Homebrew Half Phantom Species Details

Neither living Nor Dead. A half Phantom is someone who exists somewhere between life and death, not quite dead not quite alive. They are an extremely rare presence in the world. Half Phantoms would be indistinguishable form a normal human if not for their paler skin, hair and eyes, however what really gives them away is that half their soul is removed from their body and floats around them as a large translucent white wisp. Also of Note, although not easily noticeable, is that half phantoms have lower body temperatures than humans, some don't even have a pulse.

Split soul. A half phantoms soul is split in two, while each half of the soul is bound to the other they are kept separate, the half that remains inside the body is still technically alive whilst the half outside the body is dead. While technically still the same being, each half of the soul has a semi autonomy and work together to keep the still living half as such. This is to the extent that it is common for a half phantom to speak with the other half of their soul, their are even tales of how the dead half will watch over the living whilst it sleeps and alert it to incoming danger. 

Denizens of The Netherworld. Most half phantoms reside in the netherworld, which is one of many planes where departed spirits may arrive after death. The Netherworld is much closer to the material plane than other planes where the departed rest, as a result a large number of spirits that wonder the material plane crossed over from the Netherworld. The Netherworld is where those who are not guilty of sin but unworthy of heaven arrive, generally unholy people who led good lives. It is ruled by the whimsical spirit princess Yuyuko Saigyouji from her mansion at its centre. The Netherworld closely resembles the material plane, with grass lands and mountains, but is perpetually wreathed in a thin layer of mist. The realm is generally calm and has seasons similar to the material plane. However it is not safe for the average mortal, the inhabitants of the netherworld are the dead, and the living are rarely welcome. However it is not unheard of for humans to become accepted, in extremely rare cases a human may settle here and may even create a family, these children of both dead and living parents are invariably half phantoms. However this occurrence is so rare that even with the long "lives" of half Phantoms the number of known"living" half phantoms born this way can be counted on one hand.

A Rare Existence. There are two ways a Half phantom can come into being, the most common is when a mortal and a departed soul attempt to produce an offspring, however this is only permitted in the Netherworld and even then is an extremely rare occurrence. Half phantoms created in this way usually spend their entire "lives" inside the Netherworld and often get positions working under Yuyuko at her mansion. The other, and much rarer, way a half phantom can come into being is through some form of magical mishap or experimentation, for example a failed attempt at lichdom that went horribly wrong, in this instance, the half phantom was once mortal but through some circumstance has had half their soul forced out of their body. These poor souls are now trapped between life and death, most half phantoms created this way either attempt to become wholly living again and bring the two half's of their soul back together again or seek a way to reach the Netherworld.

Ageless Dead. Half phantoms age four times slower than a normal human. they reach maturity at the age of 64 and generally live for a couple of centuries, (just under 400 years).

Role-playing. When role-playing a half phantom try to think of whether you where born as a half phantom or became one and why. What does your character know of the Netherworld and what do they think of it? Did they cross over from the Netherworld or are they trying to get there? Do you want to become fully living again or will you embrace your new ghostly side. You exist somewhere between life and death, think of how you would interact with both the living and the dead. Consider why you would be adventuring, are you looking to become a full member of the living, are you one of the half phantoms that serve under the spirit princess of the Netherworld sent out into the world to fulfill some task given to you, there are any number of reasons a half phantom could become an adventurer.

 

 

(Inspired by and based on characters from Touhou)

Half Phantom Traits

Half phantoms utilise their split soul to distract enemies in battle and aid them in their tasks. They say two heads are better than one, but two half's of the same soul working together can be even more effective.

Ability Score increase

Increase Wis by 2, and Cha by 1

Ghostly Companion

You have a split soul that hovers within 5 feet of you at all times, it appears as a wisp like spirit, it would be considered size category small. It can't be moved more than 5 feet away from you for any reason, if it is forcefully pulled away from you, you and the creature pulling must make a contested Strength check, if you fail you will be forcefully dragged with the split soul as though an invisible cord tied you too it, If you pass the Creature is unable to move the split soul. The split Soul is somewhat malleable with it's shape, you can utilise this to allow it too interact with objects within 5 feet of you. This malleability also means that other creatures and other moving objects can easily push the split soul out of the way with minimal effort, as such it can't be used to block attacks except in the case of the ghostly interference ability. The strength of the split soul is proportional to your own strength. It can't be used to attack a creature or object. Your split soul is entirely physical, it can be grappled by other creatures, with a DC of 10 + your Dex mod. While your split soul is grappled or in some other way restricted in it's movement you can't use the ghostly interference ability. Whenever you are targeted by a magical effect, the effects are applied to both you and your split soul.

The Watchful Dead

You perceive the world through both your body's eyes and your split soul's senses simultaneously, Your split soul can see just like a normal human but has 60ft of darkvision. When your physical body is made unable to perceive your surroundings, such as if you where blinded, you can still see through your split souls senses even when sleeping or otherwise incapacitated. 

You gain proficiency on perception checks whilst you can see from both your physical body and split soul.

Ghostly interference

By focusing your energy into your split soul you can momentarily increase it's physicality allowing it to block or interfere with an incoming attack. Doing this is straining on your still living soul as such you need to rest between each use of this ability.

When a creature you can see makes an attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the roll. You must use this feature before knowing whether the attack hits or misses.

You can use this trait once per short or long rest.

Voice of the dead

You speak common but you can understand any undead or spirit that wishes for you to understand them. You can also allow any undead or spirit to understand anything you say. You also gain resistance to necrotic damage.