Homebrew Marrow Species Details

“But you do see the way people look at you, dead child.”

Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring right into the dead one's heart and the sudden seriousness in his voice jolted it.

“What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s a conspiracy—”

“Three’s a slaughter,” it finished. “You think I haven’t heard that rubbish before?”

“I know you have.” When it glared at him, he added, “It’s not as if I’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear child. That is the burden of every Marrow. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing it, with that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.”

— Redheart Ragnar, Obsidian Master of Lore

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the marrow. And to twist the knife, marrow know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of Daykor—overlord of the Dead Realm—into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.

Undead Bloodline

Marrow are derived from their old bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look like their old race and have certain marks. However, their undead heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Marrow have pale markings that take any of a variety of shapes: some have markings into certain formulas as they have denoted their status. They have pale skins, and some have defining features from their old race and one trait, which tend to show themselves when they are fighting or demonstrating some form of power to others. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are pallid/solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of the old race coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their head can vary on color from their old life or a pallid white-grey with a greenish tint if they were slayed within that region of their body.

Self-Reliant and Haunted

Marrow subsist in small minorities found mostly in large cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, marrow know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a marrow companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the marrow learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a marrow gives someone loyalty, the marrow is a firm friend or ally for undeath.

Marrow Names

Marrow names fall into the history of their race. Marrow born and re-raised into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Undead language, passed down through generations, that reflect their undead heritage. And some younger marrow, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

Male Marrow Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Egstrom, Iadan, Kairon, Lucis, Melech, Mordai, Mauvalain, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai etc.

Female Marrow Names: Daena, Shelain, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Eata, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orian, Phelaia, Riotes

“Virtue” Names: Despair, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Chaos, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

MUTUAL MISTRUST

People tend to be suspicious of marrow, assuming that their undead heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when marrow enter their stores, the town watch might follow a marrow around for a while, and demagogues blame marrow for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a marrow's bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most marrow, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust throughout youth, a marrow often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Marrow Traits

Marrow share certain racial traits as a result of their undead descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1, and your Constitution score increases by 2.

Unaging

Marrow mature at the same rate as their original race but are unaging. This is one of the few reasons that other races are envious of the Marrow. It has led to derogatory names and differences, but it also leads to a stronger connection within the Marrow culture.

Decaying Alignment

Marrow are influenced by their previous upraising. They tend towards neutral alignments as they are disillusioned by their experiences in undeath.

Undead Size

Marrow are about the same size and build as their previous race. Your size is variable.

Unnatural Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. The climbing speed is 1/2 of the base walking speed.

Darkvision

Thanks to your undead heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Undead Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage.

Undying Legacy

You know the Toll the Dead cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Inflict Wounds spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Ray of Enfeeblement spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 7th level, you can cast the Blight once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 7th level, you can cast the Contagion once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Undead.