Homebrew Vril Species Details

Escape.
The only thing that was on the Vril's mind.
It had been years of living this way. The idea was suggested by their squadron leader, Haznak. Self given names were customary.
One day at a time they carefully mined away the walls when onlookers were busy.
And so they escaped, one by one. Into the night.
Much to the dismay of the drow.

— Farouk H. (I'm not very good at writing)

 

Once Goblins, Now Vril

Vril were once goblins, long ago. Countless generations ago they were taken by the drow, and experimented upon by their evil wizards with the express purpose of turning them into killing machines.  Overtime the drow were able to produce what the Vril are now, dexterous and brutal killers with an unquestioning loyalty to the drow. Perfect for espionage, assassinations, and as deadly shock troops. The drow treated them little better than animals, but years of specialized breeding have produced an unquestioning loyalty in many of them. Vril both fear and respect the drow. Vril are normally quartered in warrens and barracks deep underground, kept separate from other drow thralls, though their living conditions are rarely better. Although they may grumble about their lot in life, rarely do they think to do something about it.
Most Vril are warriors or barbarians that serve in the armies of the drow. Vril are usually agnostic, since the drow crush any religious inclination and do not permit them to venerate Lolth. Thus, clerics are rare. Vril clerics sometimes worship Maglubiyet in secret, but adepts are more common. Clerics of Maglubiyet have access to some of the following domains: Blood, War, and Trickery.

The Vril have large ears and noses, as well as purple skin. Some have hair, but very few of them do, those who do, have short and bristly hair, gathering in in the same spots as humanoid creatures. Usually the head on their head naturally grows into that of a short mohawk, similar to Gnolls. Their teeth are like that of goblinoids, but slightly more exaggerated, and their eyes are solid colors—white, red, silver, yellow—with no visible sclera or pupil.

Vril share few traits with their goblin kin. The wizards who created them sought to expunge many of the races weaknesses. Like their cousins, they are malicious creatures, but while goblins are cowardly and undisciplined, Vril are twice their size, bold, daring, and organized. Generations of mistreatment at the hands of the drow have also built up a fiercely stubborn resolve. The race now breeds true, but attempts to cross Vril with other goblinoid races produce only stillborn offspring, perhaps as a result of deliberate design. Vril view ordinary goblins as inferior in all ways to them, but have a cautious respect for humanoids that match their size such as humans, orcs, half-orcs, and hobgoblins.

The Runaways

Many groups of Vril have escaped from the clutches of the drow and have been able to make small communities for themselves. They tend to live undergound, scatted throughout the underdark, but a rare few live on the surface. Many folk would almost certainly not even know what a Vril was upon seeing one.

Since they lack any  real homeland, Vril know that they have to make their own way in the world and that they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who claims to be a friend, but when a Vril's companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the Vril learns to extend the same trust to them. And once a Vril gives someone loyalty, the Vril is a firm friend or ally til death.

Vril Names

Vril names are chosen themselves, as many have a fierce sense of individuality. Although it is not uncommon for a Vril to simply have no name, or to be called what it's closest companions would prefer to call it. Many of those that have escaped strive to find their own place in the world, and may adopt a last name that signifies a concept or purpose and then try to embody that idea.

Male Vril Names: Akkas, Aganos, Brishe, Denken, Ezkel, Irid, Kilith, Lenked, Malwrech, Murkos, Pelajec, Skalstof, Teerai

Female Vril Names: Agni, Anikir, Bysie, Krill, Dedlemia, Kishma, Watka, Marnesh, Nolmia, Orsio, Fyra, Reka, Zlakiss

Concept Names: Taker of Things, Death Causer, Shredder of Men, Flayer of Skin, Watcher of Deep, Keeper, Dread, Night Runner, Heart Stabber, Gut Wrencher, Bone Shatterer

A SCARY SIGHT

People tend to be suspicious of certain races, assuming things about them based on their appearance. This goes doubly so for the Vril in most societies. Shopkeepers may not even let some individuals into their stores, the town watch might halt a Vril and escort them out of town. Most Vril who are  new to society have no concept of why this is, but other who have are very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust, a Vril often develops a tendency to simply stay quiet in social situations, as to not draw attention. This is harder for the more boisterous among them.

 

( I tried to make it thematic and all that, I think the race has some strong ups with some not to negative negatives. I also made them medium sized instead of small because that's way more badass! Upvote this if you like it! )

Vril Traits

Vril share many features due to their corruption brought upon them by the drow.

Shriek

As a bonus action, you can let out a loud and terrifying supersonic screech. Creatures within a 30 foot cone in front of you must make a Constitution Saving Throw.
The DC of this saving throw equals 8 + Your Proficiency Bonus + You Constitution Modifier.
The damage of this ability starts at 2d8 + Your Constitution Modifier, increasing by a 1d8 every 5 levels, up to a maximum of 6d8 + Your Constitution Modifier at 20th level.
You regain the ability to use your Shriek at the end of a short rest.
If you are a barbarian, you can use this ability at the same time as your rage, using the same bonus action.

Thick Skin

You have naturally thick skin, giving you a +1 to your natural AC. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 11 + your Dexterity modifier.

Skinshift

As a reaction to being hit with an attack, you gain resistance to all slashing, bludgeoning, and piercing damage until the end of your next turn. This resistance starts just before you actually take damage. You regain the ability to do this after a short rest.

Vulnerable to Poison

As a defense measure, the drow bred the Vril to be particularly susceptible to drow sleep poison and spiderkind venom. You have disadvantage on saving throws against anything that does poison damage or would give you the poisoned condition.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Sonic Sense

You have blindsight out to 30 feet.

Vril Weapon Training

Vril have proficiency with the Warpick, Battleaxe, and the Morningstar.

Bonus Proficiency

Select an extra proficiency, choosing from athletics, stealth, or survival.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1, and either your Dexterity score or your Strength score increases by 2.
It is also suggested to give yourself a -1 to Intelligence and or -1 to Charisma, but in the same vein as Kobolds, this is 5th edition, and that's less fun. Only do it if you'd like. Manually, of course.

Age

Vril mature at the same rate as humans and can live up to about 100, but often never see the day due to their life styles and living situations.

Alignment

Vril might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many Vril toward a chaotic alignment.

Size

Vril are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a base climbing speed of 20 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to generations living underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Sonic Resistance

You have resistance to thunder damage,  and advantage on any saving throw that would deal thunder damage to you.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Undercommon, Goblin, and Vril. Vril is a high frequency noise only those with acute accurate hearing can even so much as hear.

Sadly you will have to manually add Vril yourself, as there no way to make a custom language whatsoever in DnD Beyond that I am aware of.