Homebrew Archcandchrys Species Details

Deep within ancient caves live a race of rare beings, innate spell-casters radiating a soft, bio-luminescent light. Children of the list of myths, the archcandchrys form a spiritual bond with a jellyfish-esque creature, the chromobene, which fuses with a juvenile Archcandchrys, forming a sacred, immovable bond. The Archcandchrys are a species shrouded in mystery to others- the general population may have never heard of them. They dedicate most, if not their entire lives to perfecting a certain aspect of spell-craft with their chromobene.

Soft Glows

Archcandchrys, even when mature, resemble young humanoids, rarely approaching the size of over 5 feet. They could very easily be mistaken for children if they aren't yet accompanied by a chromobene. They have slightly larger-than-normal eyes, often in silvers, golds, coppers, and other metallic colors. They are frail in frame, but have soft curves about the shoulders, chin, legs, and torso. They have six toes on each foot, and are to able to grasp things with their feet the same way they can grasp things with their hands. 

They often have tan to fair skin marked with golden, glowing rune-like markings down their spine, on their shoulders, around their wrists, and covering their neck. These runes change to different colors depending on the chromobene aspect when casting spells, and will start to dim and ultimately die out as the archcandchrys reaches its end.

 

Clicks and Clacks

Instead of speaking, archcandchrys often will make clicking sounds with their tongue to express simple ideas, such as yes or no. When they do speak, they will often continue to click their tongues throughout conversation in order to emphasize or showcase pleasure or displeasure with something. The differences between the clicks are subtle, yet archcandchrys may often grow frustrated when people misinterpret their speech and clicks. 

Archcandchrys especially have the tendency the click in the presence of pleasant aromas and foods- they share nutrients with their archcandchrys, which feed on floating microorganisms that happen to fly into it. Because this naturally provides sustenance, they do not often get the chance to indulge themselves in actual foods back in the comfort of their own civilization unless they don't have a chromobene. Many archcandchrys cannot resist the urge to sample and taste new foods. Occasionally, they'll even taste things that smell good but aren't edible, like perfumes.

A Species Shrouded in Secrecy

Archcandchrys have lived in extremely deep caves throughout their entire written history. They live in colonies of anywhere from a few dozen to a couple thousand, cultivating mosses and fungi used to feed chromobenes and archcandchrys that don't yet have them. Homes are carved and chiseled into cavern walls, older colonies sometimes even containing hand-carved caverns in order to hold as many archcandchrys as possible. Occasionally, some archcandchrys will leave their colony and establish a new one in a different cave system.

They originate from the material plane, though their origin is still unknown- the most accepted theory is that the first archcandchrys discovered the chromobene in caves and created a symbiotic relationship with them, which imbued their future bloodlines with magic abilities. However, the written history of archcandchrys cannot be traced back far enough to confirm this.

Aspects of Spellcraft

At a certain age, a young archcandchrys is introduced to the Asanctum, the residence of chromobenes. Anywhere from one to a series of chromobenes will light, indicating they wish to be bonded to the archcandchrys. It is very rare for an archcandchrys to not receive a chromobene, but under the circumstance that it does happen, the Asanctum is revisited a year later until a chromobene is received. The received chromobene determines the type of magic the archcandchrys will be imbued with.

Archcandchrys Names

Archcandchrys often have short names, with one or two syllables; these are usually just made up of sounds that they find nice to the ear. Due to the nature of naming, all archcandchrys names are gender neutral.

Archcandchrys Names: Qiya, Kolo, Mova, Cri, Mo, Pela, Ceri, Ra, Wuyu

Chromobenes are also often named by their archcandchrys, usually after ideas, or from texts describing above-ground fauna and flora.

Chromobene Names: Virtue, Vitality, Mouse, Cat, Lavender, Thyme

Archcandchrys Traits

As an archcandchrys, you are imbued with the magic of your people, the chromobene a vessel for your very magic. Both you and your chromobene provide racial advantages suited for spellcraft.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Archcandchrys reach maturity by age 5. Compared to humans, they typically live around 300 years.

Alignment

Most archcandchrys are neutral and rarely stray towards either good or evil. Explorers and adventurers may lean more towards chaotic.

Size

Archcandchrys are around 4.5 feet tall. They have small, frail bodies that weigh between 70 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Chromobene Link

You are connected with a chromobene, which acts as a vessel for magic. Since the chromobene provides sustenance, you do not need to eat regularly.

Language

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