Homebrew Atrocity Species Details

“You know what people say about your kind, abomination.”

Those grey eyes, biting as a fall cloud, were piercing into her very soul, the elf's bluntness making her simmer.

“What was the saying again?” he asked. “One’s an eyesore , two’s a discrepancy—”

“Three’s a nuisance,” she finished. “Do you really believe i have never heard that drivel spewed before?”

“No. Of course i know you have.” When she glared at him, he added, “It's not as if it's exactly a fallacy, now is it? It's just the shame of an Atrocity. Some of you realize how pathetic you are and leave the rest of society be, some of you thrive to prove yourself as above the stereotype, and some wear it as a badge of pride, how impudent.” He smirked again, judging her, with a wicked shine in his eyes. “You believe you're better than what people think of you don't you? Akin to a wild animal. Yet when someone proves you are not special, you sharpen your blade like all the rest.”

— Belorin Vanmarir, King of Neverwinter

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the atrocity. And to twist the knife, atrocities know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of an eldritch abomination into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.

Eldritch Bloodline

Atrocities are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their eldritch heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Atrocities have tentacles that take any of a variety of shapes and sizes: some have short, curling tentacles, others have straight and long tentacles. They have leathery wings, six to twelve feet in wingspan, which tighten to their bodies when they get upset or nervous. Their teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, purple, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover a wide variety of colors, ranging all the way from sickly grey to purple or green. Their hair is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Self-Reliant and Suspicious

Atrocities subsist in small minorities found mostly in human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters of those places, where they grow up to be swindlers, thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among other minority populations in enclaves where they are treated with more respect.

Lacking a homeland, atrocities 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 an atrocity’s companions demonstrate that they trust him or her, the atrocity learns to extend the same trust to them. And once an atrocity gives someone loyalty, the atrocity is a firm friend or ally for life.

Atrocity Names

Atrocity names fall into three broad categories. Atrocities born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their eldritch heritage. And some younger atrocities, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

 

MUTUAL MISTRUST

People tend to be suspicious, fearful, and hateful towards atrocities, assuming that their eldritch heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep a close eye on their goods when atrocities enter their stores, the town watch might follow an atrocity around for a while, and demagogues blame atrocities for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that an atrocity’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing with mistrust does leave its mark on most atrocities, and they respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with this mistrust throughout youth, an atrocity often develops the ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.

Atrocity Traits

Atrocities share certain racial traits as a result of their abyssal descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Atrocities mature at the same rate as humans but live a few decades longer.

Alignment

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

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your eldritch heritage, 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.

Abyssal Resistance

You have resistance to acid damage.

Abyssal Legacy

You know the acid splash cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the inflict wounds spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the animate dead spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Abyssal.