Homebrew Sheikah Species Details

Known as the "shadow folk", sheikahs are a mysterious and secretive subrace of hylians. They are known to excel in mobility and espionage, enhancing their technical capabilities with a variety of research and unique tools.

From a distance, sheikahs appear physically similar to hylians, though they are slightly taller on average and usually quite slim. Most sheikahs have pale skin and iconic white hair. Only the few families that retain pure strains of sheikah blood have distinctive red eyes, though due to dwindling numbers many sheikahs have interbred with hylians, resulting in offspring with grey, brown, or blue eyes.

Ancient Technocrats

Sheikahs are said to have been chosen by the goddess Hylia to be the protectors and guides of the Royal Family of Hyrule, to whom they were once staunchly loyal---fulfilling any task without question or concern. They were an advanced technological civilization whose power and foresight had saved the land of Hyrule multiple times. After the first Great Calamity though, thousands of years ago, their power came to be viewed as a threat to the kingdom and thus put them at odds with the Royal Family and the people. The sheikahs were exiled and scattered across the land. Some decided to cast off their technological advances to live simple, pastoral lives. Other clans, spearheaded by the clandestine Yiga Clan, swore allegiance to Calamity Ganon and sought to destroy all those who stand against him. This schism has only brought further mistrust to an already misunderstood race.

The civilization of the sheikahs is said to have disappeared long ago. However, remnants of their advanced technology can still be found by brave explorers and archaeologists, buried beneath ancient ruins.

Lasting Loyalties

To any sheikah, the clan is more important than life itself. Each sheikah knows his or her station and duties within the clan, and honor demands maintaining the bounds of that position. Clan leaders are usually the elders, honored for their experience and wisdom. Some sheikahs are clanless, perhaps exiled for disobedience or lone survivors of a clan feud. Such individuals are often driven by a purpose, such as avenging the death of their mentor or exposing the crimes of their rivals. A sheikah with no purpose will find one, for to roam aimlessly is to become lost in shadows.

Sheikahs maintain and pass down oral history, legends, and heirlooms to their descendants. Knowledgeable on obscure lore and prophecies forgotten by other races, they subtly manipulate events from the shadows, careful not to draw attention to themselves. A sheikah who dies before completing an important task is succeeded by another sheikah to see the task fulfilled.

Lacking a true homeland, sheikahs know that they have to be smart to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a sheikah's companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the sheikah learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a sheikah gives someone their trust, the sheikah is a firm ally for life.

Kakariko Village

For thousands of years, sheikahs have roamed Hyrule as solitary guardians, watching over their hylian charges from the shadows. That is until Kakariko Village was founded, which finally gave sheikahs a place to call home. Here, they maintain joyous lives of pastoral simplicity, far away from all the destruction wrought by Calamity Ganon.

Superstitious Mistrust

People tend to be suspicious of sheikahs, assuming that their shadow heritage has left its mark on their morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when a sheikah enters their stores, gangs of thieves might follow a sheikah around for a while, and demagogues blame sheikahs for strange happenings. Years of dealing with mistrust has left its mark on them. Some choose to live up to the dreadful stereotype, but many are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. Some sheikahs choose to masquerade as hylians when in public, wearing cowls or hoods in an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

Sheikah Adventurers

Sheikah adventurers are usually sent by their clan elders to complete an important mission---such as retrieving an ancient heirloom, preventing or conducting an assassination, infiltrate and sabotage an enemy stronghold, or obtain secret information. Clanless sheikahs roam freely, pursuing whatever goals they set their mind to.

Sheikah Names

Sheikah names fall into two broad categories. Their real names are passed down through generations, believed to herald future accomplishments similar to those achieved by their ancestors. Sheikahs that roam clanless often adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it's a grim destiny.

Male Sheikah Names: Cado, Darton, Dominak, Dorian, Giro, Hino, Kampo, Olkin, Ollie, Prissen, Rensa, Shay, Shibo, Steen, Tasseren

Female Sheikah Names: Brokka, Claree, Cima, Cottla, Koko, Lasli, Magda, Mellie, Nanna, Paya, Rola, Sagessa, Tamana, Trissa, Uma

"Virtue" Names: Chant, Creed, Danger, Despair, Empty, Forlorn, Hope, Magic, Nowhere, Protagonist, Quest, Reverence, Solace, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

Clan Names: Bubinga, Goponga, Hanu, Nabi, Jia, Quatta, Rabia, Rozudo, Rikoka, Sahasra, Taran, Yiga

Sheikah Traits

Sheikahs share certain racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Age

Sheikahs mature at the same rate as hylians and reach adulthood at the age of 17. They live a few decades longer however, sometimes exceeding 120 years.

Alignment

Most sheikahs pledge oaths of servitude, making them lawful. Zealous obedience pushes them toward neutrality, though renegade sheikahs can be of any alignment.

Size

Sheikahs range from 5 to well over 6 feet in height, with a slender build. Your size is Medium.

Here's how to determine your height and weight randomly, starting with rolling a size modifier:
Size modifier = 2d10
Height = 4 feet + 10 inches + your size modifier in inches
Weight in pounds = 90 + (1d6 x your size modifier)

Speed

You have a base walking speed of 30 feet, and you have a climbing speed of 20 feet.

Artificer's Lore

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.

Expert Espionage

Choose one of the following skills: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth. You are proficient in the chosen skill and can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of once.

Sheikah Agility

Your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.

Mask of Shadows

You can cast the disguise self spell once using this trait. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sheikah, and one extra language of your choice. Sheikah has hard consonants and complex symbolic writing.