Homebrew Starchild Species Details
Perhaps too curious for their own good, they came to Baldur's Gate, wide-eyed and smiling, but just a touch off. They were kind enough, ignorant of the ways of the world, but eager to learn, the scholar soon running out of teachings. The one who took up the name Idris observed the history of this land, of its people, its culture, and grinned.
She soon came to us to understand why we lived the way we did, amidst the harsh sands, but she never spoke down to us, speaking of her home fondly, yet already preferring this new one.
The Starchildren came one day, crashing like meteors; they were new to the scene, but already so incredibly old. Their home was a place of stars, where those twinkling lights in the night sky were so much more, they came here to learn from people separated from the stars, wondering how they could possibly live like this. They came to adore the terrestrial races and their ways, seeking not to conquer but to understand. Starchildren are wanderers, scholars, archivists, collecting knowledge like a child collects insects, cooing at the diversity and abundance.
Understanding Made Flesh
Coming from a realm of stars, these lightwalkers have no physical form of their own, so it is manufactured; as they fall from the sky, the pseudo-hive mind the Starchildren share lets them observe all known knowledge of the various races of the land and construct a body tailored to their preferences. No two Starchildren are alike, they are usually a hodgepodge of physical characteristics cherry-picked almost at random. The only consistencies amongst the lot of them are the captivating eyes, themselves holding stars that never remain in the same place for long and their abnormally-warm bodies. As their bodies are made from stardust, the lifetimes of a Starchild vary wildly, but if left to their own devices, they may outshine even the elves in lifespan; it is believed that the destruction of the physical body amounts to only an inconvenience for these aetherborn beings, true death a far-off horror they could not conceive of, but in this realm of magic, perhaps anything is possible.
PERHAPS TOO EAGER FOR FRIENDS
The Starchildren, united as one in their realm of stars, separated in this physical land, mayhaps be too keen on learning of others, coming off as obnoxious and perhaps even accused of hiding their true intentions. They try to get along with everyone, only for confusions and shenanigans to ensue.
Humans, Halflings, Dwarves, and Elves. “They're so different, a people small but strong and tall but delicate. It almost doesn't make sense, how they contrast and dislike one another, but perhaps that's their charm.”
Beastfolk. “So fascinating, splintered races better equipped for hardships yet discriminated against. Strong families of claws and teeth, it's a shame they're so closed off to the inquisitive types such as us.”
Dragons. “Truly baffling, how the color of ones hide determines such fluid things as disposition and power. It seems almost... deliberate.”
Experiences Over Possessions
Each Starchild walks the earth for a different purpose, from the archiving of knowledge to allocating of power, finding their place wherever they may be welcomed, and sometimes where they are not. From the highest council to the most ragtag of misfits living from payout to payout, the Starchildren might just be everywhere, but wherever they are, they tend to stick out for one reason or another due to their mannerisms. Sometimes they forget the truth of their people, and lose themselves in their terrestrial identity, reaching for such paltry things wealth, vengeance, and even the pointless search for life beyond death.
Starchildren can almost be called an invasive species with how eager they are to know and join, but rarely are they malicious. The sad part is they are also woefully blind to discrimination against due to their detachment.
Starchild Names
Due to their nature, the first Starchildren referred to themselves as the whole, but as they came to understand the idea of a self, they took on conceptual names such as Ambition or Determination, but they eventually took on names appropriate of the species they modeled their bodies after. It has been observed that Starchildren who forgot their nature may take up a name like those who came before them when they discovered the truth.
The Starchildren regularly adopted the culture of the area they have taken up residence in, usually corresponding with at least one of the physical characteristics that went into making their bodies.
Starchild Traits
Extraordinary as they may be, your Starchild character at least has these traits.Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom and Charisma scores each increase by 1.
Age
Starchildren simply age from the conception of their bodies until a predetermined point, after which they cease aging, but some have taken up experiencing a full mortal life for the sake of learning.
Alignment
Starchildren, while inherently kind and childlike, are likewise easy to influence, tending towards any and all alignment based on those around them.
Size
Starchildren vary widely in height and build. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice.
Darkvision
Descending from the stars, you carry them within, allowing your eyes to pierce the veil of shadows to an extent. 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
Starheart
Perhaps as hot as the surface of the sun, your insides prevent you from suffering the weakness of partaking of harmful food, drink, or even inedible objects. This has resulted in a strange observed diet of any given Starchild, though you don't truly require nourishment.
You are immune to poisons and other negative statuses if administered via ingestion. You can eat up to 7 pounds of almost any substance without ill effects.
Windows to the Soul
The eyes of a Starchild are perhaps the most dangerous part of them. One look and you risk falling prey to their strange stare. Only through very specific tests has it been discovered that the whispers of children occur in the recipients mind upon falling victim. After they have escaped your clutches, they have a hard time remembering it even happened, but feel something deep within that doing so again is a poor idea. Once per day, you can use an action to make eye contact with a creature or person, forcing them to make a WIS save against 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier or be charmed for 1 minute. If they take damage, they are immediately freed of the effect.
Once the target is snapped out of this effect, they are immune to it for 24 hours. You can regain uses after a long rest.
In addition, you have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
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