Library / Character Origins

Undines

Undines are humans who trace their ancestry to creatures from the Plane of Water.

Description

Undines are humans who trace their ancestry to creatures from the Plane of Water. Even at first glance, one notices the potency of their ancestry, for an undine's very flesh mimics the color of lakes, seas, and oceans. Whether they have the blood of marids or water mephits as their kin, all undines define themselves through their ancestry. They perceive their individual differences as gifts and explore the supernatural aspects of their unique heritage to the fullest.

The undines are a proud race and show little outward fear. While good-natured and somewhat playful among their own kind, they behave with slightly more reserve and seriousness in the company of non-undines. They have excellent emotional control, and can edge their tempers from calm to raging and back again within but a few minutes. While some might dub their behavior erratic, undines are simply a bit more outwardly melodramatic than most races. Certainly, they are not moody and do not become angered, excited, or otherwise emotional without provocation. As close friends, some find them overly possessive, though they are also extremely protective of those they care about.

Undines tend to settle near water, usually in warmer climates. Though land-dwellers, they spend a fair amount of time in the water. For this reason, most dress sparsely, wearing only enough clothing to protect themselves from the elements, and few wear shoes. They avoid wearing jewelry around their necks and keep their hair slicked back and tied into tight knots. This prevents hair or other objects from becoming a distraction or hindrance while swimming. Similarly, undines pursuing martial classes choose weapons that they can wield efficiently on land as well as in water.

Standard Racial Traits

Native Outsider

Undines are outsiders with the native subtype.

Darkvision

Undines can see in the dark up to 60 feet.

Spell-Like Ability

Hydraulic push 1/day (caster level equals the undine's level).

Energy Resistance

Defense Racial Traits 1 RP

Prerequisite: Outsider (native) with ties to an elemental plane; Benefit: Pick one of the following energy types that corresponds to the plane the race has ties to: acid (earth), cold (water), electricity (air), or fire (fire). Members of this race have resistance 5 to the corresponding energy type. Special: This trait can be taken more than once. Each time it is taken, select an additional energy type that corresponds to another elemental plane the race has ties to.

Water Affinity

Undine sorcerers with the elemental (water) bloodline treat their Charisma score as 2 points higher for all sorcerer spells and class abilities. Undine clerics with the Water domain cast their Water domain powers and spells at +1 caster level.

Alternate Racial Traits

Acid Breath

Undines whose outsider heritage can be traced to a water mephit can wield acid as a weapon. Such an undine has a breath weapon that is a 5-foot cone of acidic water usable once per day. The breath deals 1d8 points of acid damage per two character levels (maximum 5d8). A Reflex saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 the undine's level + the undine's Constitution modifier) halves the damage. This racial trait replaces the spell-like ability racial trait.

Amphibious

Other Racial Traits 2 RP

Prerequisite: Swim racial trait; Benefit: Members of this race are amphibious and can breathe both air and water.

Deepsight

Senses Racial Traits 2 RP

Prerequisite: Amphibious racial trait; Benefit: Members of this race are specially adapted to the lightless depths of the oceans, but not to air-filled environments. They can see in the dark up to 120 feet while underwater, but do not gain this benefit out of water.

Hydrated Vitality

Defense Racial Traits 3 RP

Prerequisite: Outsider (native) with ties to the Plane of Water, fey type, or plant type; Benefit: Members of this race gain fast healing 2 for 1 round anytime they submerge completely within a body of natural salt water, fresh water, or brackish water. Stagnant, poisoned, or trapped water (such as water within an artificial pit or a bag of holding) does not activate this ability. Members of this race can heal up to 2 hit points per level per day with this ability, after which it ceases to function.

Nereid Fascination

Magical Racial Traits 3 RP

Prerequisite: Outsider (native) with ties to the Plane of Water or fey type; Benefit: Members of this race gain the following supernatural ability: Once per day, a member of this race can create a 20-foot-radius burst that causes humanoids within the aura's range to become fascinated with the user (as the bard's fascinate bardic performance). Affected humanoids may resist this effect by making a successful Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 the user's character level + the user's Charisma modifier).

Ooze Breath

Some undines' outsider heritage can be traced to ooze mephits. These undines have a breath weapon that is a 5-foot cone of slime usable once per day. The slime deals 1d4 points of acid damage per two character levels (maximum 5d4) and sickens creatures in the area for 3 rounds. A successful Reflex saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 the undine's level + the undine's Constitution modifier) halves the damage and negates the sickened effect. This racial trait replaces the spell-like ability racial trait.

Terrain Chameleon

Some undines can change their coloration to blend in with underwater terrain, mixing browns, grays, and greens to resemble kelp or other natural water plants. As a standard action, an undine with this racial trait can change her coloration, gaining a +4 bonus on Stealth checks in underwater environments. She can return to normal as a free action. This racial trait replaces energy resistance.

Water Sense

Senses Racial Traits 1 RP

Prerequisite: Outsider (native) with ties to the Plane of Water or amphibious racial trait; Benefit: Members of this race can sense vibrations in water, granting them blindsense 30 feet against creatures that are touching the same body of water.

Ability Modifiers

DEX +2 STR -2 WIS +2

Details

Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft.
Languages: Common, Aquan, Auran, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Ignan, Terran
Universe: core
Source: Advanced Race Guide