Anaphite
 
The Anaphite are an old race. Reclusive by nature, they rarely appear outside of their homes within deep desert valleys and hidden Oasis. When they do enter society at large, they are often received with a mix of awe and superstition. Tall, powerful builds paired with a reserved and keen mind make the Anaphite unfortunately intimidating. As far as they are concerned however, the fears of younger races hold little sway among the sands of time, giving them an air of focus when surrounded by gawking faces. Far from malign however, they hold no qualms with other races, though they spare pity just as reservedly.
 
Holding themselves to an ideal of balance and natural, unfloutable law, their settlements are home to long lines of Hieroglyphics, believed to be the precursor to the Common alphabet. Ritual is core to their society, and routine is rarely broken save when confronted with something which cannot be ignored. Their isolation thus often goes unbroken, for those who seek them out rarely find anything but preoccupied and aloof populations dutifully going about their tasks. There is no place in Anaphite society for chaos, and there is no allowance for those who would disrupt the solemnity of their cloistered enclaves.
 
Born with an innate control over the life force of living creatures, the balance between life and death takes a place of importance to all Anaphite. From this, their religion springs, from which they draw their laws and practices. Often, they allow their homes to become large tomb complexes for other races,providing places of healing for the living, and rest for the dead. Those who refuse such a duty, however, expel any newcomers and remain withdrawn from even the most sand-weary traveler. For obvious reason, these communities are little-known save by their own kind, and even among the Anaphite, their isolation is respected.
 
Believed to be some of the most capable doctors in the world, it was the Anaphite physician Setthotep that brought knowledge of medicine to the primitive Humans of Nubydro. Claiming it was passed to them by their gods, Anaphite have an odd capacity for understanding the physiology of creatures, even those they have never seen before. Grimly, this makes their skill in mummification, as the first race to practice the art, peerless.
 
This has proven necessary, however, as upon death the Anaphite turn to sandstone and, without proper care, will crumble away into sand before long. If mummified properly however, Anaphite can preserve their dead for all time, bandages, charms, and careful preservation hardening the stone and keeping it balanced. Naturally resistant to the predations of Necromancers, never the less the Anaphite occasionally call upon their blessed dead to defend their settlements when attacked, sending a fearless legion of stone-skinned guardians into the Dunes to defend their descendants.
 
 
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength increases by +2, and your Wisdom by +1.
Age: Most Anaphite reach maturity by 25 years of age, and can live for several hundred years.
Size: Anaphite grow to just under 7 foot in hight, not including their long, pointed ears, and weigh between 200 and 240 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Anaphite Acuity: You are proficient in Religion and Medicine.
Keen Hearing: You have exceptional hearing. On checks and saves related to hearing and sound, you gain a bonus or advantage as relevant, or disadvantage if necessary.
Desert Striders: When making a jump, you may jump up to double the distance you could normally jump. You may attempt a moderate (dc 10) Athletics check to both Long and High jump during the same leap.
Mortuary Acolyte: You know the cantrip Spare the dying. At 3rd level, you may cast False Life as a 2nd level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so with a long rest. At 5th, you may cast Gentle Repose once with this trait and regain the ability to do so with a long rest.
Return to the Dunes: Anaphite will turn into Sandstone one week after death. Neither their weight nor appearance change, and they can be returned to life normally. They are somewhat more difficult to animate however, and may make a Wisdom save against any attempted Animate Dead or Create Undead. Success renders them immune to future attempts by that individual as if under the effect of Gentle Repose.
 
 
Anaphite warriors and Warcraft
Anaphite often choose to become Clerics, usually Death, Life, or Grave domain, depending on their personal perspectives. Rangers, Barbarians, and Paladins are the next common, with Rangers and Barbarians (if the Desert Storm, Ancestral Guardian, or Zealot path) scouring the Dunes for weary travelers while the Paladins stand vigil over their settlements. Fighters, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards are uncommon, though occasionally found among their number should individuals find the call to it. Bards, Rogues, and Druids are almost never encountered, due to the Anaphite disdain for chaos and disorder. They may on occasion ressurect their long-lapissified dead as powerful Stone Golems with 35 movement and their Desert Striders feature. Such Warriors are usually armed with Dual Khopesh, allowing them to attack with their off hand as well. Such creatures will, even if animate, remain in their honored position along hallways and corridors of their settlements if not actively fighting, making even an abandoned enclave a dangerous target to raid.