Homebrew Darkling Species Details

Physical Description

Darklings are a race of Fey that differ significantly depending on if they have undergone a ritual to become an "elder".

A Darkling's body, due to their curse absorbs and contains all light that touches their skin, slowly aging the Darkling the longer they are exposed. While this does not cause the darkling physical pain, it does take a physical toll on their body, and continuous exposure to light could strain a Darkling's body to the brink of death. Only by allowing the body time to process the light in a dark environment, does the Darkling recover, similar to a human allowing themselves time to digest a meal. At the time of a Darkling's death the light stored in their bodies are released, violently, in a blast of white light. There are cautionary tales in Darkling societies where a single death, caused a chain reaction throughout a Darkling settlement, leaving only ash and empty houses left.

"Normal" Darklings are squat, ugly humanoids, with light grey skin, pearly glazed eyes, and sickly white hair. However, respected members of Darkling society undergo a ritual that restores the beauty of their race by siphoning the light in their bodies into glowing tattoos. In their Elder form, Darklings are medium-sized fair humanoids that resemble well-built elves, though their grey complexion remains.

History

It was told in legends that a seelie fey, whose real name has been erased from history, betrayed the Summer Queen. In her wrath, she cursed him and his entire house. He became known in those stories as Dubh Catha, or "Dark Crow". His descendants, and those of his house, were then known as the dubh sith, or "darklings".

Society

Due to their curse, most darklings dwelt in caves or underground. Under cities, they typically worked as thieves or assassins. Despite this curse, however, darklings retained their love for beauty, and sometimes risked watching a sunset or occasionally using light to appreciate the colors in a piece of art.

It was possible for the most experienced darklings to undertake a ritual in order to become elders. The ritual consisted of applying glowing tattoos over its body, therefore releasing some of the accumulated light. If unsuccessful, the ritual was fatal. Otherwise, it resulted in a darkling elder: a taller and fairer form, similar to a grey-skinned elf.

Darkling Names

Darklings have a given name, but if they become an elder, their name is extended into a longer form to match their new status in Darkling society. All Darklings use the family name "Dubh Catha" in memory of their first kin that fell from grace.

Male Names: Bran, Cor, Dòm, Fal, Fin

Female Names: Eimir, Mor, Gran, Cea, Bree

Elder Male Names: Brandubh, Coireall, Dòmhnallan, Failbhe, Fionghan

Elder Female Names: Eamhhair, Mòrag, Gràinne, Ceanag, Brianag

Darkling Traits

+2 Dextery, +1 Wisdom, Darkvision, Blindsight, Light Sensivity, Death Flash, Fey Ancestry, Elder Ritual

Forced to the dark

The curse that afflicts the Darklings make them vulnerable and age quickly when exposed to the light, a darkling can avoid some of the harmful effects, to make this they often covers most parts of its body with dark cloth.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dextery is increased by 2 and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Darklings who never feel sunlight on their skin can live nearly one thousand years, but most darklings don't live past two hundred.

Alignment

Most darklings are chaotic neutral, with a fair few becoming evil.

Size

Darklings are usually small and runtish, but elders are the same size as elves. Your race is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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.

Blindsight

You have blindsight in a 30 foot radius.

Light Sensivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight. In addition for every hour you are in bright light you gain a level of exhaustion. You can remove this only through staying in a lightless environment for every hour you were exposed to bright light or through magic.

Death Flash

Upon death, your accumulated light explodes in a 10-foot radius of radiant light that deals 2d6 radiant damage. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. Your body and possessions, other than metal or magic objects, burn to ash.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Elder Ritual

At 5th level you can partake in a ritual over the course of a long rest to change yourself into a Darkling Elder. Your size is now Medium and you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Languages

You speak, read and write Common, Elvish and Sylvan.