Homebrew Nightwalker Species Details

Lack of understanding

Being creatures from a plane of negative energy that defies most laws of physics, Nightwalkers have a hard time understanding how creatures on the material plane work.  They might be confused when they see an animal drinking water or eating food, fascinated as to why certain races can go underwater indefinitely while others cannot, or worried when they witness people falling asleep at night.  They also might be unaware of what can injure creatures of the material plane, and sometimes accidentally hurt others without knowing it.

 

Colors and light

Due to the lack of colors or light in the negative plane, Nightwalkers that find themselves on the material plane are often shocked by the amount of shades in the world.  They can be confused and wary about this strange new revelation, or overjoyed to discover the simple variations of color in everything.  However because they are so used to negative darkness, when first encountering a light it can be overwhelming, and Nightwalkers of the material plane tend to stay hidden away in darker places, only emerging in the cool darkness of night.

 

Lone walkers

Nightwalkers very rarely interact with one another, but most interactions are hostile, with the majority being mad beings that suck out the souls of travelers and are highly territorial.  Due to this, Nightwalkers that escape the plane may be afraid that all beings are hostile, and try not to interact with others.  Some however are overcome with a feeling of loneliness and a craving for some kind of positive interaction, and try to approach other creatures. 

 

Nightwalker names

Nightwalkers rarely have names, instead only referring to themselves as “I”.Most Nightwalkers that find their way to the material plane are excited or intrigued at the prospect of having their own title, and will often name themselves after simple words that they enjoy or relate to.

 

Age

Nightwalkers have little to no concept of time, and can live for around 10,000 years in the material plane.

 

Alignment

Most nightwalkers in the negative plane fall into either chaotic evil or true neutral, while those in the material plane are often neutral in some way in alignment 

 

Size

Nightwalkers range in size from the smallest being around 20 feet tall and the oldest largest ones of the negative plane being around 25 feet tall.  Their shifting nature makes it hard to tell how much they truly weigh, if anything at all.  Your size is huge.

Nightwalker Traits

Nightwalkers have unique racial traits due to their existence as negative beings

Ability score increase

Nightwalkers hold a strange perspective on the material plane, as they can sense the balance of negative and positive energy that exists within the world. Your strength increases by 1 and your wisdom increases by 2

Language

The creatures of the negative plane speak a language known only as Null.  A creature speaking Null sounds as though its voice is glitching in and out of existence and being played backwards.  Behind the warping sound the pronunciation of words is similar to old latin. You can speak Null and common

Darkvision

Due to living in negative darkness you have superior vision in dim and dark conditions.  You can see in dim light within 120 feet in front of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light.  

Unintentionally terrifying

Your massive shadowy form inflicts fear in the hearts of those who see it, whether you want it to or not. You have proficiency in the intimidation skill

Null Drain

The nightwalkers have the ability to absorb the energy from the positive planes. As an action, you can touch one creature within range, causing it to take necrotic damage equal to your level. You recover HP equal to the damage dealt. You can use this feature once per long rest. Creatures damaged by this trait become monochrome for a number of turns equal to damage taken.

Being of Nothing

Due to your nature as a nightwalker you have no need to sleep, and instead glitch in and out of the negative planes borders to restore energy in the way of a long/short rest. Magic cannot put you to sleep, and you are immune to the effects of spells like sleep and dream.

Starting at third level you can use this trait to cast Blur once per long rest.