The beautiful, monkey-tailed humanoids known as the Wukai are an oddity across the Esper Worlds, for though they are mortal in a sense, with the ability to function on the material plane and breed like any other, they are in truth a Wild God's attempt to create divine minions. Legends say the Monkey God Wukong poured much of his own being into meticulously carved stone to create the race and was returned with more than he bargained for. Free willed, curious, and carefree, the Wukai race seem more akin to the trickster deity's children than his servants.
The unaging Wukai reside largely on islands and are famous for their seafaring, silk weaving, and rhythmic combat with the staff. Mention of Wukai in foreign lands often bring up thoughts of vest-clad brawlers wrestling monsters barehanded, exotic dancers dressed in fine silk, agile sailors climbing masts with blades between their teeth, and ambitious adventurers planning their next big break. Wukai who hear of such stereotypes often laugh nervously in response, embarrassed by their childhood.
Appearance: The naturally bronzed and blushed skin of the unaging monkeyfolk is the source of much envy from humankind, leading to the creation of new makeup trends among higher human society. Facial features of the Wukai are said to be created in the image of angels themselves, with lithe beauty for females and rugged charm for males. Each Wukai boasts a body of well toned and compact muscles, golden or cloud white hair, and a flexible monkey's tail.
Oddly enough, this uniformal beauty pushes many Wukai to seek change. Exotic hair dyes are commonplace in many Wukai societies and magical enchantments to alter otherwise universally golden eyes are in high demand, with differing colors based on local fashion trends. Wukai who have not suffered their First Death have pearly white teeth with slightly pronounced canines and a natural healthy visage that makes anyone but morning people grimace with jealousy. Once a Wukai dies and is reborn, however, it loses its divine nature and faces to the same hygienic upkeep that mortal races face.
Society: Wukai settlements are designed in grids, with sandstone walls surrounding all streets and offering footholds for younger climbers to circumvent carriages or cross more quickly. For non-Wukai, they are hellish labyrinths. Each island of the Wukai is run by a Baron Lord, a mostly hereditary title with secretive promotion methods. It is said that the Baron Lords speak to Sun Wukong himself, a fact backed up by the Wild God's presence on different isles every few years.
Wukai live for the thrill of adventure, adrenaline pumping through their veins, the satisfaction of satiating their curiosity no matter the challenge. Rare is the Wukai who actually utilizes their immortality with careful planning, the majority simply see their first life as an unlimited trial to do as they please. Wukai who have been ressurected tend to leave behind any sense of wanderlust and instead lead in a settled life in Wukai territories. This is results in a stable society of reborn monkeyfolk in their native lands.
For this reason many of Wukai show great respect for craftsmen, laborers, housewives, and anyone else living the quiet life that is the foundation of society, for their culture would fall apart if every chef or carpenter left their profession whenever a flight of fancy struck. Such of their kind are revered as elders despite the fact that some adventurous Wukai may be centuries older than their domesticated counterparts. This societal difference has baffled countless merchants, carriage riders, innkeepers, and other common worker of outside races, for even the most powerful Wukai tend to treat the lowly workers with great reverence.
Reputation:
- "I dated a Wukai once; she uncovered a vampirism conspiracy in the palace, slew the Duke impersonator, and left me with two years of paperwork. Worst time of my life. Looked great in a dress though."
-Keroth of Grel, City Guard [Humans] - "Terrible cooks. Too much spice. That aside I've never sailed without a Wukai on my ship and I never will. Good work for good pay. A respectable people."
-Sera Dyr, Ship Captain [Talgen Djeet] - "They think I'm one of them. I can't bare the glances of pity when they learn the truth."
-Eliana Sorentes Li Francesca Delesar, Jeweler [Chibrus] - "I'll drink to them, or with them, or off them."
-Dorgin the Drunk, Telnor Isle Tavern Hopper [Dwarf] - ""
-PLACEHOLDER, PLACEHOLDER [Fey]
Religion: Wukai are of a single religion. Each worships the Creator, Sun Wukong, in the way that a child worships their father: sparingly, and mostly in his defense. Wukong has no official priesthood to speak of and gives no doctrine, for the elusive creature is sustained by the existence of his race rather than the faith that most other Gods consume. As a result, Wukai rarely give Sun Wukong a second thought in their every day lives. This drastically changes when a Wukai is caught worshiping another deity, for there is no greater shame to the Creator than a piece of himself leaving for another God. Wukai cultists and Wukai peaceful priests of other religions are equally vilified as criminals across all Wukai lands, and more than one inquisition has been formed to root out their secretive gatherings.
Languages: Trade
Lifespan: Unaging [~65 years after rebirth]
Size: Medium
Speed: 35 ft.
Senses: N/A
Racial Trait: Wukong’s Blessing
- Divine nature grants you immunity to disease and aging effects. In addition, upon your first death you are resurrected one hour afterwards as a mortal version of your early adult self with full Health and Energy. Your reborn self ages as a human and is not immune to disease, but gains +1 AP per 20 Total AP you possessed before death. You may choose to resurrect at the location of your death or safely atop a tree within 100 miles.
- Gain +2 to Maneuver Defense and a Climb speed equal to your Movement speed.