Aetheri (5e Race)

This page is of questionable balance. Reason: This race gets +1 AC AND a ridiculously high AC calculation rivaling that of a class feature (conveniently factoring their two ASI stats). This thing also gets a non-recharge-necessary attack at 3rd level that also ages targets and gets a high bonus to perception checks. The complete order and perfect attacks are also inexcusable for 5e race design and overall balance in general, breaking bounded accuracy and adding traits beyond 5th level. See 5e Race Design Guide. You can help D&D Wiki by better balancing the mechanics of this page. When the mechanics have been changed so that this template is no longer applicable please remove this template. If you do not understand balance please leave comments on this page's talk page before making any edits. Edit this Page | All pages needing balance

Aetheri

Nyx stood by the docks and fiddling with a strange looking rock that he had found on his way to the docks. "Nyx! Hop on!" said a voice from the other side of the docks. There was a small boat with 3 people on it. They were all drunk by the looks of it. When they pulled up to the side of the dock, several bottles of ale fell off of the boat and slid into the water. "Oi, Nyx, come have some fun with us!" said James as he put Nyx in a headlock. He stumbled around the dock and crashed into a stack of barrels still holding Nyx. Nyx slid out from under his burly arms and took off his wooden mask. His eyes were a furious shade of purple and his long white hair blew in the wind. He still had bloody bandages on his mouth from when James had burned his face off last week. "Huh. first time I've ever seen your eyes." James said smugly. He punched Nyx in the stomach and his bandages became even more bloody. The other two people on the ship laughed. "I'm sick and tired of this." Nyx said. His eyes started glowing. There were no screams. There was no time. There was only blood.

Physical Description

Aetheri are almost identical to elves. They are tall, slender, they have long hair, and they have abnormal skin tones, but they have a few unique defining features. Aetheri have hair in light colors only like white, light pink, or light blue. They also have special eyes. Their pupils are often strange shapes like a star or a spade in a card deck. Their pupils reflect their personality. When creating your character, think about his/her class or background when thinking of what their pupils will look like. Aetheri eyes are also often unusual colors and look out of place and otherworldly.

History

The aetheri once lived in sync with the hands of Mechanus, the plane of order and honored Mechanus by devoting themselves passionately to Mechanus. Thus, Mechanus granted them the gift of order and harmony. The aetheri lived amongst regular people and were spread out across the map with no major colonies. But in the city of Waterdeep, a villain was born. With a name unknown to most, he terrorized the citizens of Waterdeep and left behind almost nothing. He used the powers of order brought to him by the plane of Mechanus to bring chaos upon the material plane. The aetheri banded up against him and eventually put him to his death. After this, the aetheri sealed themselves and their powers away underground. Some aetheri dwell on the surface, but major colonies are below major cities. Down in the darkness of the caves, the aetheri gained a keen sense of sight and some of them came in contact with a special and very rare herb that they put in some of their medicine. Unbeknownst to them, the herb awakened their souls and combined with the powers of Mechanus gave them special eyes. Their eyes are different depending on their soul because of the aftereffects of the herb, and since aetheri are mostly good-natured people, they have minimal problems in their communities.

Society

Aetheri colonies often consist of around a thousand people. They like to live in underground cave complexes under large cities or towns. All aetheri colonies are connected in one way or another, whether it be by a tunnel or an underground waterway. When aetheri run out of natural materials, they go up to the surface where they blend in among the citizens and steal food or seeds to start anew. When aetheri live on the surface, they wear blindfolds or masks to cover up their eyes. Aetheri also are in constant competition with elves and do anything they can to win when an elf challenges them.

Aetheri Names

Aetheri use the names of any race for the purpose of surprise. They often take after the names of the race that is most common in the city that they live under or in. For example, if an aetheri lived in Waterdeep, they would use a human name.

Aetheri Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. The aetheri generally reach maturity around the age of 100, and live to be around 2000.
Alignment. Although most aetheri are peacful and neutral and often don't get involved in conflicts, some aetheri tend to stray down the path evil and chaos. Those aetheri are powerful and formidable enemies to the rest of the world.
Size. Aetheri generally range from 6 Feet in stature to about 7 and 1/2.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35.
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.
Under the City. Due to the knowledge given to them by the city they dwell under. You gain proficiency in 1 skill of their choice.
Eyes of Order. Aetheri displays uncanny control over the order of time which is displayed in their eyes. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip and can cast it without using an action.
Time Defense. While you are not wearing armor, your base AC is 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Leyline. The aetheri knows more of their power as time flows differently around them. At the 3rd level, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Time-Ripper Eyes. The aetheri can channel their time energy and shoot a beam out of their eyes that rips through space-time itself. At the 3rd level, you make a ranged weapon attack. On a hit, it deals 3d6 radiant damage and ages the target a number of years equal to your level. This attack treats targets with resistance to radiant damage as though they do not have resistance. You cannot use this trait again until you finish a long rest.
Eagle Eyes. At the 13th level, you gain a +1d6 bonus to Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Complete Order. At the 15th level, you can enter a state during which you gain a +5 bonus to saving throws and attack rolls for 1 hour. You cannot use this trait again until 1 week has passed.
Perfect Attacks. At the 17th level, you can instead add your Wisdom modifier to your attack rolls.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 6''	+2d12	120 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

2.33

(3 votes)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races