Homebrew Darkin Species Details

"His weapon was a prison, sealing his consciousness in suffocating, eternal darkness, robbing him even of the ability to die."

—Lord Imperius IV 

Otherworldly Patrons

The origin of the parasitic beings known as the Darkin is technically unknown, but most scholars believe that their arrival coincided with the fall of an ancient civilization to the corruption of the abyss. The neighboring kingdoms did their best to repel the spread of the Darkin at this point but had little success. Desperate, they sought the aid of a celestial called Zariel in their quest, and, having seen the destruction the Darkin brought, Zariel agreed. Together, they managed to eradicate most of the Darkin and sealed them in their own weaponry and armor now hidden in various vaults across the land. Yet with time, mortals came across these vaults, and some of these artifacts were taken. There was a quiet period, but now the Darkin have begun to return.

Harbingers of Death

Group of fighters stride into battle, sword, and shield at the ready. They prepare themselves for the onslaught, staring into the fiery brimstone and salted smoke, ready for whatever was to come next. These fighters, stand in a line, slowly making their way through the darkness, flickers of ember, and cries of pain echo in the abyss. Halting, the leader stops, motioning the others, something doesn’t feel right. Through the black cracks wide a pair of glowing red eyes, alight in the shade of night. A blade comes down through the shadows, the sheen of its edge going so far that the handle is barely visible, with all but a pair of massive red talons grasped at its hilt. The leader, his eyes glazing over, with a sweeping blow is cleaved in half. As he dies, the fighters watch in horror as his blood is sucked from his body, ever pouring into the blade. The other fighters, turn, looking at one another to run but no one moves -- for it is too late. The blade hungers for blood and its master shall never be sated.

 

Darkin Names

Darkin names are based on the Abyssal language, an old dialect that is barely spoken anymore by the most common folks since the Sealed Abyss, The Darkin share no last names.

Male Names: Rhaast, Aatrox, Varus, Dyraxos, Kayn

Female Names: Morigan, Zenox, Xethra, Loust

Darkin Traits

Tieflings share certain racial traits as a result of their infernal descent.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Darkin increase their hosts lifespan, but their maximum lifespan is. Some say 150 years, and others say they are functionally immortal.

Alignment

Darkin personalities are heavily based on their host. An evil host would create an evil Darkin, a good host would create a good Darkin, and so on.

Size

 Unlike a human, you tower over men ranging somewhere between 7 and 8 feet in height. You are a medium creature.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your infernal 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.

Flesh Fiend

Made of blood, viscera, and hardened crude flesh your form is intimidating and fierce. You gain proficiency in Intimidation.

Darkin Weapon

Once per long rest, as an action, you cover a weapon in Darkin energy for 1 minute. The weapon deals additional necrotic damage equal to __half your level__ once per turn. You also gain temporary hit points equal to half your level whenever you deal the dealing blow to a creature.

Additionally, you attune to this weapon it becomes magical if it isn't already and is designated as your Darkin weapon. This weapon can never be disarmed and if you are to die permanently you instead have your essence is drawn to the weapon and is stored there before moving onto any normal afterlife.

Demon Vassal

Darkin are plated with chitinous plates for protection. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Languages

 You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal (evil), Celestial (good)