Azata, Bralani

Family: Azata

Medium celestial (azata), chaotic good

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 63 (7d8+31)
Speed 40 ft., fly 100 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	18 (+4)	19 (+4)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)

Damage Resistances cold, fire
Damage Immunities lightning
Condition Immunities petrified
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Celestial, Infernal, truespeech
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Innate Spellcasting. The bralani’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
  • At will: blur, charm person, gust of wind, mirror image, wind wall
  • 2/day each: cure wounds, lightning bolt
• Magic Resistance. The bralani has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The bralani makes two scimitar or longbow attacks.
• Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, 5 ft. reach, 1 target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
• Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600, 1 target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
• Whirlwind Blast (wind form only). Creatures in a 20 ft. line take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage, or half on a successful DC 13 Dexterity saving throw.
• Wind Form. The bralani can turn into a wind form, similar to the wind walk spell. In this form, it can use its whirlwind blast attack.

ABOUT

Bralanis are among the fiercest and wildest of the azatas, living from moment to moment and always on the lookout for chances to test their skill in battle. In addition to their elf-like forms, they can take the shape of whirlwinds of dust, snow, or sand. In the mortal realm, they are often mistaken for djinn. They delight in violent weather, not for the destructive qualities of such events, but for the intensity and energy, and many tales describe bralani as spirits who laugh as they sail amid the strongest storms. Bralanis do not need to eat, but they enjoy doing so. Most prefer elven food, fiery human dishes, and spiced wine.

Interplanar Emissaries. Because of their similarities to elementals and fey, they sometimes act as intermediaries between mortals, elementals, and fey, though they prefer to arrange temporary truces that allow the interested parties to conduct their own negotiations on neutral ground. When taking the role of mediators—or whenever else such opportunities present themselves—bralani are quick to suggest friendly competitions or games to end disputes and enjoy creating challenges or complicated contests to test both physical and mental mortal prowess.

Azatas are a race of celestials native to the plane of Elysium, where the pursuit of freedom and goodness is paramount.

Azatas are champions of these concepts, great bards, knights, and explorers who roam the planes in search of good folk in need of their help. Frequently described as the most elven or fey-like celestials, azatas nevertheless often have strange, inhuman shapes or can take elemental or eldritch forms, though all are created and nourished by the influx of goodly mortal souls. Like most celestials, they cannot reproduce with each other in the mortal fashion, and often tryst with mortals who prove charming and good spirited. Azatas dally frequently with their own kind, being quick to seek out feelings of love, joy, and companionship, but rarely feel bound or exclusive to merely one lover, regardless of its race.

Azatas can speak with almost any creature because of their truespeech special ability.

Wanderers. Azatas rarely stay in one place for long and prefer the thrill of motion and discovery to creature comforts. Most azata “settlements” are little more than a collection of tents around a landmark, gathered over the course of a day to share news, stories, and perhaps good-natured duels, and then packed up again a few days later. Such temporary settlements are colorful and have a celebratory atmosphere, as azatas are quick to greet any of their kind as old friends. Although few can predict when and where an azata community might arise, some groups of azatas gather in cycles for traditional festivals and reunions. Such gatherings typically take place at a time of mystical consequence, such as on the evening of the lunar equinox, or during less predictable times, such as upon the wedding of two seers, and always in a place of pristine or stunning natural wonder. All azatas fundamentally know when and where the closest or next gathering of their people might occur, and while none are required or even expected to attend, all are welcome. These gatherings do not preclude more permanent azata holdings and communes, however, and the heights of Elysium endlessly ring with the songs of azata choirs.

Knights Errant. Most azatas have some knightly or courtly title, such as duke, countess, or prince, apparently hereditary, perhaps from a celestial monarchy long abandoned and forgotten. Azatas do not exploit these titles to exert influence over each other, instead using them for personal identification or a bit of self-importance. They are deadly and resolute foes of evil, fearless and clever in battle. They are driven by a crusading nature and feel bored when forced to stay in one place too long.

This tendency also means they are unlikely to agree to serve mortals for an extended period of time, preferring to arrive, get the job done, and move on to some other quest or challenge. As much as they seek to spread the cause of freedom and joy, azatas realize that they cannot enforce such virtues throughout the multiverse. Without darkness there can be no light, and without struggle there can be no victory.

Understanding this, these celestials remain removed from the majority of mortal conflicts, preferring to act as advisors in such situations rather than champions, granting goodly mortals ownership over their own triumphs. In cases where the forces of evil act overtly, however, and intrude upon mortal worlds, azatas are quick to rally to defend such realms and aid those who have no hope of defending themselves.

Azatas generally work together, but their powerful personalities and strong sense of individual freedom often see them disagreeing on how best to handle a particular situation. While both parties have the greater good at heart, these arguments can fester and grow into long-lasting grudges. In cases where a single azata is convinced his way is right, he might even enter a sort of self-imposed exile, abandoning the support of his kin so he can launch a oneazata crusade against the cruelties of the multiverse.