Homebrew Fabrin Species Details

Fabrin are a rare, curious sort of race. They are so sparsely populated- congregating only in tiny sectors of large cities- that they do not share a unified culture. The origin of their race is unknown, but thought to be connected to aberrations. That is, if they can be called a humanoid race. The subject is largely up for debate. They themselves, don't appear to have an opinion on the matter. Whether they are like humans or not doesn't seem to concern them.

In general, fabrin share a fairly general appearance. They're smoky, and their 'skin' is a dark gray, black, maroon, dark purple, or navy. Their eyes are white and pupil-less though their shape varies. Some have only four fingers per hand, while others have as many as six.

Born By Thread

Young fabrin seem to appear from nowhere, with one parent. This is because fabrin are not born, as other humanoid races are, but created from small pieces of their parent's body. The parent forms a ball of their smoky body in a suitably dark location, then bundles the dark orb in its first 'shell'. This is considered a fabrin egg. Over time, it will start to warble and twist until it becomes a young fabrin and finds a new shell.

Because they don't reproduce like most humanoids, fabrin do not have any concept of sex or gender among themselves. Given that they usually live in the cities of other races, they often take on whatever pronouns they like best. Fabrin that live on their own tend to use neutral pronouns.

The Hermit-Crabs of Fabric

While it may seem somewhat ridiculous to other races, fabrin bundle themselves in all sorts of fabric to cover all but their face-orbs, their hands, and their feet. They are very sensitive to sunlight and wind, given their somewhat gaseous form, and use their fabric shells for protection. They're mostly active at night, and outside of civilization the live in caves where the wind cannot hurt them.

A fabrin may choose a large rug, tapestry, roll of bandages, a bolt of silk, or any manner of fabric for its shell. Once it has chosen a shell, it becomes bonded to it and the shell becomes a part of its body, and is impossible to remove from it. When it grows too large, it will add to its shell or find a new one. Many fabrin are so sentimental about their shells that their names are based off of them, even if they later switch shells. This survival strategy earned their name as a race, "fabrin".

Avid Collectors

Because of their incredibly close bond with their shells, fabrin love to decorate them. Their taste in decoration varies, but examples of favorable decorations include beads, buttons, shells, string and other baubles. They tend to sew, braid, or otherwise affix the item onto their shell. Some fabrin forego baubles, and instead embroider their shells or add pieces of other fabric to them.

Over time, a fabrin's adult shell tends to become draped with all sorts of colorful and shiny things they find interesting, with patches of especially silky or soft fabrics sewn on. They seldom remove decorations, but do tend to change their tastes over time. Because of their passion for collecting, fabrin tend to be detail-oriented and remember groups of information well.

Fabrin Names

Fabrin do not have gendered names, nor do they take on surnames or clan names. If they live among another race, they will sometimes adopt that culture's naming traditions. Left to their own devices, they name themselves short, general descriptions that apply to their shell. When they change shells, they typically add the new name onto their former name, or mash the two together.

Below are examples of a young fabrin's name, based off of their only shell, as well as examples of mashed names.

Young Names: Wrap, Cowl, Hood, Velvet, Rags, Damask, Muslin, Coil, Wool, Knot

Mashed Names: Burhood (Burlap and Hood), Woowl (Wool and Cowl), Damlin (Damask and Muslin), Knap (Knot and Wrap), Lalour (Lace and Velour), Banrag (Bandage and Rags).

 

Fabrin Traits

Your fabrin character has certain characteristics in common with all other fabrin.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

A fabrin reaches adulthood around the age of 8, and typically lives for 60 years.

Alignment

Most fabrin are neutral when it comes to law and chaos, but have no clear leaning when it comes to good and evil.

Size

Fabrin stand about 4 feet tall and average about 40 pounds, given their partially gaseous form. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision

Fabrin thrive in the darkest of streets and caverns, and have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 90 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have Disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Shellweaver

You are proficient in Weaver's Tools, and have access to the Mending cantrip. Many fabrin use these abilities to make and repair their shells.

Gaseus Form

Starting at 6th level, a fabrin can cast the Gaseous Form spell (self only), once per long rest.

Collector

Fabrin love to collect strange items to decorate their shells. Start the game with 1d4 trinkets from the PHB trinket table (page 160 and 161).

Languages

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