Homebrew Dvati Species Details

Dvati

Dvati are a strange race of humanoid creatures found in small enclaves scattered throughout the world and across the planes. All Dvati are born identical twins, with the pair sharing a single soul between them. Dvati lore holds that their souls are so powerful that a single, mortal vessel is too weak to contain them. Thus, their minds occupy two bodies.

The Dvati are a race, scattered throughout the realms, completely comprised of identical twins. The soul of a Dvati is said to have been so powerful that a single mortal coil could not contain it, and thus the gods split them in twain so they could exist properly, and thus, their minds and souls occupy two bodies.

Black and White

Dvati share about the same general posture as humans, though more slight in build, but their forms are otherwise that of contrast. Their skin is almost snow white, and their hair is raven black. Their eyes are solid orbs of color (Typically a vibrant blue), utterly lacking a pupil or iris, while their noses are little more than slits, barely protruding from their faces. They have three fingers - Rather than a human's four - And an opposable thumb.

Though each set of twins varies in appearance, all twins are utterly identical, sharing the same voice, facial features, exact hair and skin tone, accent, and so forth; four-fifths of all sets of Dvati twins are born with matching birthmarks.

A Balanced Approach

Dvati have a strong sense of duality in all things. They excel at seeing both sides of an argument. When faced with a problem, a Dvati is likely to spend time considering multiple approaches from different angles. A Dvati who must move a boulder that blocks a cave stands in front of it and surveys the scene. Meanwhile, the other twin climbs above the stone, looks at the stone from above, and considers the same problem. To Dvati, one perspective is never enough.

Typically peaceful folk, Dvati are concerned more with philosophy and art than material pleasures. Much of their culture centers on the close link between a Dvati pair. A pair of twins might paint a mural together, with each twin starting from one end and meeting at the middle to finish the creation. Dvati twins debate philosophy with each other with an eye toward not only uncovering higher truths but also questioning and exploring their own beliefs, attitudes, and preconceptions.

Unnerving Duality

Dvati get along well with most other races, as their ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives leads them to accept the differences in others with open minds. However, this is not always returned. Most humanoids find a Dvati's appearance — Particularly their unwavering eyes — slightly unnerving; Dvati are acutely aware of this, and many of them wear hooded cloaks around strangers. Outcast half-orcs and half-elves sometimes find homes in Dvati communities. Of all the races, elves mingle best with Dvati. Dvati respect the elves' long-term view of history, their art, and their culture. Elves see Dvati as fascinating creatures with a welcome appreciation of intellectual and artistic concerns.

Scattered Colonies

Dvati are too few in number to claim their own sprawling kingdoms and empires. Instead, they build small settlements in out-of-the-way areas where few trouble them. In rare cases, a small Dvati colony arises in a city controlled by another race. These colonies are usually separated from the rest of the city by walls or carefully arranged buildings that leave only one or two entrances to a Dvati neighborhood. While Dvati appreciate other folk, they prefer peace, quiet, and solitude when they attend to their works.

Dvati artisans fetch high prices for their works, owing to the unique style of design they use. Dvati colonies are most common in realms that place a high value on philosophy, learning, and the arts. When left to their own devices, Dvati create small, orderly communities divided into four groups called rings. Each ring is ruled by a council of four Dvati twins (two sets of twins), who in turn report to a smaller council of four more Dvati. Dvati use a democratic system of elections, with each pair of twins allowed one vote. The rings are responsible for growing their own food, maintaining their section of the settlement, and so forth. When faced with an important decision, The ruling councils call a gathering of the entire community. The twins separate into two groups, with one member of each pair in each meeting, to allow as many speakers as possible to present their views. The Dvati as a whole then vote on a decision.

Wanderlust and Curiosity

Dvati adventurers are rare, as most of them prefer simple lives of contemplation, honest work, and fellowship. Sometimes a Dvati feels a deep sense of wanderlust. Bored with the often repetitive existence of their colonies and settlements, young Dvati strike out in search of new adventures. Some of these Dvati are fascinated by other folk and wish to learn more about them. Others study philosophies that require the Dvati to seek out new experiences. Dvati rarely adventure for material wealth or accolades, as such things have little value to a Dvati aside from their pragmatic uses.

Dvati Names

A Dvati's name in its native tongue is almost impossible for a non-Dvati to speak or clearly understand, as both twins in the pair must speak at the same time to properly pronounce it. Thus, most Dvati that work with other folk adopt names that they either make up or take from other languages. The Dvati usually takes two names, one for each twin, although sometimes the Dvati forgets which twin has which name. A Dvati sees himself as an undivided pair, but he understands that other races might find him confusing. Dvati twins tend to prefer similar names with distinct sounds.

Male Names: Olon and Alax, Targren and Talon, Xephon and Xephar.

Female Names: Esmerra and Esandra, Lia and Kira, Poldra and Eldra.

Dvati Traits

Twins.

Twins

These two creatures move and act separately but have a number of restrictions based on their connection. The dvati twins gain levels and progress in the same manner as a single creature of another race. The twins share a class and both have the same level. The twins do not progress at a different rate, nor do they split XP between them. Rather, each has an identical XP total. When dividing XP among characters, a dvati counts as one PC. For example: A 1st-level dvati fighter consists of a pair of twins, each with the same set of fighter abilities. You select feats, skills, and other abilities for both twins. Do not choose them separately. In essence, you build one character who occupies two bodies, regardless of the class chosen.

Both twins share the same Action and Bonus action, but have separate reactions and move actions. Should one twin use it's action to attack with a weapon, the other twin can use their bonus action to attack as well.

The dvati twins divide their hit points between them. Each twin in the pair gains half the hit points from his Hit Die roll, although both gain the full benefits of his Constitution modifier. Do not roll Hit Dice separately for each dvati twin. For example, a 1st-level dvati fighter with a 13 Constitution gains 6 hit points for each twin ([10hp/2]+1=6). If an area of effect spell catches both twins, they save separately and take damage as normal. A pair of dvati twins shares all class abilities and spells slots between them. Spells that target "self" affect both twins as long as they are on the same plane. Otherwise, they affect only the caster.

A mind-affecting ability or spell that affects one twin affects both of them. If a single such ability targets both twins at the same time, they make only one save between them. Dvati twins share one mind.

The dvati twins have an innate, powerful psychic connection. They can communicate via telepathy so long as they are on the same plane. A twin cannot perceive what his other sees, hears, or otherwise perceives. A dvati twin can determine his twin's current hit points and mental state by spending a full minute of concentration. If one twin is on the same plane as the other, the twin learns the relative direction and distance to his partner.

If a twin is dropped to 0 HP and knocked unconscious, or are separated by different planes, the twins suffer a level of exhaustion immediately. If one dvati twin dies or is on another plane, they slowly sicken and perished. Each day that passes after a dvati twin is separated, the twins take 1 level of exhaustion(and cannot be healed or removed) until the twins died, his soulmate returns to life, or they are reunited on the same plane (at which both require proper rest).

In most cases, an effect that applies to one twin fails to spill over to the other. If a medusa turns one twin to stone, the other remains healthy. The exception being resurrection spells that apply negative effects, whereas both twins suffer the negative effects.

Spell Conductor

A dvati twin can choose to shift a spell that affects him to his twin so long as both of them are on the same plane. The shifted spell must have a range of touch and it must also be harmless. Using this ability requires a move action to focus and channel the spell's power. Aside from the change in target, the spell's duration and effects continue as normal. A dvati can transfer a spell he casts from one twin to the other as part of the act of casting. He cannot transfer spells used by others.

Pair Link

A Dvati twin can use it's bonus action instead of an action to Aid Another so long as it is the other twin. So long as a Dvati twin is flanking a target with it's other Dvati twin, they are automatically aided by the other while attacking with a weapon.

Ability Score Increase

Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1. Wisdom is increased by 2.