eleazzaar
2015-07-17, 11:44 AM
Ghostwise Halfling
Part of Eleazar’s D&D 5e Homebrew Race Compendium (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m7qG9BDQEH1pIykhmUb88f1--ghHvJZlV5QBJUtzTR4/edit#heading=h.891fs8ss7v4a)
Lore
For the official 3.5 Lore on this race, see Races of Faerun p 74.
Less numerous, and less well known than the jovial Lightfoot and Stout halflings, the Ghostwise prefer to live isolated in the wilderness. Most Ghostwise clans actively avoid contact with outsiders, and try to keep their holdings hidden. They have been known to pack up and move away when the neighborhood becomes too crowded. They live a simple, rural life where family ties are treasured above all else.
But to an outsider a Ghostwise village is an eerie place. No one speaks aloud except when they cannot come close enough to use telepathy, and to do so is considered rude without an urgent reason.
Traits
Base Race. See PHB p. 28 for the traits of the base halfling race.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Psychic Battlecry. You know the cantrip, psychic battlecry. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Speak without Sound. As a free action you may telepathically “speak” to any creatures you can see within 30ft. As with normal speech, the recipient must know the language to understand the message. Your telepathy is one way— it cannot bring you a reply.
Even if you can’t see your target, you can use this power through solid objects if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood blocks your telepathy. Your telepathy doesn’t have to follow a straight line and can travel freely around corners or through openings.
Cantrip: Psychic Battlecry
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: none
Duration: Instantaneous
Using your telepathic voice, you scream a blood chilling battlecry which only the creature of your choice hears. Unless it is immune to psychic damage, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
This spell’s damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).
Commentary
I always thought these odd halflings would be interesting to play, but it never worked out. These guys would make great druids, since they can communicate while in animal form.
Andrew S. provided the idea of including a “psychic battlecry” with this subrace. Obviously this cantrip is based off of the Bard’s vicious mockery.
Points
1 Ability Score Increase
0.5 Psychic Battlecry
0.5 Speak without Sound
3.75 Halfling Base Race
5.75 Total
Part of Eleazar’s D&D 5e Homebrew Race Compendium (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m7qG9BDQEH1pIykhmUb88f1--ghHvJZlV5QBJUtzTR4/edit#heading=h.891fs8ss7v4a)
Lore
For the official 3.5 Lore on this race, see Races of Faerun p 74.
Less numerous, and less well known than the jovial Lightfoot and Stout halflings, the Ghostwise prefer to live isolated in the wilderness. Most Ghostwise clans actively avoid contact with outsiders, and try to keep their holdings hidden. They have been known to pack up and move away when the neighborhood becomes too crowded. They live a simple, rural life where family ties are treasured above all else.
But to an outsider a Ghostwise village is an eerie place. No one speaks aloud except when they cannot come close enough to use telepathy, and to do so is considered rude without an urgent reason.
Traits
Base Race. See PHB p. 28 for the traits of the base halfling race.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Psychic Battlecry. You know the cantrip, psychic battlecry. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Speak without Sound. As a free action you may telepathically “speak” to any creatures you can see within 30ft. As with normal speech, the recipient must know the language to understand the message. Your telepathy is one way— it cannot bring you a reply.
Even if you can’t see your target, you can use this power through solid objects if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood blocks your telepathy. Your telepathy doesn’t have to follow a straight line and can travel freely around corners or through openings.
Cantrip: Psychic Battlecry
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: none
Duration: Instantaneous
Using your telepathic voice, you scream a blood chilling battlecry which only the creature of your choice hears. Unless it is immune to psychic damage, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
This spell’s damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).
Commentary
I always thought these odd halflings would be interesting to play, but it never worked out. These guys would make great druids, since they can communicate while in animal form.
Andrew S. provided the idea of including a “psychic battlecry” with this subrace. Obviously this cantrip is based off of the Bard’s vicious mockery.
Points
1 Ability Score Increase
0.5 Psychic Battlecry
0.5 Speak without Sound
3.75 Halfling Base Race
5.75 Total