Homebrew Boneborn Species Details

The Boneborn are an enigmatic and elegant humanoid race, known for their skeletal form and deep connection to necromantic energies. Once mortal beings who sought forbidden knowledge or made pacts with powerful entities, the Boneborn underwent a transformation that stripped them of their flesh, leaving them as graceful and powerful undead beings. Their existence bridges the realms of the living and the dead, imbuing them with an aura of mystery and an eternal sense of vigilance.

Appearance: Boneborn stand at similar heights to humans, typically ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Their skeletal frames exhibit a striking combination of gleaming ivory and dark obsidian bones. Ancient arcane runes or patterns may be etched into the surface of their bones, marking remnants of their past lives or hinting at the spells they once knew. Their eye sockets are empty, radiating an eerie purple or spectral glow that serves as a testament to their connection to necromantic energies. Despite their lack of flesh, Boneborn retain an imposing and graceful presence, commanding both fear and awe in those who encounter them.

Undead Resilience: As beings of undeath, Boneborn have inherent advantages over the living. They possess resistance to necrotic damage, making them more durable against the dark energies that pervade their existence. Additionally, they are immune to poison and disease, as these afflictions no longer affect their undead forms. The Boneborn require no food, water, or sleep, instead entering a meditative state for a few hours each day to rest their consciousness.

Bone Manipulation: One of the most intriguing aspects of the Boneborn is their ability to manipulate their own skeletal structures. This unique trait grants them proficiency in unarmed combat, as they can reshape and elongate their bones temporarily. Through this bone manipulation, Boneborn can craft bone-based items, weapons, and ornate bone jewelry with exceptional skill. The dexterity and creativity they possess in using their skeletal forms make them formidable warriors and skilled artisans.

Arcane Connection: Boneborn have an innate connection to necromantic energies and the arcane arts. This connection grants them proficiency in the Arcana skill, allowing them to understand and utilize magical lore more readily than other races. Their affinity for necromancy enables them to communicate with undead creatures, providing them with a rare insight into the minds of the deceased and granting them unique advantages in dealing with restless spirits.

Eternal Vigilance: Freed from the need for rest or sustenance, the Boneborn are eternal sentinels, ever watchful of the world around them. This eternal vigilance has shaped their role as guardians of ancient knowledge, forgotten secrets, and mysterious artifacts. They stand as silent witnesses to the passing ages, preserving the wisdom and history of bygone eras.

Role in the World: The Boneborn often find themselves on a path of redemption or self-discovery, seeking to unravel the circumstances that led to their transformation and to find their place in a world that fears and misunderstands them. Some Boneborn may embrace their undead nature and seek to wield their necromantic powers for their own purposes, while others may strive to overcome the darkness within and find redemption through acts of heroism and compassion.

As adventurers, Boneborn can be powerful spellcasters, skilled artisans, or formidable warriors. Their unique bone manipulation and arcane knowledge make them versatile and intriguing characters, embodying both the beauty and melancholy of their undead existence. Their presence in a world of magic and mystery adds depth and complexity to any story, providing a sense of timeless wisdom and a touch of the eerie and supernatural.

Boneborn Traits

It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but your human character has these traits.

Undead Resilience

As beings of undeath, Boneborn have inherent advantages over the living. They possess resistance to necrotic damage, making them more durable against the dark energies that pervade their existence. Additionally, they are immune to poison and disease, as these afflictions no longer affect their undead forms. The Boneborn require no food, water, or sleep, instead entering a meditative state for a few hours each day to rest their consciousness.

Bone Manipulation

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Boneborn is their ability to manipulate their own skeletal structures. This unique trait grants them proficiency in unarmed combat, as they can reshape and elongate their bones temporarily. Through this bone manipulation, Boneborn can craft bone-based items, weapons, and ornate bone jewelry with exceptional skill. The dexterity and creativity they possess in using their skeletal forms make them formidable warriors and skilled artisans.

 

Arcane Connection

Boneborn have an innate connection to necromantic energies and the arcane arts. This connection grants them proficiency in the Arcana skill, allowing them to understand and utilize magical lore more readily than other races. Their affinity for necromancy enables them to communicate with undead creatures, providing them with a rare insight into the minds of the deceased and granting them unique advantages in dealing with restless spirits.

Eternal Vigilance

Freed from the need for rest or sustenance, the Boneborn are eternal sentinels, ever watchful of the world around them. This eternal vigilance has shaped their role as guardians of ancient knowledge, forgotten secrets, and mysterious artifacts. They stand as silent witnesses to the passing ages, preserving the wisdom and history of bygone eras.

Ability Score Increase

Your ability scores each increase by 1.

Age

Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Size

Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.