Homebrew Bruxa Species Details

It is said that at night bruxae haunt attractive young men and drink their blood. These vampires move quietly in the dark to suddenly emerge near their victims. Bruxae are humanoids and may take the form of beautiful girls, leading some to mistake them for water-nymphs, but their long fangs and unrestrained thirst for blood always betray them.

~William Snodsbury-Picklescott

Many believed ways to kill vampires are mere folklore. Such myths are:

• Higher vampires don't need to drink blood to survive. Rather, it's like alcohol to them, in that they can become drunk from it. Additionally, drinking blood increases their strength.
• Certain higher vampires can turn invisible, bewitch with their gaze, and take on a bat form. They can also fly, but this ability can only be done during a full moon.
• They are not adversely affected by silver; although most vampires short of true Higher vampires can be wounded by it.
• A vampire bite does not turn the bitten creature into a vampire.
• Vampires don't burn up or turn to ash in sunlight. While it's not the best option for them given a choice, they adapted and can easily tolerate daylight.
• They cannot be seen in mirrors and other reflective surfaces.
• They don't cast shadows.
• Rushing water (rivers, etc.) poses no obstacle to their movement.
• Holy water, crucifixes, and garlic are ineffective against them.
• Partial bodily damage, such as a stake through the heart or decapitation, is only an inconvenience to them.
• Some can touch white hot metal with their bare hands without injury.

~William Snodsbury-Picklescott

 

Bruxa Traits

Your bruxa character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of vampiric mutations and years of hunting prey.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

A typical bruxa can live between 750 and 1250 years

Size

Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, 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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Hunter's Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Sharp Claws and Fangs

Your unarmed attacks deal 1d4 + Str or Dex

Vampire's Speed

You can cast Misty Step a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier. You regain this feature after a Long Rest.

Vampire-kin

Vampires are not undead or transformed creatures; they are born as vampires. The race of vampires was created by witches' mutation magic eons ago.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and two other languages of your choice.