Homebrew Aetherborn Species Details
The aetherborn trace their beginnings to the Veil, a
confluence where the vivifying energies of the Ethereal
Plane clash with the desolate essence of the Nether, the
Plane of Shadow. This realm of pure, contrasting energies
is the domain of the moon, Luna, and is not merely a borderland but a crucible from which the aetherborn
emerged—entities not fully alive by conventional standards yet far from the embrace of death.
Their origins remain enshrouded in enigma, with no
recollection of any existence prior to the First Awakening
within the Veil. Born fully formed from the intertwining
of ethereal mist and shadow, the first aetherborn possessed no lineage or legacy but that which they carved for
themselves in the shadow and moonlight. This unique
blend of life and void gives the aetherborn their defining
traits: an existence bathed in perpetual twilight, where
the spectral meets the corporeal. The Veil's influence allows them glimpses into realms beyond mortal ken. It is
this very aspect that often casts the aetherborn as esoteric
figures, their insights perceived as madness by those
grounded in material reality.
EXODUS AND RESETTLEMENT
Displaced by a cosmic event that tore through the Veil,
the aetherborn were forced to flee into the Material
Plane. This cataclysm severed their access to the plane,
leaving many to speculate about its cause—from ancient
entities' awakenings to astral misalignments. Gathering
their scattered people, the aetherborn established the Lunaris, enclaves resonating with lunar energy and constructed from moonstone and etherglass. These sanctuaries, blending elements of both the Ethereal Plane and the
Nether, underscore their determination to thrive despite
being cut off from their home.
GOVERNANCE BY THE MOONSHADES
Aetherborn society in the Lunaris is governed by the
Moonshades, a group of sages and seers who discern
Luna’s will. They lead their kin through a government
that ebbs and flows with the lunar phases, each phase
heralding a shift in roles and responsibilities. It's a society
where power is transient, shared, and deeply intertwined
with the spiritual health of the community. The aetherborn value collective wisdom over individual ambition,
and their shamans ensure that every blood offering to
Luna is a reaffirmation of their bonds to one another and
to the life force of the moon.
CULTURE OF TRANSITION
Lunaris are places of transition, where the aetherborn
learn to harness their innate abilities and take their roles
within the community leadership structure. They are a
people of both spirit and flesh, capable of acts that defy
the laws of the Material Plane, yet, they are not immortal.
They live lives marked by phases, celebrating new moons
as times of birth and beginnings, and full moons as times
of culmination and sacrifice. The offering of blood is sacred, not barbaric, a tribute that acknowledges their origins in the Veil and honors the constant cycle of life,
death, and rebirth under Luna's watchful eye.
Roles of the Aetherborn
In the Lunaris enclaves, the aetherborn adhere to a celestial-inspired hierarchy, reflecting their deep connection
to lunar cycles. Leadership transitions through three distinct stages: Luminites, who are novices embracing lunar
magic; Illuminarchs, who rule with heightened powers
during the full moon; and Duskguides, who offer wisdom
as their influence wanes. This cycle ensures leadership remains vibrant and connected to the cosmic rhythms.
Beyond these roles, the aetherborn society is rich with
diverse responsibilities. Pathfinders embark on quests beyond the enclave's borders, seeking knowledge and ensuring the community's safety. Crafters specialize in creating
items that resonate with shadows and moonlight, essential for the enclave's daily life and spiritual practices.
Guardians, tasked with the enclave's defense, use lunar
magic to form protective barriers against intruders.
Each aetherborn is expected to contribute, with roles
shifting as the lunar phases change, ensuring everyone
takes part in the community's governance and defense.
This fluid structure reinforces their adaptability and resilience, vital for thriving in the Material Plane after their
exodus from the Veil.
Physical Appearance
Aetherborn manifest with skin that captures the ethereal
essence of their origins, displaying a range of hues from
deep midnight blues to the soft grays of pre-dawn light.
Their physical forms blend the tangible with the intangible, subtly phasing between solidity and a mist-like state.
Aetherborn eyes are their most captivating feature,
glowing steadily with colors that change with their emotions or the phase of the moon, from soft silvers to vibrant purples. This luminosity provides a stark contrast
to their otherwise human-like features, setting them apart
as beings of both shadow and light.
Their hair, when present, mimics the qualities of their
skin—sometimes appearing as fine, flowing strands that
resemble the soft glow of moonlight, at other times dark
and nebulous as a starless sky. Markings or tattoos that
resemble lunar landscapes or celestial patterns often
adorn their skin, glowing faintly in darkness. These are
personal and unique, signifying individual experiences,
vows, or connections to the cosmos.
When envisioning your aetherborn character, consider
these aspects to highlight their unique essence:
Skin Tone and Texture. How does ethereal energy influence the color and appearance of your skin?
Eye Color. What color best represents your character's
soul and emotional depth?
Hair Style and Color. In what ways does your hair reflect
the luminous qualities of your ethereal or shadow heritage?
Tattoos & Markings. What patterns or symbols mark your
people’s journey from the Veil to the Material Plane?
Aetherborn Names
After arriving in the Material Plane, the aetherborn embraced the concept of individual naming as a means to anchor their existence in their new home. These names reflect the profound shifts and insights gained during their
journey and honor the ties to their lunar heritage. Each
aetherborn chooses a name that symbolizes their personal
epiphany or connection to the cosmic forces that guide
them.
Male Names: Aelum, Baelor, Barion, Caelis, Daemir, Eilun, Eronin, Faeryn, Gaelan, Gavrel, Haelos, Ielar,
Jaeron, Maelor, Meridan, Orion, Raelum, Rivan
Female Names: Alarae, Belenia, Berinthia, Celune, Delara, Elaith, Elora, Fenali, Ghaele, Gwynara,
Haliara, Iridia, Jelara, Mirelle, Olesia, Orielle, Raelia
Each aetherborn belongs to an enclave that carries a title
reflecting their collective destiny or a significant astral
phenomenon. These titles serve both as a surname and a
bond, uniting members under a shared cosmic heritage.
Lunaris Titles: Celestwander, Eclipseborn, Etherbreath,
Lunargrace, Nebulakin, Nightrend, Orbweave,
Solarwind, Starwhisper, Voidseeker
Aetherborn Traits
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Aetherborn vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. You are Medium
Speed: 30 feet
Darkvision
You have Darkvision with a range of 120 feet.
Ethereal Hearing
You can hear into the Ethereal Plane within 30 feet around you.
Incorporeal
As an action, you can become incorporeal until the end of your turn. You can move through other
creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. If you end your turn inside an object, you are immediately
shunted to the nearest unoccupied space that you can occupy and take force damage equal to twice the number of
feet you are moved. While incorporeal, you can be affected by spells and effects that target or affect creatures
on the Ethereal Plane. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest
Negative Energy Affinity
You have advantage on saving throws against effects that would age you.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.
Aetherborn subrace
Two main subraces of aetherborn exist: the Eclipsed and the Luminous.
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