Homebrew Bound Revenant Species Details

 

"You think you've seen revenants before? Spirits, shades, lingering souls with a grudge? Well, these ones are a little different. Bound Revenants, they call themselves. Imagine this: a skeleton dressed in half-rotted finery, draped in rings and tarnished medals, with a look in its hollow eyes that somehow feels greedy and haunted all at once. That’s a Bound Revenant for you.

They were ambitious folk in life—merchants, nobles, sometimes even warlords. They had more than most, but it was never enough. Then, when they died, they found out that their story wasn’t over. They’re cursed, you see. Denied the peace of a proper death until they can fulfill some final purpose, something so deep they can almost feel it in their bones. For some, it’s an oath unkept; for others, a legacy unfinished or a lover betrayed. Each one carries a ‘Burden of Unrest,’ they call it. They can’t explain it entirely, only that they feel drawn to settle an ancient debt before they’re allowed to go peacefully.

But here’s the rub: if they fail, if they’re struck down or waste away before paying that debt, they don’t just fade into dust like your everyday skeleton. No, they’re sent straight to hell—or worse, depending on who they were. Eternal damnation, a fate they call the Doomed Rest. It’s enough to make even the greediest revenant hesitate. It’s why you’ll find them walking a fine line: forever chasing the next big thing, but wary of crossing any line that might cost them their only shot at redemption.

Oh, and make no mistake—despite all that grandeur, they’re still greedy to the bone. They can sniff out treasure a mile off, eyes practically lighting up at the sight of gold or magical trinkets. It's like a starving dog catching the scent of meat. They’re not above lying, stealing, or worse to get what they think might help their quest, but heaven forbid they take too much. See, a Bound Revenant is in a strange dance between ambition and damnation; their lust for treasure and power is only rivaled by their fear of what waits on the other side if they fail.

So, if you ever find yourself wandering darkened ruins and see a gleam of gold in the eyes of a skeleton that looks far too well-dressed, take heed. That creature has a story as twisted as the catacombs it haunts, and it’s got a purpose that might just mean life or death for the likes of you."

- The Species of Sealand Series 

 

To be bound to life by a purpose sharper than death, to walk among the living with hollow eyes and a burden that will not fade—this is the fate of the revenant. They are souls denied peace, haunted by a betrayal or vow left unfinished in life. Where others see decay, they feel only purpose; where others find rest, they find only silence. In death, they exist for one thing alone: to fulfill their task, or perish into oblivion. Until then, they endure, their only companions the shadows of memory and vengeance.

 

 

Revenant Origins and Appearance

Unfinished Business
Revenants emerge from human bloodlines, but their return from death marks them as distinctly other. They are individuals who died with a powerful purpose unfulfilled—a betrayal left avenged, a promise broken, or a vow left unspoken. This unfinished business binds their souls to the mortal realm, granting them a second chance at existence but at a terrible cost. They rise as pale shadows of their former selves, their once-living bodies now mere vessels for their relentless will.

Eerie Visage
In appearance, revenants are skeletal yet somehow still retain a semblance of their former humanity. Their skin clings tightly to their bones, often appearing gray or mottled, while their eyes burn with an unnatural intensity—glowing with shades of green, blue, or white, reflecting their unyielding purpose. Their hair, if they had any in life, may hang in tattered strands or fall away entirely, replaced by a faint wispy mist that swirls around their skulls.

Their attire is often a tattered echo of their past, featuring remnants of clothing or armor that reflect their life before death—worn leathers, rusted chainmail, or frayed robes adorned with the symbols of their former station. Some carry the marks of their demise, such as wounds that never fully healed or the distinct signs of their last moments, serving as a haunting reminder of the life they once lived. Each revenant is a testament to their unresolved quest, forever caught between the world of the living and the call of the afterlife.

Driven and Resolute

An unwavering resolve defines revenants, their existence a testament to unfinished business. Often lurking on society's fringes, their spectral appearance evokes mistrust and fear, which they accept as part of their nature. They possess a singular focus, obsessively pursuing their goals with relentless determination, and prefer solitude or small, trusted groups due to their wariness of betrayal.

Trust is hard-won; they meticulously test the loyalty of those around them before allowing anyone to get close. However, once they find allies worthy of their trust, they become fiercely loyal companions, willing to fight to protect those who stand by them. Despite their grim demeanor, they harbor a profound sense of honor, striving to see justice served and wrongs righted. In this way, revenants embody a paradox: relentless in their pursuits yet capable of deep camaraderie, forever bound by the chains of their past as they seek redemption in an uncertain future.

Revenant Names

Revenants retain the names they held in life, which often reflect their cultural backgrounds or personal histories. However, as they navigate their new existence, they may also be known by titles or epithets that embody their unresolved purpose or the nature of their return. These names serve as both a reminder of their past and a reflection of their current obsessions, marking them as figures of vengeance, justice, or sorrow.

Traditional Names:
Revenants keep their original names, which can be derived from various cultures and languages. These names reflect their backgrounds and the lives they once led, ranging from common names to noble titles.

Titles and Epithets:

• The Vengeful: A revenant known for their relentless pursuit of those who wronged them.
• The Oathbreaker: A title for a revenant whose unfinished business involves a broken promise.
• The Keeper of Shadows: A revenant who lurks in the dark, often associated with fear and mystery.
• The Silent Avenger: Known for their stealthy approach and calculated retribution.
• The Unfinished: A name that emphasizes their unresolved purpose and quest for closure.

 

MET WITH SKEPTICISM

Revenants often evoke fear and suspicion among those they encounter. Many people view them as harbingers of doom or vengeful spirits, assuming that their skeletal forms and dark auras signify malevolence. This mistrust stems from their uncanny appearance and the unsettling aura of unfinished business that surrounds them. Yet, the reality is that a revenant’s purpose is driven by personal motivations, often rooted in the need for justice or closure rather than malice. While they may appear terrifying, revenants are not mindless monsters; they possess an intense focus and willpower, determined to resolve the issues that bind them to the mortal realm. They navigate their new existence with a grim sense of honor, seeking to right past wrongs and fulfill their promises, even if it leads them down a dark path.

Bound Revenant Traits

Bound Revenants hold traits of their original mortal counterparts and undead abilities.

Age

Bound Revenants do not age in the conventional sense. They persist as long as their Burden of Unrest remains. Once fulfilled, they crumble into dust, leaving only a faint reminder of their former selves.

Size

Bound Revenants vary in height and weight, just as they did in life, though many become somewhat leaner in their undead forms. They are Medium creatures.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Alignment

Most Bound Revenants lean toward Lawful alignments, as their lives (and undeaths) are dominated by the Burden of Unrest. However, the greed and ambition that fueled their mortal lives can lean them toward Neutral or even Evil alignments.

Darkvision

Due to your ghoulish nature, 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.

Undead Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned and are immune to disease.

Eerie Presence

The ghoulish appearance of the Bound Revenant makes them a formidable and intimidating enemy, giving you a proficiency in Intimidation checks (CHA).

Gravewalker

You have a connection to the energies of the grave. You can add your proficiency modifier to one Intelligence (Arcana) check related to undead or necromancy spells.

Mother Tongue

You can choose another language besides common that you know from your past.