Riccavari Folk

To the Riccavari, life is meant to be celebrated, no matter where it is lived. Even in the midst of hardship, there is always a story to tell, a song to sing, and a meal to share. Their villages on Encara were centers of trade and revelry, where travelers stopped to rest and drink deep from the joy of life. Their vintners and cooks were renowned, their markets bursting with color and laughter.

On Thaedros, they have wasted no time bringing warmth and hospitality to the frontier. The Riccavari have experimented relentlessly, turning whatever fruits and grains they can cultivate into wine, spirits, and delicacies. They have established some of the first true inns along the developing trade routes, places where weary travelers can gather, share news, and taste the first comforts of civilization. They have found friendly rivalry with the Émervais, competing to see who can capture the soul of this land in their craft.

But beyond wine and laughter, the Riccavari hold another role: they are the lifeblood of community. Their settlements may be small, but their presence is felt wherever people gather. They remind others that survival is not enough—life must be lived. And when the days are hard, and the nights are long, it is the Riccavari who raise their voices in song and remind all who will listen that joy is a treasure that no world can take from them.

Racial Traits

Special Abilities

Halfling Nimbleness You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Hospitality's Embrace You have proficiency in Cooking Utensils. When you prepare food and drink during a long rest, up to six creatures who partake gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.

Spirited Resilience You have advantage on saving throws against the Frightened condition and against any effect that would cause despair or magically suppress emotions.

Joy in the Telling You have proficiency in Performance and Persuasion. Once per long rest, when making a Charisma-based skill check, you can reroll a failed result and take the second roll.

Basic Traits

Languages You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling.

Size Halflings average about 3 feet tall. Your size is Small.

Speed Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Backgrounds

Master Vintner

You come from a long line of winemakers, distillers, or brewers. Whether experimenting with new blends or perfecting ancient recipes, your craft brings people together and marks every celebration.

• Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Insight
• Tool Proficiencies: Brewer's Supplies, Herbalism Kit
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Perfect Pour - You can identify the origin and quality of any alcoholic beverage at a glance. Once per long rest, you can produce a bottle of fine wine or spirits from simple ingredients, worth up to 10gp and capable of granting a +1 bonus to Persuasion checks for an hour when consumed.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Wisdom, +1 Charisma

Heart of the Hearth

You were raised in the heart of a Riccavari inn, where food, laughter, and good company were more valuable than gold. You know how to lift spirits, ease tensions, and keep a room hanging on your every word.

• Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Insight
• Tool Proficiencies: Cooking Utensils, Calligrapher's Supplies
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Warm Welcome - When entering a new settlement, you can quickly identify the most influential social hubs, be they taverns, markets, or gathering places. When spending at least one hour in such a location, you can learn general local rumors and the names of important figures.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence

Songkeeper of the Road

Your voice carries the laughter of a thousand stories and the wisdom of countless travelers. You have made your way across the frontier, trading in tales, songs, and companionship wherever the road takes you.

• Skill Proficiencies: Performance, History
• Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument of your choice
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Wandering Minstrel - You can always find food, lodging, and an audience in any settlement that values music and storytelling. Your performances grant you free basic room and board, and once per long rest, you can inspire a group, granting up to six creatures a +1 bonus to their next ability check or saving throw.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity