Homebrew Arcane Species Details

Where do the Arcane come from? Who are they? Why do they sell their helms? Surely profit is not their only motivation. Who among us has ever even learned how a helm works, let alone manufactured one?

— Gamalon Idogyr, during a lecture to the Seekers at the Library of the Spheres

Extraplanar Merchants

The Arcane looked like tall and slender blue-skinned giants with long, delicate fingers. Some reported that each finger had an additional joint; others claimed that they had five fingers and a thumb on each hand. They had narrow shoulders and a sunken chest. Their skulls were narrow and double-domed, with a slight bulge over their brows and their dark eyes sunk into their heads.

The Arcane typically dressed in robes.

The entire Arcane race had a type of collective telepathy. They became immediately aware if a member of the race was harmed, which made it impossible for an aggressor to conduct business with any other Arcane until amends were made.

Arcane's Influence

The Arcane were viewed by other species as a very cool, efficient and uncaring race. Their response to attempts at haggling was unpredictable, but they invariably reacted badly to threats. Wronged Arcane did not forget a slight, but took their time in exerting revenge in non-violent and subtle, albeit damaging, ways. In addition, the Arcane were very suspicious of newly contacted groups and never initiated contact themselves, preferring to negotiate through representatives. This irritating behavior led other species to tolerate the Arcane as a necessary evil.

Despite their size, the Arcane were considerably weak and non-combative. They preferred to avoid confrontations through negotiation. They were usually accompanied by bodyguards, especially when conducting business in dangerous areas. If confrontation did break out, they were capable of defending themselves by using magic items, but the most frequent response would be for them to flee by using their innate minor illusion and misty step abilities, with no regard for their bodyguards.

Arcane Names

Arcane are given names at birth, but sometimes gaining new nicknames as part of their networking within their mercantile occupation.

Male Names: Axiol, Blixul, Calabrie, Duvssir, Feralan, Koothu, K'polony, Lovello, Maskado, Modolox, Nehir, Nhillosh, Nix, Otrovac, Ov-Xur-Ix, Phlostridox, Rik-Rik, T'k'Pek, Ulloras, Yol, Zza Zza

Female Names: Ayii, Bwennen, Brinzilliax, Dik, Ferriuk, Gelio, Hayaik, Kai, Ko-Aun, Lillith, Mix-Ignix, Mo'Oqon, Naepheres, Oxyya, Pktol, Rererxi, Sensi, Truk'N uk-Gan, Uzana, Yenith, Zleldar

Nicknames Names: Scooter, Helmsman, Shifty, Duchess, Mr. Everything (Anything that comes up naturally in RP)

Arcane Traits

Your arcane character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Arcane mature at a similar rate to most humans, and most settle down into an adult life around age 40. Their lifespans are typically 350 to 500 years long

Alignment

Arcane are almost always lawful neutral.

Size

Arcane are much taller than humans but similar to them are slender in stature. They are 12 to 12½ feet tall on average but can weigh up to 600 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Arcanic Intuition

You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.

Inherent Intrigue

You are proficient in one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Investigation, or Performance. You are also proficient with one tool of your choice.

Whenever you make an ability check with the chosen skill or tool, roll a d4, and add the number rolled to the check’s total.

Natural Defense

The arcane, even though large in stature, are considerably weak and usually non-combative. When in a conflict they usually rely on their innate minor illusion and misty step abilities. Also being inhabitants of space they have developed an advanced type of darkvision seeing normal colors in up to 60 ft of darkness.

Language

You can speak, read, and write Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic and Infernal.