Homebrew Shadar-Kai Species Details

In D&D 3rd edition, the Shadar-kai were introduced as a species of fey found on the Plane of Shadow. By 4th edition (see Dragon Magazine #372), the Shadar-kai were set-up as the Fey of the Shadowfell, the opposites of the Eladrin of the Feywild. Ages spent in the Shadowfell have shaped the Shadar-kai into a people that live passionately and fearlessly to combat the apathy and gloom of their home plane. Shadar-kai society is meritocratic and based on power and prestige of great deeds. Most Shadar-kai do not fear death and live for the moment, or risk succumbing to ennui and fading out of existence, experimenting in all sorts of stimulation and extremes.

Cold of heart and dark of eye, passion burns still within these people of shadow and deep winter.

Appearance

The goth-like, Shadar-kai seem to draw in the shadows around them. Their skin ranges from white to dark gray and their eyes are black and lustrious without any white or clear pupil. Their drab or raven black hair is often died and worn in a variety of styles including long and loose, braided, or elaborately shaved. Shadar-kai are usually depicted as having human looking ears. While drab in appearance, these people like dark clothing, jewelry and weapons decorated with a splash of color. They are usually found with tattoos, scarifications, and piercings.

Names

Shadar-kai will occasionally take names from elves or humans, but they usually take names of heroes from their own people or great warriors they respect from outside their people.

Male Names: Ashok, Baden, Chanoch, Emul, Natan, Sithierel, Skagi, Thieraven, Traedis, Vedoran, Zahar
Female Names: Afyn, Bahnka, Codruta, Doru, Ghita, Helayna, Ilvani, Lucya, Markella, Roduka, Zyna.

Shadar-Kai Traits

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

Winterkin

Due to your connection to the Raven Queen, you can reroll a failed death saving throw. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Shadar-kai Weapons Training

You have proficiency with the spiked chain and whip.

Equipment

*Spiked Chain

15 gp

1d6 piercing

5 lb.

Finesse, reach, versatile (2d4), exotic

 

* The Shadar-kai train from birth to master the spiked chain. The exotic nature of the spiked chain makes it hard to master for non Shadar-kai and they should require the Great Weapon Master feat, or risk using the weapon with constant disadvantage. Just to be clear this weapon provides 1d6 damage when used one-handed and 2d4 damage when used two-handed.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age

A Shadar-kai reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally live until they die from their extreme life or fade away centuries after their birth.

Alignment

Most Shadar-kai are chaotic neutral, but lean towards evil.

Size

Shadar-kai are similar to humans, but slightly shorter and thinner. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to the dim, colorless Shadowfell, 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.

Born in Shadow

You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Shadow Jaunt

As a bonus action, you move like a wraith and teleport up to 15 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak and write Common and one extra language of your choice.