Homebrew Fetchling Species Details

Born in Darkness: Descended from humans trapped on the Shadowfell, fetchlings are creatures of darkness and light intertwined. Generations of contact with that strange plane and its denizens have made fetchlings a race apart from humanity. While fetchlings acknowledge their origins, they exhibit little physical or cultural resemblance to their ancestors on the Material Plane, and are often insulted when compared to humans. Some members of the race also take offense at the name fetchling, as it was given to them by humans who saw them as little more than fetchers of rare materials from the Shadowfell. Most fetchlings instead prefer to be called Kayal, a word borrowed from Aklo that roughly translates to “shadow people” or “dusk dwellers.” Infused with the essence of the Shadowfell and possessing human blood commingled with that of the Shadowfell natives, fetchlings have developed traits and abilities that complement their native plane's bleak and colorless terrain. Though most fetchlings treat the Shadowfell as home, they often trade and deal with creatures of the Material Plane. Some fetchlings go so far as to create enclaves on the Material Plane in order to establish alliances and trade routes in areas where the boundary between the two planes is less distinct. These fetchlings often serve as merchants, middlemen, and guides for races on both sides of the planar boundary.

Touched by Shadow: Superficially, fetchlings resemble unnaturally lithe—bordering on fragile—humans. Their adopted home has drained their skin and hair of bright colors. Their complexion ranges from stark white to deep black, and includes all the various shades of gray between those two extremes. Their eyes are pupilless and pronounced, and they typically glow a luminescent shade of yellow or greenish yellow, though rare individuals possess blue-green eyes. While their hair tends to be stark white or pale gray, many fetchlings dye their hair black. Some members of higher station or those who dwell on the Material Plane dye their hair with more striking colors, often favoring deep shades of violet, blue, and crimson.

 

Fetchling Traits

Fetchlings closely resemble humans from distance an in poor lightning. They are often misunderstood and go largely unnoticed in heavily populated areas. While fetchlings are as diverse a population and any other race, each one shares the same characteristics that denote their heritage from the plane of darkness.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity ability score increases by 2 and your Charisma ability score increases by 1.

Age

Fetchlings reach adulthood in their late teens and live anywhere from one to two centuries.

Alignment

While fetchlings are arguably the most populous race on the Shadowfell, they rarely rule over their own kind; most serve as vassals or subjects to the great shadow dragons of their homeland, or the bizarre Nihiloi who dwell in the deeper darkness. Above all, fetchlings are survivors. Their tenacity, versatility, and devious pragmatism have helped them survive the harsh environs of the Shadowfell and plots of the powerful creatures dwelling within it. On the Material Plane, especially if unable to return to their home plane at will, fetchlings tend to cluster in small, insular communities of their own kind, mimicking the cultural norms and political structures of those they trade with.

Size

Fetchlings vary in height and build, from 4 and a half feet to a little over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Superior Darkvision

Due to your touch of the Shadowfell, 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 up to 120 feet in darkness as if it were dim light. 

Shadow Sight

Your darkvision is able to pierce even magical darkness.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Perception checks that rely on sight when you, your target, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Shadowy Resistance:

Your ancestor's time in the Shadowfell has left you resistant to the dangerous energies that permeate that plane granting you resistance to necrotic damage and cold damage.

Shadow Frailty

Your ancestor's time in the Shadowfell has left your bloodline frail and weakened when resisting bodily ailments and diseases.

Shadow Magic

You are infused with the magical darkness of the Shadowfell and are able to bend shadows around you to your will. You know the disguise self cantrip. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Shadow Proficiency

You have a naturally ability to blend in with the shadows makes you adept at remaining unseen or unnoticed. You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.