LiteralMachine
2020-11-11, 03:09 PM
Howdy! I've written up a homebrew race for a campaign I'm planning to run, and I'd appreciate any feedback on the idea. I'd also love to know how it goes if you use this race in your game!
In terms of stats, verlings are modeled after the base tiefling race, but with faerie legacy rather than infernal. I removed fire resistance in favor of a couple custom traits that take advantage of boosted Charisma and Wisdom, and swapped out the tieflings spells to something more in-theme for fae, with more of a focus on social interactions rather than purely combat. I originally intended for this to be a tiefling variant, but the stats are sufficiently different that I think it makes more sense as its own distinct race.
A google doc version exists, and I intend to share it on D&D Beyond eventually, though it looks like I need more forum activity before I'm allowed to post urls!
Verling
To be a verling is to be met with suspicion and paranoia by society. A bargain struck by your distant ancestor with an Archfey or Eladrin Lord has forever marked your bloodline, and everybody knows faeries are untrustworthy. Whenever you walk through town, parents grab their children as though they think you're about to spirit them off to the Feywild. Not that you could, even if you wanted to — you're no more a faerie than a tiefling is a demon.
Fae Bloodline
Just as a tiefling is born to a mortal line touched by something fiendish, a verling bears traces of the Feywild. Faerie heritage shapes mortals just as drastically as Infernal, though a verling's horns more often take after deer or elk than ram or goat. The finer details of their forms, however, are as diverse and wild as the Fae themselves. Some are small and slender, with skin that shimmers like opal in moonlight. Some might be mistaken for firbolg, but for their branching horns and unearthly eyes.
A verling's eyes are usually a solid color, with no visible sclera or pupil. Blue, gold, green, and white are common, though some shimmer with rainbow iridescence or glow like starlit ice. A verling's skin and hair may likewise take any color found among humans, or shades of blue, green, and yellow. Some are dappled, or have natural patterns that resemble tattoos. They invariably have horns and tails, though the tail of a verling is often more slender than that of a tiefling, and may have a tufted tip.
A verling's pointed teeth, however, function very much the same as those of their Infernal counterparts.
Mischievous, Aloof, or Anything In Between
Verlings vary greatly in temperament, though they do tend to have an unearthly air, as well as a fondness for wordplay. Speaking with a verling can be unnerving, as their opaque eyes always seem to be gazing at something unseen, and their musical voices seem to be laughing at a joke only they can hear. Some verlings are passionate, impulsive, and whimsical, some might be cunning tricksters, and some might be icy, remote wanderers. This variety among individuals gives verlings a reputation for being chaotic and unpredictable — admittedly, the reputation is sometimes well-earned, but the stereotype leads to difficulties when interacting with those not of their kind.
Suspicious and Suspect
Like tieflings, verlings are accustomed to being mistrusted by other races. As a result, verlings may be suspicious of people who profess loyalty to them, and instinctively fall back on Fae tendencies to secure bargains or deals rather than friendships. The worst insult you can offer a verling is a broken promise, and the easiest way to earn their respect is to drive a bargain as craftily as them.
It's rare to find a verling anywhere but the edges of society. Some eschew it altogether. Verling hermits and wandering adventurers are common, and those that do live in cities tend to find their abilities useful in the intersection of the polite and criminal worlds. Depending on the time and place, tieflings and verlings may share a grim sort of camaraderie, or they may be at each other’s throats as they scrabble for whatever shreds of respect the rest of the population is willing to dole out. At the end of the day, whether your horns are pointed or branching, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference when the torches and pitchforks come out.
Verling Traits
Verlings share certain racial traits as a result of their faerie descent.
Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age
Verlings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.
Alignment
Verlings have no particular tendency towards good or evil. While many favor clever trickery and mischievousness, those traits are almost always tempered by deep instincts to honor bargains, deals, and promises. Those that delight in keeping only to the letter of their bargains might tend towards Chaotic alignments, while those that hold steadfast to the spirit of a promise tend towards Lawful. The only thing for certain is that Neutrality is rare among verlings.
Size
Verlings are about the same size and build as humans, give or take. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your Feywild 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.
Faerie Guile
You may use Charisma (Deception) instead of Charisma (Persuasion) when telling the truth, or you may use Charisma (Persuasion) instead of Charisma (Deception) when telling a lie. When you do so, you gain Advantage on the roll. You can use this feature one time per long rest.
Faerie Sight
You may use Wisdom (Perception) instead of Intelligence (Investigation) for skill checks to detect magical illusions, and you have proficiency on checks used for this purpose. If you already have proficiency in the skill, you have expertise (double your proficiency bonus) on checks used for this purpose.
Feywild Legacy
You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the color spray spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the suggestion spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.
In terms of stats, verlings are modeled after the base tiefling race, but with faerie legacy rather than infernal. I removed fire resistance in favor of a couple custom traits that take advantage of boosted Charisma and Wisdom, and swapped out the tieflings spells to something more in-theme for fae, with more of a focus on social interactions rather than purely combat. I originally intended for this to be a tiefling variant, but the stats are sufficiently different that I think it makes more sense as its own distinct race.
A google doc version exists, and I intend to share it on D&D Beyond eventually, though it looks like I need more forum activity before I'm allowed to post urls!
Verling
To be a verling is to be met with suspicion and paranoia by society. A bargain struck by your distant ancestor with an Archfey or Eladrin Lord has forever marked your bloodline, and everybody knows faeries are untrustworthy. Whenever you walk through town, parents grab their children as though they think you're about to spirit them off to the Feywild. Not that you could, even if you wanted to — you're no more a faerie than a tiefling is a demon.
Fae Bloodline
Just as a tiefling is born to a mortal line touched by something fiendish, a verling bears traces of the Feywild. Faerie heritage shapes mortals just as drastically as Infernal, though a verling's horns more often take after deer or elk than ram or goat. The finer details of their forms, however, are as diverse and wild as the Fae themselves. Some are small and slender, with skin that shimmers like opal in moonlight. Some might be mistaken for firbolg, but for their branching horns and unearthly eyes.
A verling's eyes are usually a solid color, with no visible sclera or pupil. Blue, gold, green, and white are common, though some shimmer with rainbow iridescence or glow like starlit ice. A verling's skin and hair may likewise take any color found among humans, or shades of blue, green, and yellow. Some are dappled, or have natural patterns that resemble tattoos. They invariably have horns and tails, though the tail of a verling is often more slender than that of a tiefling, and may have a tufted tip.
A verling's pointed teeth, however, function very much the same as those of their Infernal counterparts.
Mischievous, Aloof, or Anything In Between
Verlings vary greatly in temperament, though they do tend to have an unearthly air, as well as a fondness for wordplay. Speaking with a verling can be unnerving, as their opaque eyes always seem to be gazing at something unseen, and their musical voices seem to be laughing at a joke only they can hear. Some verlings are passionate, impulsive, and whimsical, some might be cunning tricksters, and some might be icy, remote wanderers. This variety among individuals gives verlings a reputation for being chaotic and unpredictable — admittedly, the reputation is sometimes well-earned, but the stereotype leads to difficulties when interacting with those not of their kind.
Suspicious and Suspect
Like tieflings, verlings are accustomed to being mistrusted by other races. As a result, verlings may be suspicious of people who profess loyalty to them, and instinctively fall back on Fae tendencies to secure bargains or deals rather than friendships. The worst insult you can offer a verling is a broken promise, and the easiest way to earn their respect is to drive a bargain as craftily as them.
It's rare to find a verling anywhere but the edges of society. Some eschew it altogether. Verling hermits and wandering adventurers are common, and those that do live in cities tend to find their abilities useful in the intersection of the polite and criminal worlds. Depending on the time and place, tieflings and verlings may share a grim sort of camaraderie, or they may be at each other’s throats as they scrabble for whatever shreds of respect the rest of the population is willing to dole out. At the end of the day, whether your horns are pointed or branching, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference when the torches and pitchforks come out.
Verling Traits
Verlings share certain racial traits as a result of their faerie descent.
Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age
Verlings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.
Alignment
Verlings have no particular tendency towards good or evil. While many favor clever trickery and mischievousness, those traits are almost always tempered by deep instincts to honor bargains, deals, and promises. Those that delight in keeping only to the letter of their bargains might tend towards Chaotic alignments, while those that hold steadfast to the spirit of a promise tend towards Lawful. The only thing for certain is that Neutrality is rare among verlings.
Size
Verlings are about the same size and build as humans, give or take. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your Feywild 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.
Faerie Guile
You may use Charisma (Deception) instead of Charisma (Persuasion) when telling the truth, or you may use Charisma (Persuasion) instead of Charisma (Deception) when telling a lie. When you do so, you gain Advantage on the roll. You can use this feature one time per long rest.
Faerie Sight
You may use Wisdom (Perception) instead of Intelligence (Investigation) for skill checks to detect magical illusions, and you have proficiency on checks used for this purpose. If you already have proficiency in the skill, you have expertise (double your proficiency bonus) on checks used for this purpose.
Feywild Legacy
You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the color spray spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the suggestion spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.