Homebrew Ashborne Species Details
The Ashborne
The Ashborne are a unique and rare race born from the union of drow and tiefling bloodlines. They are beings of paradox, shaped by the shadowy elegance of the drow and the infernal flames of the tiefling. Their existence is a tapestry of contrasts, where shadow meets fire, chaos collides with discipline, and alienation fosters resilience.
Lore & History
The Ashborne’s origins are as mysterious as their nature. They are not a naturally recurring race but rather the result of rare unions between drow and tieflings, often under circumstances shrouded in conflict, intrigue, or forbidden love. These unions may occur in the Underdark, where drow houses bargain with infernal powers, or on the surface, where tieflings and drow refugees cross paths.
The Price of Power: Many Ashborne are born as the result of pacts or bargains struck between drow houses and fiends. A drow matron may summon infernal power to bolster her house’s strength, only to find her descendants marked by the pact for generations. These offspring, born with both drow cunning and infernal power, are viewed as weapons or tools, though rarely accepted as true family.
Exile and Isolation: In both drow and tiefling societies, the Ashborne are treated with suspicion and fear. Drow see them as tainted by their infernal heritage, while tieflings often see them as outsiders whose ties to the Underdark bring unwanted danger. As a result, most Ashborne grow up in isolation, either exiled from their birthplace or choosing to leave behind the oppressive expectations of their communities.
A Legacy of Duality: Despite their struggles, Ashborne have carved a legacy as individuals of immense power and resilience. Tales of Ashborne wanderers, mercenaries, and sages dot the histories of both surface and subterranean cultures. They are seen as enigmatic figures who walk between worlds, neither fully belonging to the shadows of the Underdark nor the chaos of infernal bloodlines.
Physical Appearance
The Ashborne possess a striking and otherworldly beauty that reflects their dual heritage. Their features are sharp and elegant, bearing the litheness of the drow with infernal flourishes that set them apart.
- Skin: Ashborne skin tones range from charcoal grey to deep obsidian, often marked by faint glowing ember-like patterns that pulse with their emotions. Some have a metallic sheen, such as silver or bronze undertones.
- Eyes: Their eyes are haunting and luminous, glowing in shades of crimson, violet, or molten gold.
- Hair: Hair colors vary from stark white and silvery tones (common in drow) to fiery reds, deep purples, or inky blacks with streaks of flame-like hues.
- Horns & Infernal Traits: Most Ashborne possess small, sharp horns or ridges that curl back or rise subtly from their foreheads. Some have faint tails, and others bear claw-like nails or spiked protrusions.
- Aura: Many Ashborne have a faint aura of heat or shadow around them, depending on their mood. When agitated, their presence can feel smoldering or oppressive, hinting at their inner power.
Cultural Facts
Solitary Wanderers
The Ashborne seldom form communities of their own, as their origins are often tied to unique circumstances that isolate them from one another. As a result, they are solitary by nature, traveling the world as wanderers, mercenaries, scholars, or even outcasts.
- Survivalists: Life as an Ashborne is often harsh. They grow up mistrusted by those around them, learning to rely on their cunning and resilience to survive.
- Nomadic Tendencies: Few Ashborne call any one place home for long. They roam between surface and subterranean realms, adapting to wherever they can find acceptance or purpose.
- Reluctant Companions: While slow to trust, Ashborne who find themselves in adventuring groups often become fiercely loyal to those who accept them.
Beliefs & Worldview
The Ashborne’s experiences often lead to a unique perspective on the world. They are pragmatic and self-reliant, valuing personal strength and adaptability over tradition or dogma.
- Cynical but Hopeful: The Ashborne are deeply aware of the prejudices they face but often hold out hope for a place or group where they can belong.
- Religious Views: Many Ashborne are drawn to gods of duality or secrecy, such as Mask (god of shadows), Kossuth (god of fire), or even neutral or evil-aligned deities who reflect their experiences of alienation. Some reject religion altogether, viewing the gods as indifferent to their struggles.
- Inner Conflict: The Ashborne are shaped by the opposing forces of their heritage. The disciplined, calculated cunning of their drow blood clashes with the chaotic, passionate impulses of their infernal lineage. This duality often manifests in their actions and decisions.
Interpersonal Dynamics
- With Other Ashborne: Rarely do Ashborne interact with others of their kind. When they do, these meetings are marked by mutual wariness and curiosity. Some may see each other as rivals, while others form deep, almost familial bonds.
- With Other Races: Ashborne tend to keep others at arm’s length, fearing betrayal or judgment. They are slow to trust but fiercely protective of those who earn their loyalty.
- Role in Society: Many Ashborne find work as spies, assassins, mercenaries, or adventurers. Their unique blend of skills makes them highly adaptable but often feared or misunderstood.
Ashborne in the World
The Ashborne are not bound to any one place or culture, which makes them enigmatic figures in most settings. They are often the subject of rumors and myths, described as shadowy figures with fiery eyes who walk alone yet wield immense power.
Common Myths & Perceptions:
- The Scorched Shadow: A legend of an Ashborne who single-handedly ended a war by destroying both armies with shadow and fire.
- Cursed Lineage: Many common folk believe Ashborne are cursed harbingers of misfortune, their presence foretelling calamity.
- Mystical Guides: In some cultures, Ashborne are seen as spirit-like figures who appear to guide the lost, only to vanish once their task is complete.
Ashborne Adventurers:
As adventurers, Ashborne bring a unique blend of charisma, cunning, and raw power to their parties. They excel in roles that require adaptability, such as rogues, warlocks, sorcerers, and bards, but their versatile heritage allows them to succeed in nearly any class.
Ashborne Traits
### **Ashborne Traits** The Ashborne are the embodiment of duality, their very existence forged by the union of two powerful and enigmatic bloodlines. As such, they possess a blend of physical and magical traits that make them both formidable and unique. Their drow heritage grants them agility, cunning, and a natural affinity for the shadows, while their infernal blood imbues them with fiery resilience and destructive power. Whether blending into the darkness, channeling the volatile energy of their shadowflame ancestry, or resisting the forces of fire and necrotic damage, the Ashborne are survivors and innovators. Their traits reflect the paradox of their existence: creatures of both fire and shadow, balancing chaos and discipline as they forge their own paths in a world that rarely understands them.Ability Score Increase
Charismatic and nimble, the Ashborne are natural performers, diplomats, and warriors. Their charm captivates allies and unnerves foes, while their agility allows them to outmaneuver even the swiftest enemies. Every movement and word feels deliberate, like flame and shadow brought to life.
Age
Time weaves its story differently for the Ashborne. Their mortal youth passes quickly, but their lifespans stretch on, their wisdom growing alongside the fiery power within. As centuries pass, their presence becomes a living testament to their triumphs and the shadows they have endured.
Alignment
Neither bound by infernal contracts nor beholden to drow hierarchy, the Ashborne are creatures of autonomy. Their morality is often shaped by their struggles, forging paths that defy tradition. Some embrace the chaos within, while others find balance in the shadows between light and dark.
Speed
With a stride that is both fluid and purposeful, the Ashborne move as though the world itself bends to their will. Their steps are light as whispers in the dark yet swift and commanding, befitting beings who can pass unnoticed or strike with lethal precision.
Size
The Ashborne’s height is a striking blend of their infernal and drow heritage, making them towering figures among most other humanoid races. Despite their imposing stature, their movements are fluid and elegant, reminiscent of shadows flickering in the firelight. They inspire both awe and intimidation, their presence as commanding as it is otherworldly.
Languages
The Ashborne's tongues carry the lyrical cadence of Elvish, the guttural power of Infernal, and the universal understanding of Common. Their voices weave these languages effortlessly, like shadow and flame entwining in perfect harmony.
Darkvision
The Ashborne's eyes glow faintly in shades of crimson, violet, or gold, their vision piercing the veil of darkness. In the still of night or the lightless caverns of the Underdark, they navigate effortlessly, as though the shadows themselves reveal their secrets to them.
Fiery Resilience
The blood of the infernal realms flows through the Ashborne’s veins, manifesting as an innate immunity to flame and the creeping grasp of necrosis. When engulfed in fire or surrounded by deathly auras, they remain steadfast, their ashen skin seemingly absorbing the energy without harm.
Shadowmeld
The Ashborne dissolve into the shadows, their form melding seamlessly with the surrounding gloom. It is said that they vanish like a wisp of smoke, only to reappear where their foes least expect. The shadows are not their enemy but their sanctuary and weapon.
Infernal Legacy
Infernal whispers from their tiefling heritage echo in the Ashborne’s soul, granting them fiery retaliation and the ability to summon impenetrable darkness. Flames erupt in retribution, and even light itself flees their command, leaving only shadows in their wake.
You inherit the magical prowess of your tiefling lineage.
- You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip.
- At 3rd level, you can cast the Hellish Rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell once per long rest.
- At 5th level, you can cast the Darkness spell once per long rest.
- Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Shadowflame Affinity
Ashborne attacks sear with unearthly energy, a volatile mix of shadow and flame. Their weapons blaze with fiery vengeance or pulse with deathly chill, a physical embodiment of their inner chaos. Each strike burns brighter, fueled by their duality.
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