Homebrew Afflicted Species Details

The blight swamp used to be a lush old growth forest. During the end times 500 years ago the dark lord unleashed a terrible rotting plague upon the lands. This killed the native wood elves and rotted not only most of the trees but also the land itself. The humans native to the area managed to survive although not unchanged. The afflicted have a resistance to disease from living in the festering swamps. They have naturally pale to jaundiced skin, patchy hair or thin hair, and on occasion boils, pox or other maladies. The disease that racks their body also gives them some native spell casting as an upside. Due to their unnatural and diseased appearance they are normally met with prejudice wherever they go. Although since they themselves are outcasts most afflicted settlements are very welcoming of other races.

 

Afflicted Traits

Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 4–7 feet tall) or Small (about 2–4 feet tall), chosen when you select this species
Speed: 30 feet

As an Afflicted, you have these special traits.

Plague magic

Your diseased body grants you supernatural abilities. At level 1 you learn the acid splash cantrip.

When you reach character levels 3 and 5, you learn Detect Poison and Disease and Melf's Acid Arrow. You always have these spells 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.

Disease expert

You have proficiency with herbalism kits and the medicine skill as well as advantage on saving throws against diseases.