Homebrew Eldritch Scion Species Details
I am an eldritch scion, born of the blood of another world, and cursed with a mind that not only comprehends but is drawn rapt to the Far Realm and its ancient overlords. The taint of abberation dwells in me, while the voices of the Others whisper in the silence of my mind.
Born of the blood of another world and cursed with a mind more capable of comprehending the void of eternal darkness than mortal matters, the eldritch scion is doomed to be the eternal pariah, making their life at the edges of human society
Otherworldly Appearance
An eldritch scion is born from the influence of some otherworldly, eldritch horror upon a humanoid creature, either its parent or its distant ancestor. A scion resembles the creatures it lives among, but in much the same way as a child's drawing resembles reality, with proportions just slightly off their natural kin.
Many eldritch scions have abnormally pale skin, long fingers and toes, and large eyes. If the humanoids they grow up among have an obviously apparent physical trait, this may be unduly exaggerated. For example, eldritch scions which grow up among elves may have ears which are up to twice as long and sharply pointed as their natural kin.
Stranger in our Midst
Often, the aesthetic abnormalities of a scion's body are subtle enough that the creature can pass unnoticed in a humanoid community, as long as it avoids close inspection. However, once it is discovered, a scion is often deemed an unnatural abomination, either being forcefully ejected from the community or merely being so heavily stigmatised it feels compelled to leave.
For this reason, eldritch scions rarely settle down, usually moving between humanoid settlements in a constant attempt to avoid discovery. Even when among humanoids who have not yet discovered their nature, they tend to be reclusive, having as little contact with other creatures as their social conscience will allow.
Eldritch scions are so rare, they have no communities or lands of their own.
Mind and Madness
An eldritch scion's mind is fundamentally wired to cope with surviving in the void between the worlds, and as such, bears only a twisted resemblance to the minds of common humanoids.
To many creatures, the mind of an eldritch scion resembles the antisocial, impaired empathic, and remorseless attitudes of psychopathy. Although eldritch scions experience emotions, these do not easily map onto ordinary humanoid emotions.
Eldritch scions are almost never egotistical or prideful, lacking a clear sense of the "self" as other creatures perceive it. They often struggle to understand other humanoids' death rituals, rarely attaching value to what is left when the spirit of a creature has passed away, and sometimes seeing it as a waste of useful materials.
Elder Scion Names
An eldritch scion unaware of its otherworldly parentage may choose or be given a name according to the traditions of the people it grew up with. However, scions have no concept of the permanency of names, and will often have a new name in almost any nation or city it comes to.
Others may choose to take a name in their otherworldly tongue, Deep Speech. Such names usually reflect a certain purpose the scion sees in itself or wishes to attain, and may be changed several times in a lifetime.
Scion Names: Dhongdrûkä (Famed Scholar), Dhrû (Wisdom), Dhundrhä (Pure), Khrängdra (Honoured Lord), Khrö (Honoured), Krödathranrodh (Emperor of All), Kuketru (Unbounded), Ranrodh (King), Tägräd (Remembered One), Thonde (Renowned), Thräketä (Legendary), Thräk (Legacy).
Alien Adaption: Which Features?
Aside from purely aesthetic adaptions, the scion's Alien Adaptation feature allows it to replicate some of the race features of the creatures it spends extended periods in company with. Which features can be copied are at the DM's discretion, but the following guidelines offer a general idea of the scope of this feature.
The Alien Adaption feature copies only physical abilities, and so it cannot provide proficiencies, nor can it provide Feats (if the scion spends time among humans). The feature also fails to copy any innate spellcasting features, such as the Tiefling's Infernal Legacy, and any ability score increases. Beyond these limitations, at least one or two of the local's racial traits will be duplicated, including both positive benefits and vulnerabilities.
DM Tips: Alien Adaption
The scion's Alien Adaptation feature is a gradual change to its prevelant environs. It should not be triggered by passing encounters, rather when the scene of the campaign changes. When using this feature, DMs should be aware that too frequent changes to their race may frustrate some players.
Eldritch Scion Traits
Your eldritch scion character has the following racial traits.Opened Mind
You have vulnerability to psychic damage.
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
An eldritch scion matures at the same rate as the creatures it grows up with, reaching maturity when they do, but it can live far longer, reaching between 500 and 1,000 years, dependent on which races they grew up around.
Alignment
Most scions are chaotic, as their alien outlook drives them to deeds which seem strange to other, earthly humanoids.
Size
Eldritch scions range from under 5 feet to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Your alien eyes have little difficulty perceiving the thin veil these earthly creatures call "darkness". 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 most colors in darkness, seeing the world in shades of grey.
Alien Adaptation
You have an uncontrollable, innate ability to adapt to fit in with the people around you. If you find yourself surrounded by humanoid creatures with certain predominate characteristics (they are all above 6 feet tall, for example, or all have a similar hair or skin color), your physical form adapts to match these characteristics.
These adaptions can include ones which help you to survive in certain environments, but also adaptions which are harmful. For example, if you live among drow elves for a while, you may develop their superior darkvision, but also their sunlight sensitivity.
Your adaptions do not include magical abilities or traits, and usually take 1d8 days of continuous contact to fully manifest. Your DM determines which features you develop.
Telepathy
You can communicate telepathically with any creature which is within 30 feet of you. You must communicate in a language the creature understands for it to understand you.
Eldritch Consciousness
Your alien mind is ordered in a way which baffles attempts to alter it. You have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against being charmed, and against attempts to read your thoughts or alter your mental state (such as a command spell).
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, and you can speak Deep Speech.
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