Homebrew Daema Species Details

“I can see the conflict in your soul, dear child.”

The old seer, though eyes clouded with blindness, seemed like they were boring into her mind.

“What it must take to bear such a burden-” his expression turned to that of deep sorrow, “You are a strong one. Though you may not see it yet, there is potential for greatness in you.”

“Great good... or great evil?” she asked anxiously.

“That is for you to decide, child. Like it or not, you cannot simply let yourself be pushed to and fro by the winds of life."

— Mara Blackhawk, Tides of Eternity

Neither holy nor unholy, the Daema lives a confused life-torn between good and evil. To have nightmares filled with the constant bickering of opposing would-be patrons vying for their allegiance. While loving parents may want the best for their child, the Fates have other plans in mind. Forever torn between light and darkness, a wanderer with no true home in this life or the life to come, this is the curse of the Daema.

A Muddled Ancestry

Daemas, though humanoid, are an amalgamation of infernal and celestial heritage. Their infernal heritage has left them with horns that can take a variety of shapes and sizes as well as sharply pointed canines. From their celestial heritage, there are often subtle clues such as but limited to floating or luminescent hair, a melodic voice that almost seems to weave song into every word, a birthmark of their ancestor deity's holy symbol. The major giveaway of a Daema as oppose to a tiefling or aasimar is the presence of large wings sprouting from their shoulder blades. These wings can be feathered like a bird (in which case the feathers are usually similar in color to the hair) or fleshy like that of a bat or a dragon (in which case the wings are usually similar to their skin color). Their eyes have visible irises, but both the iris and the sclera can be a variety of colors including black, white, silver, and gold. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, as well as various blues, reds, jet black, and stark white. Their hair is usually either metallic in coloration, or dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Conflicted and Wandering

Daemas were usually the sole member of their race wherever they grew up and often go their entire lifetime without meeting another. Those who travel the world though can sometimes run into each other. When a convergence of fate like this occurs, they often become inseparable allies for life.

Often times a daema individual is tormented by the wars between their ancestral patron deities. As opposing forces of good evil, these patrons bombard the individual with dreams, visions, and messengers, constantly fighting for him or her as their next champion. Usually, this angers the individual, causing them to run from both sides and live solely for themselves. On the occasion that they do choose a side, it is fated that they will become a powerful and dangerous foe to their enemies.

Daema Names

Daema names fall into three broad categories. Daemas born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations. Others yet will have names derived from the Celestial language, also passed down through generations

Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

Male Celestial Names: Aritian, Beltin, Cernan, Cronwier, Eran, Ilamin, Maudril, Okrin, Parant, Tural, Wyran, Zaigan.

Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

Female Celestial Names: Arken, Arsinoe, Davina, Drinma, Imesah, Masozi, Nijena, Niramour, Ondrea, Rhialla, Valtyra.

The Best (Or Worst) of Both Worlds

Recognizing both demonic and celestial ancestry in the Daema, people who meet one for the first will have a broad range of reactions from fear or worship, to petty racism or treating them as any other newcomer. This usually reflects on the religious and cultural views of the community at large, therefore making it difficult for a daema to know whether he or she will be welcomed or run out whenever coming to a new town.

Daema Traits

Daema share certain racial traits as a result of both their infernal and celestial descent.

Ability Score Increase

One ability score of your choice increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Daemas mature at the same rate as humans but can live up to 130 years.

Alignment

Due to their lifelong internal conflict, many Daemas deliberately choose neutrality in spite of their heritage. When one does choose a side, however, it most commonly reflects the alignment of said good or evil patron deity whether that be lawful, neutral or chaotic.

Size

Daemas are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

As a result of your infernal heritage, you can see quite well even in the darkest conditions. In dim light, you can see 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.

(Un)Holy Resistance

You have resistance to fire, necrotic, and radiant damage.

Profane Legacy

You know the friends cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hex spell as a 2nd-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 branding smite 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, Celestial, and Infernal.