Homebrew Genetically Modified Elf Species Details

Tenth Generation Genetically Modified Being.

Wizards, Scientists and Cults have been dabbling in genetic augmentation and magical cloning to cheat death for generations to regain their youth, but some see more uses for these clones than concern with the petty squabbles of mortality. More often than not the process comes with a price. Normally upon death, the soul will enter the new body and retain all of the old body's memories and abilities, but by tampering with new bodies, the transfer is incomplete and only the soul is able to transfer. This leaves the new clone as an imperfect shadow of its former self, a blank unwritten slate. What will you become?

Something A Little Off...
Genetically Modified Clones are often a little different from their original source. Whether it be eye color, hair color or height. They often stand slightly taller than the original, ranging from 4 to 6 feet on average, and weighing from 120 to 320 pounds. Clone skin shades are often more pale than the original, and hair has a greenish or bluish tint on top of the base color.
Some are even mixed with other races and become something unique entirely.

Experimental log date (REDACTED)

The experiment was a success, we now possess the tools, magic and ability to modify the existing base with other races.
Although the ninth generation was a failure as they only live as long as the race they are mixed with, by tweaking the right variables
we predict a successful outcome with the next generation. If we could find a genetically compatible conduit we could do so much more.
My daughter always did like rabbits.

- The Chairman 

Born Yesterday
While their body is fully grown, the mind of the clone is often that of a child due to a lack of memories and experiences. The rate of mental maturation depends on the environment the clone is in. If allowed, they will take up to 6 months to be considered an adult mentally, but if they are put in a hostile or high stress environment it can be shortened to just under two weeks. Even when mature, clones will often be naive and impressionable to those around them, much like a small child. They will often approach new situations with curiosity and wonder. Though, if met with hostility or danger, they will quickly learn from the experience with cold precision.

 

Assimilation
Being the impressionable and adaptable things they are, imperfect clones will latch onto and attempt to become part of the first societies and groups that they come across. The fact that they themselves are not a member of a particular race or stand out among them is often of little concern or is completely lost to them.

Seeking Meaning
Clones who go out adventuring usually fall into one of two categories. Sometimes the circumstances of their birth will lead them to search for their purpose, who were they before? Why did they die? Can they somehow get their memories back? Other times, an adventuring party are the ones who they latch onto, leading them to a life of trials and glory.

Imperfect Names
Clones will take names given to them by those around them, or they will retain a snippet of their old name as their one and only memory,
If no name is given they will use their batch number in its place

 

Genetically Modified Elf Traits

Your genetically modified character has a variety of unnatural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

Ability Score Increase

You may increase any one ability score by 2 and another by 1.

Age

Imperfect Clones are physically mature at birth, but mentally take anywhere from a week to several years to reach mental adulthood. This is entirely dependent on their environment, as high stress situations force their minds to adapt. They live a little less than a century due to a combination of aging having a head start on them and their bodies having organs prone to failure due to the accelerated growth they experience before birth. They typically live to be 70-90 years old. But having an elven base you inherit their abnormally long lifespan, with proper modifications Genetically Modified Elves can live well up to 2000 years of age.

Size

Genetically Modified Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

A leftover from your previous fey ancestory, 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.

Useful Clone

You have proficiency in three artisan tools of your choice.

Tampering Counter Measures

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Survival In your genes (Trance)

Another leftover from your previous ancestry Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, you meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 2 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually an instinctual mental reflexive to maintain your body and mind. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.