Homebrew Ethertouched Species Details
Astral Origins
Shimmering forms of astral magic, filled with glowing oceans of arcane and lined with the stars of the astral sea. The steps they take are be said to leave behind faint arcane energy, and are left in both this plane as well as the Astral Plane. This is the existence of the Ethertouched. Incredibly rare beings that are made almost entirely of Astral magic, the Ethertouched are born from a mix of a mortal soul being exposed to high amounts of astral magic. This could happen through any number of means. A village could have built their homes over the remains of a long dead beast, still exuding potent run off magic from its bones. A wizard could be running magical experimentation on astral magics, and be exposed in an accident. Whatever the case, a being exposed to or afflicted by high amounts of astral magic can give way to the arcane, and fuse with it to create something that is both mortal and ethereal.
Ethertouched are amorphous in nature, holding a somewhat consistent silhouette but mainly retaining a flowing, almost gas like form. They are still a physical entity, being able to feel things like pain and pleasure, just as any other creature could. But, they are able to manipulate their gaseous forms to better avoid blows, or slip into thin spaces. Their bodies have the reflection of the astral sea within them, containing bright stars and arcane nebulas whirling and morphing with their bodies as they move. It’s been said that gazing into the eyes of an Ethertouched is to view the stars of the astral sea itself.
Children of The Stars
Ethertouched are a race of people that can be created both by magical exposure as well as through a form of reproduction unique to Ethertouched. Ethertouched can be created outside of magical exposure by 2 different means. Firstly, two Ethertouched can create a child through a process known as Astral Merging. This is done by two Ethertouched magically removing a portion of their astral essence and fusing it to create a new, infantile life. These children are often referred to as Protonovas, and will grow up to wield the magics of both its parents.
The second manner an Ethertouched is “born” is an asexual cycle, triggered when an Ethertouched passes away. When an Ethertouched dies, their body only remains in the physical world for up to 2 days. After that time passes, their magic form begins to fade, and their essence returns to the Astral Sea. Once the body has fully faded from this plane, its arcane matter is then reshaped and reused, creating a new, younger Ethertouched in any given place on the plane. These newly formed Protonovas have no memory of their past life, as they are entirely new beings. They are appear in orphanages, in the safe protection of arcane scholars or monks, or learning to fend for themselves. It’s not unheard of for these newly spawned protostars to even appear on the doorstep of a home within the original Ethertouched’s hometown. The second an Ethertouched fully passes in one part of the world, another one appears someplace else.
Magic Incarnate
As individuals whose bodies reflect that of an entire plane of potent magic, Ethertouched have often been considered embodiments of magic itself. This is rarely the thought process of Ethertouched themselves, rather the outside observers of Ethertouched. Some believe them to be the children of divine influence, gifted individuals molded by the hand of Mystra herself. This can lead Ethertouched quickly ascending the high ranking positions in places like Arcane Study or Divine Folds. Regardless of actual skill or expertise. Some Ethertouched take advantage of this disposition, others are thrown into it, confused and unprepared.
Others see this potent magic within an Ethertouched, and their minds do not go to idolization. The other side of being seen as a conduit for astral magic is others seeing them as a battery, or a potent farm of magic to be exploited. There have been cases of Ethertouched being kidnapped by dark mages, or organized crime groups, looking to siphon the magic directly from their body for the purposes of dark ritual or arcane weaponry. This leeching of magic can be incredibly detrimental to an Ethertouched, almost equivalent to draining the blood out of any other mortal being. Though Ethertouched are famously difficult to keep hold of due to their explosive abilities and gaseous form, allowing several kidnapping cases to solve themselves due to swift escapes made by clever Ethertouched victims.
Ethertouched often live in tight communities because of this, but can still function in society just as any other person. Though their scarce numbers and ethereal appearance will always draw wondering eyes one way or the other.
Power of the Cosmos
With astral magic coursing through one’s veins, naturally one can become very adept in the manipulation of The Weave. This makes Ethertouched some of the most skilled magic users, even when not casting spells. Ethertouched naturally are born with the innate gift to perform small magical feats, being able to manipulate the ether their body is made of to do any number of magics. They can make pleasant smells appear on the wind, chill and heat liquids in their hands, even create small explosions of sparks of glitter at a flick of their wrist. But their prowess extends beyond what one may consider parlor tricks. When an Ethertouched can hone their innate magical ability, it can unlock an enormously powerful control over their ethereal form. Most notably, the ability to create a powerful, magical burst of energy that can send foes tumbling and deal great damage in an area of effect. This ability can be incredibly taxing on an Ethertouched’s body, so they can only really perform this on rare occasion.
These magical skills an Ethertouched is born with can make them incredibly adaptable for any line of adventuring. Innate magical abilities that benefit the casting of spells, and the raw force of the cosmos to evade and incapacitate enemies. When the simple life of town living fails an Ethertouched, the open road is often a place these wide array of skills can be put to good use. Where an Ethertouched can meet more like them, discover the origins of their astral lineage, and train to hone their arcane prowess into something truly magnificent. Wherever an Ethertouched may wonder, they carry the power of the cosmos with them.
Ethertouched Traits
Ethertouched are as wise as they are volatile, being able to harness their innate magics for both control and chaos.Ability Score Increases
Your inherent connection with the astral plane and its ethereal magics grants you a +2 to your Wisdom Ability Score. Your magically gaseous form allows you to shake off blows easier, which grants you a +1 to your Constitution Ability Score.
Age
Your lifespan is significantly longer than a humans, being about 175 years.
Size
You are size Medium, though your form can be rather amorphous, or lacking a definitive shape or silhouette.
Speed
You have a walking speed of 30 feet.
Ethereal Resistance
Being a life form made up of Ethereal Energy, your form is naturally resistant to Force Damage.
Gaseous Shift
You can manipulate your gaseous form to phase through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide, as long as you are not wearing or carrying anything. This also makes you much trickier to keep a hold of, granting you advantage on ability checks made to escape a grapple.
Inherent Magical Sensations
Your naturally magical form is capable of accomplishing small feats of magic at any given time. This could be creating a small puff of sparks, magically cleaning a piece of silverware, or materializing a small magical trinket in your hand. This grants you access to the Prestidigitation Cantrip.
Astral Nova
Starting at 3rd Level, once per Long Rest you can cause the inherent Astral Magic within you to build and build until bursting in a magnificent display of raw ethereal magic. Immediately upon using this ability, every creature within a 10 foot radius of you must make a Dexterity Saving Throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution Modifier + your Proficiency Bonus. When failed, the creature takes 2d6 Force Damage and is knocked back 10 feet. On a successful saving throw, they take half as much damage and are only pushed back 5 feet. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level.
You also begin to shed a bright, ethereal light in a radius of 20 feet for one minute.
Finally, once the ability ends, you are knocked prone, as using this ability causes much of your physical being to be expelled from you and takes time to regenerate.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.