Homebrew Eternal Species Details

A dying planet circling a blue sun far away sent survivors out to the stars. Some were heroes, some were monsters, but all were extraordinary, these last sons and daughters of Eternity.

Unremarkable Appearance

Eternals appear no different than the average human, though perhaps a little healthier, a little bigger, and with a slightly gold hue when exposed to sunlight for a long period of time. The most distinguishable feature are their larger eyes, which allow them to absorb more sunlight. However, it is possible for their skin to become completely golden if they are exposed to enough radiance. When not displaying the abilities of their heritage, Eternals are indistinguishable from humankind, and with practice can suppress most of their super-human traits in casual living. Many Eternals who wish to remain unnoticed will learn acting and dialect tactics to further blend in.

 

Orphans All

Despite their attempts to blend in and build homes for themselves, all Eternals possess a deep, unconscious sorrow over the loss of their home, and it drives them to lives of excellence. They tend to take frequent time away from others, and will often have a place of solitude to think, brood, or otherwise contemplate what their lives are actually for. 

Eternals will vary on how "out" they are with their powers. Some will be shy, some will flaunt it, and others still will lead dual lives. All are united in the desire to have a home, and a place for themselves, so most Eternals will hold positions of importance in their community. They need to feel connected, or the loneliness will overwhelm them.

Designed Purpose

Eternity was a rigid caste based society, and most of the survivors carry millennia of selective breeding in their veins. This leads them to fall into almost simplistic archetypes, as their interests and skills tend to be single-minded. A warrior is a warrior, a healer is a healer,  a mother is a mother, and a scientist is a scientist. They have to struggle at times not to be consumed by their predetermined interests, and many simply give in.

There are moments where the breeding falls short however, when the person they truly are shine through. Eternals are capable of incredible empathy and terrifying destruction, and in the end it is their choice who they will be, not the choices of their ancestors. There are rumors of the freeborn Eternals, but even among so small a population as Eternity's survivors, these freeborn are rare. 

Eternal Names

Eternals have two, usually monosyllabic names. The given name is usually from the Eternal's family tree, and is used in regular conversation. This name is often adopted to a local variant, when an Eternal is around non-Eternal speakers. The family name is tied to heraldry, and has deep symbolic meaning. This House name is often treated as a suffix to the given name, and is hyphenated. Eternal women add their husband's housename behind their own when married. On this new planet, Eternals like to theatrically choose names that have meaning behind their character. 

Names: Kal-El, Jor-El,  Zor-El, Dru-Zod, Faora Hu-Ui

New Names: Sovereign, Cerberus, Genesis 

Eternal BACKGROUNDS

Those who fled Eternity as adults best fit the Outlander background, those who were adopted by locals will usually fall into any number of backgrounds, but most will have notoriety. Consider Folk Hero, Knight, Sage, or Entertainer.

Eternal Traits

As an Eternal, you have powerful starting traits. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level in particular is very powerful. As a result, playing an Eternal requires special consideration by your DM.

Solar Powered

Due to your alien metabolism, you have access to certain abilities when you have been in direct sunlight long enough. You lose access to these abilities (they reset) if you have not been in direct sunlight in 24 hours, or are within 60 ft of Brightsteel. 

1 Min. in direct sunlight: You gain 10ft of Truesight.

3 days in direct sunlight: You gain the ability to cast Gust of Wind in a 30ft (5ft wide) Line as your breath seems to have immense power.You count as a size larger when carrying, pushing, or lifting. Your walking and flying speed increase by an additional 10ft. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. You gain the ability to cast thunderclap (with radiant damage) with your hands as your arms seem to fill with solar radiance. 

5 days in direct sunlight: You gain the ability to cast Guiding Bolt from your eyes using your Strength or Dexterity.  You gain the ability to cast cauterize this was as well. Your walking and flying speed increase by 10ft. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. 

1 Week in direct sunlight: Your Con. and Str. scores increase by 2. You also gain the ability to cast Sunburst. Once you cast sunburst, you fall unconscious for 1d4 hours, and your Solar abilities are reset.  Your walking and flying speed increase by 10ft. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. 

As a reaction once per short rest, you can absorb radiant damage up to 1d12 + Con, and convert it into HP.

Foreign Body

You are granted Darkvision up to 60ft. 

You have disadvantage on saving throws vs magical effects, Eternity having been a place with no magic leaves your body unprepared for its effects.

You are Resistant to Radiant Damage, but you are Vulnerable to Force damage. 

You are immune to non-magical diseases, and so long as your body is intact, resurrection spells cost no material components. 

Brightsteel is poisonous to you. If you are within 60 ft of Brightsteel, you lose access to your soloar abilities as they reset. Brightsteel deals (your level)d12 force damage per turn while within 15 feet. You will auto-fail 1 death save per turn unconscious within 15ft of the Brightsteel.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, another stat of your choice also increases by 2 (based upon the caste you are from). 

Age

Eternals mature equivalent to humans, but do not die of old age. 

Alignment

Eternals tend to extremes and are rarely neutral

Size

Eternals range between 5 and 7 feet tall. They have unnaturally fit bodies that range between 100 and 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 60 ft

Flight

You have a flying speed of 60 feet

Fists of Steel

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage on a hit.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Eternal

Eternal Traits

Human skin, that turns gold the longer it is exposed to solar radiation.

Solar Powered

Solar Powered

Due to your alien metabolism, you have access to certain abilities when you have been in direct sunlight long enough. You lose access to these abilities (they reset) if you have not been in direct sunlight in 24 hours, or are within 60 ft or Brightsteel. 

1 Min. in direct sunlight: You gain 10ft of Truesight.

3 days in direct sunlight: You gain the ability to cast Gust of Wind in a 30ft (5ft wide) Line as your breath seems to have immense power. Your walking and flying speed increase by an additional. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. You gain the ability to cast thunderclap (with radiant damage) with your hands as your arms seem to fill with solar radiance. 

5 days in direct sunlight: You gain the ability to cast Guiding Bolt at half damage (2d6) from your eyes.   Your walking and flying speed increase by 10ft. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. 

1 Week in direct sunlight: You Con. and Str. scores increase by 2. You count as a size larger when carrying, pushing, or lifting. You also gain the ability to cast Sunburst. Once you cast sunburst, you fall unconscious for 1d4 hours, and your Solar abilities are reset.  Your walking and flying speed increase by 10ft. Your true-sight also increases by an additional 10ft. 

As a reaction once per short rest, you can absorb radiant damage up to 1d12 + Con, and convert it into HP.

Foreign Body

Foreign Body

You have disadvantage on saving throws vs magical effects, Eternity having been a place with no magic leaves your body unprepared for its effects.

You are Resistant to Radiant Damage, but you are Vulnerable to Force damage. 

You are immune to non-magical diseases, and so long as your body is intact, resurrection spells cost no material components. 

Brightsteel is poisonous to you. If you are within 60 ft of Brightsteel, you lose access to your soloar abilities as they reset. Brightsteel does (your level)d12 necrotic damage per turn while within 15 feet. You will auto-fail 1 death save per turn unconscious within 15ft of the Brightsteel.

Ability Score Increase

 Your Con score increases by 2. Another ability score increases by 2, based on your background. 

Age

Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Alignment

Eternals are never neutral, they tend to take extreme sides. 

Size

Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 60 feet. Your base flying speed is 60ft. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Eternal