Shass'Mîn

Creatures born of shadow, the shass'mîn are the youngest known race to have emerged in Faerûn in recent years. Purpose is what they seek. Unlike the established races who have existed for centuries, and will exist for centuries more, these humanoids wish nothing more than to discern the reason for their creation. Some live to improve society and build relations with the other races in the world. Others are fueled into research, studying realms arcane and unnatural to seek insight into their origin. The most daring of the shass'mîn are those who venture forth into the world, intent on making a name for themselves, and for their people.

Spawn of the Shadowfell

In Umbral, the name "Shass'Mîn" translates almost directly in common to "Dark Men-like". There are two important distinctions from humans: the two long, slicked back antennae which protrude from their forehead; and their white irises, which blend with the rest of the eye, leaving a pupil which can become wider than an ordinary human's. They are often slightly taller than humans, usually averaging around just above 6 feet tall. They are often quite slender, and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. Somewhat androgynous, it is difficult to discern the differences between male and female shass'mîn. Often, males' antannae are shorter and stockier than those of the females.

In comparison to humans, the shass'mîn have a wide range of skin colors, encompassing most of the human skin tones, but replacing the underlying hues of pink and amber so common in human races with a deep, dark black. A light gray color is the equivalent to a pale human. Their hair is often kept shoulder-length and tied back. They can have facial hair, usually ranging from black to light gray, but it never grows very long. Shass'mîn avoid earth-toned clothing, instead prefering stark whites, blacks, or even vivid colors.

Shortened Timelines

Shass'Mîn lives are generally short, and their death is somewhat unpredictable. These creatures reach maturity at the age of 12, and often live to be around 55 years old. The most fortunate ones can live as long as 80. They begin "Dusking", or showing signs of death, about a month before they pass. Their antennae begin to wilt, and their skin exudes wisps of dark ash. Their short lifespan makes them quick to trust, gullible, and supersitious. Shass'mîn have no one god they swear fealty to; they are respectful of all worship, as they hope to find an answer somewhere in the celestial cosmos.

Though they may seem weak, the shass'mîn are a formidable foe. They are excellent tacticians, seeing the battlefield as a strategic game to win. Shass'mîn have great knowledge of the workings of spells; when they hone their focus, most spells prove ineffective against them. Due to their factual nature, shass'mîn are unforgiving once attacked. They will not attempt to beguile their opponents in combat, instead preferring to subdue them. Shass'mîn excel in defensive fighting. Escape and survival are top priorities for them, using powerful magic to ensure their safety.

Denizens of the Darkness

As creatures of shadow, shass'mîn tend to live in cool, dimly-lit places. Often, this means that they find homes in caves. Entire settlements can be constructed in these caves, though most of them live in smaller communities, preferring a less-stressful, quieter lifestyle.

Shass'mîn despise manual labor, and so usually settle areas formed by nature rather than carving out homes within mountains, like dwarves. They do not venture so far underground as the underdark, though many believe that to be their place of origin.

Mysterious Beginnings Although reclusive in nature, shass'mîn interact with other races frequently, both for pleasure and study. Races either find this charming, or else are put off by their incessant questioning and pervasive curiousity. The following are excerpts taken from the Tomes of the New Century, a continent-wide attempt to compile observations of recent developments across Faerûn. Elves - "I believe their study to be in earnest, though if they wish to pursue greater knowledge, they should compose their works a language more elevated than their lackluster Umbral. Perhaps Elvish or Sylvan would be suitable." - Thyraél Arqellis, Grand Master of External Affairs and Distinguished Editor of the Storied Collection of Non-Sylvan Creatures Dragonborn- "It's pretty rare to see a shass, but one time I was in a bar, and one of them approached me. Asked me what it was like to be a human. I didn't know what to say, so I just went with it. He took me quite seriously, and I felt a little bad. He seemed like an honest guy." -Tiberius Stormwind of Draconia Dwarves - "They got good parts and bad parts. They can drink. That's a good part. They would take to sitting and reading over drinking. That's a bad part." -Frazur Splitrock, Dwarf Humans - "A couple buddies of mine were sitting in a tavern, having a good laugh. One of these guys walks in, you can recognize them from their big bug things, and the way they talk. The shass was taking notes on humans, we pointed him over to this dragonborn across the room. He had no idea! He was pretty upset afterwards, but it was worth the laugh..." -Tobin Frey, Human Fisherman.