Homebrew Ancients Species Details

"I have never imagined such beauty existed,”  -Goldmoon IV. A quote often associated with the elves, perverted and given new meaning by the labs deep within TorKolde. 

Deep within the mountain, the sound of the Gleamforge, an enormous forgefactory made from a dizzying mess of wires, pipes and corridors zigzagging throughout the mountain, echos.  This Forgefactory, unlike its sibling sites, does not manufacture large mechs or skyships. This ForgeFactory produces a product of a more sinister nature. The GleamForge. Home of the ancents

The ancients are a perversion of natural magic, a twisted form, a flash of light. The ancients are a people of great power, but at a great cost. They live in places of seclusion, often as scholars and hermits.

Metal and Magic

With their unearthly form and powerful builds, Ancients appear strange and unearthy to humans and members of many other races. They are slightly taller than humans on average, ranging from well under 6 feet tall to just over 7 feet. They are stockier than humans, weighing upwards of 185 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females. Both are covered in a hardly noticeable metallic sheen, with thick lines, similar to tattoos, over most of their bodies. These Marks are unique to each individual and can be in a number of different colours, from vibrant yellows and whites to dark reds and blacks. 

Ancient’ coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and eyes that are completely black with only the pupil having colour. Ancients have no facial and very little body hair. They favor less clothing, prefering to wear only smaller garments, but can be observed to wear simple robes. They enjoy simple jewelry.

An Ancient people

The ancients, like their name suggests. are a long lived race, with individuals living well over 1400 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain grounded and neutral in conflicts. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, Ancients can be focused and relentless, often to obsession. They are slow to make friends, and even slower to forget hostility. 

Shunned people

Most races shun the ancients, the more naturally focuses races especially. As a result they are forced to live in small villages or to remain hidden in communities. Ancients do not need to eat or sleep, only requiring they spend time in direct sunlight or in contact with a powerful source of energy to recharge themselves. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited.

 

Cynical but forgiving

Although they can be cynical and coldblooded, Ancients are often forgiving of those who make mistakes, as that is what they expect. They are old enough to know that everyone makes mistakes, and do not look down on other races for theirs.

 

Ancient's Names

On completing the ritual, an ancient selects a name. They are often named after objects or jobs, or they select a name randomly. 

Ancients Traits

Your Ancient character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of refinement and experimentation.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Although Ancients reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, The ancient's ritual changes their lifespan to around 1400 years.

Alignment

The ancients are a people of order and law, so are more often Lawful. Their longer lifespan means they often prefer neutrality.

Size

Ancients range from just under 6 feet to just over 7 feet tall. Your size is medium 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Ancient Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Recharge

Ancients don’t need to sleep. Instead, they recharge, remaining semiconscious, for 2 hours a day. (The Common word for this is “trance.”) While Recharging, you can see, hear and smell as normal, but you cannot move. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.