Homebrew Aenea Species Details

Aenea are intelligent humanoids inhabiting the deep deserts of the world. They avoid the withering desert temperatures by sheltering in massive underground cities built deep beneath rocky crags. Foraging parties venture out, braving the blazing days and chill nights, to hunt and scavenge. Particularly hardy groups delve into the dangerous depths below.

Aenea are jet black with lifeless eyes. Their bodies are reminiscent of insects, crustaceans or some cruelly burnt creature. They have powerful, bone crushing mandibles and extreme digestive systems. They can and will eat flesh, bone, horn, wood, rope, waste, carrion, almost anything of organic origin.

Aenea and the lands they inhabit were once very different, however. Known then as the Lorem, they were shorter, their skin grey. They built a prosperous jungle kingdom. But their civilization dabbled in magics they could not control and soon summoned a horror from the darkness. This Adversary opened portals to unfathomable worlds, unleashing demons, undead and unspeakable monstrosities. Everywhere it went, it left corruption and decay in its wake. It devastated the land and murdered millions.The Adversary proved difficult to defeat, it being immune to almost all forms of damage. But a singular sword could cut it, becoming its undoing. Its body severed but not destroyed, continues to corrupt the land. In less than a year, a society that had stood for millennia fell to ash, their lush jungle home turned to dust, their bodies warped beyond recognition.

The few remaining Aenea are relentless survivors. They are industrious, resourceful and thrifty. They abhor wasting food. Aenea find other races endlessly fascinating, eagerly sampling their culture and cuisine. They are, however, awkward and painfully forthright. Many Aenea fled the apocalypse, becoming unwanted refugees in neighbouring regions, facing endless discrimination. A few become traders, adventurers or diplomats, earning grudging respect. But their alien form and mannerisms instill unease in other races wherever they go. Among them, they prefer to wear large cloaks or other concealing attire to avoid troubling passers by.

Twog, The Prince of Sands

His real name unpronounceable by most races, he goes by a cruel nickname given to him by fellow adventurers. The son of the Aenean king, Twog secreted away from his homeland in search of the stolen blade that once saved his people from annihilation. Know by many names, Black Blade, Forsaken Edge, Undenier,  it was stolen from the royal vaults by unknown entities. Twog now searches ruins and dungeons for clues about its location. From time to time Twog is pursued by teams sent by his father to bring him back. Sometimes these teams are from anti-monarchy forces that would prefer him dead. Twog runs from them, still focused on his mission knowing that the Adversary is in the process of reforming.

 

 

Aenea Traits

All Aenea have the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

One ability score increases by 2. Another increases by 1.

Age

Aenea are considered adults at 25 and typically live to an age of 150 years.

Alignment

Aenea can be any alignment but chaotic or evil Aenea are rare.

Size

Aenea stand between 4 and 7 feet tall and weight between 150 and 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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.

Merciless

Aenea are proficient in unarmed strikes using their bite or claws as natural weapons. The bite does 1d6 + Strength modifier piercing damage on a successful hit and claws, 1d4 + Dexterity modifier slashing damage. If you take the Attack action, you may make one additional attack with either your bite or claw.

Withering

You know a damage cantrip selected from any spell list. The effect emanates from your mouth and doesn't require components.

Relentless

You have lived in harsh conditions your entire life. You have advantage on Survival checks and Constitution saving throws.

Steadfast

When you roll with disadvantage, if either roll is a natural 20, the result is a natural 20.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common and Aenean. Aenea tend to speak other languages with a low, raspy accent.