Homebrew Headless Species Details
The Headless have no real origins, at least, none that are recorded. Anyone who asks simply gets answered with a question or avoided entirely. However, one thing is for certain: the Headless have been around longer than any being. They have seen civilizations crumble and rise, they've seen gods born and die, they've seen the world devastated and reborn. Beyond their origins, the biggest mystery lies in their heads, or lacktherof. No matter what, they keep this as their most guarded secret. Scholars speculate their heads may simply be in a separate plane of existence, or even a personal demiplane. However, no conclusive evidence has been found.
In place of heads, Headless have strange, mist-like smoke emanating from their necks. While its usually not tangible, they have been known to be able to make it semi-solid for limited amount of time. However, herein lies the Headless' greatest adaptation...
Headless Traits
The Headless are known for their impressive adaptability and resourcefulness! It's often best not to give the enemy a heads up....Ability Score Increase
Headless gain no ability score increase until they choose a head (see Subraces).
Age
Headless are not known to have a clear origin or end. They simply... are. Most have the bodily appearance of young-middle aged adults, but when asked about their actual age, they usually never give a clear answer...
You are immune to magical aging and you do not need to eat or breathe.
Languages
Headless have spent centuries roaming the world and seeing its wonders. It only makes sense to pick up a few words here and there. As such, you can speak Common and one other language of your choice.
Alignment
Headless tend to remain neutral, not wanting to trifle in the matters of lesser lifeforms. After existing for so long, they tend to tire of the same old conflicts playing out.
Size
Headless are around the size and shape of average humanoids. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your walking speed is 30 ft.
Sight
Having no head does have its perks. While not donning a head, you have Blindsight out to 60 ft.
However, you lose this ability whenever you don a head.
Up A Head
As a bonus action, you can don or doff a head. The head can only be donned if it is one size category smaller than you or smaller and if it is a relatively non-sentient item. For example, Headless are able to don items such as rocks and pumpkins, but cannot don living or dead creatures unless they are already only bone.
After donning a head, it takes 1d4 hours to take effect, granting a benefit based on the subrace it properly matches up with (this can be at the GM's discretion).
The head can be taken off at will or it can be knocked off when struck with a critical hit. When this happens, the Headless must make a Constitution saving throw equal to their character level plus 5 or have their head forcefully knocked off.
Anytime the head is taken off, any abilities relating to the head disappear after 1 minute.
Adaptation
The main power of a Headless lies in the head it chooses. Each one provides some unique ability depending on what it is. A rocky head might give you a hardier build, while a pumpkin head might give you vine-like abilities. Whatever the case, this is a power that comes with your decision.
Work with your GM to come up with an interesting idea!
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Posted Sep 3, 2022I've added this to my collection, yet am unable to find it when selecting a race for my character. Is there and answer to this problem?