Homebrew Husk Species Details

Visage of Death

Some rare few are born as a repository for negative energy. Some say that Husks are born without a soul, and they would not be wrong. No one is quite sure why, but all Husks are born of Human stock. Gaunt, pale, and cadaverous - a Husk's appearance reflects the negative energy coursing through their bodies. The presence of this negative energy makes the Husk one of forms of Naturally Occurring  undead. The birth of a Husk is a random even and cannot be predicted. However, if two Husks find each other, they will breed true.

Long Lasting

 Husks grow and mature at the same rate as humans. However, they stop aging once they reach physical maturity - sometime between 21 and 45. At this point, the Husks bodily functions cease to be unnecessary - they continue purely as a reflex. They will breathe and their hearts will continue to beat, even though it's not required. Husks are effectively immortal. As long as they are not killed, they will not die of natural causes.

Their appearance coupled with their agelessness makes it difficult for a husk to maintain relationships with other humanoids. Their longevity gives them a perspective that even longer lived races lack. If one can get past the negative energy residing in human form, they will have a friend for life.. and beyond. The fact that they will outlive everyone they meet is not lost on them. There is an air of sadness to Husks, as they know everyone and everything  else in their lives is fleeting.

Husk Lands

Husks being born of humans, have no lands of their own. They are commonly found where humans make their homes and sometimes where humans once were. From time to time, they are far removed from the vestiges of civilization. This is primarily out of fear. Husks fear that normal humans will hunt and persecute them for what they are. History has often proven this as true.

On Walkabout

 Husks who take up the life of adventuring all make the choice for different reasons. Some will adventure to test their mettle. Many set out to find others like themselves. Some find themselves unwelcome in their home villages. Others seek treasure and gold. Still others adventure for adventure's sake.

 

Husk Names 

 Coming from Human stock, Husks have names common to the area they grew up in.

 

 

Source: Van Helsing's Guide to the Unquiet Dead, by Savage Light Studios

Husk Traits

Husks share certain racial traits as a result of their undead nature.

Vigilance of the Dead

You do not need sleep

Darkvision

Attuned to the negative energy permeating the material plane, you use it to penetrate the darkness. You have superior vision in the dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light up to 60 feet as if it were daylight, and the same distance in pitch black conditions as if the conditions were dim. However, you cannot discern color. 

Breathlessness

Husks have no need of breathing, they do so out of reflex.

Ability Score Increase

 Your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores each increase by 1. Your Constitution score drops by 2.

Age

Husks age similarly to humans, but quit aging upon maturity - between 21 and 35 years. However, they will live forever or until they are destroyed.

Alignment

Husks tend towards neutral alignments.

Size

Husks tend vary widely in height from under 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. However, they are all thin to the point of being cadaverous.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.