Homebrew Haniwa Species Details

“I am the decider! I am the dying breath of the lost world. I will not forsake the traditions of old."

 

Hewn from clay as sentient guardians for the tombs of ancient rulers, haniwa were vessels created to bear the souls of loyal warriors, their spirits housed within undying clay bodies to act as vigilant sentries to hallowed ground. As the centuries waned, the haniwa spirits were thought to have passed from the world, leaving their clay shells behind, empty vessels standing in the cool darkness of forgotten tombs. However, the magic of the haniwa endured. Thought to be long dormant, over the last century, the haniwa began to reawaken, emerging into a new world, displaced by millenia from their origin.

Finding Purpose
Most haniwa, newly reborn, have no memory of their former selves or original task, their hallowed grounds long since plundered or buried beneath the soil and vegetation of an ever shifting realm. As such, haniwa often become wanderers, seeking purpose and fortune in an alien world. It isn’t uncommon to see haniwa finding meaning through devotion to a cause, practice, or order, often finding work as clerics, paladins, monks, and artificers. The few haniwa that retain some memory of their past life now find themselves serving a grander purpose than protector of a tomb; they are guardians to the memory of a world no one else remembers. These haniwa are the final stewards of an ancient dynasty, a living record of its culture, wisdom, traditions, and way of life.

 

This is a temporary homebrew for Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realm. Since it'S part of the released playtest PDFs i have decided to make one for DnDBeyond.

If you (DnD shorts) want me to remove this just send me a PM :)

Haniwa Traits

Haniwa traits

Ability Score Increase

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

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.

Age

Haniwa are fully formed, magical clay Constructs. They do not grow and do not show any signs of deterioration due to age. Additionally, you can’t be magically aged.

Size

Haniwa appear in a variety of sizes. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Clay Companion

Over the course of a long rest, you can fashion a quasi-sentient, clay companion. Your companion can take whatever shape you wish, but must use the Giant Weasel, Hawk, Mastiff, or Mule stat block. It also gains your Soul Shell trait. Your clay companion understands you and obeys your commands. It disintegrates into shapeless clay when it falls to 0 hit points or when you use this feature again.

Grave Guardian

You are blessed with innate magic of protection and consecration. You can cast the Ceremony and Sanctuary spells with this trait. Once you cast ceremony or sanctuary with this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Soul Shell

Your soul has possessed a Construct, imparting the following benefits:

• Your creature type is Construct, rather than Humanoid
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe
• You have advantage on saving throws against disease, and to avoid or end the poisoned condition
• You can receive the benefits of spells that restore hit points that don’t usually affect Constructs, like cure wounds and healing word.

Spirit Ward

Your weapon attacks are considered magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and immunities.

Tomb-Keeper

You gain proficiency in the Religion and Perception skills.