Homebrew Candlekin Species Details

Candlekins are elemental beings with a humanoid body made of wax and a flame for a head. This flame is magical and represents the spirit of the candlekin, it does not mix with mundane flames, and it changes color, intensity, and size according to the individual's emotional state and health. Even without a face or nervous system, they perceive through their senses, feel pain, and speak normally. A candlekin's voice sounds ethereal with hints of crackling flame.

Like a candle, candlekins are born fully grown physically (typically Medium size) and diminish throughout their lives as their bodies melt from the heat of their heads, until they completely melt, consequently extinguishing the flame and causing their death. Therefore, candlekins born taller have a longer life expectancy, and those shorter are usually the oldest. Strong emotions can momentarily strengthen the flame, which doesn't make a difference at that moment, but constantly experiencing such emotions (like constant stress) can, in the long run, shorten their lifespan by accelerating the melting of their bodies. Because of this, more experienced candlekins seek to be wiser and control their emotions. On the other hand, reckless young candlekins often seek adventures to challenge their fragile lives and have exciting experiences. A candlekin's flame is their life, spirit, and mind, but it also leads to their inevitable end.

To reproduce, candlekins mold the bodies of their children with wax around a special rope (like a large candle with arms and legs). However, for this body to come to life, one or more candlekins (usually two) must donate part of the wax from their bodies (called living wax) to wrap the rope directly, forming the core of the body, and light the flame on the head of the new individual using their own. The personality of the new individual can be influenced by the personality of the one who lit their flame. For the offspring to have a larger and more massive body, consequently increasing their life expectancy, more living wax mass from the parents is necessary, so to increase the lifespan of their children, the parents decrease their own.

The candlekin have no lungs or other organs, but they need to breathe in a certain way, like normal flames, their heads need oxygen. The flame does not extinguish as easily with water and other forms of suffocation compared to mundane flames, but as mentioned, individuals of this species need to breathe and therefore can drown and suffocate like humanoid species.

Candlekins do not need to eat, drink, or sleep like humanoids, but they can "feed" by absorbing wax to recover from the natural wear and tear on their bodies and loss of mass from injuries. Wax melted by the flame of their own head or donated for the birth of a child cannot be reassimilated or replaced, however. The consumption of lantern oil, alcohol, and other flammable substances can be addictive for this species, as these substances strengthen their flame, which makes them feel good, but as one might expect, this shortens their lifespan in the long term if done in excess. Some candlekins like to consume scented wax to leave their bodies exuding pleasant aromas throughout the day, just as humanoids like to use perfume. These aromas have relaxing properties, being used to help the people around them relax and rest better.

Regarding society and culture, candlekins tend to value community, knowledge, and spirituality, which leads many of them to religious or academic paths. Candlekins also tend to be quite reflective, especially with regard to time and mortality. Members of other species commonly associate the figure of the candlekins with places such as temples, libraries, and cemeteries, but just like humans, there are candlekins with the most diverse personalities and professions. Candlekin communities usually have a theocratic system of government and use few flammable materials in their constructions and everyday objects, including wearing little or no clothing (their bodies have no genitals or other structures that need to be hidden). When living in communities of other species, candlekins often wear helmets similar to lanterns to prevent accidental fires caused by their heads.

Candlekins have a deity in which they believe, The Great Eternal Flame, also known as the Flame of Life (Divine Domains: Light and Life; Alignment: Neutral), which is said to have ignited the heads of the first individuals of the species and which gathers within itself the spirits of the candlekins who have died. Candlekins also pay respect to the spirits of nature and the dead, and are usually receptive to religions from other cultures, generally adopting the worship of gods related to knowledge, life, light, or fire.

In itself, a Candlekin's body has no gender, and this issue has little relevance in their society. In fact, when they speak in Primordial, the species' native language, they refer to each other in a neutral way. In general, candlekins individuals are free to identify as they wish, although they only tend to think about this issue when interacting with those who care about gender. With this in mind, parents usually name their children with unisex names from other cultures or names based on elemental concepts or things they like or find beautiful.

Candlekins are born with fully formed bodies and mature mentally at an age similar to humans. A candlekin's life expectancy depends on the height at which they were born and their lifestyle, but they generally live for about 100 to 150 years.

Creature Type: Elemental
Size: Medium or Small, chosen when selecting this species (decreases with age).
Speed: 30 feet

Candlekin Traits

As a candlekin, you have these special traits.

Flame Head

Your head emits Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 20 feet. Covering your head with something opaque blocks the light as expected. Additionally, you can strike with your flame head when making Unarmed Strikes, dealing 1d6 plus your Strength modifier as Fire damage, instead of the normal Bludgeoning damage for an Unarmed Strike. You can also ignite flammable objects that are not being carried or worn simply by touching your head to them (the fire from these burning objects is mundane and can be extinguished normally, unlike your flame head).

Wax Body

You have resistance to Poison damage, advantage on saving throws against the Poisoned condition, and immunity to disease. You do not need to eat or drink, but in order to regain hit points and lose Exhaustion levels through rests, you must consume at least the equivalent of 5 SP in wax per day.

Innate Magic

You know the Produce Flame and Control Flames cantrips. At 5th level, choose between Calm Emotions and Flaming Sphere; you always have your chosen spell prepared and cast it without material components. You can cast it once without a spell slot and regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell with any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. You can change your spell choice when you finish a Long Rest.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for spells you cast with this trait (choose the ability when selecting this species).

Always Lit

You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep. You can end a Long Rest in 6 hours if, during that time, you remain in an inactive state with your wax body static. During this state, you remain conscious.