Homebrew Dinakeri Species Details

People of charcoal black skin, pure white hair and eyes that burn with infernal colors of blue, white, or green. It’s unknown where they truly came from, but they’re speculated to be one of the first “dark creatures” that were ushered into this world by Ardor, or, my personal belief, a mockery of our ancients, our ideas, our beliefs, they’re sentient creatures that mirror our image, from the plane that Altrum controls. 

 

"They’re corporeal manifestations of the soul. Essentially they were first developed by Dinakeri tribes as a way of inscribing those they killed onto their bodies. A sort of “they live on through me” type of deal. Dinakeri would kill in order to use the soul to gain more power. Eldin found a less “barbaric” form of soul tearing by only destroying part of the soul. This allowed the soul to reform for future harvesting but cut off the damaged soul's ability to conduct mana.”

- A discussion on Rune Magicks, chapter 2

 

The Dinakeris and their Rune Berserking earned a fearsome reputation back in days of yore. Their marauding tribes would eat the souls from village people and other warriors and use them to fuel their strength and become even more ferocious. If you think the Haseldan and their state of Rotschleier was a sight to behold, Dinakeris do much more with magic than what man can do with pure will. 

A little bit on rune magic, when a Dinakeri invokes their ability of Rune Berserking they use the energy of the soul as a fuel source for their magical enhancement. At the moment they let out their roar their bodies are charged and the incomprehensible power that a soul has, even when grasping at embers when they pass on, it makes a Dinakeri stronger, faster, more durable and have an infinite amount of mana for a short period of time. There were some older reports that Dinakeris would injure themselves due to the immense power that Rune Berserking holds, but recent accounts would prove otherwise.

There’s no doubt that Dinakeri’s were the source, or more accurately the inspiration for the power behind the order of the Wraith Knights, a sect of deserters from our order of noble Sigil Knights. These deserters, who are all led by Runemaster Eldin, use this ability of Rune Berserking, Runecasting and Soul Ripping, all abilities normally exclusive to the Dinakeri tribes. Their dark flames coating their unique blades and their fearsome helms with leering demons are noticed by all, even to those who aren’t privy to their origins, these oathbreakers leave an imposing aura of dread when they pass. 

When they run amok and destroy in the name of their master, they dart in and out of mirrors, used as portals, doors to escape or enter. Superstitious nobles would cover their large mirrors with linen sheets to ward off their passing into their estates. None knows Runemaster Eldins origins, or his true goals. But all know that he is powerful just as he is malicious.

 

People say that mirrors reflect your being and soul, and these Dinakeris can be what you could say, a true manifestation of our soul. A shadow cast, showing the silhouette that is the makeup of the core of our being. These elusive and rare people are one of the enigmas that inhabit this land alongside us. It is known, however, that these people are rarely kind-hearted, but filled with malice. A twisted perversion of us, a mockery, a simple foil to our beliefs and values of kindness and generosity. 

Or is it? Their methods of magic and abilities to rend souls from those they’ve slain are harrowing, but if they are to be corporeal manifestations of souls, then does that mean our ideals of good are simply a farce, a mask to hide the true intentions of our nature?

 

Questions that we may not want the answer to, I suppose.

Dinakeri Traits

Dinakeri's are born with the ability to peer into the soul realm and can see the core of someone's mana... with the ability to rip it out and put it as a rune on their body. They can activate this rune and burn away that person's mana for pure strength and combat prowess. Mastered Dinakeris can divert this power into any part of their body.

Runes of Altum

“I mirror your soul.

Inscribe your being on flesh.

You live on through me.”

Dinakeris have the ability to completely rip someone mana core out of their body, often killing them or stripping them of obtaining mana ever again (THEM HAVING MANA IS REQUIRED). Runes come in different sizes. The max amount of runes is 15 at level 1. 25 at 5. And 35 at 10. 

Lesser Runes- Obtained by using Soul Rip on a monster or weak humanoid. Lasts for 3 turns and gives a +2 in Hit DC and damage. While increasing ROLLS BY +1 (Except Saves) Take 10% of your HP as damage after it ends.

Normal Runes- Obtained by using Soul Rip on a average humanoid. Lasts for 5 turns. Gives a +4 in Hit DC and damage. Increases ALL ROLES BY +2. Gain 1 spell slot back. Take 25% of your HP as damage after it ends.

Greater Runes- Obtained by using Soul Rip on a greater beast or strong humanoid. Lasts for 7 turns and gives a +6 in HIT DC and damage. Increases ALL ROLES BY +3. You become knocked out after it ends. Regain all spell slots.

GODLY RUNES- Obtained by using Soul Rip on the seal of a god. Lasts for the 10 turns. Gives you GUARANTEED HIT DC and +15 damage. INCREASES ALL ROLES BY +8. YOU GAIN INFINITE SPELL SLOTS. GAIN MAX ARMOR CLASS. When it end, you gain a permanent injury through the rest of the campaign.

Rune Mastery

Your runes bring you no downsides. You truly become the rune caster.