Homebrew Alloite Species Details

 

Hailing from a world where the oceans are made of lava, and pirate factions clash with royal families, Alloites are a race of liquid metal humanoids able to change their fluidity and shape at will.  Known for their hedonism and notoriously sticky fingers, Alloites are expert navigators and fighters, and are most often found as the captains of elusive pirate ships, or coveted metalworkers and jewelers.  Alloites are attracted to anything that glitters, so keep an eye on your jewelry when in company with one.  They like to store their favorite pieces of their collection inside themselves, using them as a decorative addition to their bodies.  Individuals tend to take a liking to a specific type of gem or ore as well, and will collect as much as they can.  

METALLIC MAKEUP

Alloites are usually stable metals like copper, gold, silver, platinum, etc.  Unstable Alloites made of metals like caesium, sodium, or otherwise explosive/flammable/reactive metals would be cruel to create, as they would perish immediately.  Since they are made entirely of metal, instead of eating food like an organic being would, they directly absorb metals or metal ores to replace lost limbs or rid themselves of imperfections in their alloy.  Unfortunately, having an all metal body has its setbacks as well. Alloites are extremely susceptible to cold, and if temperatures drop too low, they become sluggish and stiff, eventually ending up in a completely solid “hibernation” state.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Alloites have a class system based on the rarity of their metals, for instance, metals from the platinum family would be considered royalty, whereas iron and copper would be lower class/peasantry.  Territories are controlled by navy fleets, corsairs, and pirates, their huge metal warships warning anyone who comes near to behave themselves or face the wrath of the battalion.  Despite this, bounty hunters and treasure-hunters alike attempt to capture Alloites in hopes of harvesting the metal from their bodies, but an Alloite never goes down without a fight, and would sooner die than become a captive.  Also, it's very hard to keep a liquid metal being in shackles, so alternate methods of restraint need to be used.

DECORATION

Like a moth drawn to a flame, Alloites can hardly resist anything that glitters, leading to rather kleptomaniac-like tendencies in some cases.  However, each individual has distinct gemstones they favor, and usually display one or more on their head and body. The displayed gemstones are incredibly precious to them, and are only given away as a pledge of loyalty or marriage.  To take an Alloite’s gemstones from their body is to rob them of their “identity”, and will usually result in a very angry Alloite out to kill you, your family, and everyone you know. Similarly, an Alloite expelling a gemstone given to them can either be seen as a betrayal or an extreme insult.

In general, their fashion tends to align with the golden age of pirates, long coats and tricorn hats being all the rage.  That being said, Alloites will also incorporate elements of other cultures into their garb if they think it looks nice, and it's not uncommon to see them adopt jewelry and flamboyant fashion from all around the world.

ALLOITE NAMES

Alloite surnames are typically the metal they are made of (i.e.; Vallory Tungsten), while their first name can be anything they choose.  Alloites are sexless, but can present as any gender, depending on how they feel, and can change at will. They reproduce by leaving a deposit of their metal inside their partner(s), the next year or so spent gathering and absorbing ore to create the body of the child.

Notable Alloite Names: Auvir Gold, Mary Lead, Zheng Tin, Wolfgang Mercury.

Alloite Traits

Having a body made of liquid metal results in some interesting traits.

Brazing Metal

You can consume normal food/drink but it has no practical effects.  A tiny object of the same type of metal as your Alloite (like a silver spoon or a gold locket) will heal 1d4 HP; larger objects and their healing dice can be determined by the DM.  Potions and healing spells work the same as if used by an organic creature.  When cast by an Alloite, Purify Food & Drink will work on raw ore, turning it into a condensed metal.  Magmatic Alloites can consume any ore to heal, not just what they’re made of.

Metallurgy

You can change your fluidity at will between a solidified and liquid state.  Changing your state is a bonus action.  You gain +2 AC when solidified and +2 Dex when liquid. (Magmatic Alloites gain +3 AC and +0 Dex, Toxic Alloites gain +0 AC and +2 Dex)

Lightning Rod

You have +1d4 lightning damage at level 1, then from level 2 onward, the number of d4 you you add to an attack is equal to your proficiency bonus. Conductivity, ho!

Concealed Weaponry

You can hide one small weapon (like a dagger or handaxe) inside your body, making it undetectable through non-magical means.  The weapon must be no bigger than your forearm.  You wouldn't want to walk around with a javelin up your.... you know.

Alloy Armament

The improvised weapon deals of 1d4+Str of either piercing or bludgeoning damage. Toxic Alloites have a chance to inflict bonus poison damage when using Alloy Armament, and Magmatic Alloites can knock enemies prone.  Forming the weapon is a bonus action.

Inorganic Creature

You are living metal, and thus don't suffer the same ailments of an organic creature.  This has its setbacks, however.

• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You have disadvantage on saving throws against frost or ice based attacks.

Amorphous Metal

You can squeeze through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide, provided you are wearing and carrying nothing. You also have advantage on ability checks you make to initiate or escape a grapple.