Homebrew Zarathari Species Details

“Constructs of metal, wires and organic matter."

"Powered by an energy core of ruinic and ancient origin."

"Ancient weapons and strategies more calculated than any other being"

"Variety of shapes and forms with ancient arcanic ability."

"These... are the Zarathari."

—Unknown

The Zarathari were built by an unknown entity in the world of Alletheria. They come in many shapes and forms varying from Humanoid, to beasts to large monster aberrations. Powered by an ancient arcanic power core that are unknown to the world and even its greatest minds. Zarathari can now be seen throughout the continent, they work under the service of the Archmages and the royalty of the capitals. The Zarathari are known to be the most elite of guard, the most loyal soldiers and the symbols of the unknown world.

Living Metal and Wires

Zarathari for what is known of them, are formed by a combination of metal, wires and organic matter, they are powered by a central core that shines bright blue of a matrix. Root-like cords infused with the same blue like electrical liquid flows through the construct. Armored plates form a protective outer shell and reinforce joints. 

Although they were manufactured, Zarathari are living humanoids. Resting, healing magic, and the Medicine skill all provide the same benefits to Zarathari that they do to other humanoids.

The Core

Most of the understanding of the core is unknown as its magic and construction is so ancient yet advanced that it is mystery in the eyes of the Alletherians. However what is known is that the core has a life span of around 15-20 years. At this point, there have been two noted conditions.

Shut Down: One of the known conditions after the core has reached the end of its life is that the core powers down and the construct is rendered unpowered and unmoving.

Ferality: On occasion, the Zarathari construct core glows and turns red, its root like veins pulsing with the same color. The Zarathari loses all control over its mind and body and turns Feral, killing and butchering everything in its sight.

What causes the Ferality is unknown, and any forms to prolong its life is also unknown.

Zarathari Personality

The Zarathari were built and created for unknown purposes.

Unlike its somewhat similar counterpart the Warforged, the Zarathari can express emotion as they have an extreme level of Artificial Intelligence, almost Human like. Many Zarathari embrace a concrete purpose — such as protecting allies, completing a contract, or exploring a land — and embrace this task as they once did war. However, there are Zarathari who delight in exploring their feelings, their freedom, and their relationships with others. Most Zarathari have no interest in religion, but some embrace faith and mysticism, seeking higher purpose and deeper meaning.

The more a Zarathari develops its individuality, the more likely it is to modify its body, seeking out an artificer to customize the look of its face, limbs, and plating.

Quirks

Zarathari often display an odd personality trait or two, given how new they are to the world. The Zarathari Quirks table contains example quirks.

Zarathari Quirks

Zarathari Names

Most Zarathari were assigned numerical designations for use in military service. Many of them adopted nicknames, often given to them by their comrades. As independent individuals, some have chosen new names as a way to express their path in life. A few take on human names, often the name of a fallen friend or mentor.

Zarathari Names: Anchor, Banner, Bastion, Blade, Blue, Bow, Cart, Church, Crunch, Crystal, Dagger, Dent, Five, Glaive, Hammer, Iron, Lucky, Mace, Oak, Onyx, Pants, Pierce, Red, Rod, Rusty, Scout, Seven, Shield, Slash, Smith, Spike, Temple, Vault, Wall

Other names include that of robotic and ancient language and letters.

Zarathari Traits

Your Zarathari character has the following traits. A few of the traits give you a choice; consider how your choice reflects the purpose for which your character was built.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

A typical Zarathari is between two and twenty years old. The maximum Zarathari lifespan remains a mystery; so far, as either they are powered down or go Feral, for which they live for an unknown amount of years.

Alignment

Most Zarathari take comfort in order and discipline, tending toward law and neutrality. But some have absorbed the morality, or lack thereof, of the beings with which they served.

Size

Your size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d6

Height = 5 feet + 10 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 270 + (5 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Arcanic Resilience

You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits:

• You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don’t need to sleep, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Mechanical Rest

When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Power Core Surge

Your power core surges with arcanic power as you are brought to 0hp. When you are brought to 0hp but not killed outright you instead:

• Drop to 1hp instead.
• Your core releases a burst of arcanic power dealing force damage as per half of player level (rounding down, no less than 1d6) (E.g. Lvl 1 = 1d6, Lvl 5 = 2d6, Lvl10 5d6, etc.) force damage to the enemy that had caused you to fall. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Specialized Design

You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.