Homebrew Dhampyr Species Details
Dhampyrs are born from women who are bitten by a vampire while they are pregnant. Such women often die in the process of birthing the dhampyr, leaving the child without parents or home. Dhampyrs are outcasts in society and although they are not burned to dust in sunlight, it still is of great discomfort for sunlight to directly touch their skin. Most often, the women who are bitten are elves, but other races have been known to produce dhampyrs as well, most notably humans.
MARK OF THE VAMPIRE
Some traditions specify signs by which the children of a vampire can be recognized. They have untamed dark or black hair and lack a shadow. A pronounced nose was often a sign, as were larger than normal ears, sharper teeth or large eyes that shine in moonlight. On a full moon, a dim glow is said to manifest around a dhampyr’s eyes. Most dhampyrs take great care in disguising their vampiric heritage as to not arouse suspicions in superstitious towns.
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
Dhampyrs are neither alive nor dead, and exist in a strange limbo until they are striken down by blade or stake. Their lives are unnaturally long, and if a dhampyr is not killed, they can continue to live for nearly a thousand years. They are not welcome in most pure undead hordes, and many towns, upon learning of the dhampyr’s heritage, will incite a mob to attempt to oust or kill the dhampyr.
BLOOD DRINKERS
Though they do not need to drink blood like their vampiric fathers, a dhampyr is still equipped with sharp fangs that can drink the very life essence of a creature to sustain and heal itself.
Dhampyr Traits
Pale and often in the visage between life and undeathBlood Drinker.
When your foe is unable to move away, you can enter a vicious feeding frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite against a restrained, grappled, or incapacitated humanoid. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you regain 1 expended hit die. In addition, after feeding on a humanoid this way, you gain the benefits of eating a full meal. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Bite
Your sharp fangs are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Alignment
Dhampyrs are typically thought of as evil, but just as many dhampyrs try to escape their vampiric heritage as embrace it. You tend towards good or evil.
Age
Dhampyrs grow about as fast as elves, and will live nearly as long if they are not killed first. You can live up to 1000 years.
Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score and your Charisma score increase by 1.
Supreme Darkvision
Supreme Darkvision. You are a creature of night, of moonlight and the starry sky. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Unlike most darkvision, you can see color in darkness while you are under moonlight.
Sunlight Sensitivity
You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of the attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Dhampyr Magic
You know the minor illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast spider climb once, and it recharges after a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast find steed once, and it recharges after a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Vampiric Transformation
When an enemy hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to instantly turn into swarm of bats until end of your next turn. You cannot attack, concentrate or cast spells in this form. Starting at level 11 you may instead transform into a cloud of mist (as in the Shapechanger trait). After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest. This trait cannot be used in direct sunlight.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Abyssal, Common and Elvish.
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