Homebrew Sylph Species Details

“But if you seen the way they look at you, wanderer.” the old man said "Those cold dead eyes, stern as a hurricane's breeze, staring at you, like going through your soul, right into your heart and this sudden hold in their voice would send jolts right through your body.

“What does the saying goes?” I asked. “Once they reach their tightest grasp onto thy—”

“The Sylph's call will begin their demise ,” she finished. “You think any of that rubbish true? its not...”

“I know you have seen it and its hard to back to it.” I said standing my ground. " But please just... tell me the truth. What happen...?" 

As he glared at me for a moment, his hands shivering on the thought, he added on, “You want to find them, don’t you dear girl. The burden of knowledge does not go without a heavy price. Some break under it, some make it their milestone to kill one of them, some revel in the moment they had with them, to know .” He tilted his head again, scratching his nails into his skin with that scared glint in his eyes. “If you want to find it, you have to let it come to you. And when they do, nothing will stop them from what comes next.”

"What comes next?"

"Vengeance."

— Sophia N. Merillia, Oceanographer, Anthropologist, and Book Author of "Sylphs and Their Long Lasting Lineage'"

 

To be risen from extinction and darkness, to endure the suffering and violence of their past people, to mistrust and fear the people around you: This is the life of the Sylph. And to add lemon to the wound, Sylphs know that this is new line of destiny forced generations ago from their old oceanic bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but is the result of an ancient defiance, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held as a heavy burden to deal with.

Oceanic Bloodline

Sylphs are from an old and dark bloodline going as far, from the rumors, being one of the first oceanic creatures to emerged from the surface, and in the broadest possible sense, they almost resemble the liking of betta fish. However, their deep water heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Sylphs have sparkling scales ranging from the colors of the rainbow that take any of a variety of shapes: some have oval-shaped scales, others might have sharp heart- shaped ones and some that are more like diamonds. From their hands and their feet, they have translucent webbing between the fingers and toes with their ears fish like along with translucent webbing as well. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, even though they are vegetarians; and their eyes are solid black with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the range of various shades of blues, purples, and pinks. Their hair, cascading down from behind their webbed ears, is ranges from every color of the rainbow with some of them having webbed fins as their hair and having both hair and webbing in some cases.

Self-Efficient and Cold-Blooded

In general, Slyphs are rarely ever seen out from the waters as they have their own civilizations deep in the darkest parts of the waters. But in some cases, with exiled Sylphs, they usually subsist in small minorities found mostly in corrupt cities or towns, often in the poorest and roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or smugglers. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Recovering from their forgotten homeland, Sylphs know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive but they weren't quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, as they only recently stepped out of the darkness and return to human civilization. How a Sylph's demonstrate that they trust him or her, they mind meld and show the extent of their dark form. And once a Sylph gives someone their loyalty, they become a stead fast and firm friend or ally for life.

Sylph Names

Sylph names fall into two broad categories, one descending on ocean origin and one of virtue. Since having their ancient culture destroyed, Sylphs born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names from the Aquan language and some remnants of their past origin, some that are passed down through generations, some that reflect their lost heritage. And some younger sylph, striving to find a place in the world after reaching to top, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept relating to their land experience and then trying to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim and fatal mistake.

Male Names: Arnvav, Barbeau, Caspien, Devere, Deleman, Fisher, Fisk, Havelock, Hurley, Irving, Kai, Lir, Llyr, Morresy, Pelagios, Tiberius, Varuna

Female Names: Amphitrite, Anahita, Asherah, Cordelia, Darya, Ginevra, Gwenore, Kailani, Kairi, Marina, Marissa, Morwenna, Nixie, Sereia, Zaley

LOST EMPIRE

People tend to be more uncomfortable and scared of Sylphs, knowing nothing of their aquatic heritage that has left its mark on their persona and morality, not just their appearance and sanity. In the olden days, Many wanted to keep a close eye on sylphs as few thought of them as blood-thirsty sirens of chaos and death and many hunted them as a trophy. Many of the sylphs took into isolation away from civilization and their empire of old crumbled to a forgotten past. The reality is that though many forgot the bloodshed that happen before the time, The Sylphs' ancient bloodline are, for the most part, the main driving force of their existence and presence of the mortal plane. After years of dealing with betrayal and bellowing vengeance, it definitely left its mark on most Sylphs, and they've respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the other people's dark expectations, but others are virtuous walking the planes of recovering their lost legacy. Most are simply very aware of how people will respond to them but after dealing with this distrust throughout their mortal life, a sylph often develops the ability to overcome the prejudice of their peoples through charm, wit, or intimidation.

Sylph Traits

Sylphs share certain racial traits as a result of their oceanic descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age

As Sylphs are one of the most long lasting races alive, They mature around 100 years and can live up to 250 years. When they get to a point of old age, they are exiled from their well established community to the darkest parts of the sea where either they are devoured by Feral Sylphs or turned into one of them.

Alignment

Though Sylphs aren't agents of evil, Many of them end up in that type of morality. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many Sylphs go towards a more lawful alignment as many want to relive the traditions of the olden days.

Size

Sylphs are usually about the same size and build as humans but sometimes go as far as being taller than a tiefling. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet due to the fact many Sylphs haven't experience land for a long duration.

Swim Speed

You have a swimming of 60 feet and gain a aquatic tail. You can only achieve this via water contact.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Child of The Sea

Due to your aquatic lineage, You are able to channel the power of the sea to both aid your allies in battle and to cause lethal damage against your foes. Starting at 1st level, you can cast Druidcraft, starting at 3rd level, You can cast Oceanic Whispers, and starting at 5th level, you can cast The Way of The Sea.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan.

Darkvision

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