Sibeccai

Strong and hardy, sibeccai (pronounced SIB-ba-kai, singular and plural) are excellent warriors and fierce opponents. The sibeccai were once simple beasts, native to a hot, dry desert realm far across the sea. The giants used magic to uplift these beasts, granting them the intellect and body shape to make and use tools and eventually develop a society and culture of their own. The sibeccai felt indebted to their patrons and served them as soldiers and helpers for centuries. Although the giants no longer require their help, the sibeccai remain an indebted client people.

Roleplaying Sibeccai

Former beasts who try to deny that nature (and sometimes fail), sibeccai are as interesting as they are dangerous. Sibeccai fall into two informal groups: those who still try to define themselves by what the giants tell them to do, and those who have shed those bonds to define themselves. Both prefer the company of fellow sibeccai to any other race. If forced to work alongside others, sibeccai are normally snide and arrogant, except to giants and other sibeccai. Though they can demonstrate kindness and generosity toward those of other races with whom they become familiar and friendly, sibeccai do not make friends easily. Their inability to develop close relationships with non-sibeccai and non-giants stems not from mojhlike distrust, but rather an inherent inferiority complex. They used to be beasts—they haven’t been an intelligent race for long (compared to other races). This insecurity manifests as overcompensation: They try very hard to demonstrate their superiority just to prove they are not inferior. When trying to get a handle on the sibeccai outlook, keep in mind this underlying insecurity.

Sibeccai value health and appearance. It is almost unheard of to see an overweight or sickly sibeccai. They also value their reputation and status. An insulted sibeccai who gets into a fight is more likely defending his reputation than his honor—a subtle difference, but one that divides sibeccai from litorians. Some sibeccai are submissive—even fawning—toward giants, even when the Hu-Charad discourage such behavior. Rarely, an unscrupulous giant takes advantage of this sycophancy; others find it so embarrassing that they avoid contact with any sibeccai. Most giants, however, understand sibeccai enough to smile and nod with tolerance and appreciation of the gesture. Sibeccai like professions and devotions that appear sophisticated and prestigious. Even those who are not warriors by trade exaggerate their combat prowess. Warmains, oathsworn, champions, ritual warriors, and mage blades are all common in sibeccai society. Magisters, runethanes, akashics, unfettered, and witches are less common; greenbonds and totem warriors are very rare.

Personality: Sibeccai can be haughty and arrogant at times, believing themselves a “chosen” race—chosen by the giants. They do not act superior toward giants, however; they consider themselves inferior to their patrons. Once in a while, a sibeccai reverts to his natural, more bestial nature. This occurs mainly in two situations: when he is very hurt or angry, or when he is among only those of his own kind.

The short-lived sibeccai mature quickly. They have little sense of fun or frivolity, nor do they value lore and knowledge much, unless it can directly benefit them at the time. They are more interested in rumor and current events than in history or ancient truths.

Physical Description: Sibeccai are humanoids covered in short hair, ranging in color from red to brown and grey to black. Their bodies are muscular and lean, and they have long, narrow snouts like those of hounds. Their ears grow large and pointed, and the shock of hair on their heads appears a shade darker than the rest of their hide. Some have compared their appearance to that of jackals.

Relations: Sibeccai feel a genuine respect and admiration for giants, an emotion most giants are too magnanimous to exploit. They dislike litorians, whom they look upon as savages, and feel marginally superior to humans, verrik, faen, and most others. Many humans look upon sibeccai with an ancient distrust for their predatory past. Sibeccai, for their part, greatly distrust dracha as the servants of their patrons’ enemies. Among their own, sibeccai put little value in familial life, focusing instead on the race as a whole. Thus, to a sibeccai, the identity of one’s father or mother does not matter, and relationships are often short and fairly casual. Young are reared by wet nurses and young males (professional caregivers), then left to fend for themselves as soon as they seem fit.

Outlook: By some standards, sibeccai are still “new to the world,” and thus look at their position with optimism. This fresh view of what one can accomplish in life, however, can skew more toward thoughts of what one can get for oneself in life. Thus sibeccai sometimes develop a selfish outlook. Coupled with their feelings of superiority, such sibeccai can become cruel and vicious. Sibeccai respect a strong leader and recognize a need for rules to keep order. Most sibeccai groups have a clear set of laws that all must follow. They always have a clearly defined leader as well as a pecking order, with individuals of different stations enjoying different rights. All sibeccai believe in doing their best to rise in this order and ultimately attain a higher station. Sibeccai are devoted and fanatic about things they really believe in.

Sibeccai Lands: Sibeccai meld into cosmopolitan society far better than litorians, perhaps because they do not have their own lands. Rather, they dwell wherever giants do, often making a living serving them in various capacities. For the most part they are urban creatures, preferring to live in communities rather than in the wild. Thus, they are adept at gathering rumors and picking up on the subtleties of interaction among intelligent creatures.

Religion: The extremely spiritual society of the sibeccai (not unlike that of the giants) involves a great many rituals and ceremonies. However, where the giants’ rituals are calm, quiet, and introspective, those of the sibeccai seem more savage and less sophisticated—they are overt, loud, and showy. Sibeccai also place a great deal of stock in dreams and their interpretation.

Language: Sibeccai have no language of their own, but most of them speak simple Giant as well as Common.

Names: Sibeccai names, though long and formal, are always just a single word (no surnames). The names themselves carry no special meaning, but sibeccai frequently give themselves or each other descriptive titles like “Vidirdon the Dreamer” or “Palathan the Speaker.” Here are some more sample names:

Sibeccai Male Names: Kaganis the Hunter, Tigarithon the Wanderer.

Sibeccai Female Names: Mirapolay the Skywatcher, Sissathas the Keeper.

Adventurers: Sibeccai adventurers are fairly common. They see gaining new wealth, new skills, and new victories as a way of advancing their station in life.

Favored Drink: Beer; Favored Food: Meat (cooked very rare); Favored Weapon: Swords (especially kopeshes).

Sibeccai Racial Traits
 * Sibeccai gain a +2 racial bonus to Constitution and a –2 racial penalty to Intelligence.
 * Medium: As Medium creatures, sibeccai have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
 * Sibeccai base speed is 30 feet.
 * Low-Light Vision. Sibeccai can see twice as far as humans in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
 * Sibeccai enjoy a +2 racial bonus on Gather Information, Handle Animal, Innuendo, and Sneak skill checks.
 * Automatic Languages: Common and Giant.
 * Bonus Languages: Any.
 * Sibeccai always gain Knowledge (sibeccai) as a class skill.
 * Racial Levels: Sibeccai can take a few levels in “sibeccai” as a class to develop their racial qualities more fully.

Sibeccai Levels

Sibeccai can take up to three levels in “sibeccai” at any time. Not all sibeccai, however, take racial levels (or all three of them).

Hit Die: 1d8

Skill Points at 1st Character Level: (2 + Intelligence bonus) × 4.

Skill Points at Higher Levels: 2 + Intelligence bonus.

“Class” Skills: Climb (Str), Craft (any) (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Innuendo (Wis), Knowledge (sibeccai) (Int), Listen (Wis), Sneak (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sibeccai with levels only in sibeccai (no actual class levels) are proficient in the use of all simple weapons and light armors and shields.

Scent (Ex): See the description in the scent tracker spell.

The Evolved Sibeccai

Sibeccai affected by the tenebrian seeds grow considerably hardier and somewhat stronger. They maintain their sleek physique, for even as their shoulders broaden, their limbs lengthen and become more sinewy. Overall they grow about 4 to 6 inches in height. Their jaws develop a viselike grip, but they get better at using weapons as well.

Evolved Sibeccai Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a sibeccai must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold.