Homebrew Vathek Species Details

“You're wrong. It's not the world that's messed up; it's those of us in it. Yes, some ghouls walk a path that leaves sorrow in their wake, but just like humans, we can choose a different path altogether. We have a lot to learn, both your kind and mine. We need to stop fighting, and start talking. Because when it comes to the state of the world, you can't point your finger at ghouls or humans. We're all to blame."                           —Kaneki Ken, Tokyo Ghoul

The majority of the other races have forgotten the vathek, their existence swept away beneath tales of fearsome ghouls, those terrible man-eating abominations of evil. In truth, their kind have become adept at blending into the shadows of society.Now the vathek secretly live among the people who once hunted them. The occasional communes rarely survive the ravages of a world without sympathy. A number of their kind turn their backs on society and take to life in the wilderness where they may hunt in peace, but most feel a melancholic craving for interaction and acceptance, and so try to fit in.The vathek are a predatory species that in normal circumstances are nearly indistinguishable from a normal human or elf, but with sharp teeth, sharper senses, and an unnerving presence. Most of their kind take great strides to keep their identities a secret.

The vathek exist on the fringes of society, where their prey is less likely to be missed. Unfortunates feed upon the vermin common to any community, while more brazen individuals might dare to attack someone's pet or farm animal. Others prefer only the most taboo meals of other humanoids, whose flesh is said to be most flavorful.All of this must be done in darkness and hiding, for the fear of old legends is enough to drive men to violence in the face of such a grisly sight in action. Those who choose to hunt wear unique masks that reflect their inner beast so as to conceal their identities.

The original ghouls were afflicted with a ceaseless hunger for the raw, living flesh of humanoids, even for their own kind in times of desperation. In time this caused a natural rift in vathek society that gave rise to a civil war. The survivors of this period were those best skilled at hiding and adaptation.

Names for the vathek are as much a defense as anything else. Those born to any community of other races usually borrow names from the culture around them. Names taken from both human and elven conventions are common.However, some vathek choose to name themselves something more unique, having little culture of their own to look back on for inspiration. Many of their kind are prone to changing their names as they continue to search for identity. Those who become ghouls often create, or have created for them, a nickname to reflect their inner beast.

Vathek Traits

Your vathek character possesses several unique traits despite appearing similarly to a human or elf.

Ability Score Increase

Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Darkvision

Accustomed to nocturnal hunting and life in dark and hidden places, 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 grey.

Bite

Vathek have sharp teeth for tearing flesh. You have a natural bite attack with which you are proficient, dealing 1d4 piercing damage on a hit.

Superior Senses

You have advantage on Perception ability checks related to sight, smell, or sound.

Unnatural

 Animals instinctively distrust vathek due to their consumptive nature, and most other people regard you with an air of distaste and dread. You have disadvantage on Animal Handling ability checks, and you have advantage on Intimidation ability checks to influence other races.

You cannot digest food considered to be normal for most other races, and must instead consume the raw flesh of living creatures for nourishment. You become poisoned upon eating anything else, and remain poisoned until you finish a short or long rest. Vathek who go longer than three days without eating flesh have been known to strike out in desperate hunger against any nearby creature, including allies, until their hunger is sated. Some cultures have fashioned ways to stave off this hunger, for a time.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of choice, usually one spoken by the predominant race within your community.

Exclusive Class

Vathek who choose to embrace their monstrous heritage may take levels in the Ghoul class. Characters of other races cannot become ghouls.