Homebrew Dhampir Species Details

"You seem... different. You come here often?" 

A strikingly handsome man smiles at an elf. 

"Really, I've never seen an elf around here. Would you like me to give you a tour?"

The man's unnatural eyes flash brightly for a moment, and the elf smiles back. The dhampir's lips part again, and this time, his fangs are much more obvious. 

Seemingly looking past the fangs, the elf agrees to leave the bar.

He returns the next morning, confused and frustrated by his memory of the man who seduced him. 

The dhampir are a race which could be described as royal. Exceedingly rare, exceptionally beautiful, and unknown or misunderstood by most peoples of the world, dhampir are the rare children resulting of cross breeding between vampires and humans. Possessing most of the strengths and few of the weaknesses of their undead parent, a trained dhampir is a force to be reckoned with. Even without formal martial or magical training, dhampir wield unnatural wit and charm, inherited from their vampire parent. 

Lithe and Graceful

Dhampirs appear much like humans at first glance. Adults stand between 5 and 6 feet tall but are more slender on average than humans; males weigh around 160 pounds.

Female dhampirs are only slightly shorter but are a fair bit leaner, weighing around 120 pounds. Their skin and hair color runs the vast spectrum of tones available to humans, though they tend to be slightly pale.

Their flawless features are tinged with some unnamable exotic quality. Often times, unnatural hair and eye colors add to their allure.

Despite the fear and uncertainty that follow them, the half-dead possess a seductive appearance.

Uninvited Guests

As a result of their rarity and the reputation of vampires, most dhampir attempt to blend into societies rather than make a name for themselves. They often find themselves in human cities or settlements, hiding their secrets as well as they can. However, given their predisposition towards wit and a near fundamental desire for attention, many dhampir attract plenty of attention. Charismatic to a fault, dhampir's desires for company, both intimate and platonic, lead them to sticky situations. Oftentimes they are forced to leave towns and settlements if their secrets are discovered, lest they attract an angry mob. 

Most dhampir are misunderstood and abandoned by their vampiric parents, as there is so little documentation of their powers. Some stay with their undead parent and are trained as heirs or knights. Most live with their human parent until they come of age, and then their natural desires for connections and discovery pull them away from their childhood home. 

Dhampir have trouble trusting others, as their base nature is often to manipulate others for their own ends. However, once a true bond is formed, a dhampir is fiercely loyal to their friends, as they often maintain very few meaningful relationships over the course of their long life. 

UNHOLY CHILDREN

The half-living children of vampires and human mothers, dhampirs are born into a world that rejects them. Stigma and suspicion follow them regardless of whether the truth of a dhampir child’s nature is known. This mistrust either forces a dhampir to develop a disarming wit and charm, or to embrace bitterness and keep others at arm’s length through guile or outright intimidation.

Few dhampirs find solace with their undead forebears.

As living creatures, even tainted ones, the reality of living with an evil, blood-sucking monster seldom appeals even as they struggle with their own urges or hungers.

Dhampirs struggle to find acceptance both within society and within themselves.

Dhampir Traits

Dhampirs posses certain racial traits as a result of their undead parentage.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Dhampirs reach maturity at the same age as humans, but their lifespans are much longer. They can live up to 750 years before death finally claims them.

Alignment

Most dhampirs are neutral, but some are driven toward evil by the bitterness and suspicion their parentage thrusts upon them. A few turn toward good in defiance of their nature.

Size

Dhampirs are about as tall as humans but are slighter of build. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your undead ancestry, 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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Undead Resistance

You have advantage on saving throws against disease, and you have resistance against necrotic damage.

Vampiric Legacy

You know the friends cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person 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 vampiric touch 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.