Homebrew Nephilim Species Details

“I am one of few. If there are any others of my kind, at all. For the abomination that was my conception is a sin most great.”

— Mykiel, Wandering Nephilim

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer  the wrath and manipulations of many celestials and fiends alike, to see bewilderment and confusion in every eye: this is the lot of the nephilim. And to twist the knife, they know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of Asmodeus—overlord of the Nine Hells—into their bloodline. Their nature is not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable. Thankfully, their celestial heritage dilutes their fiendish blood, mutating it into something greater than both.

Puissant Bloodline

Nephilim are derived from the bloodlines of outsiders, and for reasons unknown, they look mostly human. However, their hybrid heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. They’ve lost the horns and tails from their infernal lineage, but their canine teeth are still sharply pointed, the only physical trait not suppressed by their celestial heritage. Their iris’ always faintly glow gold or red, and their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but always includes a tint of gold. Their hair is always one of five colors: black, gold, dark red, purple, or silver.

Solitary and Mysterious

Nephilim have no known settlements or even so much as gatherings, but can rarely be found in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up in hiding. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, nephilim know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a nephilim‘s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, they learn to extend the same trust to them. And once a nephilim gives someone loyalty, they’re a firm friend or ally for life.

Nephilim Names

Nephilim are usually born into another culture and have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage, while others may have human names. And some younger nephilim, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

MISTRUSTFUL NATURE

Nephilim tend to be suspicious of others, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. People that are made aware keep a close eye on them when nephilim enter the vicinity, the town watch might follow one around for a while, and demagogues blame them for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a nephilim’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with constant pursuit and danger does leave its mark on most fimbriæ, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to take up arms and pursue their pursuers, but others may be more cautious. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this throughout youth, a nephilim often develops the ability to persevere, becoming a formidable force all their own.

Nephilim Traits

Nephilim share certain racial traits as a result of their otherworldly descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score, Wisdom score, and Charisma score each increase by 1.

Age

Nephilim mature at the same rate as humans but live to be over 400.

Alignment

Nephilim might not have an innate tendency toward  chaos, but many of them end up there. Chaotic or not, an independent nature inclines many of then toward a chaotic alignment. All the while, their celestial nature typically grounds them, making most nephilim inherently good.

Size

Nephilim are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Truevision

Thanks to your heritage as a hybrid, you have truesight, and 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 discern color in darkness, unlike normal darkvision. You have truesight within 10 feet.

Innate Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage, necrotic damage and radiant damage.

Hybrid Legacy

You know the light and thaumaturgy cantrips. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the spells hellish rebuke and lesser restoration as 2nd-level spells once with this trait, each, and regain the ability to do so when you finish a short rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the spells darkness and daylight once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a short rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Celestial, Common and Infernal.

Hybrid Form

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine energy within yourself, causing  searing flames to radiate from you, pouring out of your eyes, and two blazing, incorporeal wings to sprout from your back with curved horns to match.

Your transformation lasts for a number of minutes equal to your level or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed, you shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet, and at the end of each of your turns, each hostile creature within 10 feet of you takes radiant damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals your level.

Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short rest.

Healing Touch

As an action, you can touch a creature and cause it to regain a number of hit points equal to your level. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short rest.

Planetouched

You can cast the spell shield of faith at 1st level, at will. When you reach 2nd level, you can cast the spell branding smite as a 2nd-level spell twice with this trait, and regain the ability to do so at dawn. When you reach 5th level, you can use a bonus action to cast the spell flame strike once with this trait and regain the ability to do so at dawn. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.