Homebrew Atetatsu Species Details

With gaunt faces, charcoal skin, and coarse crimson petals, atetatsu are a race of sentient plants believed by many to be harbingers of death. This reputation is not totally unfounded, for atetatsu are physiologically sympathetic; their bodies reverberate in harmony with the fleeting spirit of creatures that die in their presence, taking on traits of the deceased for a short time.

The slaughter of a mighty beast is felt by its hunters as a surge of physical strength, and the passing of a sage as a transcendent moment of heightened wisdom. As a result, atatsu have a complex relationship with death; to die in their presence is to pass a glimpse of oneself to another, for a short time.

Reactive Physiology

Atetatsu’s sympathetic physiology extends to the world around them. While they can briefly share in the physiology of creatures who die, they can permanently take on the physical characteristics of their environment over a longer duration. Humid jungles might impart an atatsu with a permanent scent of rich flora, while icy mountains cause their body to forever be chill to the touch. Atetatsu adventurers who travel the world end their lives as a collage of the habitats that succored them, a jigsaw infused with environmental memories ever bonded to their form.

Burning Emotions

Atetatsu are naturally passionate and active. They think, speak, and adapt swiftly, and are known for their fiery tempers and zealous loyalty. With short lives, atetatsu see little value in holding grudges or overanalysing a situation, preferring to think on their feet and revel in the heat of each moment. An atetatsu’s emotional state can be read on its body: its petals blush darkly when enraged, and the tips of its branches sprout new buds during periods of prolonged grief. It is said that if an atetatsu loses a true love, it will forever bloom.

 

Atetatsu Traits

Your Atetatsu has these racial traits:

Ability score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Atatsu reach adulthood at the same rate as humans, and go on to live for up to 60 years.

Size

Atatsu vary in size. Your size can be Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Creature type

You are a humanoid.

Gaze of Death

You gain proficiency in Intimidation.

Essence Capture

You have the power to magically capture fragments of a creature’s power when it dies in your proximity. As a reaction when a creature with a CR equal to or lower than your level dies within 10 feet of you, you can capture a fragment of its essence. You gain one of the following effects of your choice:

• You replace your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma ability score with the same ability score of the creature that died.

• You gain one special sense of your choice, except truesight, that the creature possessed, out to the same range.

• You gain resistance to one damage type of your choice to which the creature had resistance or immunity.

• You gain immunity to one condition of your choice, except exhaustion, to which the creature had immunity.

This effect lasts for 1 hour, after which time you return to normal. Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Rugged

Your tough, lignified exterior is a natural barrier to cuts and abrasions. While you aren’t wearing armour, your base Armour Class is 12 + your Constitution modifier.