Homebrew Cortexian Species Details

Believe me and most other weary adventurers, not many monsters and ghastly creatures can shake my stomach. However, those foul... brain things can go straight back to whatever cursed master devised them.

It's not exactly kind to go probin' about folks brains, if they want to talk then they better conjure up a mouth to fit that horrid figure.

— Reki "Walker on Runes", dwarven adventurer.

 

A cortexian brain is commonly described as one of the most disgusting and most intriguing sights to witness by the people who see let alone interact with them. Finding a cortexian outright can be a particularly difficult task as they seek solitude from prying eyes and persecution. Living in high mountains to deep oceanic caverns tends to keep away most prying eyes and aggressive wanderers, which is just how a cortexian brain wants life to be. Those who do interact with other civilizations typically find themselves working out in the world as entertainers, specialized investigators, psychic warriors, and even racketeers.

Growing Intelligence

A cortexian brain is a being that has shed the majority of its physical body with the brain acting as the only physical vessel for its expanded mind and soul. The origins of many brains come from terrible arcane or psychic accidents and some are the product of malicious experimentation orchestrated by Mind Flayers. Generally floating about the same height as they lived in their former lives brains construct suitable new bodies of stone, wood, or other materials to protect their fragile vessel. These bodies provide them adequate protection without the awkwardness of finding fitting armor for their humanoid frames. The coloration of brains varies based upon their original heritage; human, dwarf, and elf brains are mostly purplish-pink, orcs and goblinoids have green and yellow colored brains and many more colors with the multitude of species. Having exited their former bodies, cortexian brains do not need to eat, drink, or breathe finding enough sustenance from their thoughts and a good night's sleep.

Alone in Thoughts

The cortexian way of life changes both from where a brain lives and whom one associates with. Isolationist brains have a tendency to either go mad from their own psychic machinations or to find enlightenment through self-study and arcane experimentation. For brains that are more social but wish to stay with their own kind, can seek out the three Psyche Courts each dealing in a mode of thought. The Bellum Court is the court of aggression, expansion, and war. The Medullan Court deals with life, vitality, and passivity. Finally, the Brumian Court acts as the leading form of government directing the other two courts in action and inaction, thinking with other civilizations and thinking without them. Conflict between the courts is frequent but rarely if ever results in violence between cortexians. The opposing Courts of Bellum and Medullan each advance their own political campaigns to the "Greater Ideas" which are the eldest and largest brains of the Brumian Court making the final decisions.

External Musings

For the few cortexians that do venture away from the Psyche Courts, adventuring often is the least accepted path. Most brains that come into contact with or live within other settlements find stationary roles for themselves that allow at least a minor amount of solitude, this being for pondering various subjects both arcane and mundane. The cortexian title for a brain that lives outside of the Courts is an "External Musing". These Musings are often linked back to the Courts as either current or former agents who contact future interests of the Courts and enact some of their wills. Yet some Musings are rebellious to the purposes given by the Courts and create their own imagined lives as whatever occupation they might think of. An adventuring Musing remains one of the rarest kinds of life for brains due to the Court's attempts at returning as many musings as possible back to their intended purpose, traditionally using negotiations first and when that fails they use psychic domination of the rogue brain through other loyal musings.

Cortexian Traits

Your cortexian rebirth has brought many powers both psychic and telekinetic.

Ability Score Increase

Cortexians possess extraordinary mental faculties, granting them a sharp intellect and the endurance to maintain their magical forms. Your Intelligence score increases by 2,  and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Telekinetic Manifestation

As a Cortexian, your brain can manifest a solid body through the power of telekinesis. Instead of wearing armor, you can choose to manifest a body made of stone, wood, or another material. This body functions as armor, providing you with an AC of 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You are proficient in this form of armor and can change the material of your manifested body during a long rest. Being knocked unconscious or dying makes you lose this body and return to an 10 armor class till you recover and or short rest.

Psychic Connection

Cortexians have a natural affinity for psychic energy. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened. Additionally, you can communicate telepathically with any creature within 30 feet of you that understands at least one language.

Cerebral Understanding

As a Cortexian, you possess inherent magical abilities. You can cast the detect magic spell once per day without expending a spell slot. At 5th level, your mind breaks its psychic boundaries and can cast the telekinesis spell once per day and does not count against your known or prepared spells. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Fathomless Mind

Your expanded brain grants you proficiency in the Arcana skill. In addition, you have advantage on Intelligence saving throws.

Age

Being created from a magical accident or a massive psychic awakening, Cortexians seemingly do not age but that does not stop the brain from decaying like most other life. Typically a Cortexian brain can last between 100 and 500 years.

Languages

Cortexian brains act as sentient psychic wellsprings. Despite their solitary lifestyles they occasionally interact with other societies and have an innate ability to communicate telepathically with nearly anyone. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice. Your telepathy allows you to communicate with creatures that understand at least one language, regardless of the language you speak.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Size

Cortexians vary in size, but their telekinetic bodies tend to be similar in height and build to that of an average human. Your size is Medium.

Insatiable Thoughts

A common complaint of their existence among Cortexians is their inability to consume and lack of need for food or drink. The desire to taste old favorites like wine or cheese remains despite their new form. Some new Cortexians can also suffer from a suffocating feeling as they have no lungs, a phantom mouth gasps for air with many dying from the overwhelming stress and panic.