Homebrew Nyxenoi Species Details

 

"It is of you I see the Night through.

It is of you that I go to sleep every night,

Safe and sound.

It is of you that I began to cherish the night,

And the sleep that came with it.

It was you, oh Goddess of the Night,

That I was able to rest easy when the darkness swallowed me

At the end of the day.

It is of you that gave me the sight to see

In the darkest of times, when things seemed dim.

It is of you that granted me the power

To blast through the pain and misery.

It is of you, my mother Nyx, that I was able to follow the path to success.

I thank you, oh sweet Mother, for all that you grant me.

I thank you for all you give, and for all you say.

Nyx, Goddess of Night, Mother to all her children of the darkness,

I thank you for all that you do."

— Kor of Peon, Prayer to Nyx

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to be shunned by men, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the Nyxenoi. And to further twist the knife, nyxenoi know that this is because of a mistake made generations ago crossing demon blood with the tears of Nyx—Goddess of Night. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable by both Gods and mortals.

Primo-Infernal Bloodline

Nyxenoi are derived from elvish bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look humanoid. However, their primo-infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Nyxenoi have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red, purple, white and pitch black. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple. Though the ones with purer primordial or elvish blood aren't burdened by this fiendish appearance.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Nyxenoi are found mostly in abandoned elvish cities or towns, they mostly keep to themselves and live in seclusion, often in the mountains to be closer to the night's sky. Nyxenoi are private and almost never leave their city. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in human cities where they are treated without any respect.

Lacking a homeland, Nyxenoi know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. Shunned by their mother they live to appease her so that they may be granted key to the eternal darkness and peace that is her realm. Nyxenoi are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a nyxenoi’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the nyxenoi learns to extend the same trust to them. And once they give someone loyalty, the nyxenoi become a firm friend or ally for life.

Nyxenoi Names

Nyxenoi names fall into two categories. Nyxenoi born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage and some have names derived from the Primordial language, passed down through generations, that reflect their primordial heritage. And some nyxenoi, striving to find a place in the elven realm, adopt a name that is traditionally elvish.

Infernal and Primordial Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai, Nyx, Thanos, Creto, Fibe, Gaia, Asmodeus, Lupurcelia, Remus, Daphne, Styx

Elvish Names: Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia

MUTUAL MISTRUST

People tend to be suspicious of nyxenoi, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when nyxenoi enter their stores, the town watch might follow a nyxenoi around for a while, and demagogues blame nyxenoi for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a nyxenoi’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most nyxenoi, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust throughout youth, a nyxenoi often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Nyxenoi Traits

Nyxenoi share certain racial traits as a result of their primordial descent.

Nyx's Gift

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Nyxenoi mature at a slower rate than humans and live for more than 600 years. After their death they return to the river that created them to plea with Nyx to allow them entry into the eternal darkness and peace that is her realm.

Alignment

Nyxenoi might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many nyxenois toward a chaotic alignment.

Size

Nyxenoi are about the same size and build as elves. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your primordial heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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. In magical darkness you can see within 30 feet of you as if it were dim light.

Chaotic Resistance

You have resistance to cold damage.

Primordial Legacy

You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the darkness spell At-Will. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the hellish rebuke 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, Infernal and Primordial.