Thursday, June 4, 2015

Races of Pathfinder: Syrinx

Syrinx
Syrinx are owl-people who live in cliff-side monastery cities.  They have an incredible 60 foot fly speed ... and not much else.  They are very similar to the Strix.

Racial Traits:
Ability Scores: +2 Wisdom and -2 Dexterity is probably the worst ability score distribution available.  Every class that uses Wisdom can make some use of Dexterity.  Well, at least they can fly!

Size: Medium - nothing special here. 

Speed: Syrinx move at 30 feet on land, and 60 feet in the air.  They have average flight.  This is the best feature of this race, and probably the best way to fly in the early levels.  Obviously at higher levels you'll be able to get the spell, but for a long time you'll be a naturalflier!

Languages: You only start with one language, Syrinx.  It's nothing a single point of Linguistics can't fix, but it's worth mentioning.

Nocturnal: +2 to Perception and Stealth is great, but it only takes effect in dim light or darkness.  Good thing you have dark vision.

Pride: +2 against mind-affecting effects is nice, but I'd far prefer something broader.  Still, mind-affecting effects are pretty common.

Speak with Avians: Speaking with birds is fun, flavorful, and useful.  Not only are bird great at scouting and reporting in, but you'll probably fight a bird or two in your career.

Darkvision & Low Light Vision: Darkvision is great, and it allows you to use your Nocturnal bonus better.  Low-Light vision is just icing.

Classes: 
The Strix's flight is good but +Wisdom/-Dexterity is a tough mold to fit.  For that reason, only the Empyreal Sorcerer gets blue ranking, and then only just.  Dexterity is important for Sorcerers too.
Some guys fit in green. As long as you stay away from ranged, the Cleric, Monk, Inquisitor, Ranger, and Druid all can make use of Wisdom.
Next is, well, everybody else.  These are guys who aren't going to be totally pleased with the Dexterity hit, but can make use of their other abilities.  The Gunslinger, Alchemist, Fighter, Barbarian, Rogue, Ranger, Magus, Wizard, Sorcerer, Witch, Summoner, Bard, and Ninja.  They all suffer a bit from the Dexterity hit, but can enjoy a bit of air time.
A fly speed keeps anybody out of total Red.  Still, the Strix has better options when it comes to classes, and can fly just as well.


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