Arqeshi

At a glance

Feature	Details
Appearance	Tall, powerful humanoids with slimy skin, nearly identical in appearance to Nazetu.
Origins and communities	A diaspora descended from Nazedha converts; its largest community is in the southeast.
Culture	Freed from Chakrasul’s influence; seafaring food traditions and caution during Chakros.
Racial abilities	Trawling; Willful; Ice Breathing

Origins and communities

The oldest Arqeshi were Nazedha invaders, converted by the prophet Kayalenki in the year 452 MA, following the War of Night. Any Arqeshi born before this time are, by necessity, converts – Nazetu from the mainland or the Nazedha islands who chose to become free of Corruption.

As a result, the Arqeshi are by definition a diasporic population – they are not accepted by their former Nazetu brothers and are generally exiled on principle. The largest community of Arqeshi lives in the southeast, serving the cause of the Light, and though they maintain some cultural practices in common with their Nazetu and Nazedha brethren, their ideologies differ starkly.

Food and religious traditions

A typical Arqeshi’s diet consists largely of the bounty of the sea – shellfish, fish, seaweed, crabs, and whatever else lingers around the coastline are more likely than not to end up in the stew pot. They often highlight this food with whatever spices are on hand; the more powerful, the better. Arqeshi bread tends toward cram and hardtack, a holdover from their naval heritage.

Although many Nazetu consider the month of Chakros sacred, a time for celebrating the power of Corruption, the Arqeshi interpret it instead as a time of wariness and caution, often fasting and refraining from indulgence to prevent Her from regaining Her power over them. In this time, it is also common to read and reinterpret the religious canon of the Nazedha, contrasting it against the ideals the Arqeshi have embraced upon the mainland.

Racial abilities

Level 1: Trawling

Syntax: TRAWL and EAT <fish>

Your time in the water has given you the ability to trawl for edible food in watery environments. If you’re lucky enough to snag something to eat, it will reduce your hunger. If not, try another location.

In fertile locations, you are guaranteed to find something to eat, and it will restore more nutrition than normal.

You can also eat raw fish if you happen to have some on hand.

Level 31: Willful

This ability is passive.

The will of your race is legendary among the common folk. As such, your maximum willpower increases by 5%.

Level 61: Ice Breathing

Syntax: BREATHE ICE AT <player/denizen>
BREATHE ICE AT GROUND
BREATHE ICE AT FIREWALL

Your breath can take an icy form, allowing it to deal cold damage and chill your opponent. You can also create a layer of ice upon the ground that might trip those without the levitation defence, or extinguish walls of fire.

Class ideas for roleplay

These are potential starting points for a character’s story and are offered as suggestions only. You can make almost any class or race combination work in Aetolia as your race gives no special advantage with these classes; availability follows the usual class and guild rules.

Luminary

An Arqeshi priest could make freedom from Chakrasul’s influence the centre of their work in Enorian. The Luminary’s guardian angel and Light-sourced fire give them ways to defend others against the Corruption their people escaped.

Tidesage

An Arqeshi researcher might return to their people’s maritime heritage by studying the ocean and its magic, while also fighting Corruption from within Enorian.

Templar

An Arqeshi knight might protect other converts seeking refuge from Chakrasul’s influence. Enorian’s Templar code asks them to pursue justice rather than vengeance, even when their own nightmares and exile make that distinction difficult.

See also: The Races of Aetolia · The World of Aetolia · Character Classes