Homebrew Bound Soul Species Details

A Bound Soul is a creature whose soul is no longer occupies an organic form, but has been removed and bound to another form, most commonly a small container such as a pot or ancient relic, though in rare cases a suit of armor or pendant.. This magic is beyond most mortal casters and is only seen in those with high talent in dark magic. Bound Soul are exceedingly rare and not widely known., often being mistaken for common monsters such as Helmed Horrors, Animated Armor, or Ghosts.

Incorporeal Body

A Bound Soul appears as a ghostly image of their mortal body, however in rare cases they may manifest themselves as a smoke/shadowy darkness with slight features of their mortal body. The vessel in which they reside is near-indestructible, seen to take heavy blows and is incredibly resistant to being shattered or scraped. A Bound Soul cannot leave their vessel willingly until freed by a purification ritual, in which the dark magic encasing them is almost entirely dispelled. Bound Souls cannot leave their vessel in its entirety, however they may carry it as they move in a levitating manner. A Bound Soul's 'vapour' is not representative of the soul itself – Additionally the vapour is not entirely gaseous and still acts as a solid form of the Bound Soul unless acted upon in a non-hostile manner, in which objects may move through it freely with no discomfort. If the smoke emanating from the vessel is displaced un-willingly or in a hostile manner it causes harm to the soul and functions similarly to flesh / blood lost on an organic creature. Due to your incorporeal body, you have a base weight of 0 and cannot activate any pressure devices below you due to your levitating nature unless you attempt to exceed your carrying weight* or become encumbered.

*All belongings on a Bound Soul will magically shrink in size and retreat into the vessel alongside the creature causing no damage or loss of durability to the items – Spells such as Dispell Magic will disable this effect, dropping all affected items outside the vessel in their original size

Bound Soul Traits

Bound Soul's are cursed to live eternally, though not many are freed to unlock their true power

Bound Vessel

When using the Hide action, the Bound Soul may retreat into its vessel – While in the vessel it gains resistance to slashing and piercing damage. Upon taking damage equal to 10 + CON Modifier, the Bound Soul instinctively exits the vessel in order to defend itself from attackers.

When performing a Long or Short Rest, the Bound Soul retreats into its vessel and is considered hidden. If the vessel's current appearance is out-of place with its surroundings, any creature with a passive perception of 12+ may recognise its oddity however they still must complete a DC 13 + Dex Investigation check to discern the vessels importance.

Ability Score Increase

You may choose to increase your Constituion or Intelligence score by 2.

Age

A Bound Soul is considered in most cases to be a soul capable of perfect regeneration as far as physical wear and tear, however mentally and emotionally one is limited to the maturity of the age and race of the soul itself when it was bound. Bound Soul's that survive more than a few centuries tend to suffer memory trauma cognitive dissonance concerning long-term memories. The maximum age for a Bound Soul has not yet been determined; it depends mostly on the Bound Soul's entombment place and exposure to the elements.

Undead

Your creature type is considered undead. As such you cannot be healed by most magic like Cure Wounds or brought back to life with a spell such as Resurrection and you are immune to a number of spells such as Hold Person –In addition, you are immune to the poisoned condition, sleep, paralysis, charm, fear, and disease effects. You have resistance to poison damage. You do not need to eat, sleep, or breathe, and cannot gain the magical effects from consumables, or recover HP from potions. As a Bound Soul you receive only 1/2 HP from the recovery dice during a short or long rest and the effects of healing spells, unless a spell effect details otherwise. Whilst performing a Short or Long Rest you are in a meditative state and completely aware of your surroundings outside of your vessel within 10ft.

Artificial Anomaly

As a Bound Soul you gain advantage on all death saving throws. A Bound Soul can recover hit points through a ritual you innately know, requiring no material components to cast. The ritual fully restores your HP and has a casting time of 4 hours.

Language

You can speak, read and write common and up to one extra language of your choice based on your soul's background.

Speed

Your base speed is 30ft.