How Eberron: Forge of the Artificer Reimagines These Five Iconic Species

Tags author-mike-bernier Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Are you a changeling spy stalking the shadows of Sharn's underbelly? Perhaps you're a shifter who captains an elemental airship through the skies of Khorvaire.

Eberron is a world defined by innovation and intrigue, and nothing embodies that more than its iconic peoples. Read on to discover these distinctive species and how they've been updated in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer.

While any of the species from the Player's Handbook can shape a story in Eberron, these additional species have played prominent roles in the world's past, present, and future.

Whether born from arcane invention, a harbored spirit, or partial lycanthropy, each brings something uniquely Eberron to the table:

Changeling

Changeling

Gifted with supernatural shapeshifting, changelings shift appearances like others change clothes—crafting personas with their own names, histories, and secrets.

Kalashtar

Kalashtar

Kalashtar are individuals who have gained supernatural instincts and psionic abilities because they are bound to quori spirits from the plane of dreams.

Khoravar

Khoravar

Known as “children of Khorvaire,” Khoravar blend elven and human ancestry and often serve as bridges between cultures.

Shifter

Shifter

Sometimes called “weretouched,” shifters draw on lycanthropic heritage to briefly embrace a bestial form, unleashing heightened instincts and supernatural resilience.

Warforged

Warforged

Constructed for war but gifted with sentience, warforged are living constructs made of wood, stone, and steel.

Updated Species in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

DAARKENA Khoravar Cartographer Artificer

SPECIES

WHAT'S NEW

Changeling
  • Based on the Changeling from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
  • Shape-Shifter: You have Advantage on Charisma checks while shape-shifted.

Kalashtar
  • Creature Type: Kalashtar now have the Aberration creature type.
  • Mind Link: You can now allow multiple creatures to communicate with you telepathically, and they no longer must be able to see you.
  • Severed From Dreams: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice after a Long Rest. This proficiency lasts until you finish another Long Rest.

Khoravar
  • Now included as a unique playable species in the world of Eberron
  • Darkvision: Gain Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
  • Fey Ancestry: You have Advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the Charmed condition.
  • Fey Gift: You know the Friends cantrip. When you finish a Long Rest, you can swap it for any Cleric, Druid, or Wizard cantrip.
  • Lethargy Resilience: You can turn a failed save to avoid or end the Unconscious condition into a success. You can use this trait again after you finish 1d4 Long Rests.
  • Skill Versatility: Gain proficiency in one skill or tool of your choice. After you finish a Long Rest, you may swap that proficiency for a different skill or tool.

Shifter
  • Based on the Shifter from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
  • Size: You can choose to be Medium or Small when you select this species.

Warforged
  • Creature Type: Warforged now have the Construct creature type.
  • Constructed Resilience: Now have Advantage on saving throws to end the Poisoned condition and some aspects of this trait have been moved to Sentry's Rest and the new Tireless trait.
  • Integrated Protection: Donning armor no longer takes an hour.
  • Sentry's Rest: Now specifies Warforged don't need to sleep, and magic can't put them to sleep.
  • Tireless: You don't gain Exhaustion levels from dehydration, malnutrition, or suffocation.

Ability Scores Come From Your Background

Like the species in the new Player's Handbook, species in this book no longer determine your ability score bonuses. Instead, your background shapes your ability score adjustments, skill proficiencies, and provides an Origin feat—reflecting your character's personal journey.

Want a deeper dive into this change? Learn more about the changes to species in the new Player's Handbook.

Dragonmarks and Your Origin

KUNOA city scape in one of Sharn's seedier neighborhoods

Dragonmarks are one of the most iconic elements of Eberron—arcane sigils that manifest on the skin and awaken mystical talents tied to ancient family lines. These marks sometimes appear to species or bloodlines that aren't part of the family's lines, and these occurrences have grown increasingly common in recent years.

In Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, dragonmarks are no longer limited by species. You gain a dragonmark by choosing a background that provides a Dragonmark feat, or by selecting a Dragonmark feat at later levels.

Any character, regardless of ancestry, can now manifest any dragonmark, though there are story implications to consider.

Your Dragonmark Reflects Your Path

When selecting a dragonmark, discuss with your Dungeon Master about how it came to be and what factions will take an interest in your character. Here are four paths to consider:

Dragonmarked Heir. You were born into a dragonmarked house and carry its legacy. You may have undergone a formal rite of passage—known as the Test of Siberys—to awaken your mark. Your connection to house politics and obligations could be a major part of your story, and you can choose a house-affiliated background, like House Jorasco Heir, to represent your ties.

Distant Offshoot. You bear a mark associated with a dragonmarked house but lack official affiliation. Perhaps your ancestors left the house generations ago, or maybe the house doesn't know you exist. You're an anomaly, but one the houses might seek to reclaim. Consider taking a Dragonmark feat at level 4 or later to reflect a mark that awakens later in life.

Mark of Prophecy. Your dragonmark appears on a species that traditionally wouldn't manifest it. Whether you're a tiefling with the Mark of Healing or a goblin with the Mark of Shadow, your mark is unusual—possibly a sign of the Draconic Prophecy or a rare magical anomaly. You can reflect this by either choosing a Dragonmark feat at level 4 or later, or selecting a house-affiliated background and working with your DM to customize it.

Aberrant Dragonmark. Unlike established marks, aberrant dragonmarks are unpredictable and often feared. They can appear on anyone and members of dragonmarked houses often view those who bear these marks with suspicion. The new Aberrant Heir background and Aberrant Dragonmark feat are ideal tools for building this type of character.

Forge Your Story in the World of Eberron

From shape-shifting tricksters and psionically guided visionaries to beast-touched warriors and sentient constructs, the species featured in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer reflect everything that makes the Eberron setting unforgettably unique.

With updated mechanics and the freedom to pair any species with any class or dragonmark, you can build an Eberron character that's only limited by your imagination. What will you create—a warforged Rogue built for subterfuge? A changeling noble with a dozen names? A kalashtar Artificer haunted by prophetic dreams?

Your story is yours to shape. And in Eberron, there's no limit to what you can become.

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Mike Bernier is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.

 

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