Homebrew Ethereal Species Details

Ethereals are thought, willpower, energy, and magic given shape and form. An incredibly rare sight, an Ethereal is seen as a traveler and observer of the material world; the desire to "experience" given form, thought, and a soul. All Ethereals are born of the energies that surround the various planes of existence from the Transitive Planes, Inner Planes, and Outer Planes. It's not exactly known how they materialize or how long it takes an Ethereal to form but many have stated that during their non-existence, they only remember "being", simply drifting between the planes and slumbering. An Ethereal awakens once it attains the desire and willpower to become something more and experience as a mortal would, whether that experience is good or evil is up to the Ethereal and how they go about traversing the material world. It's also theorized that an Ethereal's alignment is determined from which Plane they are made of, most Transitive Ethereals are Neutral, most Inner Ethereals are Chaotic or Lawful, and most Outer Ethereals are Good or Evil oriented.

Once awoken and materialized, an Ethereal is a clean slate, knowing next to nothing about the material world they were born into. This is not to say they don't understand anything, they understand intent and many Ethereals quickly adapt to their surroundings and can recognize if they are in danger. An Ethereal is also capable of rapidly learning within the first few years of it's awakening; many Ethereals have been known to master the first few languages they were exposed to in mere weeks as well as learn economics, schools of magic, geography, and various other things.

Physically, Ethereals are beings emanating pure energy. The color of their energy is not limited and many Ethereals take on various hues of all colors. Ethereals appear to mimic humanoid shapes but cannot condense their energy into the shape of a Small creature such as a Gnome. Most Ethereals resemble a Human or Elven silhouette but could take on the shape of any medium creature. Many, if not all Ethereals also wrap themselves in cloth to conceal their energy and to better blend in to a crowd. Ethereals also appear to leave an after image behind them as they move, resembling a mirror image cast from a spell, however it does not perform the same function as the spell. Ethereals also speak with an echoed voice, speaking a sentence and hearing it lightly repeat in the air surrounding them, the echo can range from the same volume as the spoken words to just whispers.

Ethereals do not age as normal mortals do, they could theoretically live forever although it has been noted that their light does fade and dim over extended periods of time. Most Ethereals "die" when they feel they have lived a fulfilled life and have experienced and explored to their satisfaction.

Lastly, many Ethereals name themselves according to whatever culture they were introduced to first or name themselves after a desire or emotion, perhaps the one that led to their awakening or the one they feel most aligned to.

Inner Plane Ethereals

Born from the chaotic essences of the inner elemental planes containing earth, fire, air, and water; an Ethereal composing of magic and will from this Plane is chaotic in nature and has the ability to cast spells reflecting their origins.

Outer Plane Ethereals

Born of the essence of the outer planes, Ethereals originating from this plane are able to draw on the divine power from many of the domains inside the outer planes. Many Outer Plane Ethereals are inquisitive and often spend their lives pondering morality and ethical decisions of mortals, attempting to understand a person's reasoning and choices. Whether the Ethereal is drawn to the good or evil aspects of life, if they are from the outer planes, they draw their power from the same place.

Transitive Plane Ethereals

Ethereals originating from the Transitive Planes are more elusive and absent minded than their counterparts. They possess traits that make them appear more translucent, flickering, or pulsing in appearance. They are known to possess various spells tied to the ethereal and astral planes from whence they came.

Ethereal Traits

As an Ethereal, you have these special traits.

Basic Traits

Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 5–6 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet

After Image

Ethereals have a natural after image as they move, making them difficult to hit. You can use the Dodge action as a bonus action a number of times per day equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You regain all expended uses after a long rest.

Ethereal Origin

You originate from a plane that grants you supernatural abilities. Choose an origin from the Ethereal Origins table. You gain the level 1 benefit of that origin.

When you reach character levels 3 and 5, you learn a higher-level spell, as shown on the table. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for the spells you cast with this trait (choose the ability when you select the origin).

Ethereal Origins

Origin	Level 1	Level 3	Level 5
Inner Plane	You know the Ray of Frost cantrip.	Burning Hands	Shatter
Outer Plane	You know the Guidance cantrip.	Detect Evil and Good	See Invisibility
Transitive Plane	You know the Minor Illusion cantrip.	Silent Image	Invisibility

Radiance

The Ethereal can expand or condense their energy to shine or dim the light they emit. This light can expand to 30 feet while shedding dim light another 30 feet. If used in combat, this counts as a bonus action. An Ethereal naturally emits 5 feet of dim light.