Homebrew Ishim Species Details

[Note: This race is from The Compendium of Angels by StriderT. I am adapting (and edited) it for use on D&D Beyond.]

The creature stood over the corpses, its hands covered in blood, its body nude as this was the day it was born. A human man named Don Volkoz watched with wide eyes as the creature turned slowly, its haunting gaze fixing on him in the silence of the cavern. It took slow, graceful, and almost weightless steps across the blood-soaked ground. "I have completed my service to your greatest wish," it said as it kneeled before him, with a hand over the empty space of where the heart should be. "Wh-what are you?" the man stuttered as he moved his body away on the rocky ground. It finally looked at him in the eyes, a soft smile became present upon its countenance, and spoke, "I am the creation of a pure wish - your wish to live another day. I have completed my service to you and thus I shall take my leave." It then left, disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the man alone to ponder the realization of having been saved from certain death  - that is, if it were not for the strange being.

Years have passed and Don Volkoz sat alone at a table of an inn where he frequented during his travels to search for the strange being that had saved him. And as fate would have it, there in the nameless inn located in the middle of nowhere, it strode in. He knew it from the very moment his eyes landed on her that she was the one he had encountered before as a young man. But he has now grown old and years past his prime, whereas she remained unchanging. She gave him a curt nod before heading to her room at the inn.

 

Ishim are born into existence from a pure wish, or a thought from their human creator - typically manifesting at a moment before death, desperation, or even loneliness. Regardless, the Ishim appears and will serve their human until the wish is granted, though can choose to stay and never leave their human. Others, however, disappear just as abruptly after completing the wish, becoming travelers to find a new purpose for their immortality.

Born in Purity

With their strange and rather unusual births into existence, no two Ishim look the same. They are as diverse as their creators, ranging from beautiful cherub-like beings with hollow bodies to horrifying abominations with shadowy appearances. However, most share lightweight bodies (weighing much less than they appear) as if they were made from air, averaging about 45 - 85 lbs in their adult forms no matter how big they appear on the outside. They often share physical features of their creators - be it their eyes, skin color, or some other part, their celestial origins will distort it depending on the wish that was made.

Eternal Wanderlust

Ishim will often serve their human until death - their's or the master's. In most cases, the Ishim will live longer than their human and often find themselves wandering the world to find a new purpose for their immortal life. Regardless of their human creator, Ishim are highly neutral creatures and only involve themselves if they feel a strong personal pull to a situation. While rare as a races, most greet them kindly - even more so if they notice the lack of a human master, knowing the creature is now cursed to a lonely existence, doomed to leave little behind.

A Wish For Death

Long ago at the beginning of the human race, the first Ishim was created. Some, during their long existence, wished for death. As such, the wish was granted and despite their immortality, they can be killed just like any other human being. It is said that when an Ishim dies, any who witnesses it are filled with hopelessness, for in their own right, Ishim are angels - the guardian angels of humans.

The Journey of the Persistent

As much as death and sadness surround the Ishim, they are in and of themselves a gentle and persistent race. As they journey after fulfilling a wish or outliving their human master, they can often be found in the military forces, religious establishments, or simply as wanderers. In their lives, they feel a constant pull to do the one thing they were created for - be it protection, companionship, or perhaps even adventure. Those who face their (albeit imperfect) immortality and find purpose in their lives often become leaders, teachers, or heroes in their own right.

 

 

Ishim Traits

Your Ishim character has a number of traits common with all other mogwai.

Ability Score Increase

You may choose two ability scores to increase by 1.

Age

An Ishim reaches adulthood the moment they come into existence and do not age (but may be killed).

Alignment

Most Ishim are Chaotic Neutral. They seek to bond to the being that creates them and serve their purposes.

Size

Ishim average if about 5 feet tall and weigh about 65 pounds. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Epoch

You are immune to having age magically changed and have advantage against all saves to prevent ability score decreases.

Nightmare Fuel

You have advantage on all Intimidation rolls.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Celestial Presence

You are able to cast Bane once per long rest. You use your Wisdom as your casting modifier for the purpose of the spell.

Languages

You are able to speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.