Bellin Customs: Given their status of constantly defending themselves against the other city-states in the area, the Bellin have not dedicated as much time to developing the arts as the Oubre have. Most Bellin lead simple lifestyles and concentrate on their work to the exclusion of most anything else. Because of this, they have a very serious, stoic outlook on life. Their art and architecture tends to be of a utilitarian nature, reflecting this seriousness.
Bellin Religion: While the Bellin do have a healthy respect for nature like their Oubre cousins, the most common Belling religion is related to the state religion, led by the Lugal. For this reason, there are many more clerics than druids among the Bellin people. The religion of Nur holds that a great spirit of the Lugal's family watches over the Bellin of the Lugalate, keeping them safe and giving them the strength to defeat their enemies. Like everything else in the Lugalate, little else is known in the West of their religious practices.
Bellin Language: The Bellin, like the Oubre, have an innate superstition of the written word for reasons lost to history. They do, however, have strong oral traditions, and many of the elders take great pains to pass down the Bellin language (sa-Bellinur) to the new generations. Because the grammar of the language is not written down, the actual structure of the language has drifted over the centuries and is in danger of becoming lost. The Bellin language makes frequent use of the sound "rg" at the end of words (as in the name Ladriarg, one of the Hallowed Prophets of Universal AEtonism). The letters d, g, j, n, r, and s are also popular. As with the Oubre, the Bellin usually have a slight lisp when pronouncing "s" and "th" sounds.
Adventurers: The Bellin are not by nature an adventuring people; most of them prefer to stay at home, tending to their work or defending the Lugalate. Those Bellin who are encountered outside of the Lugalate are most often merchants trading for goods not available in the desert regions, or members of the army who have been sent on missions by the Lugal.
+2 Wisdom, -2 Intelligence. The Bellin are cautious and rely on their old traditions, but are often close-minded to the ways of the modern world. Note that the Intelligence penalty reflects the current state of knowledge among the Bellin, not their ability to learn.
Preferred Class:
Cleric or monk
Race Traits:
* Size: Medium
* Speed: 30'
* Low Light Vision
* Unarmed Combat: All Bellin receive Improved Unarmed Strike for free. They train themselves to use their hands and feet as weapons.
* Desert Survival: Most Bellin come from the desert regions. They gain the Endurance feat for free and also receive a +2 racial bonus to Survival and Knowledge (Nature) checks while in desert environments.
* +2 racial bonus to Will saves versus spells and spell-like abilities
* Sharp Teeth: The Oubre can use their teeth as natural weapons to do 1d6 damage with a successful bite attack.
* Languages: As determined by Starting Region. May also spend points in Speak Language to learn sa-Bellinur (Ancient Bellin)
Starting Region:
Lugualate of Nur
As with most of the other civilized races, the concept of the raving barbarian is being replaced with the skills of diplomacy, intrigue, and politicking. Both the Oubre and the Bellin are relatively even-tempered and not prone to letting their emotions get the best of them, making if difficult for them to fly into a rage in the heat of battle. In the far corners of the world, however, there are pockets of isolated primitive bands that still cling to the outdated concepts typical of the barbarian lifestyle. As civilization spreads, these primitive societies are becoming less and less common.
