Homebrew Ravenloft Caliban Species Details
Calibans are found only in Ravenloft. They occur when a child, while still in the womb, is twisted by unnatural magic, a curse, or the taint of undeath. All calibans carry unusual marks that betray their inhuman aspects, which can be subtle or obvious. Some are brutes while others are inhumanly attractive. They may exhibit unusual skin tones or textures, horns, hooved feet or goat-like legs, inhuman eyes of strange colors or devoid of sclera....the list is seemingly endless. No two calibans are alike, and their distinctive features often reflect the type of supernatural influence that affected them prior to their birth. Clear examples of those responsible for a caliban's taint include when a hag, vampire, or lycanthrope attacks the caliban's mother, but she survives the encounter and brings the child to term. Other times, the supernatural origins of a caliban are seemingly inscrutable.
Because of their inhuman features, calibans are often killed at birth or abandoned shortly thereafter. A caliban's existence is often lonely and many come to resent humanity and distrust others by default. But a caliban who is treated with respect and dignity will do nearly anything to defend the few people he or she cares for. Many calibans take to adventuring due to limited options coupled with their unnatural resilience and impressive force of will or physical strength.
Ravenloft Caliban Traits
Your caliban character has certain characteristics in common with all other calibans.Natural Attack
All calibans are born with a natural attack, allowing them to better defend themselves against others even when seemingly unarmed. Choose from claws, bite, or slam. This choice is made at 1st level and can never be changed.
Ability Score Increase
Calibans are inherently hardy folk. They also tend to be either very strong or strong-willed. Their Constitution score increases by 1. Their Strength OR Charisma increases by 2.
Age
Calibans mature at the same rate that humans do, reaching adulthood around 18. Most do not live to see old age due to either the fears of their neighbors or the perils of adventuring. Those few calibans who do, however, can expect to live for up to 100 years.
Alignment
Caliban alignment varies wildly. Some become as evil as people mistakenly assume them to be, while others strive to be "more human than human", living as moral exemplars to prove their detractors wrong.
Size
Calibans stand as tall as humans, although some have hunched backs or height well above average. Maximum height lies somewhere around 6'6" while minimum height is around 4'10". Caliban size is Medium.
Speed
Caliban base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Due to the magic that cursed the caliban while in the womb, they have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. They 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. They can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Hex Resistance
The magic that alters a caliban as a fetus grants them resilience to many other forms of magic. They have Advantage on all Strength, Constitution, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Languages
Calibans can speak, read, and write the primary language of their home domain (such as Common).
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