Homebrew Arcanaloth Species Details

“Power. We all crave it, but only a select few of us deserve it.”

— Shemeshka the Marauder, arcanaloth in Sigil

 

The yugoloth are mercenaries that ply their trade throughout the Lower Planes and in other realms; they have a reputation for effectiveness that is matched only by their desire for ever more wealth. Although yugoloths aren’t especially loyal and typically try to exploit every potential loophole in a contract, they undertake any task for which they are hired, no matter how despicable. The wily, jackle-headed arcanaloth is just one such breed of yugoloth.

Arcanaloths in particular are fickle beasts, but that does not mean that they can't form lasting bonds with other adventurers. After all, even fiends need allies!

From Bleak Eternity

Eons ago, Asmodeus, lord among archdevils, tasked a coven of powerful witches to create an army of fiends that were not bound to the Nine Hells. The end result was the yugoloths:  bizarre, varied, and fearsome. From the moment of their creation, every yugoloth was bound to the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna, where they were originally formed. However, eventually the coven that birthed them dissolved, leaving all yugoloths unfettered by masters, but with an ever present connection to their home.

Gehenna itself is a barren plane, a seemingly endless expanse of ashen soil, jagged ranges of stone spires, and bubbling pools of black tar. Most arcanaloths residing on Gehenna congregate at the eponymous Tower of Arcanaloths, where all of their race are reborn after death, forming from primordial ichor. It is also here that they broker information amongst themselves; buying, selling, and trading secrets is a favored pastime. A well-read and informed arcanaloth is a valuable arcanaloth, and a valuable arcanaloth has more leverage during  negotiations.

Arcanaloths have a vaguely humanoid stature, with a thick, bristly coat of fur that ranges in color - from blueish gray, to sandy tan, to deep black. Their heads tend to be lupine in appearance, usually approximating that of a jackal or fox, crowned with sharp and attentive ears. Their stature is usually hunched, and they stand around four feet tall on average.

A Diminished Rebirth

In ages past, an arcanaloth which perished would be born anew, fully formed, and with full power and complete memories from its previous life. Curiously, as of recent years, the power of yugoloth spawning has waned. Their fiendish potential remains in tact; given enough time, a reborn arcanaloth could achieve the same heights of cunning and magical prowess that they possessed in their previous life. However, although arcanaloths are still reborn with the same physical characteristics they had before, many lack their previous memories, lose some of their multilingual capabilities, and have greatly diminished magics.

This particular phenomenon has caused a growing panic across amongst the arcanaloths of Gehenna, and has driven many of the longest lived among them to become overtly paranoid and distrustful of their own kind. Less knowledge is now shared among the arcanaloths, causing each individual to hoard their secrets, rather than barter with them. The "lesser" reborn arcanaloths are looked down upon by their elders, prompting the younger generation to turn outward to other planes, seeking the memories and wealth that they once had.

Your character may represent one such arcanaloth. Shunned among their own kind, lesser arcanaloth will instead go on adventures, allying themselves with whomever aligns with their best interest. Yugoloths are no stranger to mercenary work, and arcanaloths are certainly no exception. Perhaps in a few decades you will have regained a fraction of your former power... until then, much can be gained by casting your lot in with these odd mortals.

Record Keeping, Investments, and Deals

Arcanaloths are employed across the multiverse as diplomats, clerks, financiers, and historians. Their natural cunning makes them canny negotiators, something which proves extremely advantageous when it comes time to pen a contract for their services. Those that seek to hire an arcanaloth must always remain aware of the particularly wording of their agreement, lest the arcanaloth take advantage of a potential loophole (something, it should be noted, that they are infamous for exploiting). Generally, an arcanaloth  won't outright lie, but will instead tell half-truths - or willfully omit relevant information - in order to get the upper hand in any potential disagreement.

Arcanaloths have classically been known to be universally lingual, able to read, speak, and write all known languages. Although recent lesser arcanaloth lack this multilingual quality, they retain their innate silver tongue, and gradually relearn the ability to understand multiple languages over time. 

Pact Keepers

Among all fiends, yugoloth or otherwise, arcanaloth are known to be incredibly studious. Although they tend to not create cultural works of their own, there are few creatures that are more accurate and efficient at cataloging important information; one might say that the act of recording lore is the actual culture of the arcanaloths. Usually this pursuit is more pragmatic than altruistic, as arcanaloths see the monetary value of a new piece of information as more important than its literal significance. 

Similarly, an arcanaloth respects no law above a signed and recorded contract. Once a contract for their services is signed, an arcanaloth devotes itself to it, even going so far as to magically bind themselves to said contract. A contract fulfilled means an agreed upon reward, as well as more potential work in the future.

Fiendish Negotiators

When interacting with other factions, arcanaloths consider poise and confidence to be upstanding virtues. Typically, they choose to clothe themselves in fine robes, and if the situation calls for it, they will use magic to change their appearance. When mediating a dispute, understanding all parties involved is an arcanaloth's first goal, and they will go to great lengths to learn cultural customs and preferences. An arcanaloth in the right place can, if properly paid, broker treaties with the utmost subtlety and finesse. However, an arcanaloth slighted can demolish even the most well-laid alliance between longtime friends.

Their tact and keen insights also make them ideal commanders of yugoloth armies. Arcanaloth take pride in being able to establish report with even the most savage, bestial lesser yugoloths, and take great joy in tracking and managing contracts and records amongst their own kind.

What's In A Name?

An arcanaloth will only tell its true name to a being which earns its complete and utter trust, and gaining the trust of a fiend is easier said than done. Still, they have an important reasoning for hiding their identity:  knowing the true name of any yugoloth is said to grant power over said yugoloth. When Asmodeus and the coven first created them, the name of every yugoloth was recorded in one of four tomes, known collectively as the Books of Keeping. This gave a book's owner control of a legion of interdimensional fiends, loaned to whomever Asmodeus deemed worthy. However, when the coven disbanded, the Books of Keeping were lost, and the yugoloths roamed free without masters. They'd prefer to keep it this way, instead choosing who deserves their services for themselves. As such, hiding their true name is paramount.

In the interim, when traveling with a group of potential allies, arcanaloths will offer a fake name of their own choosing, or simply ask to be referred to by a moniker representing their area of expertise, such as "Bookie" or "The Archivist." 

What's In It For Me?

Above all else, a yugoloth - all arcanaloths included - will always be thinking of how a particular arrangement benefits them. Arcanaloths in particular tend to be easily swayed by promises of secret information, arcane research, or magical artifacts, but won't turn down trivial luxuries such as a promise of favor, or plain old fashioned gold, especially if it means the deal can be further exploited later on. They prefer to get their agreements in writing, sometimes tediously so, but if a favorable opportunity presents itself, they won't hesitate to pounce.

Remember, under the right circumstances, even an evil fiend can become a hero - all yugoloths are mercenaries at heart, which means they're just as likely to accept a mission on the cause of good as they are to support the forces of evil.

 

Arcanaloth Traits

Your arcanaloth character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

As otherworldly fiends, arcanaloth are incredibly long-lived. They are born fully formed from the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna, and can live for upwards of a century before deteriorating. 

Alignment

Arcanaloth are always looking out for themselves. Other than their contract, they care little for lawfulness, and are typically neutral evil.

Size

Arcanaloths are shorter than most humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fiend

Your creature type is fiend, rather than humanoid.

Innate Spellcasting

You know the prestidigitation cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the comprehend languages 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 alter self spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Shrewd Trickster

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed. In addition, you are trained in the Deception skill.

Yugoloth Blood

You are resistant to poison and acid damage, and you are immune to the poisoned condition.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal, and Infernal.