Homebrew Eldritch Kin Species Details
Kin are are either born in the Far Realms or have aberrant ancestors who originated there. Kin can be created by multiple means. They are often created as the (typically unintentional) afterthought of a Great Old One. They can also be created by imposing the will of a Great Old One upon a humanoid species, morphing and distorting them into something else entirely. Or even biologically birthed as the result of an unholy union between an aberrant and another humanoid race. This connection to the Far Realms defines a kin's eldritch legacy, which comes with the promise of power yet has no effect on the kin’s moral outlook.
A kin chooses whether to embrace or lament their eldritch legacy. The two legacies are described below.
Old
Great kin are created as the direct or indirect result of a Great Old One's influence. They can be manifested by the thoughts and dreams of a Great Old One, or created by communing with a Great Old One and exposing a sentient humanoid to its influence. Great kin are psionically linked to their progenitor(s), and are thus capable of glimpsing into and perceiving other realms, realities, and planes. Great kin are very difficult to describe, and distressing to cognize. They typically appear as a shifting humanoid mass of matter, and rarely ever hold a consistent shape. They may appear as a gaseous plume, a churning mass of ooze, or perhaps a writhing congeries of viscera. Their limbs often split into more appendages and fuse back into one another. Because of their abominable form, many great kin choose to hide their appearance, whether it be under a veil of illusion, or a cloak.
Aberrant
Some kin are instead created by more "conventional" means, though it is often equally as disgusting. Aberrant kin carry the blood of aberrations, sometimes as the direct spawn of an aberration, or the distant descendant of one. Sometimes, an aberration may chose to mate with a humanoid race. The humanoid's willingness to participate in such a horrific act is often times irrelevant to the aberration. Aberrant kin inherit the traits of both parents, often times resulting in a confusing hodgepodge of anatomical traits. Sickly skin, a slimy or chitinous surface, tentacles, extra orifices, additional limbs and eyes, antennae, mandibles, claws, exposed internal organs, are all common traits among kin, though this is hardly a comprehensive list. As such, aberrant kin typically have heightened senses, sharper minds, and stronger physical capabilities.
Cosmic
On rare occasion, as a fluke by both fate and the fabric of reality, a cosmic kin is created. Cosmic kin have no relation to the Far Realms or any otherworldly entity, and are their own isolated anomaly. Cosmic kin are not tethered to any particular plane of existence, and are stuck between worlds. They cannot be "killed" by physical attacks in the traditional sense, only banished to another plane of existence once their hit points reach zero and they fail their death saving throws. Cosmic kin retain a spectral, semi-physical form. They may appear in a wide variety of ways, maybe as a transparent specter, as a humanoid whisp of ectoplasm, or as a window into the very universe.
Eldritch Traits
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 5–7 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet
Darkvision
You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
Eldritch Legacy
You are the recipient of a legacy that grants you supernatural abilities. Choose a legacy from the Eldritch Legacies table. You gain the level 1 benefit of the chosen legacy.
When you reach character levels 3 and 5, you learn a higher-level spell, as shown on the table. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for the spells you cast with this trait (choose the ability when you select the legacy).
| Legacy | Level 1 | Level 3 | Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old | You have Resistance to Psychic damage. Your mind comprehends cosmic knowledge, thus, you are proficient in Religion or Arcana. You also know the Minor Illusion cantrip. | Hypnotic Pattern | Fear |
| Aberrant | You have Resistance to Spell damage. Your senses are also very well developed, thus, you are proficient in Insight, Perception, or Survival. You also know the Prestidigitation cantrip. | Alter Self | Evard's Black Tentacles |
| Cosmic | You have Resistance to Physical damage, but are vulnerable to Radiant Damage. Your mind comprehends cosmic knowledge, thus, you are proficient in Religion or Arcana. You also know the Eldritch Blast cantrip. | Darkness | Blink |
Otherworldly Presence
You know the Thaumaturgy cantrip. When you cast it with this trait, the spell uses the same spellcasting ability you use for your Eldritch Legacy Trait.
Hideous Appearance
Due to your abhorrent appearance, you roll at disadvantage on Persuasion, Performance, and Deception skill checks. You are proficient in Intimidation.
Dormancy
You do not require sleep, and magic can’t put you to sleep. You can finish a Long Rest in 4 hours if you spend those hours in a period of physical inactivity, during which you retain consciousness.