodesse tend to find an area on battlefields and protect it alongside each other as opposed to being mobile or constantly pushing towards the enemy. They are very patient in warfare. Armies of Rhoda almost always have some sort of siege weapon on-hand with a few operators in case one can no longer battle

After the Lakarian Occupation Rhoda's armies did not change drastically, though their intelligence did. Learning that the Lakar were virtually unheard of within Waesyn yet they knew everything about Rhoda unsettled Rhodesse rulers of the third cycle, thus 'The Order of Rhodesse Stalkers' was created. They are highly skilled assassins, spies, rogues and scouts who are deployed by the government often to keep there eyes throughout Waesyn to ensure that no information is withheld from the Kingdom of Rhoda.