Homebrew Fading Nyx Species Details

We are the whispers of forgotten nights, the echoes of stars that have long since died. We are the Fading Nyx, and our beauty is as ephemeral as twilight's last breath."

The Fading Nyx are a rare and enigmatic species, appearing as ethereal humanoids whose forms shimmer with a constantly shifting, translucent quality. Their most striking feature is their skin, which seems to be composed of swirling nebulae and faint starlight, often darkening or brightening with their mood or the ambient light. Their eyes are pools of deep violet or indigo, sometimes flecked with what appear to be distant, tiny stars. While they possess a generally humanoid shape, their movements are fluid and almost weightless, sometimes accompanied by a faint, barely audible hum like distant cosmic winds.

The Fading Nyx are not born in the traditional sense, but rather coalesce from areas where powerful magical energies are waning or ancient celestial bodies are dying. They are embodiments of transition, twilight, and the slow decay of grand things. This origin imbues them with a melancholic wisdom and a deep understanding of impermanence. They have no true "home" in the material sense, often wandering from place to place, drawn to sites of fading power or forgotten history.

The Nyx are not frail, but their connection to the material plane is tenuous. When injured, their form might momentarily flicker or become more translucent. Extreme emotional distress can cause parts of their body to briefly dissolve into sparkling motes of light, only to reform slowly. They are said to leave no footprints, their passage marked only by a faint chill in the air and the lingering scent of ozone and stardust.

Fading Nyx Traits

Fading Nyx has the following racial traits.

Fading touch

When making a successful unarmed strike, a Fading Nyx can choose to deal 1d4 additional necrotic damage. This damage increases to 1d6 at 5th level, 1d8 at 11th level, and 1d10 at 17th level.

Cosmic Glimmer

Innate ability to cast Minor Illusion at will, and once per long rest, Disguise Self without expending a spell slot. Charisma is their spellcasting ability for these.

Ethereal Form

 Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks in dim light or darkness.

Echos of Time

Resistance to necrotic damage.

Emotional Fragility

When reduced to 0 hit points, instead of falling unconscious, a Fading Nyx's body dissolves into starlight. They reappear 1d4 rounds later at a chosen unoccupied space within 30 feet, at 1 hit point. This ability can only be used once per long rest. If they take damage again before regaining hit points, they are truly incapacitated.

Vulnerability to Radiant Damage

Direct, strong radiant light can be painful and disruptive to their forms.

Fading History

You are Proficient in History and Arcana checks.

Ability score increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.