Homebrew Aristourima Species Details

(This is homebrew! Ask your DM before picking this race, since it comes with new lore and might be unbalanced! ~Kayuta)

When a work of art is made or regarded with intense emotion, it is said that they gain, or otherwise take an aspect of, the soul of their creator. These “souls of the artwork” manifest as living, sapient beings with a body and mind of their own. These phenomena are known as the Aristourima. As long as the art representing them is still intact or otherwise lives on in conscious memory, Aristourima are unable to ‘die’ due to age. The art piece they are born from can be anything from a song, to a novel, to graffiti on a wall. 

Aristourima stem from physical objects, but the art they represent doesn’t have to be tangible. As an example, they might come from the original script of a play or the mask a dancer, jester or clown would wear. Aristourima often bear a physical resemblance to the art that created them- an abstract painting may become a humanoid jumble of shapes and colors, or an orchestral piece may be made out of the brass of instruments. Though they carry a piece of their creator’s soul, Aristourima are individuals with a mind and personality of their own that can often take time to develop. A “newborn” Aristourima may have little thoughts or opinions of their own, but with time they will find their own ideals, likes and dislikes. When an Aristourima is willed into existence they will often be wanderers or adventurers, loosely drawn towards passions they’ve yet to discover. Due to their nature as art imbued with emotion, Aristourima may feel emotions intensely and usually carry a lifelong devotion to a craft, cause or interest. This “interest” doesn’t always have to do with the art that created them, either. An Aristourima born from a porcelain teacup is equally likely to have a passion for brewing drinks, collecting magical artifacts, or hunting for different types of mushrooms.

As an extra forewarning for this race specifically: It is extremely important you work with your DM when creating an Aristourima because their setting may have specific limitations on the type of art an Aristourima can reflect. For example, an Aristourima representing rubberhose cartoons could only work in a setting where animation has been invented- meaning you shouldn’t be bringing that idea to a medieval fantasy campaign. Aristourima can exist based on ‘past’ art forms like ancient cave paintings, but you shouldn’t be playing an Aristourima based on an art form that has yet to exist.

Aristourima Features

Creature Type: Construct
Size: Medium (about 4–7 feet tall) or Small (about 2–4 feet tall), chosen when you select this species
Speed: 30 feet

Aristourima Traits

As a Artisourima, you have these special traits.

False Appearance

While you remain motionless, you are easily mistaken for a statue. You can attempt to hide in plain sight so long as you are still for an extended period of time.

Artist's Legacy

You know the cantrip Mending. When you reach 3rd level, choose one spell from the list below. 

• Spell options: Color Spray, Charm Person, Calm Emotions, Cause Fear
• You can cast this spell once at its lowest level and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.
• Your spellcasting ability with this spell may be either Wisdom, Intelligence or Charisma.

Creature Type

You are a Construct.

Constructed Resilience

You’re the spirit of an inanimate object, and have the following benefits.

• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep.
• If your art is destroyed and no one remembers its legacy, you begin to disappear and will fully vanish in 1d4 -1 days. When an Aristougima dies from this, they are unable to be revived in any way.