Homebrew Elemental Sprite Species Details

Creatures born of elements and elvish magic. Sometimes a result from exposure to a surge of elemental power, through phenomena such as an eruption from the Inner Planes or a planar convergence. Elemental energy saturates any creatures in the area and might alter their nature enough that their offspring with other mortals are born as sprites. They often work in the fae courts and are often caught and sold into slavery.

Sometimes the magic of the elements sync with the creation magic inherit in the Faerûn, this makes the birth of the Sprite race. Although some believe they are demoted angels or bastard offspring of archons; expelled power given life.

Others have two sprites as parents, and a rare few have a sprite further up their family tree, manifesting an elemental heritage that’s lain dormant for generations.

Born to Elemental Power

Sprites inherit something from their nature and magic. They resemble elves and Eledrin with their unusual skin color and there is something odd about them. The elemental blood flowing through their veins manifests differently in each  as magical power.

Spriggan or naiad descent tend to be heavier, drachan or sylphy tend to be lighter. A Sprite might have some features reminiscent of a mortal energy, possibly a parent (pointed ears, rock or tree aspects etc)

Some Sprites live as outcasts, escaping slavery and having no real place, or become advisors to humans in search of direction.

Wild and Confident

Sprites rarely lack confidence, seeing themselves as equal to almost any challenge in their path. This certainty might manifest as graceful self-assurance in one and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can sometimes blind them to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble.

Too much failure can chip away at even a sprites sense of self, so they constantly push themselves to improve, honing their talents and perfecting their craft.

Sprite Lands

Because sprites are generally in service in Faerûn, they might go their entire lives without encountering another one of their kind. There are rarely sprite cities or villages. Sometimes they may have small communities of their own within greater areas and typically adopt the cultures and societies into which they reside. The more strange their appearance, the harder time they have.

Facing a hard life, these sprites seek isolation in the wilds, making their homes in mountains, volcanoes, forests, near lakes, or underground.

 

SPRITE BACKGROUNDS

Each Sprite subrace has its own temperament, which might make some backgrounds more suitable than others.

sylphy are proud of their heritage, sometimes to the point of haughtiness. They can be flamboyant, and are keen to have an audience. They rarely stay in one place for long, always looking for a new sky to see and breathe.They favor open lands such as plains, deserts, and high mountains. Fitting backgrounds include charlatan, entertainer, and noble.

Spriggan are more withdrawn, and their connection to the earth keeps them from being comfortable in most cities. their stoic demeanor can encourage others and become great leaders. Many spriggan live underground or in forests, where they can be in their favored element. When they emerge from forests or their caves, they might roam the hills and mountains or lay claim to old ruins.

Appropriate backgrounds for Spriggan include hermit, outlander, and soldier.

drachan often get themselves into difficulty with their fiery tempers. Like their syphy cousins, they sometimes flaunt their perceived superiority over common folk. But they also want others to share their high opinion of themselves, so they constantly seek to enhance their reputations.

Likely backgrounds for a drachan include criminal, folk hero, and noble.

 naiad almost all have some experience aboard or around sea vessels. They make excellent mariners and fishers. Like spriggan, though,  naiad prefer quiet and solitude; the wide shores are their natural homes. They go where they want, do what they want, and rarely feel bound to anything. Good backgrounds for naiad include hermit and sailor.

Sprite Names

Sprites use the naming conventions of the people among whom they were raised. They might later assume distinctive names to capture their heritage, often they are elven or sylvan names for elements

Subraces

Four major subraces of sprites are found among the worlds of D&D: sylph, spriggan, drachen, and naiad

Choose one of these subraces.

Elemental Sprite Traits

Your Sprite character has certain characteristics in common with all other Sprites.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Sprites mature early and reach adulthood in their early teens. They live somewhat longer than humans do, up to 150 years.

Alignment

Independent and self-reliant, Sprites tend toward a neutral alignment.

Size

Sprites are as varied as their but are generally built like humans, standing about 1 foot tall. Your size is Tiny.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Ability score decreasr

Your small stature takes away from your strength.