Nothing in the rules says they cannot - as such under rules as written they can. Now, you or your DM might artificially create a restriction on male Hexbloods, in an effort to lean into the traditional imagery of a hag, but that would be a homerule.
I will note, like all lineages, Hexblood is fairly open ended on how one gets such powers. A hag-like figure is only one option—you could flavour some other kind of non-hag Fae-touched being that you might find more masculine.
Of course males can be Hexblood. There are no gender restrictions on species.
Dryads. Nymphs.
Neither of those are playable species in 5e. Since it is evident the topic of the conversation is on a playable species, it seems decidedly unhelpful to make this two-word comment.
To provide OP something actually useful, what the above user likely was trying to say was: “In prior editions, there did exist sex-specific playable races, like Dryads. Those do not exist in 5e, but they could be used as precedent by either you or your DM for making Hexbloods limited to female characters.”
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft introduced three special character creations called lineages. They basically allow you to replace your characters’ species’ normal traits with abilities to represent someone who has been transformed.
Hexbloods are generally someone who has been Fae-touched, often someone who has become like a hag. They allow you to keep the physical characteristics of your normal species, but add a bit of a Fae/witchy tone to them.
The other two options Richten’s created were the Damphir—for someone who became vampiric—and the Reborn—for someone who came back from the dead.
Caerwyn, I think the reference to dryads and nymphs was not for the character but for the fae patron creating the hexblood. Now a regular dryad or nymph is probably not a a good patron but an upscale done as a fae lord/lady should work just fine.
Can a male be turned into a Hexblood?
Nothing in the rules says they cannot - as such under rules as written they can. Now, you or your DM might artificially create a restriction on male Hexbloods, in an effort to lean into the traditional imagery of a hag, but that would be a homerule.
I will note, like all lineages, Hexblood is fairly open ended on how one gets such powers. A hag-like figure is only one option—you could flavour some other kind of non-hag Fae-touched being that you might find more masculine.
Of course males can be Hexblood. There are no gender restrictions on species.
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Why couldn’t they?
Dryads. Nymphs.
Neither of those are playable species in 5e. Since it is evident the topic of the conversation is on a playable species, it seems decidedly unhelpful to make this two-word comment.
To provide OP something actually useful, what the above user likely was trying to say was: “In prior editions, there did exist sex-specific playable races, like Dryads. Those do not exist in 5e, but they could be used as precedent by either you or your DM for making Hexbloods limited to female characters.”
What's a Hexblood?
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft introduced three special character creations called lineages. They basically allow you to replace your characters’ species’ normal traits with abilities to represent someone who has been transformed.
Hexbloods are generally someone who has been Fae-touched, often someone who has become like a hag. They allow you to keep the physical characteristics of your normal species, but add a bit of a Fae/witchy tone to them.
The other two options Richten’s created were the Damphir—for someone who became vampiric—and the Reborn—for someone who came back from the dead.
Ahh, thanks
Caerwyn, I think the reference to dryads and nymphs was not for the character but for the fae patron creating the hexblood. Now a regular dryad or nymph is probably not a a good patron but an upscale done as a fae lord/lady should work just fine.
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