"In the rugged embrace of Athas, a Tarek strides with the primal grace of the mountains, a living testament to the raw power sculpted by harsh landscapes. With each step, their formidable presence speaks volumes, a language written in the contours of muscle and the silent echoes of distant peaks. In the dance of combat, they unveil a deadly symphony, an artistry that transforms their hulking frame into a force both awe-inspiring and fearsome. To face a Tarek is to witness nature's strength personified, an embodiment of the untamed spirit that thrives amidst the unforgiving terrain." Dolesh, Tyrian Slave Trader
Tareks are big, musclebound, and hairless bipeds that inhabit the hilly and mountainous areas of Athas. They have square, big-boned heads with sloping foreheads and massive brow ridges. Their flat noses have flared nostrils, and their domed muzzles are full of sharp teeth. Their powerful arms are so long that their knuckles drag along the ground. Tareks have a distinct musky odor that can be detected from as far away as 15’.
Tareks move with jerky, awkward strides except when engaged in combat. Then they exhibit a style and grace usually uncommon in creatures of their size and build. To watch them engage in combat is to watch fluid motions that are as artistic as dance – unless the viewer happens to be on the receiving end of the deadly spectacle.
As a tarek, you have the following racial traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Constitution are increased by +2 each.
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Size. You are Medium.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages. Your character can speak Common.
Adrenaline Rush. You can take the Dash action as a bonus action. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Whenever you use this trait, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
You detest the weight and restriction of armor, finding solace in the freedom of your unencumbered form. When you choose to forgo armor, your Armor Class becomes a reflection of your agility and resilience, a natural defense that combines the nimbleness of your Dexterity and the robust constitution you've honed through experience. Your AC is 10 plus your Dexterity and Constitution modifiers when unarmored. You may still use a shield and gain this effect.
Physically tareks are a tall, tough race. They have long arms and short legs, compared to a human, and they are often seen using their long powerful arms to aid them in running. This provides the following;
Your reach is 10 feet. This does not extend to 15 feet with reach weapons.
You may add 10 feet to your movement if your hands are empty.
In the gladiator pits, tarek are often set up as mated pairs, giving them an advantage over other gladiator teams.
The tarek has advantage on any attack roll against a creature if at least one of its allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Tareks hate wizardly magic in all its forms. They go out of their way to destroy defilers, and they’ll even chase away preservers who use their magic in the vicinity of a tarek community. This hatred of magic translates into a strong dislike for elves, since elves often deal in the business of spell components and have an innate love for all thing magical. Tarek raiders often attack elf tribes that wander too close to their territory as an automatic response to the probable proximity of wizardly magic.
On the other hand, tareks have a great deal of respect for all types of priestly magic. The elemental forces that hold sway over the world receive as much reverence as the violent-tempered tareks are capable of giving. However, tarek tribes tolerate only one kind of cleric in their midst – earth clerics. Tareks respect the earth and everything connected with its elemental nature. They consider themselves to be born of the earth, and feel a kinship with the mountains and hills they choose to live among. “Solid is the tarek, strong like the earth, and numerous as the soil,” sing the earth clerics of the tarek tribes.
tarek may not choose a class, feat or ability that has anything to do with arcane magic.
As a Tarek, your sheer physical presence is a commanding force, with a large and musclebound frame that naturally draws attention. Embrace the unique features of your race, such as the square, big-boned head, flared nostrils, and massive brow ridges, allowing these characteristics to manifest in your appearance and interactions. The musky odor that emanates from you becomes a distinct part of your aura, preceding your arrival and influencing the perceptions of those around you. In terms of movement, your strides may seem jerky and awkward during casual moments, contrasting sharply with the surprising grace and elegance that emerges when you engage in combat. This dynamic between everyday motions and the deadly performance of battle adds depth to your character's physical expression.
When in the hills and mountains that define the natural habitat of Tareks, your character seamlessly integrates into the environment, reflecting a deep familiarity with such terrains. The transitions between jerky, casual movements and the graceful, almost dance-like motions during combat further contribute to the multifaceted nature of your character. In combat, bring forth an intensity that characterizes Tarek warriors, whether through focused concentration, fierce vocalizations, or a penetrating gaze. Consider how your imposing presence influences your interactions with others, exploring whether it creates an aura of intimidation or a sense of distant strength. Striking a balance between your natural inclinations and the necessity for cooperation in diverse social settings will shape the nuanced interactions of your Tarek character.
Tarek Fury
Prerequisites: Tarek
Your fury burns tirelessly. You gain the following benefits:
Increase your Strength or Constitution score by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
When you hit with an attack made with a simple or martial weapon, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice an additional time and add it as extra damage of the weapon’s damage type. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Immediately after you use your Relentless Endurance trait, you can use your reaction to make one weapon attack.
Tarek Power
Prerequisites: Tarek
The Tarek blood that runs through your veins grants you increased power and durability. You gain the following benefits:
Increase your Strength or Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill. If you are already proficient in this skill, you may double your proficiency bonus in it.
When you use your Relentless Endurance trait, you gain a +3 bonus to your AC, attack rolls, ability checks, saving throws, and damage rolls until the end of your next turn.