Homebrew Potemkin Species Details

Most Potemkin have a unique rune on their masks, which was previously the name of an Aberration which they were crafted to contain; these runes are in Void Speech, a scarcely spoken language. Potemkin are naturally gifted at sewing and weaving; a gift thought to be bestowed upon them by their original creators. It is said that if a Potemkin deems you to be capable of accommodating it, it will craft a garment of clothing for you, and gift it to you upon a full moon or equinox. Potemkin don't traditionally gather together, owing to their scarcity and widespread nature.

Originally crafted by Abjurers and Necromancers of the past in order to physically contain Aberration souls, each Potemkin wears a mask, which should not be removed. Their skin is crafted intricately of an ornate white wood, occasionally decorated in winding, painted patterns. Potemkin come in a variety of sizes, the smaller ones reaching only 3 foot, while the taller ones reach around 6 foot. Potemkin craft their own clothes, owing to their prowess at weaving and sewing. Most of the clothing Potemkin wear resembles the traditional style, featuring fine cottons and linens. Potemkin have small, pointed legs, which taper to a point, without feet. Under a Potemkin's mask is an unpainted, rotten set of holes which the trapped Aberrant's fetid arms grasp out of. For this reason, it is unwise to attempt to remove a Potemkin's mask.

Potemkin have no real place in the world. It's their fate to aimlessly wander around, making travels and exploring mindlessly.

Potemkin have no real form of society, being widespread and thinly-populated. Potemkin don't frequently gravitate to the mortal races, instead preferring the company of nobody. The existence of Potemkin as a species is relatively unknown, usually only forgotten and rediscovered by the most secretive of researchers and necromancers.

Potemkin Traits

Potemkin share certain traits with the type of Aberrant creature they contain.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom and Charisma score both increase by 1. Choose between either of these scores and add 1 additional point.

Darkvision

The dark makes you feel comfortable and unwatched. 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 brown.

Unmasked

Underneath each Potemkin's wooden skin, an Aberration stirs. As an action, you can remove your facial mask, and reveal the grasping arms of this creature. Each creature that can see you must make a Wisdom check or become frightened for 1 minute. This effect does not apply on creatures who know of your Aberrant origin. On each of their turns, a frightened creature may make a Wisdom Save, and on a succesful save, it is no longer frightened and cannot be frightened again by your Aberrant origin. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Janky Motion

When a creature you can see makes an attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the roll. You must use this feature before knowing whether the attack hits or misses. Using this trait reveals your Aberration nature to any creature withing 30 feet that can see you. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Potemkin Magic

You know the Thaumaturgy and Vicious Mockery cantrips. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast Arms of Hadar once, and it recharges after 30 minutes. When you reach 5th level, you can cast Counterspell once, and it recharges after a short rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Gifted Creature

You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill and Weaver's Tools.

Beyond Years

Choose between Performance, Insight, History, and Arcana. You have proficiency in that skill.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common, and Void Speech.