Homebrew Ezuvl Species Details

Ezuvl (Eh · zool) are a rare and reclusive race that dwell deep within caves, scarcely venturing out except to forage. In modern times, they are believed to be myths or are unheard of altogether. To ezuvl, however, the pain and slaughter caused to their ancestors is anything but a myth and they continue to live in constant fear for their lives. Even though ezuvl are an intelligent and humanoid race, many still consider them as nothing more than prey.

To Kill For

Ezuvl blood has extraordinary healing properties, as well as the ability to keep one youthful. Because of this, they were hunted for several thousands of years and so their numbers have dwindled down to around five hundred. Out of fear of being hunted, the majority of ezuvl hid deep within caves to avoid discovery. The color of an ezuvl's blood is the best indication of its health and quality. Green blood means the ezuvl is thriving, blue is healthy, purple is unhealthy or sick, red is very sick, and grey is near death. Stress and depression can also have negative effects on ezuvl blood quality. Once one's blood has been harvested, it slowly changes from its current color until it reaches grey and is no longer useful. The healthier the ezuvl is when it's blood is harvested, the greater healing properties it has. It will take harvested green ezuvl blood a couple months to turn grey. When a small vial of blood is consumed (or poured inside a wound), the healing effect happens instantaneously, while the youthful effect happens within thirty minutes and lasts for several days before it wears off. Other effects include lack of appetite, increased focus, and heightened senses.

Strike a Pose

Ezuvl have blueish-silver skin that is somewhat metallic. Their eyes are blue, green, yellow, silver, or occasionally lavender and reflect light in the dark. Ezuvl hair is white, silver, silverish-white, blueish-white, or a combination of the three. Their bodies are generally slender and lean. Ezuvl ears look most similar to elves, while their faces show a resemblance to humans. They have metallic silver nails which are very strong. Their teeth are retractable and their saliva is toxic when inside of others (inside a cut, a bite mark, through kissing, etc). Because of an ezuvl's saliva being toxic and their distrust of other races, it is without saying that there are few half-ezuvl, if any at all.

A Day in the Life of an Ezuvl

An ezuvl's diet consists mainly of plants and occasionally, medium sized animals such as wild boar or deer. Ezuvl don't need to eat as often as other races. Their preferred form of hunting is through spells or ranged attacks, however it is not uncommon for a close sneak attack. Other races have discovered arrow heads drenched in ezuvl saliva in the forests near caves. They are a nocturnal race, but even so there are some that prefer to sleep at night and hunt during the day. Some mothers tell their children not to wander at night or an ezuvl will get them. In reality, most ezuvl try to avoid conflict if possible and will hide rather than fight. Many ezuvl who practice magic disguise themselves, which they do more often than not when near settlements other than their own. Although the typical ezuvl prefers the life of a loner, the more social and adventurous of the race enjoy blending into villages and socializing with its people. Knowing that if others found out about their valuable blood they would be risking their lives, they don't dare reveal their true appearance. The typical ezuvl keeps to themselves and is cautious of others. They aren't very fond of other races, but there are always exceptions. Once an adult, they usually leave their family and find a new cave. This journey for a new home is called "Aszthek" in Ezuvlian, which roughly translates to "journey of belonging" in Common. Ezuvl are natural collectors, and some may even say hoarders. They collect things they find left behind such as an old ribbon caught on a tree limb or perhaps a button that once held something together. They are especially drawn to anything shiny, such as a tarnished silver mirror. 

Those Religious Folk

Although someone from any race can follow any faith they wish, like most races, the ezuvl tend to favor certain gods and goddesses more than others.

Here is a list of the most popular deities followed by ezuvl:

Deity name / Alignment / Suggested Domains / Symbol

• Leira, goddess of illusion / CN / Trickery / Point-down triangle containing a swirl of mist
• Myrkul, god of death / NE / Death / White human skull
• Oghma, god of knowledge / N / Knowledge / Blank scroll
• Shar, goddess of darkness and loss / NE / Death, Trickery / Black disk encircled with a border
• Silvnus, god of wild nature / N / Nature / Oak leaf

Here is a list of other deities followed by ezuvl less commonly but still significant enough to name:

Deity name / Alignment / Suggested Domains / Symbol

• Deneir, god of writing / NG / Knowledge / Lit candle above an open eye
• Malar, god of the hunt / CE / Nature / Clawed paw
• Mielikki, goddess of forests / NG / Nature / Unicorn's head
• Selûne, goddess of the moon / CG / Knowledge, Life / Pair of eyes surrounded by seven stars
• Talona, goddess of disease and poison / CE / Death / Three teardrops on a triangle
• Tyr, god of justice / LG / War / Balanced scales resting on a warhammer

The Beautiful Minds

Ezuvl are intelligent beings with, although limited, telepathic powers. Several thousand years ago, when ezuvl were many and lived among all races, the age-old ezuvl secret of their blood was discovered and the information of its value spread like wildfire. People of all races began killing ezuvl for their wondrous blood and although many of them put up a good fight at first, all the races versus one was a disadvantage too great. The few good who didn't let their greed win out sheltered and hid the terrified ezuvl but were eventually discovered. Others pretended to help and ultimately backstabbed them, in many cases most literally. Ezuvl had to rely heavily on their telepathic powers to survive. Although the strong-minded can resist the ezuvl's attempt at telepathy, many fell prone to their tricks. Ezuvl have the ability to plant emotions or thoughts into the minds of others. When close to being discovered, they would make the their target feel uneasy or scared, or plant the thought that maybe they had gone in the other direction. They would also communicate with each other telepathically when speaking out loud could give them away. However, even with their tricks the threat was too overwhelming and they lost the war. The few who managed to escape in the end fled deep into caves where they resided for hundreds of years. Stories of the war, known to ezuvl as the Great Betrayal, were told to ezuvl children by their parents through the ancient writings on the cave walls. The newest generation of ezuvl seem to be more curious than the prior, and have began venturing, although disguised, into small villages and communicating with its residents. These ezuvl are shunned by their own kind out of rage and fear that their forgotten secret may once again surface.

Let's name him Idierux

Ezuvl names have a lot of vowel sounds and the letters L, X, V, Y, and Z sounds. They do not carry surnames.

Female Names: Zealda, Viera, Viyxe, Deiatne, Ephyleza, Lilfe, Aua, Esmie, Varendell

Male names: Evander, Valer, Yalthon, Freiadus, Idierux, Thysper, Aywin, Wylae, Oraveus

 Unisex Names: Xayll, Azo, Thelthon, Ghenn, Ihro, Xyrven, Iriz, Niphye

Ezuvl Traits

Living a solitary life inside of caves, the ezuvl have had plenty of time to practice and refine their skills.

Darkvision

Being nocturnal and living deep within caves for hundreds of years, ezuvl have always had the ability to adjust their eyes to low-light settings. They can see in dim light within 120 feet of them as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. However, they can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age

Ezuvl can live an average lifespan of 800 years, though some have been known to near one thousand. Unfortunately, many are found and hunted before then. They reach physical maturity around 75 years, and reach mental maturity around 100 when they are considered an adult.

Size

A mature ezuvl's height ranges from 5'2" to 6'2" and weigh between 110 and 130 pounds. Ezuvl are medium in size.

Speed

An ezuvl's walking speed is 30, climbing speed is 20, swimming speed is 15.

Alignment

Ezuvl are most commonly chaotic neutral, true neutral, and neutral evil.

Language

Most ezuvl can speak, write, and read common with few exceptions. All ezuvl know their own unique language, Ezuvlian. Ezuvlian is spoken, written, and read almost exclusively by ezuvl. Their written language can be found in caves, carved into the walls in thousands of different and intricate symbols. 

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Toxic Saliva

Ezuvl saliva is toxic when inside of others (inside a cut, a bite mark, through kissing, etc). If a creature is affected by the saliva, they must make a constitution saving throw each turn for 3 turns. With a successful saving throw (10+) they take half damage. The damage taken is determined by rolling 1d6+1.

Mindgrip

Ezuvl have limited telepathic powers that allow them to skim over the minds of others, speak telepathically, and even plant emotions or thoughts into their minds. This ability was used by ezuvl ancestors to communicate with each other when talking aloud would give them away. In modern times, ezuvl often use this ability to plant fear and unease into strangers' minds when they get too close to them or their cave. As a bonus action, you may use this ability on a target within 30 ft. Player rolls 2d8 and target rolls 1d20. The target's number must be greater than player's to resist Mindgrip. Target can roll again each turn until either Mindgrip is said over by player or target rolls a successful saving throw. You may use this ability once per long rest.