Homebrew Nightbreed Race Details

The Nightbreed are a rare and mysterious race that live in small tribal colonies occupying caves and underground structures. With dark coloured skin, claws and large bat-like leathery wings they can often evoke fear in many who do encounter them. Due to their appearance they are often mistaken for devils and as such are typically called "night devils" by commonfolk who encounter them.

Nightbreed resemble humans except they have ears which are slightly pointed and rest a little bit flatter against their heads and they can have a skin colour that is typically dark tones of blue, red, green, purple, grey or black but in rare cases can have lighter tones of these colours. In exceptionally rare cases some Nightbreed are born with a ghastly-white skin colour. Though this is rare, it is known and such Nightbreed are never cast away. It is not uncommon for wings to be different colour but are typically the same colour as their skin, hair or a similar shade of either, or black. Hair colour can also vary in even greater variety including grey, white, yellow, green, red, orange, purple, pink, blue or black and vary in tones and shades. Their skin is covered in a very thin and fine layer of fur that is the same colour as the skin giving their skin a soft velvety feel. Colourations are viewed without any importance and oddly colouration is random and not inherited or gender specific. Although the light layer of fur is over all parts of their skin they will only grow hair on their heads, sideburns and eyebrows.

Colonies and Castes

Colonies of Nightbreed are tribal and live in caves and underdwellings. They only venture out at night to hunt for food and supplies. They are primarily meat-eaters but are technically omnivores. They tend to focus on hunting in wilderness away from the civilisations of other races and usually avoid livestock to avoid discovery and trouble unless in dire need. A colony typically consists of an elder council who govern the colony, hunters who will go out to procure food and other supplies, guardians who are the warriors of the colony that protect it from danger and broodmothers who raise the young (parents do have involvement however). These roles are called castes and each one, except the elder council, will have a leader - leaders can advise the council but will not be part of it. Nightbreed will have three stages of their life: child - under the care of the broodmother, casting - the phase between childhood and adulthood where they are tested to see which caste they best serve and train with a mentor of that caste until they are considered ready, and finally adulthood where they serve in their casted role. In some cases Nightbreed have a fourth stage where they enter old age and may be accepted into the elder council but only the exceptional are granted this. On entering adulthood the individual is given a small celebration called their name day - until this day Nightbreed will not have a name, typically only referred to by nicknames until this point. On their name day the Nightbreed take a name that is unique within their colony which is registered by the elders. There is no surname and individuals are known by name and colony which will have its own name - there may be more than one Nightbreed named 'Arak' but only one named 'Arak of the Stormcrest Colony' for example.

The caste system is rigid but very functional - all Nightbreed know their place. Breeding is also controlled and those who want to have children must seek permission from their elders - this is rare though as Nightbreed are not a very parental species. More commonly breeding is enforced if the population is diminished - the partners typically chosen by caste to increase the likelihood of suitable traits for that caste being passed down. Forced breeding is mandatory if issued regardless of their choice of lifemate. This control over breeding is not surprising to the Nightbreed who possess the natural ability to control their own fertility. While Nightbreed may seek another to be their lifemate this choice is based on personality not gender or caste and relationships are commonly polyamorous although would only love their lifemate. The bond of lifemate is never broken and even if one passes away the other would never seek another lifemate.

Although colonies will typically feature warriors and they are naturally strong beings with claws and tribal weapons - Nightbreed will only fight if it is considered absolutely necessary. If a colony occupies a cave and somebody wanders into the cave they are more likely to hide - only showing themselves or attacking if they feel this wanderer poses a genuine threat. Further still, although preservation of the colony is paramount, if they are discovered and the individual shows no sign of threat and seems trustworthy the Nightbreed can be warm and friendly.

Interest Beyond the Colony

Although Nightbreed are largely reclusive the Nightbreed will keep themselves aware of neighbouring civilisations to understand them and ensure they know how to remain hidden and defend themselves if necessary. Some of the Hunter caste will be sent to scout out these civilisations and monitor them in secret. This is then fed back to the colony. In truly exceptional circumstances a Nightbreed may feel a sense of wanderlust or strong intrigue about these places and want to explore freely. They might leave with permission from their Elders who trust them to not divulge information about the colony's whereabouts. In even rarer cases a Nightbreed may leave without permission or be exiled from the colony.

Nightbreed Names

Nightbreed take a name on their name day. Before this day they are known by nicknames - these can be anything and an individual can have multiple nicknames from different people. When they take a name, it will be unique among their colony and will usually feature harsh or abrupt sounds or have 's' and 'sh' sounds, indicative of the Nightbreed language. Names are typically considered unisex.

Examples of names includes: Akash, Alos, Arak, Atem, Balam, Bavash, Bryn, Buresh, Dak, Dalvrik, Delor, Ekaresh, Ekken, Elona, Galen, Garash, Greev, Karom, Hashara, Kekash, Keras, Hoden, Lagos, Lasom, Lavesh, Marik, Masa, Mashev, Naga, Nika, Noksha, Orosh, Rashka, Revera, Saharesh, Sesoren, Sevedas, Tama, Tavos, Zan, Zeek

Nightbreed Traits

As a Nightbreed you have certain traits in common with your kind. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing a Nightbreed requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase: Strength or Dexterity

You can increase either your Strength or Dexterity score by 2.

Ability Score Increase: Other

You may increase either your Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma score by 1.

Age

Nightbreed mature from child to the casting stage around the age of 10-12 and will reach adulthood around the age of 20-25. They can live to be over 400 years old but rarely more than 500.

Alignment

Due to being raised in a very structured colony Nightbreed heavily favour Lawful alignments and most commonly are Lawful Good or occasionally Lawful Neutral.

Size

Nightbreed vary widely in height and build, from about 5 1/2 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a natural climbing speed of 20 feet.

Flying

With your leathery bat-like wings you have a flying speed of 40 feet.

Dark Senses

Your senses are specifically attuned to living in darkness. You possess superior darkvision allowing you to see dim light as if it were bright light and darkness as if it were dim light - out to a range of 120 feet. You also have Blindsight sense out to 30 feet allowing to detect anything near you regardless of light levels and even if they are invisible.

Claws

You have natural retractible claws capable of slashing enemies. You are proficient with unarmed strikes which deal 1d4 slashing damage.

Sunlight Sensitivity

Your senses are specifically designed for dark areas and night time so they do not function quite as well in direct sunlight. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Languages

You can read and write Common, Nightbreed and a choice of one other.

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