Aceans are a race of humans. Unlike the primitive humans of distant lands, Aceans have flourished and achieved great advances in science and philosophy. True-born Aceans come from High Acea, the home island of the Acean Empire, but Acean citizens frequently hail from the many far-flung Acean outposts throughout the known world. Acean heroes are decisive and resourceful, with enough determination to face any challenge. They have great versatility and advantages that eclipse normal humans. They are able to excel at any class.

PHYSICAL QUALITIES

Aceans come in a wide variety of heights, weights and colors. Some have dark skin indicating ancestry from one of the other continents. Aceans from High Acea are as pale as snow with black hair and dark eyes. Dark brown hair is common among Aceans of mixed ancestry, with blonde and red hair signifying origins in the continent of Ungroth. As a meritocratic society, racial divisions only matter among those who are not citizens.

Traditional Acean dress includes a short robe over heavy trousers and hard-soled boots. The quality of material and coloration of the robe varies based on station. Cloaks are worn out doors. Aceans in distant lands tend to adopt the local mode of dress but revert to Acean attire for formal occasions and when meeting with other Aceans.

Aceans have an average life span of about 80 years though some venerable members of the race live more than a hundred years.

PLAYING AN ACEAN

Aceans represent the better urges of humanity. They explore the darkest reaches of the world in search of knowledge and power. Aceans hurl themselves into danger, dealing with consequences as they arise. They trust the superiority of their training and their blood to carry them through to victory. To the Aceans, death is not failure.

Aceans always look to the horizon, seeking to expand the influence and territory of the Empire. Their settlements are among the brightest lights in a dark and untamed world; Aceans constantly seek to explore new lands and settle new frontiers.

Aceans are inclined toward warrior classes. The demands of citizenship require legionary service. Aceans are a fiercely religious people too; clerics and paladins are also common. The noble houses control arcane training but even the nobles must serve their time in the legion to earn citizenship. Other classes, though fewer in number, are well represented. The rarest classes are those with primal nature; barbarians, druids, and their ilk are alien and antithetical to Acean culture.

Aceans practice their own brand of piety. They worship a pantheon of gods with familiar-sounding names. But the Acean myths of the origins and interactions of these gods are different from their real-world counterparts.

Aceans are only mildly tolerant of other races, beliefs, and cultures. The Empire exports its own brand of these things, proving superiority through military and economic conquest. Acean cities and outposts are fortified bastions against the encroaching darkness. When barbarian towns are razed or overrun, the survivors often flee to the nearest Acean settlement for protection.

ACEAN NAMES

Aceans have three names, a tradition known as “tria nomina.” The first is a “given name” (praenomen), the second a “clan name” (nomen), and the third a “family” name within a clan (cognomen). Some Aceans have no cognomen; this indicates the lack of a family. Some have two cognomens, as in the case of adoption, the second family name being called an agnomen.

The following praenomens are used as examples. Though they are the most common praenomens, comprising 80% of all Acean first names, any Roman name can be used as a praenomen. Pay careful attention to the masculine and feminine forms.

Male Praenomen: Gaius, Lucius, Marcus, Publius, Quintus, Titus, Tiberius, Sextus, Aulus, Decimus, Gnaeus, Spurius, Manius, Servius, Appius, Numerius, Vibius

Female Praenomen: Gaia, Lucia, Marca, Publia, Quinta, Tita, Tiberia, Sexta, Aula, Decima, Gnaea, Spuria, Mania, Servia, Appia, Numeria, Vibia

See the Acean Backgrounds page for specific nomens and cognomens. These will include both masculine and feminine versions. To change the name’s gender version, switch the ending “us” or “a.” (See the praenomen above as examples.) Names not ending with “us” or “a” are suitable for either gender.

ACEAN RACIAL TRAITS

+2 to Two Ability Scores: Acean characters get a +2 bonus to two different ability scores of their choice at creation to represent their exceptional potential and versatility.

Medium: Aceans are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Normal Speed: Aceans have a base speed of 30 feet.

Bonus Feat: Aceans select one extra feat at 1st level.

Acean Education: Aceans gain an additional skill rank at first level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level. Aceans are considered “trained” in all skills, even those they have no ranks in.

Human Heritage: Aceans also count as humans for any effect related to race.

Warrior Born: Aceans have two favored classes, fighter and one other class, chosen at character creation. Aceans gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes. See Chapter 3 for more information about favored classes.

Languages: Aceans begin play speaking Acean and Common. Aceans with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).