Homebrew Æther-Touched Species Details

Those who live in Adrea consider the Æther-Touched to be outcasts, diseased, lesser beings in the world, yet they are still feared and largely misunderstood. 

The Magical weave (known to Adrenians as the Æther) is a complex and dangerous energy, chaotic patterns, and overlapping fields that are near-incomprehensible to the untrained eye. Though few in Adrea have safely harnessed the Æther, such as powerful mages, skilled and studious artificers, or those lucky enough to witness the Æther and come out with their mind and body intact. Those who don't become the Æther-Touched. 

Ripped apart atom from atom, either partly or entirely, then put back together, the Æther Touched are the unlucky souls who have attempted to grasp the Weave and its vastness and were absorbed into it. Looking like smoking, shattered, or dissolving versions of their former selves, the Æther-Touched are not alive, but far from death. Often left with scattered minds, Æther-Touched beings often wander in search of purpose, occasionally forming groups called Æthonans. 

Occasionally, an Æther-Touched individual will be left with enough memory to return to places of their past lives or lead other Æther-Touched in some cases. These individuals are looked upon more favourably by regular members of society and are more likely to be accepted into communities. 

Broken and Rebuilt

Æther-Touched beings often have pale skin, ranging from a blueish-purple to a dull grey. This flesh is also often cracked or splitting, revealing bits of Æther that seep through, always shifting. One moment, it may look like their face is splitting down the middle, but a few moments later, it will be as if nothing was out of the ordinary. 

Though Æther-Touched beings can be created from any species, they all have common traits. Hair seems to float as if they are in water, their eyes can have no pupils, or many, and importantly, they do not bleed like regular creatures. A cut sustained by a Æther-Touched being leads to Æther seeping out, an exceedingly painful experience that can be catastrophic in some cases due to Æther's chaotic properties. 

Lost and Meek

Æther-Touched are often silent wanderers, rejected by many. Their voices sound spectral, like they are whispered through time or said from far away. Some carry the ambition that led them to be consumed by the Æther, while most wander aimlessly across Adrea, following fleeting memories and the will of the Weave. 

 

 

ÆTHER-TOUCHED BACKGROUNDS

Æther-Touched often carry the backgrounds and stories they had before they were consumed, however the oldest Æther-Touched often have lost themselves, and live as Hermits, Outlanders, or estranged Sages. 

 

Æther-Touched Names

Æther-Touched individuals use the names they used before being transformed; however, those who forget who they were or those who live in Æthonans find their names from the Æther, often sounding like magic incantations. 

 

Æther-Touched Traits

Your genasi character has certain characteristics in common with all other genasi.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

Ability Score Increase

You may increase one ability score by 2, and another by 1.

Age

Æther-Touched remain the age they were when they were corrupted and do not age.

Alignment

Influenced by the Weave, Æther-Touched tend toward a neutral or chaotic alignment.

Size

Æther-Touched are as varied as their past lives and have the height of that species. Your size is Medium or Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision for 60ft.

Æther's Blessing

You step into the weave, appearing in a nearby space. You gain the ability to teleport withing 30ft. to an unoccupied space you can see as a Bonus action a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. 

Born of the Æther

You can absorb magical or elemental energy into the weave and expel it back out. You can cast the Absorb Elements spell at 2nd level, a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus.