Homebrew Genlock Species Details

Stocky and short, his skin was blue-gray and  blood left on his mouth from his latest meal, Kurvez stood half as tall as his devil adversaries and had to climb up to bite his ear off. Like most creatures, genlocks appear to non-threatening being small and slow. 

At least the relative largeness of most others allows genlocks to surprise their enemies by disabling them quickly with only a thought and a stare. Their stocky build gives them a sense of unstoppability, slow and thick, they are exceptionally hard to move. They tend to choose to speak through their actions and telepathy, given their underdeveloped vocal cords. 

The devil had no idea what he was in for throwing rocks at Kurvez. Had he not been seperated from his troupe, the devil may have been able to break the genlock's hold on him. Kurvez was delighted at the surprise

— Mordenkainen, The Black Banquet

A constant noise of battle pervades the hellish and abyssal planes where genlocks roam. Louder sounds punctuate the cries: a crunch of bones here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or pain, and especially bursts of ominous laughter. Genlocks take delight in "food", enjoying every moment of eating their kills, exploding their enemies, investigation, steamrolling their enemies, and play.

Eaten Expression

A genlock's demeanor is composed and reigned-in until they complete their kill, their enthusiasm for death shines through every inch of his or her tiny body. Genlocks average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 200 to 250 pounds. Their blue-gray or white faces are usually adorned with blank expression (beneath their skeletal noses), and their dull eyes shine with excitement after a meal. Their pointy, sparse hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the genlocks insatiable interest in everything around.

A genlock's personality is writ large in his or her appearance. A male genlock’s beard, in contrast to his sparse hair, is can be thick or thin depending on a genlock's taste. A genlock’s clothing, though usually made of scraps of fabric or leathers found in everyday life, is elaborately decorated with any valuables they can find, shiny or magical.

Delighted Dedication

Genlock's don't appear to have much going on upstairs but they have an incredible curiosity for existence. It would not be strange to find a genlock ripping into a creature to learn about its anatomy, or to try to understand its magic, after which it eats its kill of course. Their curiosity is not limited to biology though, they have a natural inclination to magic arts.

Genlocks don't speak as much as they can avoid doing so. Even so, they can be known to offer ideas and opinions on a range of subjects to those that show interest, they usually prefer to listen carefully or find out for themselves by searching (and eating) the talker's brain. So while one can distract a genlock for a moment by posing perplexing questions, or asking about a subject a genlock is interested in, it will ultimately make a genlock more interested in eating the questioner.

Though genlocks love sick jokes of all kinds, particularly painful pranks or torture, they’re just as dedicated to the more serious tasks they undertake. Many genlocks end up skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They tend to work themselves into trusted positions under demon lords, and even creating tremendous machines of war.

Dank Burrows

Genlocks make their dens in the ground or hilly lands. They live underground but get more fresh air than durzagons do, enjoying the bleak, hellish world on the surface whenever they can. Their dens are well hidden by both clever construction and simple illusions. Welcome visitors are quickly ushered into their tinkering room. Those who are not welcome are unlikely to find the burrows in the first place or to be lead into the butchering room.

Seeing the Abyss

Curious and impulsive, genlocks might take up adventuring as a way to see the outer planes or for the love of curiosity. As lovers of gems and other fine items, some genlocks take to adventuring or looting as a quick, path to wealth. Regardless of what spurs them to adventure, genlocks who adopt this way of life seek as much dark enjoyment out of it as they do out of any other activity they undertake, sometimes to the great displeasure of their adventuring companions.

ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE

It’s common for a genlock to be hostile or malicious unless he or she has not had a meal in a while. Genlocks know that most demons don’t share their sense of humor, but they seek to enjoy anyone’s company before they eat them. 

Still a Demon

Don't let their curiosity fool you. Genlocks are selfish, loners, and willing to do anything to make themselves stronger, smarter and richer. Only due to their smarts do they sometimes lower themselves to servitude in order to gain these things, usually in service to demon lords.

Genlock Traits

Your genlock character has certain characteristics in common with all other genlocks.

Damage Resistance

You have resistance to poison.

Steady Hold

You have an innate ability to cast Hold three times a day.

Non-armed Strike

You have the ability to make two unarmed strikes with your mind. (2d10+INT) per.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 3.

Age

Genlocks are formed out of the abyssal ichre and don't die to old age. When they die, they turn back to the ichre.

Size

Genlocks are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 225 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Genlock Cunning

You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Abyssal and any language of a monster you spend an hour poking around in and then consuming. You can communicate with telepathy up do 120 ft.