Homebrew Dhampir Species Details

“But you do see the way people look at you, child of the night.”

Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring right into her heart and the sudden seriousness in his voice jolted her.

“What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s a conspiracy—”

“Three’s a curse,” she finished. “You think I haven’t heard that rubbish before?”

“I know you have.” When she glared at him, he added, “It’s not as if I’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear girl. That is the burden of every dhampir. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.”

 

 

A life of shadows and thirst, suffering from a blood line they did not choose, is the fate of a dhampir. Scrutiny and fear of their nature, is all most of them know because of their bloodline. Their appearance and nature is not their choosing, as they deal with the path chosen by them from their parentage. 

Vampiric Bloodline

Dhampirs are derived from human  and vampire bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look mostly human. However, their vampiric heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Dhampirs have typically have pale skin, caused from their vampire parents. Their eyes shift to black or red when they have strong emotions like anger or when the thirst for human blood becomes too strong. The eyes typically have dark circles under them, either gray, black or purplish in color, giving a slightly undead look to their appearance. Their canine teeth are sharper and longer than humans and can be difficult to hide. They also have sharpened nails that are longer than most humans on average and their heart beat, is much slower than a normal humans. Because of their vampiric bloodline, they also age much slower then their human counterparts. Once they reach adulthood they age 3 times slower than a human, making it where they can live up to 300 years before passing from old age. 

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Dhampirs subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, dhampirs know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a dhampir’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the dhampir's learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a dhampir gives someone loyalty, the dhampir is a firm friend or ally for life.

 

Dhampir Traits

Dhampirs share certain racial traits as a result of their vampiric parentage.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 1,  your Constitution score increase by 1 and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Dhampirs mature at the same rate as humans but age 3 times slower once they reach adulthood. 

Size

Dhampirs are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet and your climbing speed is 20. 

Darkvision

Thanks to your vampiric heritage, 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.

Vampiric Resistance

You have resistance to piercing damage as long as the weapon isn't silver or equipped with holy water. 

Vampiric Legacy

You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language.