Chaja - Revision history

Elanthe: /* Biology */

2026-03-26T20:36:10Z

Biology

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:36, 26 March 2026
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	==Biology==		==Biology==
	Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. ~~The hair and skin of a chaja~~ ranges ~~in colour~~ from cream to brown to black, and ~~gradually darkens with age~~. Their eyes have extremely large pupils adapted for darkness, appearing as a mirror-sheen of a variety of hues surrounded by a darker ring that fills nearly the entirety of their visible eyeball. ~~Some chaja~~ have small horns that grow slowly but constantly throughout their lifetime, though in ~~the young these are often concealed by the thick hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back~~. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well.		Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. Their coloration ranges from cream to brown to black, with thick hair across their head, shoulders, chest, and back. Their eyes have extremely large pupils adapted for darkness, appearing as a mirror-sheen of a variety of hues surrounded by a darker ring that fills nearly the entirety of their visible eyeball. Chaja have small horns that grow slowly but constantly throughout their lifetime and which may be decorated with jewelry or even carving, though they are too brittle to use in combat. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well.

	The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.		The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.

Elanthe at 07:04, 31 March 2024

2024-03-31T07:04:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:04, 31 March 2024
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	==Biology==		==Biology==
	Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ranges in colour from cream to brown to black, and gradually darkens with age. Some chaja have small horns, though these are often concealed by the ~~long, woolly~~ hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well~~. Their eyes have no visible pupil; chaja who mature underground will often retain milky white eyes, while the chaja who have regular exposure to sunlight can have eyes in a variety of muted shades~~.		Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ranges in colour from cream to brown to black, and gradually darkens with age. Their eyes have extremely large pupils adapted for darkness, appearing as a mirror-sheen of a variety of hues surrounded by a darker ring that fills nearly the entirety of their visible eyeball. Some chaja have small horns that grow slowly but constantly throughout their lifetime, though in the young these are often concealed by the thick hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well.

	The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.		The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.

Elanthe at 18:02, 25 March 2024

2024-03-25T18:02:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 25 March 2024
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	Like the shuddeni, the chaja raise giant tame breeds of spider from whom they create the silk that comprises most of their clothing. Unlike the shuddeni, they regard spiders as sacred, being the favorite creatures of Kurion; spiders and their tenders are thus treated with a kind of dread respect, and spider flesh is not eaten by them, though edible silks are common features in their dishes. Alongside this they cultivate a variety of strange insects, subterranean fish, and fungi, which they incorporate into curries popular even on the surface, albeit without the addition of ingredients toxic or fatal to all but the chaja.		Like the shuddeni, the chaja raise giant tame breeds of spider from whom they create the silk that comprises most of their clothing. Unlike the shuddeni, they regard spiders as sacred, being the favorite creatures of Kurion; spiders and their tenders are thus treated with a kind of dread respect, and spider flesh is not eaten by them, though edible silks are common features in their dishes. Alongside this they cultivate a variety of strange insects, subterranean fish, and fungi, which they incorporate into curries popular even on the surface, albeit without the addition of ingredients toxic or fatal to all but the chaja.

	~~Clothing~~ is not ~~segregated by gender~~, and their garments are not stitched, instead being comprised of various arrangements of long, wide lengths of silk. These are wrapped, folded, tied, and tucked into different kinds of clothing, such as saari or dhoti, according to the personal tastes, occasion, intended message, etc. These are dyed in a rainbow of fungi-derived dyes as well as embroidered or adorned with precious metals and gemstones. Likewise, all genders wear an abundance of such jewelry, particularly styled to be pinned to or draped over their hair.		Beauty and attractiveness is not gendered, and features, talents, clothing, or jewelry are regarded as such regardless of the gender of their bearer. Their garments are not stitched, instead being comprised of various arrangements of long, wide lengths of silk. These are wrapped, folded, tied, and tucked into different kinds of clothing, such as saari or dhoti, according to the personal tastes, occasion, intended message, etc. These are dyed in a rainbow of fungi-derived dyes as well as embroidered or adorned with precious metals and gemstones. Likewise, all genders wear an abundance of such jewelry, particularly styled to be pinned to or draped over their hair.

	Their isolation and quiet nature means chaja are often best known outside the ~~Brinters~~, and particularly in [[Earendam]], for their frequent use as slaves by the shuddeni. During the [[War of Night]] in particular they were forced to be shock troops for the shuddeni, causing them to be vilified as mindless, vicious monsters. The shuddeni continue to predate upon the chaja, kidnapping them for enslavement as laborers, hunters, or servants. Crude stereotypes and lingering prejudice have made chaja lives in outside cities such as Earendam or Ashta Harrud frustrating ones. They can frequently be found commiserating with alatharya, who experience similar prejudices.		Their isolation and quiet nature means chaja are often best known outside the Brintors, and particularly in [[Earendam]], for their frequent use as slaves by the shuddeni. During the [[War of Night]] in particular they were forced to be shock troops for the shuddeni, causing them to be vilified as mindless, vicious monsters. The shuddeni continue to predate upon the chaja, kidnapping them for enslavement as laborers, hunters, or servants. Crude stereotypes and lingering prejudice have made chaja lives in outside cities such as Earendam or Ashta Harrud frustrating ones. They can frequently be found commiserating with alatharya, who experience similar prejudices.

	==Religion==		==Religion==

Elanthe at 23:33, 10 March 2024

2024-03-10T23:33:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 10 March 2024
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	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[Illusion]]		\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[Illusion]]
	\|-
	~~\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 hit points per level~~
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]		\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]
	\|-		\|-
	~~\| '''Classes''' \|\| [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], [[Bandit]], [[Bard]],<br>[[Barbarian]], [[Ranger]], [[Druid]]~~
	\|}		\|}

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	==Biology==		==Biology==
	Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ranges in colour from cream to brown to black, and gradually darkens with age. Some chaja have small horns, though these are often concealed by the long, woolly hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well. Their eyes have no visible ~~sclera or~~ pupil; chaja who mature underground will often retain milky white eyes, while the chaja who have regular exposure to sunlight can have eyes in a variety of muted shades.		Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ranges in colour from cream to brown to black, and gradually darkens with age. Some chaja have small horns, though these are often concealed by the long, woolly hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well. Their eyes have no visible pupil; chaja who mature underground will often retain milky white eyes, while the chaja who have regular exposure to sunlight can have eyes in a variety of muted shades.

	The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.		The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.

Elanthe at 22:06, 10 March 2024

2024-03-10T22:06:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 10 March 2024
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	==Biology==		==Biology==
	Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ~~begins as a shade of white or pale grey at birth~~, gradually ~~darkening to black~~ with age. Some chaja have ~~short, curved~~ horns, though these are often concealed in their ~~thick hair~~. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well. ~~Chaja that~~ mature underground ~~tend to have colourless,~~ milky eyes, while the chaja who ~~grow up with~~ regular exposure to sunlight can have eyes in a variety of muted shades.		Chaja are gigantic humanoid mammals with caprine features and robust, hirsute bodies. The hair and skin of a chaja ranges in colour from cream to brown to black, and gradually darkens with age. Some chaja have small horns, though these are often concealed by the long, woolly hair which mantles their head, shoulders, chest, and back. At maturity they can reach over nine feet in height, and have strong, robust builds padded with layers of protective fat. They possess little sexual dimorphism, with both sexes possessing thick body hair and often facial hair as well. Their eyes have no visible sclera or pupil; chaja who mature underground will often retain milky white eyes, while the chaja who have regular exposure to sunlight can have eyes in a variety of muted shades.

	The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.		The ability of the chaja to eat nearly anything is legendary. Not only are their stomachs exceptionally acidic, allowing them to eat even spoiled or rotting foods safely, their gut biome is uniquely extensive and dramatically expands the range of things they can derive sustenance from.

	==Culture==		==Culture==
	~~Perseverance~~ is a ~~principal virtue among~~ the ~~chaja~~, and ~~stoicism~~ in the face of ~~adversity~~ is ~~viewed~~ as the ~~greatest strength~~. ~~This creed depends~~ to ~~take on~~ different ~~tones however depending on~~ a ~~chaja’s origin~~.		Chaja are a largely subterranean people within the Brintors, their mastery of the druidic arts transforming their underground caverns into sunlit, verdant spaces. The influences of the gods [[Elanthe]] and [[Kurion]] alongside [[Kyana]] have made them a thoughtful, stoic people, prone to quiet introspection often mistaken for dullness or stupidity. Though not especially inclined to violence as a people, their potential for martial prowess owing to their size, strength, and sheer tenacity has become legendary.

			The written language of the chaja is a simple cuneiform, and is reserved for mundane and every-day matters; things of personal or spiritual importance are preserved and conveyed in art, song, poetry, or tale. Much of their culture surrounds the concepts of narrative and fate, and the proper disposition in the face of ones' circumstances. The tension to balance defiance against fatalism is a constant.

			Like the shuddeni, the chaja raise giant tame breeds of spider from whom they create the silk that comprises most of their clothing. Unlike the shuddeni, they regard spiders as sacred, being the favorite creatures of Kurion; spiders and their tenders are thus treated with a kind of dread respect, and spider flesh is not eaten by them, though edible silks are common features in their dishes. Alongside this they cultivate a variety of strange insects, subterranean fish, and fungi, which they incorporate into curries popular even on the surface, albeit without the addition of ingredients toxic or fatal to all but the chaja.

			Clothing is not segregated by gender, and their garments are not stitched, instead being comprised of various arrangements of long, wide lengths of silk. These are wrapped, folded, tied, and tucked into different kinds of clothing, such as saari or dhoti, according to the personal tastes, occasion, intended message, etc. These are dyed in a rainbow of fungi-derived dyes as well as embroidered or adorned with precious metals and gemstones. Likewise, all genders wear an abundance of such jewelry, particularly styled to be pinned to or draped over their hair.

			Their isolation and quiet nature means chaja are often best known outside the Brinters, and particularly in [[Earendam]], for their frequent use as slaves by the shuddeni. During the [[War of Night]] in particular they were forced to be shock troops for the shuddeni, causing them to be vilified as mindless, vicious monsters. The shuddeni continue to predate upon the chaja, kidnapping them for enslavement as laborers, hunters, or servants. Crude stereotypes and lingering prejudice have made chaja lives in outside cities such as Earendam or Ashta Harrud frustrating ones. They can frequently be found commiserating with alatharya, who experience similar prejudices.

	==Religion==		==Religion==
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	==History==		==History==
	The chaja were the first to settle the [[Brintor mountains]] following the [[Sundering]], emerging from the heart of the mountains and spreading across the ranges. In the time between the Sundering and the [[War of Fire]], the chaja built many towering structures across the ranges which would later be repurposed by the aelin of Daphoa. The War of Fire marked the beginning of true chaja isolationism however as they retreated into underground sanctums to avoid the devastation of the fiery warlords ravaging the surface. Some enclaves attempted to retain their surface holdings, but ~~most that did were obliterated.~~		The chaja were the first to settle the [[Brintor mountains]] following the [[Sundering]], emerging from the heart of the mountains and spreading across the ranges. In the time between the Sundering and the [[War of Fire]], the chaja built many towering structures across the ranges which would later be repurposed by the aelin of Daphoa. The War of Fire marked the beginning of true chaja isolationism however, as in obeisance to Kyana's foresight they retreated into underground sanctums to avoid the devastation of the fiery warlords ravaging the surface. Some enclaves attempted to retain their surface holdings, but all of them, as well as the aelin, were obliterated.

	A few of the retreating enclaves found themselves confronted with the [[shuddeni]] of the [[Yithoul]] clan, who at this time were engaged in a brutal war of extinction with the [[Ilthina]] clan. The burgeoning psionicists of the Yithoul discovered that the chaja were vulnerable to mental domination and executed a swift campaign of domination against the enclaves they were able to find, turning the might of ~~the chaja against the~~ them ~~to secure the hegemony of Yithoul and seal the fate of the chaja~~, as ~~[[Kyana]] had foreseen. The shuddeni have continued this practice into modern times, utilising their psionic prowess to ruin~~ the ~~minds of young chaja and instilling in them a fear of defiance and an instinct to obey authority. Although this process is imperfect~~, ~~no slaveborn chaja escapes without damage, and most never even contemplate escape, contributing to the perception of enslaved chaja as complicit or even willing participants in their own enslavement~~.

	~~Several millennia later~~, the ~~chaja gained infamy on~~ the ~~surface as~~ the ~~front line of~~ the shuddeni ~~assault in~~ the [[~~War of Night~~]]. In the ~~centuries afterwards~~, ~~many chaja fleeing enslavement or emerging from~~ their ~~mountain strongholds began integrating~~ into ~~surface cultures. Unfortunately,~~ their ~~role~~ in the War of Night ~~found many~~ of them ~~marginalised and discriminated against~~.		As the enclaves retreated further underground, they encountered the [[shuddeni]] in the places their warrens interacted with the labyrinthine shuddeni underground. Though their past interactions with the shuddeni had been relatively peaceful if brief, the shuddeni of the [[Yithoul]] clan were at the time engaged in a war of extinction with another clan. Seeing an opportunity in the vulnerable chaja, the shuddeni used their burgeoning [[psionic]]s to execute a swift campaign of domination against the handful of enclaves they were able to find, pressing them into service against their enemies in that and other conflicts, such as the [[War of Night]]. The chaja continue to be a target for shuddeni slavers, who use a combination of psionics and collusion from divines of [[Kurion]] to keep them in chains.

	In modern times, the chaja strongholds of the Brintors maintain a state of extreme secrecy and isolationism, while the free chaja of the lowlands find themselves struggling against ancient prejudice and comparisons to the alatharya.		In modern times, the chaja strongholds of the Brintors maintain a state of extreme secrecy and isolationism, while the free chaja of the lowlands find themselves struggling against ancient prejudice and comparisons to the alatharya.




	[[Category:chaja]][[Category:Lineage]]		[[Category:chaja]][[Category:Lineage]]

Undaedalus at 19:28, 26 February 2024

2024-02-26T19:28:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 26 February 2024
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	!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''		!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''STR''' \|\| 25		\| '''[[STR]]''' \|\| 25
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''INT''' \|\| 17		\| '''[[INT]]''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''WIS''' \|\| 17		\| '''[[WIS]]''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''DEX''' \|\| 23		\| '''[[DEX]]''' \|\| 23
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CON''' \|\| 23		\| '''[[CON]]''' \|\| 23
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CHR''' \|\| 17		\| '''[[CHR]]''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| [[Light]]		\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| [[Light]]

Aeoleri at 18:02, 16 February 2024

2024-02-16T18:02:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 16 February 2024
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	\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[Illusion]]		\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[Illusion]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 ~~health~~ per level		\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 hit points per level
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]		\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]

Aeoleri at 06:36, 16 February 2024

2024-02-16T06:36:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:36, 15 February 2024
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	!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''		!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''STR''' \|\| 24		\| '''STR''' \|\| 25
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''INT''' \|\| 16		\| '''INT''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''WIS''' \|\| 15		\| '''WIS''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''DEX''' \|\| 21		\| '''DEX''' \|\| 23
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CON''' \|\| 24		\| '''CON''' \|\| 23
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CHR''' \|\| 16		\| '''CHR''' \|\| 17
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| -		\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| [[Light]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[~~illusion]], [[mental~~]]		\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[Illusion]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]],		\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 health per level
	[[dark vision]],		\|-
	[[iron stomach]]		\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Classes''' \|\| [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], [[Bandit]], [[Bard]],<br>[[Barbarian]], [[Ranger]], [[Druid]]		\| '''Classes''' \|\| [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], [[Bandit]], [[Bard]],<br>[[Barbarian]], [[Ranger]], [[Druid]]
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	[[Category:~~People~~]]		[[Category:chaja]][[Category:Lineage]]

Aeoleri: Reverted edits by Aeoleri (talk) to last revision by Elanthe

2024-02-16T06:35:22Z

Reverted edits by Aeoleri (talk) to last revision by Elanthe

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 15 February 2024
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	!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''		!colspan="2" style="background:#ed668c; text-align:center"\| '''Overview'''
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''STR''' \|\| 25		\| '''STR''' \|\| 24
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''INT''' \|\| 17		\| '''INT''' \|\| 16
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''WIS''' \|\| 17		\| '''WIS''' \|\| 15
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''DEX''' \|\| 23		\| '''DEX''' \|\| 21
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CON''' \|\| 23		\| '''CON''' \|\| 24
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''CHR''' \|\| 17		\| '''CHR''' \|\| 16
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| ~~[[Light]]~~		\| '''[[Resist]]s''' \|\| -
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[~~Illusion~~]]		\| '''[[Vulnerable]]''' \|\| [[illusion]], [[mental]]
	\|-		\|-
	~~\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 health per level~~		\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]],
	\|-		[[dark vision]],
	\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]],
	[[iron stomach]]		[[iron stomach]]
	\|-		\|-
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	[[Category:~~chaja]][[Category:Lineage~~]]		[[Category:People]]

Aeoleri at 06:35, 16 February 2024

2024-02-16T06:35:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 15 February 2024
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	\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 health per level		\| '''Bonus''' \|\| +2 health per level
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]], [[iron stomach]]		\| '''Special''' \|\| [[Giant]], [[dark vision]],
			[[iron stomach]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Classes''' \|\| [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], [[Bandit]], [[Bard]],<br>[[Barbarian]], [[Ranger]], [[Druid]]		\| '''Classes''' \|\| [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], [[Bandit]], [[Bard]],<br>[[Barbarian]], [[Ranger]], [[Druid]]