Homebrew Aetheri Species Details
Homeworld
Caelora
A breathtaking low-gravity world where floating continents drift through endless skies.
Massive anti-gravitic crystal deposits naturally suspend mountain ranges thousands of feet above the surface. Below lies a perpetual sea of clouds broken only by waterfalls that seem to vanish into infinity.
Life evolved vertically.
Creatures leap between floating islands.
Predators dive from above.
Even plants have adapted to airborne pollination.
To the Aetheri, the ground is simply another place to visit.
Appearance
The Aetheri appear strikingly humanoid at first glance, but every detail hints at an arthropod ancestry.
Height
- Male: 5'10"–6'8"
- Female: 5'6"–6'4"
They are slender, lightweight, and exceptionally agile.
Head
The face remains expressive and almost human.
High cheekbones.
Smooth skin.
No mandibles.
No exposed insect mouthparts.
Instead...
Two elegant antennae extend from the forehead.
The antennae constantly move, sensing:
- Air currents
- Electromagnetic disturbances
- Temperature shifts
- Chemical traces
- Emotional pheromones from fellow Aetheri
To another Aetheri, antenna movement is as expressive as facial expressions.
Eyes
Large.
Luminous.
Solid colors with no visible sclera.
Instead of pupils, concentric rings subtly contract and expand.
Common colors include:
- Sapphire
- Emerald
- Amber
- Violet
- Crimson
Their vision excels at detecting movement.
Skin
Warm to the touch.
Almost human.
Beneath the skin lies an ultra-thin flexible chitin lattice.
Under sunlight it produces subtle iridescent colors.
Hair
Hair is sparse compared to mammals.
Fine sensory filaments grow from the scalp.
Some cultivate them into elaborate crests or braids.
Others shave them completely.
Arms
Long.
Graceful.
Fully humanoid.
Hands
Three dexterous fingers.
One opposable thumb.
Dark natural claws.
Despite having fewer fingers, they possess incredible manual precision.
Wings
Four translucent wings grow from the upper back.
Inspired by dragonflies rather than birds.
Their membranes shimmer with structural colors instead of pigments.
Every individual's wing pattern is unique, functioning almost like a fingerprint.
When folded, the wings rest neatly behind the body.
During flight they're remarkably quiet.
Legs
The lower body displays their insect heritage.
Powerful digitigrade legs end in clawed feet with gripping pads.
These allow Aetheri to cling to:
- Cliffs
- Trees
- Ship hulls
- Vertical architecture
Biology
Despite their insect ancestry, Aetheri are warm-blooded and possess internal skeletons reinforced by lightweight chitin and hollow bone structures.
Their bodies evolved for efficiency rather than raw strength.
Respiration
Their respiratory system is exceptionally efficient.
Thin air at high altitude barely affects them.
Lifespan
Approximately 90–140 years.
Society
Aetheri organize themselves into Currents.
A Current is simultaneously:
- Family
- Crew
- Guild
- Community
Leadership changes naturally depending upon the journey.
The best navigator leads exploration.
The best engineer leads construction.
The wisest negotiator leads diplomacy.
Status is earned through contribution rather than inherited.
Government
Most floating cities are governed by a Council of Currents.
Every major Current sends one representative.
Consensus is valued over hierarchy.
Religion
Rather than worship gods, the Aetheri revere The Great Current.
To them, life resembles the movement of wind.
Nothing truly stops.
Everything merely changes direction.
Death is viewed as joining the eternal winds.
Technology
The Aetheri are unmatched aerial engineers.
Their cities cling to floating islands through elegant bridges and suspension towers.
They specialize in:
- Atmospheric craft
- Personal flight harnesses
- Lightweight armor
- Precision optics
- Survey drones
- Long-range communications
Where Voruun technology is rugged, Aetheri technology is light, precise, and efficient.
Reputation
Humans admire their daring.
Voruun question their lack of heavy fortifications.
Sylari appreciate their artistry.
Florans envy their freedom.
Echoes value their innovation.
Aetheri Traits
Graceful and endlessly curious, the Aetheri evolved among the floating continents of Caelora, where flight was as natural as walking. Their keen senses, iridescent wings, and unwavering bond with the endless skies have made them unmatched explorers, navigators, and messengers throughout the galaxy.Ability Score Increase
+2 Dexterity
+1 Wisdom
Creature Type
Humanoid
Size
Medium
Speed
Walking Speed: 30 feet
Wings of the Aether
You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed, provided you are not wearing Heavy Armor.
While wearing Heavy Armor, your wings cannot generate enough lift for sustained flight. However, you may use your reaction when you begin falling to unfurl your wings.
Until you land:
- You descend at 60 feet per round.
- You take no falling damage.
- You may move horizontally up to your walking speed each round while descending.
Antennal Awareness
You gain proficiency in Perception.
Additionally, you have advantage on Initiative rolls.
Surefooted Climber
You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Lightweight Frame
When determining your carrying capacity, treat your Strength score as 2 lower (minimum 1).
However, your jump distance is doubled, and you ignore the first 20 feet when calculating falling distance.
Skyborn Grace
Once per turn, when a creature makes an opportunity attack against you, you may add your proficiency bonus to your AC against that attack.
Wind Dancer
Once per Long Rest
As a bonus action, you synchronize with the atmospheric currents around you for 1 minute.
During this time:
- Your flying speed increases by 10 feet.
- Opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage.
- You ignore difficult terrain.
- Once on each of your turns after moving at least 20 feet, your next weapon attack deals an extra 1d6 force or lightning damage as kinetic energy and static charge build around your strike.
Your wings glow with shimmering iridescence, and the air seems to bend around you.
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