Homebrew Necroniai (Nek-roe-knee-eye) Species Details

“But you do see the way people look at you, death's child.”

Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring right into her heart and the sudden seriousness in his voice jolted her.

“What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s a conspiracy—”

“Three’s a curse,” she finished. “You think I haven’t heard that rubbish before?”

“I know you have.” When she glared at him, he added, “It’s not as if I’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear girl. That is the burden of every Necroniai. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.”

 

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the Necroniai. And to twist the knife, Necroniai know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of dead gods into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.

Deathly Bloodline

Necroniai are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Necroniai have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have skeletal spikes, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are always black—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of bone coloration, but also include various states of decay.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Necroniai subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, Necroniai know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a Necroniai's companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the Necroniai learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a Necroniai gives someone loyalty, the Necroniai is a firm friend or ally for life.

Necroniai Names

Necroniai names fall into three broad categories. Necroniai born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Celestial language, passed down through generations, that reflect their cult-like heritage. And some younger Necroniai's, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

 

MET WITH MISTRUST

Ignorant people tend to be suspicious of Necroniai's, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a Necroniai's bloodline doesn’t affect their personality.

Necroniai (Nek-roe-knee-eye) Traits

It's ancestors once part of a god-devouring cult, were the most powerful entities around. The remaining gods found out about the cult, and destroyed it. the Necroniai's kin however inherited some of their elders powers.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Necroniai mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Size

Necroniai are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a flying (Hovering speed) 10ft.

Darkvision

Thanks to your cultish heritage, 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.

Deathly Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Abyssal.