Jerren (3.5e Race)

Jerren
Summary::Abyssal halflings with a boundless appetite for everything.

The Jerren were one of the first mortal race experiments which the obyrith, and the Queen of Chaos, considered acceptable. They are, in many ways, precursors to the tanar'ri, but at the same time, are a species well apart. They have the same unrestrained emotionality that characterizes devils, but at the same time, have a very mortal approach to such things. Jerren multiplied rapidly, and raised their voices in prayer to their obyrith overlords.

It was only the intervention of the First Ones and their angel children in separating the Material Plane from the rest of the Abyss that changed fundamentally how the jerren saw their world. Some of them were infused with angelic power, calming their destructive natures, turning them into the halflings that many know (and love) today. To a jerren, this was a fate worse than death - to be turned into some happy, pointless being that didn't know the true depth of emotion that they did. The remaining jerren hid, and continued their prayers to their dark masters in hiding, awaiting their day of return.

Personality
Jerren have an emotionality that only the tanar'ri can compare with. While they are capable of thinking rationally if needs be, they can feel emotions to a degree almost no other creature can, and as a result, tend to swing wildly in their responses, going from depression to mania and back to depression very rapidly. This gives them a highly self-destructive and short-term approach to life, as they seek to extract the maximum enjoyment out of it - whatever harm this may cause.

Jerren are loners by nature - they don't particularly like sharing, and certainly don't like halflings, either. At the same time, this very quality often leads them to become adventurers, as it allows them to experience all manner of things that other jerren cannot.

Physical Description
Jerren look very similar to halflings, except instead of a halfling's typical jovial expression, jerren look emotionally pained or angry to most. In terms of physical stature, jerren tend to be leaner than halflings, but are otherwise very similar (the two races are actually one and the same, though good luck trying to convince either of them of it). Jerren have a preference towards darker colours and more aggressive designs in their clothes, weapons and tools, and often wear their hair dyed in aggressive spikes or shave it off altogether.

Relations
Jerren, due to their nature, can get along equally well (or equally badly) with all races. However, they have a strong affinity to other evil creatures mired in emotions (such as orcs), and almost always detest halflings.

Alignment
Jerren are usually chaotic or evil (and many are both). Some jerren can be lawful, but almost none are good.

Lands
Jerren often live in hidden communities in places where they are hard to find, and their racial practices are difficult to uncover, whether these are city sewers, mountain peaks or deep forests. Their communities tend to be small and self-sufficient, and they rarely mix with other races except when necessary. Otherwise, jerren can be found anywhere that halflings are.

Religion
Many jerren worship demons openly, and those that don't often follow deities with similar persuasions. Even jerren that are not particularly religious still perform certain semi-religious rites dedicated to their ancient masters.

Language
Jerren speak Abyssal and Halfling (which they do with a harsh accent). Many also speak Common and other languages of the areas that they live.

Names
Jerren use halfling names, but instead of their usual choice of surnames, jerren tend to emphasize darker qualities. For example, it is unlikely that a jerren would be named Alton Brushgather, but a name like Arkan Bloodspiller would be totally fine.

Simple Racial Traits
==== Jerren ====

Jerren do not have racial abilities in the classic sense. Instead they have a simplified set of racial abilities.


 * Combat Ability - Sneak Attack: Jerren gain +1d6 sneak attack.
 * Passive Ability - Small: Jerren are Small, with all the benefits and drawbacks.
 * Utility Ability - Hide In Plain Sight: Jerren can hide even when being observed, but still need some sort of cover or concealment. Hide is always a class skill for Jerren.