Homebrew Forgotten Species Details

They came from the stars. Or at least, that's what the rumors claim. Of course, I do not deal in rumors, but my research seems to fit within such a concept. All of the specimens I observed reported awakening beneath the open sky, but beyond that there seems to be no common factor to the phenomena of these appearances. Some awoke in day, and others at night. No region or season more frequently occuring than another. No magical tears or extradimensional wounds in the surrounding reality. For all intent and purpose, these beings simply "appear", without memory or mission. Their forms are equally as perplexing as the circumstances in which they arrived. Their anatomy is malleable, more a mimickry of humanoids than ones in their own right. formed from substances beyond my alchemichal comprehension. I have yet not had the opportunity to dissect such a creature, although I excitedly await the day one might fall, if only to prove they are indeed mortal. Their minds yet make another mystery of them. Capable of Deep Speech, yet unlike any such abberations as I have read. Their thoughts, lacking any sign of hidden knowledge or trickery. They pick up on the traits of the races around them slowly, but adapt to them until it seems second nature. Despite the frightening lack of discoveries I have made on these specimens, I have found them to be kind and faithful beings, in love with this world despite not being of it.

I have devoted 70 years of my existence to the study of the Forgotten, and the only conclusive statement I have come to, is that they are a complete and utter mystery. 

- Diviner Stelnik Kretzvelt

Somewhere under the sky, a pair of eyes open for the first time. These eyes will see many things before they close again. Things they have never seen before. They will see stars, and birds, and white clouds on a blue sky. Perhaps one day these eyes will move from this spot. If so, these eyes may one day see humans, and elves, and dragons and cities and taverns and trees and heroes and villains. And each time they see these things, they will see them with the same wonder and beauty as the first time. And when one day these eyes close for the last time, they will return to where they went before, remembering every moment. 

Alien Beauty

Forgotten are generally taller and thinner than other races. Their angular features and musculature are eerily fluid for such spindly forms. They range between 6 feet to just under 8 feet tall,  their weight varying between 100 to 150 pounds. Forgotten are naturally androgynous, not expressing either masculine or feminine traits. However, Forgotten who have integrated with humanoid societies often take up one or the other out of conformity, curiosity, or entertainment. Some even alternate between various physical forms, not believing physical traits to define identity. 

Despite their ability to subtly shift their physical body, Forgotten are easily identified by their thin, angular frames, as well as their smooth, metalesque skin which varies from deep blacks or dark blues, to muted greys, to very rare coppers or golds. This coloration is the only feature of a Forgotten's appearance that cannot be naturally altered. The concept of clothing is lost on many of this race, except those most comfortable with humanoid traditions. Some Forgotten instead display unique patterns along their skin, often which express personal meaning and purpose. Forgotten do not have hair, and instead, their heads are often decorated by ridges, horns, fins, and other such fringes. Forgotten eyes typically emit a refractory glow, but this too can be altered to mimic humanoid irises.

A Lost History

The Forgotten are an only recently-appeared race. They arrived suddenly and without great chaos. While Forgotten can reproduce with other races, the offspring carry no traits of their alien parentage. As such, the only "newborn" Forgotten are those who continue to appear on the prime material plane as if from nowhere. Forgotten asked of their earliest memories only report awakening in various places, without memory of even a name,  and the faintest traces of their identity and language preserved. 

There are no infant Forgotten, and even the first of their kind to appear on this plane show no outward signs of age, despite decades having past. Forgotten are generally peaceful, curious, and forthright creatures. Despite their gracefulness, they are socially clumsy creatures, lacking the years of knowledge required to navigate complex social interactions. Common themes informing the perspective of a Forgotten are identity, discovery, and understanding. 

Any cultural, religious, or ethical beliefs of the Forgotten that existed before their arrival on the Material Plane has not been preserved. As such, the desire to discover lost beliefs and identities is of great importance to each Forgotten. Some have found satisfaction in small communities of their race, forming a new system from the scattered ghosts of memories. Some seek to embed themselves in the cultures of this world, seeking their purpose and place in the multitude of strange cultures across the realm. Other still strive to uncover what was destroyed and learn the truth of their arrival to this world. Each Forgotten is a blank slate, whose journey of self-discovery is the defining nature of their existence.

Otherworldly Outsiders

Due to the mysterious past and enigmatic nature of the Forgotten, many races mistrust these creatures, but for very different reasons than they do Tieflings or Half-orcs. With those creatures, they are not trusted to do good and assumed to do evil. But with the Forgotten, they are both so recently arrived, and so inscrutable that the races of the realm lack any assumptions to base their actions on, which in turn forms the greatest mistrust of all: a mistrust of the unknown.

Forgotten find homes among small settlements of their own kind, often borrowing traits and skills of the cultures around them and blending them into a unique heritage. Forgotten residing with other races are often searching for personal purpose, bringing aspects of both their otherworldly personalities and previously explored cultures into their activities. Beings from other races who have befriended Forgotten report them to be amusing, gentle creatures with a unique passion for life.

Eternal Wanderers

Without any place to truly call home, most Forgotten live nomadic lives, integrating within whatever society they come across until the desire to again discover strikes them again. While many eventually find permanent roots, some have been exploring their entire lives. Forgotten make for natural adventurers due to this constant desire to explore and experience new things, along with an innate curiosity that makes for the beginnings of most great adventures.

Forgotten Names

Forgotten find the concept of a given name quite ridiculous, and believe a name should be chosen to capture the identity and experiences of the individual. These names may be activities, objects of fondness, and are sometimes adapted from the language of a culture the Forgotten embeds itself in. Forgotten were thought to change names as they journeyed, to describe their changes in identity; however, in reality, each new name is an addition to the dozens of previous, and Forgotten names can stretch up to hundreds of words long. 

Forgotten Names: Sungazer, Mournful, Longpath, Lover, Tree-on-the-river, Saltswim, Joyous, Kindness-of-beggars, Tomeseeker, Tavern-under-bridge, Snowcliff, Moonlight, Wind-in-sail, Forsake, Thunderclap

Forgotten Traits

The Forgotten, hailing from extraplanar origins, display a variety of mysterious natural abilities.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Intelligence or Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Forgotten do not measure life by age, but by experience. As such, even a 1-year old being can be considered "old", if they lead an exceptionally interesting life. However, humanoids interested in such things have noted that none have died of old age since their appearance centuries ago. Intellectuals place their possible maximum age at around 2000 years.

Alignment

Forgotten do not tend towards organized society, remaining neutral in most environments. Their natural desire to discover and explore represents a chaotic bend, which can be tempered or intensified depending on the life they lead. They value peace, expression, identity, and exploration. They tend to ere on the side of good.

Size

Forgotten range between 6 and 8 feet in height, and are surprisingly light for their metallic appearances, between 100 and 150 lbs depending on their height. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Adaptable

Without a culture of their own, Forgotten learn skills and perspectives from the cultures around them. You gain proficiency in 1 skill and 1 tool of your choice.

Metallurgic Flesh

You have the ability to change your appearance in minor ways. You can spend 1 minute concentrating to change your facial and other aesthetic features, including your height. You can also use this ability to create tattoo-like indentations in your skin, such as runes, drawings, or other such inscriptions. This change is permanent unless you use it again, and can do this once per long rest. Due to your mettalic external form, you also gain a +1 bonus to AC. 

Aberrant Wit

Your enigmatic, alien mind grants you certain abilities. You are able to communicate telepathically with any creature you are touching, so long as it speaks a language. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast Detect Thoughts once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast Calm Emotions once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one additional language, often to better integrate with a race and learn their culture. You additionally know Deep Speech, the language spoken by Aberrations and other ancient, terrifying creatures.