Onyx Skeleton (5e Race)

Onyx Skeletons

Physical Description

This is a race of skeletal beings unlike many others, formed from the very earth into their imposing forms. Where other skeletons are shades of white bone, these skeletons are sleek and ebon through and through. Eyes of blue flames light up their eye sockets and they can channel these flames through their body to give themselves an imposing visage to behold. Quite unlike many skeletons, the onyx skeletons are able to grow head and facial hair. The hair itself is actual strands of the onyx that the skeleton is made out of, but on occasion, the hair may have strands of a different hue. Their actual forms are most commonly humanoid, devoid of any specific structures.

History

Onyx skeletons were created as an alternative to the need for remains when it came to necromancy. They, therefore, are not real undead, but constructs. The first onyx skeletons were made by golem constructors who happened upon a surplus of onyx ore from miners. They chiseled the material finely to resemble a skeleton. This allowed them to make many of them, with supported structure, while not requiring as much material as a standard golem. Leftovers could be smelted to new material. With the final touch of magic, the onyx skeleton line was introduced to the market. Their material altered the way which the animation magic awoke them, giving them the unique quality to produce blue flames. Despite their novelty, their appearance turned off many who took them for undead erroneously. Before long, their production was largely scrapped. However, their creators let them go rather than destroying them. Unbeknownst to them, the skeletons knew the secrets of their own creation. As they walked out as free beings to face the world which rejected them, they had in mind their brilliant design and how to propagate it.

Society

Onyx skeletons tend to live together in groups. As a society, they tend to operate like clansmen. The importance of security and honor for their people is greatly reputed. Those who grow up that become a danger to that security, or do not gain that honor tend to be ostracized from events and activities. Some are even exiled in more severe cases. Beyond that, they tend to live in the quiet havens of secret locations, usually behind an intricate pathway of tunnels or beyond some magical or physical wall. Due to the misunderstandings against their race, they tend to be more secretive. Other societies do not view well on these skeletons, fearing them to be the typical evil undead, or even the creation of a lich.

Names

There are 4 genders for the onyx skeletons, which they constructed purely from differentiation in structure, as they cannot breed as constructs. Males have sharper brows and smaller cervical cavities, with names modeled after orcs. Females have wider cervical cavities and slightly lighter bones, with names modeled after elves. The algis are stout and share both male and female traits. Their names have dwarvish origins. Normas are very smooth skeletons and have the most artificial appearance, taking names after humans.

Male: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk

Female: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, M ialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Algis: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor, Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal

Normas: Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey, Westra, Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth

Onyx Skeleton Traits

Skeletons made of onyx
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age. Your body doesn't age past creation really. However, the material is not immutable and will eventually show wear after a few millennia. Onyx typically lasts for about 8,000 years before erosion gets the best of it.
Alignment. Generally, these beings are neutral, due to their comparative isolation with the rest of the world.
Size. Because your body resembles mostly humanoid bones, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. 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.
Naturally Athletic. Due to your strong bones, you gain proficiency the Athletics skill.
Construct. You are a skeleton made of stone. Your creature type is construct instead of humanoid. As such, spells like cure wounds don't affect you, and you are immune to spells like crown of madness or dominate person because they specifically target humanoids. You are immune to poison damage, being poisoned, and diseases. You do not need to eat or breathe, and any food you do attempt to eat falls through the space in your mandible, into your ribs. Rather than sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 6 hours each day. You do not dream in this state; you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal.
Flame Imbued. The magic which bought onyx skeletons to life was altered by the inherent quality in onyx, giving them the eyes of blue flames. You know the produce flame cantrip.
Languages. You can read, write and speak Common and either Elvish, Orc or Dwarvish, depending on your gender.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 10''	+3d8	120 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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