Homebrew Sangheili Species Details
Sangheili are relentless soldiers that will employ complex strategy only if it either improves success in battle, or it allows them to inflict more casualties on their enemies. I fear their scouts and spies more.
The Sangheili (Macto cognatus, "I glorify my kin"), known to humans as Elites, are a saurian species of strong, proud, and intelligent warriors, as well as skilled combat tacticians. The Sangheili are renowned for great strength and intelligence, and are praised for their bravery and honor. Sangheili warriors augment these natural abilities further through use of magic integrated into their armor. Depending upon rank and mission objective, they are commonly seen in battle with martial weapons and sometimes, if they are higher ranked, greatswords.
Strange Appearance
Sangheili are generally between 7.4 to 8.6 feet tall including helmet and armor, have two fingers and two thumbs on each hand which are much larger than human fingers and thumbs, which make the Sangheili look ungainly when wielding small human weapons such as the dagger. Their large, reptile-like appearance has earned them the nicknames "Alligator" and "Dino." They look vaguely like lizards or theropods, except for their jaws.
Their jaws are quadruple-hinged, with an upper jaw, a greatly reduced lower jaw which are four mandible-like "lips." With few exceptions, these mandibles are generally shown with six teeth each; many sources also depict an additional large fang on the tips of each mandible. Anywhere from eight to ten broader teeth have been observed mounted on the central jaw structure. Some Sangheili keep their mandibles closed, using only the front two joints of their lower mandibles to speak, giving them a more humanoid appearance. Sangheili smell with the use of two nostrils, each a little in front and below the eye socket. Given their predatory nature, a Sangheili's sense of smell is likely very developed. However it must be noted that as a distinct race they may have omnivorous tendencies. The mandibles appear to be made for gripping small prey, which insinuates that the Sangheili evolved from a quadruped race and that they are much larger than their natural prey.
Their hands are tetradactyl, having four digits; two middle fingers, and two opposing thumbs on the outside for grasping. Their knees do not bend backwards but forwards. This unusual hinging does not impair their mobility on ground but climbing, especially on standard ladders, is difficult for them. Their legs are also digitigrade, with short upper and lower legs, and elongated tarsals, using the distal and intermediate phalanges to support their weight when walking. This arrangement possibly allows them to run very quickly and jump large distances, compared to ordinary humans. Their superior agility may also be attributed to their homeworld's higher gravity; the additional strength required to move normally in a high-gravity environment would likely cause them to be more powerful in lower gravity situations. They also appear to have a double set of pectoral muscles, which contribute to their incredible strength.
Warrior Race
The Sangheili consider most other species to be inferior to them, both culturally and in fighting skill. Although Sangheili are naturally very intelligent, their culture's long dependence on a military-industrial scheme has led to an emphasis on might over science.
Promotion in the military is by merit; a soldier must succeed to advance among the ranks. Success is often measured in scalps. A Zealot, for example, has personally slaughtered thousands of individuals to reach that status.
Raised from childhood to be warriors, other societal roles are treated as secondary endeavors or even hobbies, and are not honored at all. Sangheili are skilled in the usage of most martial weapons. One interesting example of this martial focus is that only aristocrats are allowed to wield greatswords and that greatsword-wielders are then no longer eligible for marriage; however, they may breed with any female they choose, married or otherwise, to ensure successful transmission of "swordsman" genes.
Sangheili children and adults used Arums (a small logic game) to learn patience.
Rank, Status, and Title
As in any strict military hierarchy, every sangheili has a rank, from the sangheili high councilor down through to the minor soldiers. These ranks, using the titles most often applied to them, are as follows:
The order of Sangheili rank is: Minor, Officer/Major, Stealth Minor, Stealth Major, Ranger, Special Operations, Special Operations Officer, Special Operations Commander, Honor Guard, Honor Guard Ultra, Ultra, Zealot, General, Field Marshal, Supreme Commander, Imperial Admiral and Sangheili High Councilor.
Their rank can be identified by their armor. Many Sangheili ranks have more ornate and different stylings compared to those in the lower ranks.
Sangheili are promoted based upon their skills, abilities, and the number of casualties they inflict upon their enemy. This is usually measured by scalps. A high-ranking Sangheili may have personally slaughtered thousands of enemies throughout his military career. The Sangheili armor becomes more complex as the rank increases.
Respect and Honor
Advancement in rank comes as a result of attaining glory, but for the achievement to mean anything, a sangheili must abide by the race’s code of honor in doing so.
The Sangheili display respect and admiration for honorable fighters, whether they are allies of the Sangheili or not. It is common for the Sangheili to have such an admiration for their adversaries. Sangheili respect and revere veterans and often follow their lead. Their history is rife with victorious combatants welcoming the defeated enemies' remaining forces into their own arm, provided of course that they fought with honor.
The Sangheili code of honor focuses on skills in combat (with an emphasis on swordsmanship), loyalty to master and family/clan, and views on death. This system promotes death in battle as being the most honorable and proper way to die. If a warrior is critically injured, incapacitated, or captured, the only acceptable recourse is to commit ritualistic suicide, ensuring one's honor is kept intact. This was of such importance to Sangheili warriors that if they were incapable of killing themselves, they requested the assistance of their fellow Sangheili in doing so.
In many ways, the Sangheili are much like humans. They communicate, are loyal to their superiors and comrades, become protective of their troops and become angry and vengeful if other Sangheili are killed. They fear very little, taking great pride in an ancient, honor-laden code. Even when mortally wounded, the Sangheili still charge towards the enemy in a doomed last minute attack. Sangheili honor also dictates that they always be the first ones into a battle, and to never allow themselves to be captured alive. The more honorable captured Sangheili typically commit suicide while in prison to retain some measure of honor; oftentimes when they are freed those who have not are executed anyway, as was the case with one of Thel Vadam's ancestors. However, escaping or staging an uprising is acceptable, by the same example.
Sangheili have a code of honor. Its details vary from clan to clan, but it’s always brutal.
Clan Pride
Family history and lineage are greatly valued, with each family having their own unique "Battle Poem" detailing the deeds and actions of its members during times of war. These "epics" may have influenced the recitation of war poetry among the Mgalekgolo, due to their deep respect for Sangheili. It is theorized that Sangheili males are sent into service as warriors and soldiers, as no female Sangheili have been seen in combat roles. Females are trained from a young age to fight alongside the males but are kept home to tend to their respective houses. This training allows the Sangheili to have a potent home guard should an attack on their homeworld ever make it past the males fighting on the front line.
Sangheili warriors form very close-knitted relationships, referring to their comrades as "brothers" and remaining intensely loyal to them. This loyalty is shown in the custom of grieving after the death of a fallen comrade, a ritual which includes prayer for the dead warrior.
In some clans, Sangheili children are raised in "common rooms" to ensure that all start on an equal footing and progress in rank by merit of their abilities. Members of some Sangheili clans rarely know their true fathers, and are usually raised by a maternal uncle instead. This may be a method of preventing status from being inherited in order to force children to make their own way in the world so they actively work for and earn advancement. However, as some children's fathers were Swordsmen who were granted the right to reproduce with any number of female Sangheili they desire, the use of a maternal uncle as a fatherlike figure may have also been used to allow children to be raised equally. Sangheili believe that copulation without regard for the bloodline is uncultured. A popular pastime for Sangheili children is to hunt small rat-like creatures that live on their homeworld.
Superstitions
Despite their martial nature, the Sangheili have reservations to the spilling of one's own blood. This is an extension of the belief that the blood of a warrior is his essence (honor); thus, to spill one's blood is to lose one's honor. As a result, in Sangheili culture, doctors are seen by many as the lowest members of society because they "make [their] living slicing and causing another Sangheili to bleed without honor." This meant that the only 'honorable' way for a Sangheili to be injured or bleed out is from combat with the enemy. This belief also makes visiting a doctor very shameful for most Sangheili. Some Sangheili viewed this as wasteful, especially after the war when manpower was depleted.
It is believed among the Sangheili that a weapon is only to be drawn if it is to be used, because a drawn weapon "demands blood."
Naming
The Sangheili place great value in their names, and it is considered both a privilege and an honor for only those proved worthy. The Sangheili generally consider humans to be nameless (one notable exception being a human of great might whom they exclusively refer to as "Demon"), and resent that the humans have assigned the label "Elites" to them (although they have been given many other names far more derogatory, such as squid-head, split lip, hinge-head, Dino, etc.).
The surname of each individual comes from their lineage. Thel 'Vadam, for example, was from the Vadam lineage. Each lineage has its own state on Sanghelios, and each Sangheili from that state adopts the name of the lineage.
Sangheili names are constructed from a series of parts, each of them with a specific or special meaning. The first name is a given name that is attained at birth, which persists until adulthood. As they come of age, they earn the right to carry a badge name. This name is made up of three parts: an adjectival descriptor, such as "fast" or "deadly," a crèche or family name, and the "-ee" suffix, an honorific indicating that the Sangheili is a military participant. Most Sangheili have names with this kind of construction. It appears that additional titles may be given to those of very high rank, such as Xytan 'Jar Wattinree. Since "Jar" is not a part of the standard Sangheili name, it may be assumed that it denotes Xytan's status as Imperial Admiral. There is only one other known instance of this naming structure: Voro 'Mantakree, who was given the additional title "Nar" to denote his status as a Fleet Master. Apart from the "-ee" suffix, the suffix "-ai" denotes swordsmanship, as with Bero 'Kusovai and Toha 'Sumai.
Birth Names: Thel, Ripa, Rtas, Sesa, Xytan, N'tho, Luro, Usze, Fal, Zuka, Voro, Jul, Avu, Isna, Rok, Ke, Let, Tul
Clan Names: 'Vadam, 'Moram, 'Vadum, 'Refum, 'Jar Wattinr, 'Sroam, 'Lodam, 'Taham, 'Chavam, 'Zaman, 'Mantakr, 'Mdama, 'Telcam, 'Nosol, 'Nzahz, 'Volir, 'Juran
Sangheili (Elites) Traits
Your sangheili character has the following racial traits.
Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age
Although sangheili reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, but can live to be 750 years old.
Alignment
Sangheili tend toward lawful alignments, as they stick to strict morals and codes.
Size
Sangheili are between 7 and 9 feet tall and weigh between 310 and 390 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 45 feet. Their legs are digitigrade, with short upper and lower legs, and elongated tarsals, using the distal and intermediate phalanges to support their weight when walking. This arrangement possibly allows them to run very quickly and jump large distances, compared to ordinary humans
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.
Menacing
You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Powerful Build
You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Martial Prodigy
You are proficient with medium and heavy armor and with shortswords, longswords, and greatswords.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and a language of your choice.
Phantom warrior
The Sangheili warriors iconic image is the army of blades. an army of warriors with invisibility wielding glowing and foggy blades which glow brightly.
As a bonus action, the Sangheili can cast Greater invisibility on themselves as a cantrip. the amount of uses increases on varied levels (6 = 2, 8 = 3, 14 = 4, 18 = 5 & 20 = infinite)
Eyes of the Prophets
Such capable warriors can see through the dirtiest tricks, The ancient Prophets of war has bless this race with the eyes of a true warrior. allowing them 60 ft of truesight
Sangheili Traits
Sangheili have a number of traits.Ability Score Increase
Strength increases by 2 and intelligence by 1.
Darkvision
Darkvision
Menacing
You gain proficiency in intimidation.
Powerful Build
Build
Martial Prodigy
You gain proficiency
Languages
Ur choice
Phantom Warrior
Warrior
Eyes of the Prophets
The Prophets
Comments