Homebrew Blackbird Species Details

 

The Blackbirds are a subset of a race of warriors that originally hails from the Shadowfell, and were said to be well-favored in the Raven Queen's court. Many generations ago, the Blackbirds found themselves cast into the Material Plane, where they have remained since. Blackbirds exist in small pockets around the globe, and largely continue to worship the Raven Queen, abiding by her core tenets.

• Hold no pity for those who suffer and die, for death is the natural end of life. "Death is a Gift."
• Bring down the proud who try to cast off the chains of fate. As the instrument of the Raven Queen, you must punish hubris where you find it.
• Watch for the cults of Necromancy and stamp them out whenever they arise.

In this area of the world, the Blackbirds are shepherded by an Elder Council that directs their attentions. They maintain a rigid, honorable culture, bound in service to their Goddess as well as to their society. Perhaps owing to their time in the Shadowfell, the Blackbirds maintain a collectivist culture which places a heavy emphasis on respect for others, especially vocally. They rarely use their mimicry for more than mimicking the sounds of combat, general movements, or wildlife, with few exceptions. One such exceptions is when a Blackbird comes of age, and is brought before the Elders to determine how they will aid their society. It is said that in these meetings, the Blackbirds learn more of the Raven Queen and her intentions, and are able to make a case for themselves regarding their place within their tribe. Outside of this, it is taboo for Blackbirds to repeat speech, as typically the only place they would hear it is from The Elders, or their more recent foes. The Elders are the knowledge banks for the Blackbirds, and the only ones that posses large repositories of spoken words/phrases. With the movements of the Hogfolk and their machinations, the Blackbirds work in earnest against them. 

Ability Score Increase

Instead add +2 to one stat, +1 to a second stat, and -1 to a third stat after performing point buy.

Age

Blackbirds have shorter lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 12 years old and can live to 60.

Alignment

Blackbirds are honorable, lawful creatures. They are slow to trust others, but once another has proven themselves reliable, Blackbirds are relentless allies. They are generally neutral towards good or evil, outside of their tenets.

Size

Blackbirds are around 5 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Low-Light Vision

A creature with low-light vision can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of shadowy illumination. It retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions. A spellcaster with low-light vision can read a scroll as long as even the tiniest candle flame is next to her as a source of light.

Blackbird Training

You are proficient in your choice of two of the following skills: Acrobatic, Deception, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.

Mimicry

You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

Blessing of the Raven Queen

As a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Starting at 3rd level, you also gain resistance to all damage when you teleport using this trait. The resistance lasts until the start of your next turn. During that time, you appear ghostly and translucent.

Languages

You can read and write Common and Auran, but you can speak only by using your Mimicry trait.

Blackbird Traits

Fast Movement, Low-Light Vision, Blackbird Training, Mimicry, Blessing of the Raven Queen