Homebrew Baku Spirit Species Details

The Baku is an ancient Japanese mythical race of beings that are known for feeding on the nightmares of other intelligent beings. They are said to have been created by the gods with the leftover scraps of all other animals created before them. Because of this, they are described as having the trunk and tusks of an elephant, the ears of a rhinoceros, the tail of an ox, the body of a bear, and the paws of a tiger. Although, the Baku are generally seen as good aligning, shy beings who help people by feeding on nightmares, there is a risk in calling to them. If the Baku is still hungry after consuming a nightmare, they may move to other dreams, such as a person's hopes and desires, leaving them empty and devoid of any ambition. 

As a Baku Spirit, you are the offspring of a Baku and one other race of your choice. You are able to sustain yourself mostly on regular food and water and are compelled to feed on dreams far less than your Baku parent. But, you must feed on dreams every so often (at the discretion of your dm) nonetheless. Baku Spirits can appear in infinite ways, and with as much variety as any gene pool. Appearance is most often attributed to their non-Baku half, but they do have a few things in common. There is always a dream-like quality to their visage: a blur at the edges of their form, a delay in seeing their movements, an echo to their voice. 

Baku Spirit Traits

Baku Spirit Traits

Ability Score Improvements

Your Wisdom score, your Charisma score, and one other of your choice all increase by 1.

Age

A Baku Spirit's age depends on their complete lineage. Full Bakus can live upwards of 1000 years. 

Size

Your size is medium.

Movement Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Your base flying (hovering) speed is 35 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice that would make sense for your lineage.

Darkvision

Thanks to your Baku blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Comforting Presence

The Baku is a creature that is called upon by children and adults alike to rid them of their nightmares. You gain proficiency in the persuasion skill.

Dreamy Visage

Due to your Baku ancestry, you are able to trick the eyes of your enemies by making your form blurred. You have the ability to cast the Blur spell once per short rest without expending a spell slot.

Visionary

You can enter the mind of any creature you can see within 60 feet of you. You cannot speak to them directly, but like a dream, you are able to give them visions and feelings.  

When you're using this trait, you can use an action to give the target creature the ability to give you visions and feelings in kind for 1 hour.