Homebrew Kalilith Species Details

In the most sweltering jungles – among elaborate temples overgrown with trees and vines—dwell the mysterious kalilith. Only the most intrepid of explorers claim to have seen the strange humanoids, and then only from a distance. Kalilith live in ancient and crumbling citadels, overgrown by the strangler figs and golden apple trees of the deepest and oldest rainforests. They appear as if the ancient temples’ blue-black murals came to life to walk lithely among the shadows of the jungle canopy. With four arms they climb and work, tending to their temples and the breathing heart of the jungle itself. They are a reserved, kind people, though crumbling scrolls speak at great length of their terrible wrath when provoked. Their origins are a mystery but kalilith are quick to claim that it was with evil intent, leaving each to seek out a means to atone for their existence, or die in the process.

Born from Darkness

Kalilith history claims their people were once human. Long ago, dark powers from the abyss forever changed them, molding them into demonic solders, and the stains of their creation are still in evidence. Most notably, kalilith have four arms, one set stacked upon the other. Their canines are sharp with long tongues that are often forked. Their skin tones cover a spectrum of pale-blue to nearly black and the sclera and pupils of their eyes smolder in shades of green, red, or orange. According to a kalilith's mood, their lustrous hair can shift and move. While it is usually straight and black, their hair can appear dark red, blue, purple, or green when emotions are high. When kalilith get upset or nervous their untethered hair may lash, or coil around their heads of its own volition. In a calmer frame of mind, it may float or drift as if underwater.

Their demonic origins are a source of great shame, and kalilith fight against their tempestuous emotions with structured mantras and a devotion to high ideals. They are prone to wearing bright, pleasing colors  and golden jewelery to offset their more intimidating features. 

A Hand to Give, Respect, Repair, and Protect

Despite their demonic origins, kalilith prefer dwelling in temples that venerate good-aligned deities. Fearing that anything made by their hands might carry the same evil as their own creation, kalilith seek out ruins and desecrated places in the hopes that their labor might restore their former glory. They avoid hunting and cutting down the rain forests, even going so far as to let trees overgrow their homes and shrines. The only crafts they take pride in, is the shaping of gold. Metal can be reshaped and reformed, and gold is too soft to be a weapon, so it is considered safe from a kalilith's darker impulses. Kalilith jewelry is rare among the planes and highly sought after by collectors. While they prize art, stonecraft, and fine textiles, they only pursue such talents enough to mend or repair the work of others. 

Above all else, kalilith wish to make the planes a better place. Every kalilith is born with a need to make amends for the curse of their heritage. Each uses what strengths they are given to protect the world from evil. Those who learn spellcasting generally do so in the hope that it will allow them to end conflict and suffering. 

Twice-Born Guardians

Kalilith believe they are twice born. Their first lives were as warrior-slaves to demon masters. Kalilith children are then born out of the agony of the Abyss to amend their past wickedness on the material planes. As a people, the race is new to the material plane and is not found on many worlds, so adventurers are rare. Where they do exist, a kalilith may venture from her jungle homeland to right a great wrong or protect the civilized world from minions of the Abyss. It is also possible that an individual, worried his isolation has intensified negative emotions, might seek to atone by serving or protecting other peoples.

As adventurers, kalilith are often monks, clerics, paladins, and fighters. Other spellcasters are possible, but  a kalilith barbarian or rogue is all but non-existent. Kalilith avoid strong emotions like a barbarian's Rage, and roguish duplicity is morally questionable at the best of times. They see both as giving into the stains of their heritage

Kalilith Names

Kalilith view themselves as aspects of one, great whole- the Navasanti. Navasanti was the first free kalilith and this oneness is a deification of the second-birth she granted to her people. In their home jungles, there is little need for individual names so most kalilith don't have one. They refer to others as a general description, such as, “our cousin who has the scar on his elbow,” or, "my lover with red eyes."
Receiving a personal name is considered an honor. They are unique creations that reference the virtue or deed which granted the honor by describing the infinite parts of Navasanti's body most closely associated with it:
       Face. Awareness of one’s place in the world.
       Eyes. Perception of the needs of others.
      Mouth. Communication that increases understanding.
      Heart. Healing of injuries of body and mind.
      Arms. Strength and duty to righteousness.
     Hands. Fixing what was broken in the world.
     Fingers. Empathy for the experiences of others.
     Legs. Walking the world with purpose.
    Spirit. Freedom from the Stains of Hell
Kalilith names take the form of a phrase and can apply to any gender. Most kalilith adventurers use nicknames derived from or inspired by the name they earned. The following list of kalilith names includes nicknames in parenthesis.

Kalilith names: Her-Third-Eye-Green-With-Judgement (Emerald), Her-Legs-That-Race-Towards-Dawn (Dawnrunner), Her-Smallest-Finger-Holding-Fast (Holding), Her-Leftmost-Heart-Holding-Succor (Leftheart), Her-Arm-That-Casts-The-Spear (Caster), Her-Lips-That-Call-In-Triumph (Kali)

Kalilith Traits

The following racial traits are common to all kalilith.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score increases by 1.

Age

Kalilith mature more slowly than humans, and they're considered young until they reach the age of of 60. On average, they live about 300 years.

Alignment

Most kalilith strive to be lawful, believing a well-ordered life is the only way to prevent their darker nature from surfacing. Unfortunately, many struggle to rise above a pragmatic neutrality. They do all tend towards good, with a deep-seated belief in their role as guardians against evil.

Size

Kalilith are slightly larger than humans, ranging from just under 6 to almost 7 feet tall. Your size is medium.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal 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.

Polychiral

As a kalilith, your additional arms grant you additional abilities. You are able to use two-weapon fighting, even when the one handed melee weapons you are wielding are not light. Once you reach 3rd level, you can roll grapple checks with advantage. Once you reach 5th level, you gain the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings as long as at least two hands are free, leaving additional hands free to act. This ability does not confer a climbing speed.

Hellish Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage (explained in chapter 9 of the PHB).

Languages

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