Homebrew Astralborn Species Details

"The intriguing yet eternally terrifying Astralborns... Their presence in Aethershore reminds us of a time we had all long forgotten. A dark time that we should have forgotten. We have advanced as a continent since then. But, it'd be unwise of me to assume they haven't done the same..."

                            — Helen Dearie, Former Head Historian of The Fellowship Of Dust.

 The Astralborns of Aethershore are extraplanar, human-like beings who share one universal aim. To eliminate magic. After their failed conquest during The Astral Calamity, some Astralborns remained in Aethershore, working underground or living an entirely new life as one of its citizens. However, their knowledge from their previous life remains, providing supreme knowledge of magical and scientific study. Their aversion to magic has made them adept at avoiding the full force of incoming magical attacks, though using it themselves has proved... Unfortunate...

Perfect Assimilation

Astralborn individuals are slightly taller and slimmer compared to the average human. They also exhibit slower beard growth. With these almost unnoticeable differences aside, they look completely identical to the average human.

Astralborns stop ageing entirely when they reach their mid-twenties, living seemingly indefinitely unless exterminated by an external force.

Hunted And Scorned

Astralborns were first discovered during The Astral Calamity some 4000/5000 years ago. The Calamity was a continent-wide disaster that resulted in a short yet incredibly devastating war between the native races of Aethershore and the Astralborns.  The Astralborns had one goal, to purge the existence of magic in fear that it would inevitably lead to universal collapse.

With the combined effort of every country in Aethershore, the calamity ended with a decisive Aethershorian victory. At the end of the calamity, a band of powerful vigilantes called 'The Astral Hunters' formed, scouring the land for any runaway Astralborns. This group has been mostly dissolved in the present day.

Despite this victory, a minute population of Astralborns were able to successfully assimilate and evade The Astral Hunters, perfectly blending into human society. Avoiding execution and remaining undiscovered. It is predicted that only 100 out of the 5,000 that arrived remain in Aethershore.

An Extraplanar Legacy

All Astralborns were born on another planet within the Astral Sea. Not much is known about this planet apart from that it was technologically developed and/or possibly destroyed.

It is theorised that these assimilated Astralborns successfully produced offspring, 'Half Astralborns', with the native races of Aethershore. Making it a possibility that, for example, Half-Elves could also be Half-Astralborn. These Half-Astralborns may not know of their heritage yet still exhibit Astralborn traits such as extreme longevity and resistance to disease and poison. A Half Astralborn is yet to be discovered by an academic body.

Innate Arcane Aversion

With their profound intellect, longevity and resistance to toxins come an extremely phobic attitude to magic. All Astralborns demonstrate a hatred of magic and will usually refuse to come into contact with magical items.

This aversion has given them the ability to resist magical effects, though casting or attuning to a magical item themselves can cause devastation on their end. This aversion, however, is somewhat an obsession. An Astralborn's desire to destroy magic has made them incredibly knowledgeable in magical study.

Astralborn Names

 Astralborns often take on human names for the sake of blending in. Their true names are long yet are somewhat easy to pronounce. Male example: Nathalwaya Eruminaskandis. Female Example: Saranialwain Mesolwindas

Astralborn Traits

Astralborns possess incredible intelligence, both in scientific and magical study. However, their aversion to magic makes its use much more dangerous.

Ability Score Increase

Your intelligence score increases by 3. Upon reaching level 10, your maximum intelligence score increases by 2.

Age

Astralborns stop ageing at around 25 years of age and seem to live on indefinitely afterwards. Half-Astralborns share this trait.

Alignment

A small portion of the remaining Astralborns are hell-bent on revenge as a result of their defeat and will stop at nothing to get their race together and finally purge Aethershore’s magic (Neutral Evil). However, most have come to terms with their situation and are grateful to be alive. (True Neutral).

Size

Astralborns range between 5.10ft to well over 6 feet in height. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base movement speed is 30ft.

Languages

Astralborns can speak Common, Astral-Common and Deep Speech.

Ancient Specialisation

Gain proficiency in one intelligence skill of your choice or gain expertise in that skill if you are already proficient. Gain advantage on all history rolls regarding the history and culture of Astralborns.

Astral Resistance

Gain two uses of Astral Resistance. Use your reaction to use one use of Astral Resistance to receive an advantage on saving throws against all magical effects or halve magic damage. You regain all uses of your astral resistance after a long rest.

Chronic Rhabdophobia

Casting a spell or attuning to a magical object may cause a devastating effect. Roll 1d4 whenever you cast a spell at your highest spell level or attune to an object. Roll this d4 after all of your attack and damage rolls. You do not have to roll if you have advantage on the spell.

1. Any effect caused by the spell you sent out is done to you as if cast by your target. Disadvantage on any saving throws caused by this. The object you tried to attune to refuses to bond to you for the next 24 hours.

2. The spell's effects ravage your brain. Become stunned for one round. You successfully attune to the object, though it has become cursed until it is restored/

3. Nothing happens... For now… You successfully attune to the object, though its effects seem to be dampened until it is restored.

4. Nothing happens. You successfully attune to the object.