Zeitgeist (3.5e Race)

&larr; Xeno Codex (3.5e Sourcebook)/Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist
Summary::Fat ugly slugs who have perfected the art of suggestion

Personality
Zeitgeists philosophy is much like The Grand Inquisitor, from Brothers Karamazov, by Feodor Dostoevsky. (Which is too long to post here).

They have come to realise that there is no such thing as good or evil, and that most creatures cannot take care of themselves. Thus it is their purpose in life to let the children be children; let the children fight, and have fantastical ideas when necessary. For the zeitgeists must play the adults, only they will worry about the universe.

Happiness requires grand spectacles and continued entertainment. All societies must have them as cornerstones. The catchwords "Democracy", "Equality", "Freedom", and the greatest fallacy of all – “Choice” – must always be fought for in theatres and romance. To seduce the masses, they will give gifts of success; and may even create outside antagonists to unify.

Power is more effective by building bonds of trust, admiration, and love.

Physical Description
Zeitgeists are large blue slug-like beings.

Alignment
Usually lawful

Language
Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Infernal, Zeit

Racial Traits

 * ,, , , : Why be physical if one can make others do the job.
 * Powerful Bulk: The bulk of zeitgeists lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger. Whenever a zeitgeist is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the zeitgeist is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. A zeitgeist is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. Also the above benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category. Unlike powerful build, a zeitgeist cannot use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty.
 * The Nature of Good and Evil : Zeitgeists can emanate an evil, neutral, or good aura. However this is not at all their alignment - for they have no alignment on the good/evil axis, rising above such morals long ago (they are neither good, neutral, or evil; they are alignment Z). (For classes or feats that require an alignment, zeitgeist only need to emanate it to gain features (i.e. one can have a "evil class" and a "good class", yet can only gain the benefits of the one they emanate. It takes a minute for them to change auras.
 * Zeitgeist have a slime speed of 20 feet. The slime is secreted from its underside.
 * Bright-light Vision
 * Darkvision: A zeitgeist can see in the dark up to 40 feet.
 * Mind Blank : DNA manipulation has allowed them to ingrain a permanent mind blank spell into their bodies.
 * +3 racial bonus on bluff, diplomacy, intimidate and sense motive checks.
 * Star Form : At 5HD, a zeitgeist can assume the form of a creature that the masses revere. This can only be of the same type as the masses, or an outsider; the new form cannot have more HD then the zeitgeist. In the Star form, a zeitgeist loses its slime speed and powerful bulk features, replacing them with features of the Star. A zeitgeist remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, but the zeitgeist reverts to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell reveals its natural form.
 * Automatic Languages: Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Infernal, Zeit
 * Bonus Languages: Any
 * Favored Class:, , , , , , , , ,
 * Level Adjustment: +Level Adjustment::1
 * Effective Character Level: Effective Character Level::2
 * Level Adjustment: +Level Adjustment::1
 * Effective Character Level: Effective Character Level::2