HIGHLANDER Heritage features

Highlander

When humanoids from other worlds were brought into Varris, each group appeared in a different part of the continent. While most arrived near the coast, in the area that would come to be the Varran Empire, others began their journey in the far west. Some of these groups made their way to the east, across the tall mountains and to the coast, while others felt at home in the highlands and remained there.

Those who dwell in the highlands, regardless of their ancestry, are called Highlanders. There are many distinct groups and cultures under the broad Highlander umbrella, and all races of the continent can be found in the highlands too. The most prominent among them, however, is the orcs. Orcs first arrived in the far east of the continent and slowly settled in the highlands. By the time they neared the coast, the Varran Empire was already in power, so they never ventured onto its territory.

Now, centuries later, orcs and half-orcs can still mostly be found in the mountains. They herd sheep and other animals, moving freely across the vast highlands in search of new pastures and resources. Many travel to the lowlands to trade. Some merchants from Varszi states hire Highlanders to transport their goods across the mountains, because they are the only ones who know how to cross them safely. Rarely, a Highlander will decide to give up their nomadic lifestyle and settle in the lowlands. Most orcs and half-orcs in Varszi states are descended from these Highlanders.

As the mountains are not part of any state, the Highlanders do not consider themselves to be subjects of any monarch. Even if a mountain range lies within the borders of a kingdom, in practice the region is impossible to govern. Some rulers have attempted to "regulate" the Highlanders to control their trade routes, check what goods they may be bringing into their land, and impose different types of taxes onto them, but those attempts have failed. The Highlanders themselves value their freedom and would not want to submit to any such regulations.

Heritage features

Below are the features your character gains after you choose the Highland heritage. Heritage is a mechanic specific to the Varris setting.

Ruleset: 5e

Your heritage determines the languages your character knows. It can also be their background and grant them more features. Check the player primer for a list of available heritages.

Languages

You can speak Orcish, and either Common or Draconic.

Background features

Your character's heritage can double as their background. If you choose the "Highlander" background, instead of a base game background like Noble, Criminal, etc, you gain the following features:

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival.

Weapon Proficiencies: Battleaxes, handaxes.

Equipment: A set of fur-lined common clothes, a light handaxe with a decorative handle, a whistle carved in the shape of a songbird, and a pouch containing 5d4 GP.

Feature: Harsh Winters. You are naturally adapted to high altitudes and cold climates. You can move across icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost you extra movement.

Ruleset: Bludgeon

Your Heritage determines your character's first language and additional skill competency options. Your character can learn languages beyond their first one, as explained in the language checks rules. Check the player primer for a list of available Heritages.

Language

Your first language is Orcish.

Additional skills

When you select the Highland heritage for your character, you choose one of the skills below to gain a +1 competency in. This is in addition to the skill competencies you would normally gain.