Homebrew Alicorn Species Details

Appearance: Alicorn's are somewhat larger and stronger than elves, with pale skin and violently colored hair that sometimes shimmers when they use magic. A small, almost gem-like nub protrudes from the center of their forehead, which glows faintly in various colors, and an Alicorn may have hooves instead of feet.

A young Alicorn tends to be awkward, and grows into grace later in life. Their bodies are extremely expressive; Alicorn eyes shift color to match their moods, and they have remarkable control of their ears, being able to swivel and fold them. In most cases, an Alicorn's emotional state is written on their sleeve for all to see, and as a result most Alicorn's don't bother attempting deception and deal with others honestly.

Demeanor: Alicorn's tend to be quiet people who prefer intimate expressions of emotion and opinions, which only serves to make their bursts of impulse activity more surprising to others. They have natural altruistic urges that push them to help, heal, and defend others, which they sometimes have mixed feelings about. It's difficult to talk about, but many Alicorn's doubt if those urges really belong to them and if their giving away their free will by following them. Many Alicorn's go through a period in their life where they attempt to experiment with selfishness and cruelty in an effort to distance themselves from their heritage and 'find themselves', but mostly all they manage is making themselves intensely unhappy until they find a way to accept that mercy is a part of themselves.

Alicorns tend to have a few close friends whom they love and protect fiercely. The patience and understanding with which they treat these friends is also extended to others, though even alicorns have their limits. They sympathize with people who feel lost or alone in their lives, and often try to help them with their problems in the hopes that, perhaps, it will resolve their own.

Backgrounds: Alicorns quickly grow used to the feeling of being different, and try not to let it define their lives too much. The majority of them are raised in the wilderness by both parents; those raised in elven society are typically brought there because one or the other of their parents has died or been called away, prompting the survivor to seek help raising their unusual child. Alicorns get in a lot of trouble at young ages because they rush to help beings that are scared or hurt without stopping to think or take in the situation, and get hurt themselves as a result. That instinct, the impulse to leap into action, never really leaves them.

Alicorns usually attempt to have a normal life, but end up leaving that after a little more than a century, dissatisfied with peace. For better or worse, alicorns are often driven to help others, and even those who ignore such altruistic urges feel the need to do something with the burgeoning power within. Their magical heritage often expresses itself in sorcerous blood, the mysteries of oracles, or as a calling to the paladin’s path, all of which lead them out into the world to find others to help – and maybe find themselves as well.

Adventures: Many Alicorn's begin adventuring because they’re searching for their own identity. Though it’s hard to talk about, alicorns can be deeply uncomfortable with their altruistic urges because it’s hard for them to feel as though they truly “own” those feelings. While few would argue it’s wrong to want to help others, alicorns leave their homes looking to find who they are beyond physical and emotional band-aids for others. Their magical blood expresses itself early and strongly, and most alicorns are sorcerers, magi, oracles, or paladins. Alicorn paladins can sometimes be very conflicted people, unsure if they are embracing their heritage or surrendering to it.

Alicorns stand out wherever they go, but get along with almost anyone if given the chance; being genuinely giving, loving, and honest people generally earns them friendship more often than it doesn’t. They often develop a fondness for fellow half-breeds, sympathizing with being caught between two worlds while unable to truly join either.

Alicorn Traits

An Alicorn is tough and quick, but they're just as quick to rush to the aid of the less capable

Age

Alicorn mature at the same rate as elves, but they can live up to 1000 years.

Size

Alicorn have the same range of height and weight as elves.

Ability Score Increase

Your wisdom score increases by 2 and your constitution score increases by 1

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40ft.

Darkvision

Blessed with a radiant soul, your vision can easily cut through darkness. 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.

Jewel of Mercy

As an action, you can touch a creature and cause it to regain a number of hit points equal to your level. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Touch of Tranquility

An alicorn can absorb the trauma of living creatures. As a action, they may touch a creature and transfer any number of the following ailments from that creature to the alicorn: HP damage, ability damage, diseases, or poisons. The alicorn may only transfer damage (including ability damage) up to its character level in this fashion and any ailments only last for the remainder of their duration

Celestial Resistance

You have resistance to poison and radiant damage.

Necrotic Vulnerability

You have vulnerability to necrotic damage.

Languages

You speak, read, and write Common, Elvish and Sylvan