Salyvan

"From the shadows they weave their webs, not of silk but of lies and despair. Their beauty is a blade; their kindness, a poison."

The Salyban, masters of intrigue and corruption, are a race of dark, cunning beings who dwell in the deepest shadows of Tzion. Though their elegance and beauty rival any other race, their hearts are as black as the void. They thrive in manipulation and deceit, spreading their influence like a creeping disease. With sharp minds and even sharper blades, the Salyban are a force of malevolence wrapped in an alluring guise.

Born of Shadows

The Salyban were born in the deep subterranean realms of Vorynthar, a labyrinthine world of endless caverns illuminated by bioluminescent fungi and dark crystals that pulse with malevolent energy. In these depths, where the light of Goddark never reached, they evolved into creatures of the dark. The poisonous air of Vorynthar honed their resilience, while the constant struggle for survival bred cunning and treachery into their very nature.

The Salyban claim their creation was not accidental. Legends tell of their progenitors, who defied the celestial order, escaping to Vorynthar to forge their empire of shadows. Whether this is true or mere myth, one thing is certain: the Salyban’s hatred for the light and all it represents has fueled their relentless ambition to conquer and corrupt.

Salyban in the Material Plane

When Salyban venture to the Material Plane, they bring with them the dark whispers of Vorynthar. Mortals perceive them as eerie yet captivating figures—elusive strangers cloaked in mystery and dread. They infiltrate societies, sowing discord from the inside while pursuing their own sinister goals.

Some Salyban arrive with the intent to enslave, viewing other beings as tools for their schemes. Others arrive as mercenaries, lending their lethal skills to the highest bidder. But their ultimate loyalty is to their kind, and every move they make is part of a larger, more insidious plan.

Culture of the Salyban

Values and Customs

The Salyban value power, deception, and perfection above all else. Among them, life is a game of manipulation, where alliances are made to be broken, and kindness is merely another tool of control. They believe in survival of the fittest, where only those who can navigate the treacherous politics of their society rise to prominence.

Social Structure

Salyban society is a web of rival Houses, each vying for dominance in Vorynthar. These Houses are ruled by Matriarchs—formidable women who are as dangerous as they are brilliant. Beneath the Matriarchs are layers of scheming nobles, spies, and assassins, all working to further their House's ambitions while undermining their rivals.

Philosophy

The Salyban reject the light as a force of tyranny, claiming it blinds mortals to the true freedom of darkness. To them, morality is a weakness, and those who cling to it are fools deserving of exploitation. They see themselves as the rightful rulers of Tzion, destined to shape the universe in their shadowy image.

Playing a Salyban

To play a Salyban is to embrace complexity and moral ambiguity. Whether as a scheming noble, a skilled assassin, or a rogue seeking redemption, a Salyban character offers endless opportunities for intrigue and depth.

Character Questions

  • What drove you to leave the shadowed halls of Vorynthar?
  • Do you embrace your people's cruel nature, or do you seek to rise above it?
  • How do you view other factions, especially those aligned with light or order?

Character Examples

  • Zyressa Malthis: A Matriarch’s daughter seeking to overthrow her mother and claim the House for herself.
  • Thalnor Drekk: An assassin hired to eliminate a Kwasar champion but beginning to question his loyalty.
  • Myrith Vekal: A wandering exile who has fled Vorynthar to escape the constant cycle of betrayal and violence.

Traits

Ability Score Increase. +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma.
Age. Salyban reach maturity at 100 years and live up to 800 years.
Alignment. Most Salyban lean toward evil alignments, valuing selfishness and ambition.
Size. Salyban are lithe and slightly taller than humans, standing between 5’9” and 6’3”.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Accustomed to the perpetual darkness of Vorynthar, you have superior vision in dim light and darkness up to 120 feet.
Shadowstep. As a bonus action, you can teleport up to 30 feet to a space you can see that is in dim light or darkness.
Poison Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against being poisoned.
Charm of Shadows. You can cast Charm Person once per long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this trait.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Salybanic.

Subraces

Shadowblade Salyban

Trained from birth to be the deadliest of assassins, Shadowblade Salyban are feared throughout the realms.

  • Silent Step. You have advantage on Stealth checks while in dim light or darkness.
  • Venomous Strike. When you deal damage with a melee weapon, you can choose to add 1d6 poison damage. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.

Nightsinger Salyban

Salyban with an affinity for magic and song, Nightsingers use their voices to charm and beguile.

  • Song of Shadows. You can cast Sleep once per long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this trait.
  • Beguiling Presence. You have proficiency in the Deception skill, and you can add double your proficiency bonus to Deception checks.

Names

The names of the Salyban reflect their culture of elegance, cunning, and malice. Names often carry a melodious yet sharp tone, like the blades they wield in both physical and political arenas. Names can also be imbued with meanings tied to the shadows, night, or ambition.

Masculine Names

  • Drakzor
  • Valtris
  • Xynareth
  • Kaelvyr
  • Zorandis

Feminine Names

  • Lysvara
  • Vynessa
  • Zirael
  • Draelith
  • Myritha

Neutral Names

  • Tynris
  • Vaelith
  • Nyxar
  • Kryven
  • Saryn

Salyban also adopt epithets or titles as they rise in power, such as "The Whispered Blade," "Shadow’s Hand," or "Mistweaver," further enhancing their mystique and notoriety.

Playing a Salyban

Playing a Salyban means stepping into the role of a character who thrives in shadows, both literal and metaphorical. They can be cunning manipulators, shadowy assassins, or ambitious schemers seeking to carve their place in the world.

Roleplaying Hooks

  • Are you loyal to your House, or have you grown weary of its treachery?
  • Do you see other races as pawns to exploit, or have you come to respect their unique qualities?
  • What drives your ambition—power, revenge, or something deeper?

Character Examples

  • Zirael Vorynthia: A charismatic Nightsinger whose haunting songs hold entire courts captive. Zirael seeks to manipulate the rulers of the Material Plane to establish a Salyban foothold above ground.
  • Drakzor Valtris: A Shadowblade Salyban haunted by the memory of a botched assassination that led to the death of his kin. He now seeks redemption through carefully chosen alliances.
  • Vaelith Kryven: A renegade Salyban with an unshakable desire to break the cycle of betrayal in their society. They walk the fine line between darkness and light, unsure where their loyalties lie.

DM’s Toolbox: Salyban in the World

As Antagonists

  • A Salyban noble manipulates a kingdom’s ruler, forcing the party to expose the dark conspiracy while fending off assassins and spies.
  • The players are hunted by a deadly Salyban Shadowblade, whose mission is to silence them for uncovering a Salyban House's sinister plans.

As Allies

  • A Salyban exile offers to lend their skills to the party in exchange for protection from their own kind.
  • A Nightsinger Salyban provides magical support, though their motives for aiding the party remain veiled in secrecy.

Rumors and Hooks

  • "A charismatic diplomat has been influencing local leaders, but whispers say they’re not who they seem. Could they be Salyban?"
  • "A mysterious assassin is targeting high-profile figures. The only clue is a shadowy emblem left behind at each scene."
  • "A once-thriving town has fallen into chaos. Some claim a Salyban noble was seen meeting with its leaders days before the collapse."

Salyban in Combat

Strengths

  • Stealth and Subtlety: Their natural stealth abilities make them ideal ambushers and infiltrators.
  • Versatility: With access to magic and physical prowess, Salyban can adapt to many combat roles.
  • Crowd Control: Abilities like Charm Person and Sleep allow them to manipulate the battlefield.

Weaknesses

  • Fragility: Salyban are not built for prolonged frontline combat and rely on evasion and misdirection.
  • Reliance on Shadows: Their abilities shine in darkness but are hindered in bright, open environments.

Optional Details

Salyban Artifacts

  • Blade of Whispers: A dagger infused with dark magic, able to silence its target for a brief period.
  • Veil of Shadows: A cloak that grants the wearer increased stealth and resistance to detection magic.

Informative Sidebar: Vorynthar Society

The Houses of Vorynthar maintain a delicate balance of power, constantly shifting as alliances are forged and broken. A Salyban noble’s success often depends on their ability to outmaneuver rivals without overstepping and uniting other Houses against them.

The Salyban are a fascinating addition to any campaign, offering layers of intrigue, danger, and complexity. Whether as deadly adversaries or morally ambiguous allies, they are certain to leave their mark on the world of Tzion.