Barathu Heritages
Versatile Heritages

Barathu

Barathus are floating beings with bizarre body shapes who evolved on the gas giant Bretheda. Barathus rewrite their own genetic code instinctively and at will, shaping their bodies into a stunning array of unique forms.
Barathus are floating, aberrant beings who effortlessly edit their own genetic code and merge together into countless bizarre and beautiful configurations. Early-stage barathus tend to be individualistic and gravitate toward learning about other cultures, while more experienced barathus develop a fluid sense of self and seek communion with others on a deeper level. Dreamers retreat to a transcendent reality only they can experience.

If you want a character with an alien mindset who adapts to any situation, you should play a barathu.

You Might…

  • Enjoy new experiences and eagerly adapt to new ideas.
  • Evolve your body frequently based on the environment or situation.
  • Merge with your companions or copy their genetic structure to learn about them.

Others Probably…

  • Are intrigued by your unique anatomy.
  • Admire your adaptability.
  • Struggle to recognize you because of your frequently changing appearance.

Physical Description

The average barathu has a floating, blimp-like body with colorful tentacles and limbs dangling from it. Their bodies reflect their personal vision of themselves, and they maintain some control of its presentation. Since barathus frequently change their bodies at a genetic level, a barathu might experience dozens of unique evolutions over the course of their lifetime. Barathus mold themselves into larger, more fantastical forms after merging. Barathu conglomerates might appear as gigantic jellyfish, blooming ooze-flowers, or a flock of rainbow cloud rays.

Society

Most barathus have a fluid sense of self. In their early stage, young barathus often take inspiration from other cultures and exhibit more individualistic tendencies, then temper this worldview as they gain experience and merge with others. A barathu can merge with other barathus into a compound being called a conglomerate. A barathu conglomerate is greater than the sum of its parts, with an entirely new identity and worldview created by the fusion. Barathu conglomerates who split back into their individual parts recall only hazy memories from their time within the conglomerate, described by some as watching a holovid reel. While young barathus tend to find the experience disconcerting, most older barathus spend time with conglomerates. As their bodies and memories begin to fade with age, many barathus choose to merge permanently with a conglomerate, letting go of their individual self to join a greater consciousness and being.

Beliefs

Many barathus identify with Oras and choose to explore his faith, seeing their own constant evolution as a mirror of his journey from cell to god. Barathus who explored Liavara and experienced its cosmic song have their own beliefs, which they share in songs unfathomable to everyone except other Dreamers. A barathu's worldview and religion shift throughout their lifetime as they merge with others and literally expand their mind.

Popular Edicts adapt to new situations, change your body into the shape you choose, work together to solve problems
Popular Anathema tackle problems on your own

Sample Names

Ataraxia, Breeze, Bubble in Flight, Dololola, Gleelee, Harmony of Many, Ixeelu, Lilting Song, Sigh, Tenfold Storm, Unity of Purpose, Vortex, Wonder Among Iridescent Clouds, Xonswe, and Y

Barathu Mechanics

Hit Points

8

Size

Medium

Speed

5 feet
Fly 20 feet

Attribute Boosts

Constitution, Wisdom, Free

Attribute Flaw

Dexterity

Languages

Brethedan
Common
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from the list of common languages and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent on your home world).

Genetic Adaptation

You can reshape and adjust your body to adapt to new situations. You can retrain an ancestry feat in 1 day of downtime, rather than in 1 week. You can retrain any ancestry feat, even lineage feats.

Limited Telepathy

You can communicate mentally with creatures within 30 feet. You can communicate only with creatures that share a language with you. This doesn't give you any access to their thoughts, and it communicates no more information than normal speech would.