While some rare few are distant descendents of immortals, most planetouched bloodlines began with individuals who were on the verge of ascension during their last reincarnation. Though their souls were judged unworthy of joining the immortal community, usually for minor reasons or technicalities, they still had such a close connection to their immortal destiny as to gain a fraction of their power and bring it with them to their next life. Remarkably, this small amount of power is sufficient not just to fundamentally transform their bodies, but also to grant them a limited form of immortality, preventing death from old age.
While such events are rare, an unexpected complication has arisen in that they breed true. An aasimar will always have aasimar children, and a tiefling will always have tiefling children, no matter what race the other parent is. (In cases where two planetouched of different bloodlines have a child, the child shares the race of one parent, without any of the racial traits or qualities of the other, even though they might share more mundane characteristics such as physical resemblance.)
Aasimar: Aasimar are often seen as beautiful, radiant individuals striving for good in the world. While they don’t always share their ancestors high moral standards, they still have a reputation for such in the wider world. However, aasimar are still mortal, and some take advantage of this unearned reputation for their own benefit.
Tiefling: Believed to be the descendents of devils, demons, and other fiends, tieflings are perceived as tainted by their ancestors. Even those of devil lineage are believed to be ruthless and amoral, trusted only to keep to a code. As such, tieflings generally have a hard time living among other mortals, and often seek solitude to avoid persecution.
Qareem: Four separate races (based on their elemental heritage), qareem are a mixture of mortal and elemental bloodlines. Despite their notable differences, they have formed a strong alliance among themselves in response to historic persecution. Working together, they soon rose to power over the local human population and consolidated that power into a new empire, the Prime Confederacy.
- Ifrit: Infused with elemental fire, Ifrit are perceived as impulsive and hot-headed. Considering many literally have flames in place of hair atop their heads (their bodies are otherwise thankfully hairless), this stereotype tends to be difficult to shake. Both graceful and arrogant, ifrit are eager to experience all life has to offer them. However, this does have a tendency to catch up with the ifrit in the long run, resulting in very few elderly ifrit.
- Oread: Born to the power of elemental earth, Oread have a reputation for solidity and stability. Powerfully built and wise enough to avoid foolish risks, the oread make excellent soldiers and order keepers. While most believe them to be stubborn or stupid, the wise understand one must simply be patient in convincing the oread, who tend to consider all aspects of a problem before taking action. When they do take action, the smart individual stays out of the way.
- Sylph: Quick and brilliant, sylph tend to be flighty and easily distracted. In conversation, they move quickly from one subject to the next, never hesitating to pursue their interests in whichever direction they may lead. When a sylph concentrates on something, however, they are rarely satisfied until they have solved the problem to their satisfaction.
- Undine: As home under the water as on land, the undine prefer the freedom of movement granted by swimming as opposed to the relentless trudge of walking on land. While some undine have found peace living on the coasts, many take to the sea for life. In tune with the seas in ways few others could understand, few can match an undine crew on open water.
Mechanics Note:
As the planetouched all have the Outsider (Native) type, they have no maximum age. Once they reach their prime age, they remain at that age, and do not possess older age categories. Cosmetic changes such as wrinkles or a slow gait have more to do with the individual’s life experiences than with any effects of time on their bodies.
Additionally, due to the power of their bloodline, all planetouched individuals advance as mythic characters. While few will actually advance far enough to gain a mythic tier, every member of their race possesses a soul capable of exceeding the mortal boundaries on power.