Homebrew Ardoni v2 Species Details

Source: Songs of War Wiki, Ardoni Page (would include link, but D&D Beyond doesn't like external links), with the odd cerative licence taken in places (namely, the ability to grow hair)

The Ardoni are a well-known sentient species in Ardonia, for which tha land derives it's name from. They mainly reside in the Ardoni provinces, with each of the Ardoni Clans having its own territory. There are five known Ardoni Clans, each with their own respective colours; Sendaris (blue), Nestoris (yellow), Voltaris (red), Kaltaris (green), and Mendoris (purple/pink). There are also some provinces populated by a mixture of Ardoni from all clans, such as Ataraxia. 

The Ardoni are the only known race capable of wielding Songs, aincent artifacts capable of granting magical abilities to whatever Ardoni is attund to it. An Ardoni usually only wields one or two songs in their lifetime, but can be bonded with a maximum of four, one from each Song Order (Aggressium Songs, Mobilium Songs, Protisium Songs, and Supporium Songs). However, wielding multiple Songs for extended periods of time can have adverse affects on an Ardoni's health, such as inability to sleep peacefully, increased stress, and so on. In order for an Ardoni to use a Song, they must sync themselves with it. This is done using an emotional connection with the Song while it is placed in a shrine. The soon-to-be wielder stands in the middle and places the Song in one of the four pillars (representing the four Song Orders). The Song will then flow into the wielder and enable them to use it. If in a land where there are no Ardoni shrines, they can sill bond themselves to new Songs, althoug hit takes much longer (aka it'd take a short rest to bond to a Song without a shrine to help focus the process).

All Ardoni are humanoids and made of what appears to be a dark, stone-like material, with markings, eyes, and horns/ears that glow in the respective color of their clan. Each Ardoni possesses a unique pattern of markings all over their body that is inherited from one of their parents. When an Ardoni dies, they lose colour in their body, and their Songs, if they were bound to any, materializes next to them. As per aincent Ardoni custom, the Masters of the five Ardoni Clans light the graves of the dead, so that their markings keep shining on. Male Ardoni have a single glowing point on the front of their ears/horns, whilst females have three, as well as larger eyes. All Ardoni have greyish-black hair, but many, regardless of gender, opt to shave it all off.

Compared to other races, they need to eat, drink and rest/sleep, similar to humans, although Ardoni are noticeably taller than them, standing at around 7" tall and being broadly built, sometimes reaching 8" tall. Additionally, potions that have effects on humans (ex. potions of speed, strength, regeneration, etc.) have no effect whatsoever on Ardoni. The lifespan of an Ardoni also vastly exceeds that of humans, with Ardoni able to live for centuries. An Ardoni's age can best be told by the length of the horns on their heads, as the older they are, the longer they grow.

Ardoni v2 Traits

Owing to their stone-like flesh, Ardoni are naturally more resiliant to damage in comparison to races like human or elves. Their strength is also superior to that of humans, but are much less versatile. Almost all Ardoni combatants are martial warriors, usually wielding at least one Song. But even without their unique source of power, one should not underestimate the strength and skill of an Ardoni.

Natural Endurance

Given their stone-like skin, Ardoni gain a natural boost to strength and endurace.

Ardoni recieve a +1 to Strength and Constitution, and have advantage on Constitution Saviing Throws.

Potion Immunity

Due to their stone-like skin and connection to their own unique form of magic (aka, the Songs), Ardoni are immune to all potion effects, be they negative or positive. Potions designed to poison or weaken whoever drinks them or comes into contact with their liquid, as well as potioned brewed to strengthen and heal the consumer, do not have any affect on an Ardoni. Healing spells, such as Cure Wounds, and harmful spells still work on Ardoni as they do with most other races; it is simply alchemical concoctions that do not impact the Ardoni that consumes it. The natural resilience of the Ardoni people grant them immunity to the effects of potions, for better or for worse.

Stone-Flesh Resiliance

The stone-like flesh of an Ardoni grants them increased resistance to certain forms of damage.

All Ardoni recieve a natural +1 bonus to their Armour Class. Incoming slashing, bludegoning, and piercing damage from non-magical sources is reduced by a value equal to your profieciency bonus. Also, Ardoni have resistance to fire damage.

Songs of War

 The unique inheritance of all Ardoni is the power to wield Songs, unleashing the might of these mythical artifacts how they see fit.

Ardoni are the only race capable of attuning to Songs. These may be granted to an Ardoni by a preantal figure within their Clan, or found/bought somewhere in the world during their travels. Songs take the form of a small cube when not attuned to an Ardoni, able to sit in the palm of a human hand, and glowing with innate power. Once attuned to an Ardoni, the Song loses it's physical form. They only regain said physical form should an Ardoni unattune to it, or die whilst they are attuned to it.

An Ardoni can attune to only one Song per Song Order (aka, a maximum of 4 Songs total), but can change out whatever Songs they are attuned to at an Ardoni shrine. For example, an Ardoni that is attuned to the Aggrobeam Song, can change it to the Aggroquake Song, obviously provided that they possess the physical Song. 

Whilst the Ardoni are the only race capable of wielding Songs, individuals from other races can seek out songs purely to collect them, given the rare and mystical nature of Songs. Some may wish to study them, others to display them, or some may even seek to break through the racial lock on a Song's power to harness them for their own gains. This may lead some to hunt Ardoni in hopes of harvesting their Songs, but many of these often fail in the face of ana Ardoni's combat skill and ability to wield the very powers they seek.