Homebrew Gem Elemental Species Details
A more sophisticated subspecies of earth elementals. Like earth elementals, gem elementals are primordial beings naturally formed from the coalescence of magic, soil, and stone. These specific elementals are created in the form of crystals and gemstones instead of rock and stone, giving them far more variety. They have learned to chip and carve at their bodies, forming them into humanoid shapes and losing the rough edges, donning clothing and adapting into societies. In doing this, they have lost the ability to speak with rocks, but it is not sorely missed. While earth elementals originate from the elemental realm of earth, manifesting on the Mortal plane later, Gem elementals are created on the Mortal Plane originally and do not return to the elemental realm. They occur naturally, with only one being made every eighty to one hundred years on average in each community, emerging fully grown from the side of mountains rich with magic and stone where their community tends to be placed. Because of this, they are by nature immortal and androgynous. They do not age and do not die when shattered, though they must be meticulously rebuilt.
Gem elementals come in as many varieties as there are gemstones, looking roughly human with pale "skin" and sparkling semi-translucent "hair" in various colors depending on the individual. They do not bleed, instead chipping and leaving behind parts that can be reattached if gathered. They vary greatly in hardness, with those of a higher hardness tending to do more dangerous tasks like protecting the land, while those of a lower hardness tend to do behind the scenes work or otherwise. Gem elementals, due to their unique and valuable physiology, tend to get hunted by various monsters. Due to this, they tend to find strength in numbers, very rarely doing much alone. A gem elemental will hardly leave its community without good reason.
Gem Elemental Traits
Gem Elementals take many traits from the gem they are made from, including their name and appearance. This often creates large variations between different individuals.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age
Gem Elementals reach maturity the instant of animation and do not age. They have no maximum lifespan.
Alignment
Gem elementals tend slightly toward Lawful or Neutral alignments.
Size
Gem elementals are roughly the same size as an average human, though due to being made entirely of gemstone, are about twice as heavy for any given build. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Gem Names
Gem elementals tend to get their name from the gemstone they were originally constructed of. Even if all of that original gem is replaced, their name does not tend to change. Though not the most common, some gems that are the same in one community may occur, so many times a gem will have an adjective added to their name to identify them depending on how unique it is. For example, a blue sapphire may just be called Sapphire, while a yellow sapphire would be named Yellow Sapphire.
Usually shortly after finishing schooling, most gems will pick a nickname to be called or will have a nickname given to them (or both) to identify them further in their community. These are most often either the identifying adjective previously mentioned or a shortened version of their original name. Rarely is it something completely different. While it is not impossible, it is discouraged to pick a nickname that has already been chosen by another, to avoid confusion. If/When this occurs, the community tends to give new nicknames to both parties to fix the issue.
Gem Types
Your CON base stat is determined by your specific gem type, being 10 + the mohs hardness of the gem. Any gem with a hardness of 8 or higher must be approved by the DM.
Societal Differences
Due to the odd "society" you were raised in, communication with other species is not your strong suit. You have disadvantage on all Charisma rolls not aimed toward another gem elemental.
Darkvision
Your eyes, being made of transparent gemstones, are capable of taking in more light than most creatures. 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.
Living Gemstone
You are humanoid, but your unique physiology gives the following traits.
- Your body is comprised primarily of minerals. Because of your unique composition, you are immune to poison and disease.
- You do not need to eat, drink, or breath, but your body requires at least three hours of bright light every day. You suffer one level of exhaustion for every day spent with inadequate light, and regain one level of exhaustion for every 6 hours spent in bright light.
-
Limbs can be reattached if lost, and prosthetics can be made from materials with similar physical characteristics to yourself. You must spend 8 hours in direct sunlight for this reattachment to become permanent. If you are missing more than half your body, you become incapacitated and unconscious until you are repaired
Crumble
When reduced to zero hit points, instead of falling unconscious, you shatter into pieces and are immobilized. You can take no action while shattered, do not recover hit points over time, and are automatically considered stable. When your hit points are no longer at or below zero, you are considered repaired.
If you would be instantly killed by an attack, you are considered pulverized and cannot be repaired.
Comments