White Sha’al
The Sha’ál Nūl are the workers, artisans and thralls of the Sha’al.
The most numerous of the Sha’al subraces are the Sha’ál Nūl. These bipedal white saurians are peaceful and productive members of the society. Their work ethic is so complete and resolute that their actions are often seen as mindless. Sha’ál Nūl spend their days laboring in silence or chanting work hymns as they go about their daily business.
Sha’ál Nūl are typically peasants or slaves.
Sa’al pulled the reins, walking to the plow-team’s side. The massive animals stopped and watched the pale Sha’al before turning at his lead. He led the team away from the unhitched plow, sunk deep into the rich black loam. Two returned rows in one day. Alà’am would be pleased with Sa’al’s work and his sickened friend would be spared the double-work when he recovered…if he recovered. The black spots forming on his chest and under his arms and legs were not a good sign, and the nearest Sha’ál Alas was three days distant.
Physiology
Sha’ál Nūl move more quickly when moving on all fours; they cannot carry weapons or shields when using this locomotion but may utilize all natural weapons. D&D: When moving quadrupedally, the Sha’ál Nūl have a base speed of 40 feet. The benefits of quadrupedal movement are not gained in anything heavier than light armor.
Psychology
The White Sha’al are not mindless, as some suspect. They do not however express strong opinions and are content to follow the instructions of those belonging to higher castes.
Culture
The Sha’ál Nūl are the lowest rung of the life and death cycle system. Though most strive to live honestly by the strictures of the Three, thievery is most common among this lowest of the subrace castes. When thieves are found they are exiled from the community with ritual scarring. Scarring prevents the banned criminal from being accepted into other Sha’al communities. It is these exiles that most often end up and begin life again in Yrūn and other non-Sha’al communities.
Most Sha’ál Nūl work at a steady non-stop rate, taking breaks only for eating, sleep, prayer, and infrequent entertainment.
Language
Magic
Characters
Sha’ál Nūl are appropriate player characters.
Template
The basic template for Sha’ál Nūl characters is 76 CPs. This template includes:
Advantages
- Strength +1 (BASp14) 10
- Dexterity +1 (BASp15) 20
- Size Modifier +1 (BASp19) 0
- 360° Vision — (BASp34) 25
- Amphibious — (BASp40) 10
- Damage Resistance: Flexible (Scaled) 2 (BASp46) 81
- Enhanced Move: Ground 1.5 (BASp52) 82
- Flexibility — (BASp56) 5
- Striker (Tail) — (BASp88) 93
- Talent (Sh’al Nul)† — (BASp89) 5
- Teeth: Sharp — (BASp91) 1
Total = 101 CPs
† BASp89 Talent (Sha’ál Nūl); Includes the skills: Area Knowledge (Specific Area) (BASp176), Climbing (BASp183), an occupation (e.g., Animal Handling (BASp175), Carpentry (BASp183), Cooking (BASp185), Farming (BASp194), Merchant (BASp209), Professional Skill (BASp215), Teamster (BASp225)) Survival (Jungle) (BASp223), and Swimming (BASp224)
1 BASp47 Damage Resistance; 10 pts (Base, 2 Levels) -20% (Flexible) = 8
2 BASp52 Enhanced Move: Ground; 10 pts (Base, x1.5 Move) -20% (Accessibility, Using all Limbs, Holding Nothing) = 8
3 BASp53 Striker; 5 pts (Base, Crushing) +100% (Long, +1 SM) -20% (Clumsy) = 9
Disadvantages
- Cold-Blooded — (BASp127) -5
- Hidebound — (BASp138) -5
- Selfless — (BASp153) -5
- Social Stigma: Minority Group — (BASp155) -10
Total = -25 CPs
Options
A selection from the following template options are appropriate:
Advantages
- Brachiator — (BASp41) 5
- Catfall — (BASp41) 10
- Claim to Hospitality (Sha’ál Nūl) — (BASp41) 5
- Terrain Adaptation (Jungle) — (BASp93) 5
Disadvantages
- No Sense of Humor — (BASp146) -10
- Pacifism: Self-Defense Only — (BASp148) -15
- Sense of Duty: Large Group (Other Sha’al) — (BASp153) -10
- Slave Mentality — (BASp154) -40
- Social Stigma: Subjugated1 — (BASp155) -20
1 BASp155 Social Stigma: Subjugated purchase in lieu of Social Stigma: Minority Group
Nomenclature: Sha’al Dsara Dekàlic: Sha’ál Nūl (subrace), Sha’áli Nūl (pertaining to), Sha’ályn Nūl (individual), Sha’ályr Nūl (people), Shalàmbh Nūl (dialect of Shalambh)