Homebrew Chillborn Species Details

"We've arrived," Marius announced as he reigned in his mount, "The town of Deathsfall."

Around us stood a place that it seemed time forgot. Buildings stand on the street seem to have more dust on them than on the dirt road they lie on. The town square was a lively as a graveyard at midnight, though what I've seen in my travels renders that comparison inaccurate now that i think on it. It was empty, save one man drawing water from the well. As we approached him, his form seemed to flicker, then restabilize itself. A curious sight to me, but Marius continued onwards.

"Excuse me friend, my colleague and I are here to conduct some research. I was wondering if you could direct me toward someone who can tell me about these 'Coldborn' I've heard so much about?" 

"Aye sir, I could do that for you. That big shack over there has the town healer. And you're already talking to your interviewee here. Name's Corillus, please to meet you. Also, with all due respect, it's chillborn sir."

— Dulzur Treestrider, human author of "Fighters and Phantoms"

The chillborn are a strange group, arising out of nowhere in a flash of births or never be seen at all in a settlement. They carry a strange affinity with the word of ghosts and spirits that sometimes forces them into an isolation from others in their home town or into small groups of similar people.

A Spectre's Touch

Chillborn arise when a humanoid, usually a human, dwarf, or elf, mother comes into contact with a ghost of some kind. It could be a long dead relative with an interest in their newest descendant, or a malicious spirit that wishes to take their revenge on a mortal for their inability to have children in life. Whatever the reason, the child emerges breathing and crying as usual, but they are cold to the touch for the first 12 years of their lives, with other strange occurrences manifesting after they have reached maturity. Some claim to see the spirit that caused their transformation, others appear ethereal at a distance, and even still others always seem to be able to see their breath as in a cold location. 

Hope for Normal Life

Some chillborn hold out a hope that there may be some way to reverse what happened to them. Perhaps through laying the cause of their metamorphosis to rest they may return back to a life with their parents as if they were always a regular child. Thus far however, the change appears to be permanent, with no remedies or anti-curse measures working on the affliction. Still, this hope drives many chillborn out into the world, either to master their innate magics or to find some way to rid themselves of it. Perhaps one day a chillborn will find a way to become human or elven, or dwarvish, but it hs not happened yet.

Chillborn Names

Chillborn are named with the standard naming conventions of dwarves, elves, or humans, depending on what society they were born into. If their parents refused to name them, most adopt a name of their own choosing, sometimes a nickname given to them by other children or the local people.

Chillborn Traits

Chillborn share certain racial traits relating to their unique birth conditions.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Chillborn mature at the same rate as humans, and can live up to 150 years old. They appear to stop aging at around 25 to 35 years of age, however.

Alignment

Chillborn have no inherent tendency toward any alignment, each is usually influenced by their surroundings or the spirit that caused the strange circumstances of their birth.

Size

Chillborn are about the same size and build as humans, if a bit thinner usually. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Everyone knows that spirits go bump in the night. Given that you seem to be connected with their world, you are comfortable in the dark too. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Phantom Constitution

You have resistance to necrotic damage.

Spectral Attunement

You know the mage hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the false life spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the levitate spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and a language of your choice.