Homebrew Elythian Species Details

Born of Two Worlds

Elythians are rare beings whose existence defies cosmic order. Born from the mingling of Aasimar and Tiefling bloodlines, they walk the fragile line between celestial grace and fiendish temptation. Many Elythians are not direct descendants of such unions but rather inherit their lineage through generations, their celestial and infernal heritages lying dormant until they manifest in an unsuspecting soul.

To some, Elythians are living contradictions—blessed and cursed, divine and damned. To others, they are the embodiment of balance, proving that darkness and light are not opposing forces but parts of a greater whole. Elythians often struggle with their dual nature, feeling the pull of both celestial duty and infernal ambition. This internal conflict shapes their personalities, making them deeply introspective, fiercely independent, and ever-seeking purpose.

Appearance & Physical Traits

Elythians bear striking physical features that reflect their celestial and infernal heritage, though no two look exactly alike. Some possess glowing, ethereal eyes like the stars, while others have irises of molten gold or ember-like red. A faint halo or spectral radiance might flicker around their heads, while subtle horns, elongated canines, or infernal tails hint at their fiendish blood. Their skin may shimmer with a divine glow or bear shadowy undertones, sometimes marked with glowing celestial runes or faint infernal sigils.

They possess an athletic and graceful build, often standing slightly taller than humans, with a presence that is either captivatingly beautiful or deeply unsettling—sometimes both.

Culture & Society

Elythians do not have a homeland of their own, as their kind emerges sporadically among celestial and infernal bloodlines. As a result, they often grow up as outsiders, struggling to find acceptance even among Aasimar or Tieflings, who may view them as impure or unnatural. Some are raised within celestial orders or infernal cults that seek to control or harness their unique potential, while others are abandoned at birth, their very existence seen as an ill omen.

Despite their rarity, some Elythians find kinship with one another, forming small, secretive enclaves that embrace their dual heritage. These groups often dedicate themselves to understanding the balance between light and shadow, acting as scholars, diplomats, or seekers of forbidden knowledge. Many Elythians become wanderers, drawn to adventure by an unshakable desire to forge their own destiny, free from the expectations of either celestial or infernal masters.

Temperament & Personality

Elythians are natural intermediaries, possessing an innate ability to see both sides of a conflict. This makes them excellent negotiators, peacekeepers, and advisors. However, their lives are often marked by inner turmoil, as they struggle to reconcile the warring aspects of their nature.

Some Elythians fully embrace one side of their heritage, devoting themselves to celestial ideals or fiendish ambitions. Others walk a middle path, rejecting extremes and seeking to harness both their divine and infernal gifts for their own ends. Their experiences with prejudice and isolation make them highly empathetic toward outcasts and misfits, and they often gravitate toward causes that champion the downtrodden.

Their strong will and unshakable charisma make them natural leaders, though whether they inspire through hope or fear depends on how they choose to wield their gifts.

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Elythian Traits

Ability Score Increase.

Your Charisma increases by 2, and you can increase either your Dexterity or Wisdom by 1.

Age.

Elythians mature at the same rate as humans but have lifespans closer to Aasimar, living up to 150 years on average.

Alignment.

Elythians are pulled between the forces of good and evil, but most value free will above all else. They tend toward neutrality, though individual Elythians may lean toward any alignment depending on their upbringing and personal choices.

Size.

Elythians are roughly human-sized, ranging from 5 to 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed.

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages.

You can speak, read, and write Common, Celestial, and Infernal.

Damage Resistances.

You can choose to have resistance to either radiant or fire damage.

Spectral Wings.

As a bonus action, you can manifest spectral wings, granting you a flying speed of 30 feet for up to 1 minute. These wings may appear as glowing celestial feathers, shadowy infernal appendages, or a fusion of both. Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Light and Shadow.

Your celestial and infernal heritage grants you innate magical abilities.

• Cantrip: You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip.
• 3rd Level: You can cast Hellish Rebuke as a 2nd-level spell once per long rest.
• 5th Level: You can cast Lesser Restoration once per long rest.
• Spellcasting Ability: Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

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Roleplaying an Elythian

Questions to Consider:

• How does your Elythian view their dual nature? Do they embrace it, struggle with it, or try to suppress one side?
• Were they raised in a celestial order, an infernal cult, or by mortals unaware of their heritage?
• Do they seek to prove themselves as a force of good, embrace their darker nature, or reject both sides entirely?
• How do others react to their presence? Do they inspire awe, fear, or suspicion?

Common Elythian Names:

Elythian names often blend celestial and infernal influences, sometimes incorporating names of angels, devils, or mortals caught between both realms. Some take on new names that reflect their personal philosophy. Examples include:

• Masculine Names: Seraphion, Kael’thar, Riven, Azrakiel, Veydran
• Feminine Names: Lysara, Veylith, Isolde, Zarielis, Thalyss
• Androgynous Names: Solis, Ashkael, Zivryn, Nythos, Vaeryn

Species Options

Radiantborn Elythians

Radiantborn Elythians are more closely tied to the celestial side of their heritage, their connection to the divine radiating from within. These Elythians have a natural resistance to radiant damage, their bodies absorbing the brilliance of the heavens with ease. They are often seen as harbingers of light, either as protectors of the innocent or seekers of divine truth. Their magic and presence exude a comforting glow, as though the sun itself were within their veins.

Radiantborn Traits:

• Radiant Resistance: You have resistance to radiant damage.

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Infernalborn Elythians

Infernalborn Elythians feel the pull of their fiendish ancestry more strongly, their resilience to fire reflecting their heritage. These Elythians can withstand the infernal heat that would burn others, their fiery nature manifesting in both their appearance and their innate power. Often more temperamental and driven, Infernalborn Elythians are warriors, rebels, and scholars who have embraced the darker side of their heritage. Whether commanding destructive fire magic or standing firm in the face of hellish flames, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Infernalborn Traits:

• Fire Resistance: You have resistance to fire damage.

Elythian Traits

Elythians are rare beings of both celestial and fiendish heritage, embodying the duality of light and shadow. They possess an innate charisma, resilience against radiant and fire damage, and the ability to manifest spectral wings for brief flight. Their celestial and infernal magic grants them Thaumaturgy, Hellish Rebuke, and Lesser Restoration. Torn between opposing forces, they are natural diplomats, warriors, or seekers of their own destiny.

Light and Shadow

Light and Shadow: Born of both celestial and infernal bloodlines, Elythians embody a unique duality. Their magic manifests in ways that reflect this contrast—booming voices, flickering flames, or healing light—giving them an aura of both mystique and power.

Spectral Wings: When danger calls or the need arises, Elythians can unfurl spectral wings that carry them through the air, whether radiant and feathered, dark and bat-like, or something eerily in-between.

Celestial and Infernal Resilience: The divine fire of Aasimar and the fiendish endurance of Tieflings course through their veins, granting them resistance to both radiant and fire damage.

Tongues of the Beyond: Steeped in both the celestial and the abyssal, Elythians are fluent in Common, Celestial, and Infernal, making them natural interpreters of fate, destiny, and the conflicts between light and darkness.