Black Eyes (5e Race)

Black Eyes

A slender, agile looking humanoid shape darts over the fences of town and through the alleyways. The angry mob chants "Kill the soul stealer!" They follow and their menacing shadows grow in the torchlight. The one fleeing hardly seems bothered as they can never seem to catch up. Just before he vaults over the town perimeter, he turns and gives a sneer to his pursuers down below. In the firelight, it is apparent his eyes are completely black, with no difference from sclera, iris or pupil. Despite the bereaved cries, he slips away.

Physical Description

By Megamoto85

Black eyes are similar in appearance and size to humans, albeit with slightly grayer than usual skin, jet-black eyes, and hair that is either pure white or stark black. Their eyes are the greatest defining feature, reflecting like a black mirror, with no way to tell what part of the eye is which. Those who have dissected such a creature, and they are few, report that their eyeballs resemble black pearls. When in sunlight, a black eye's body appears to be supernaturally shadowed or wispy. Despite this, black eyes have no aversion nor innate dislike for sunlight.

History

Black eyes are surrounded by myth, with countless tales of them stealing souls or performing other demonic deeds. Indeed, they are believed by many to be demons through and through. In truth, though, they are only one of many creatures that are actually half-fiend. A black eyes is usually the result of the mating of an elf with one or more demons. Over millennia these long-lived creatures have interbred with each other and formed something that might resemble a race in its own right.

The race is known to be rare, yet powerful. Black eyes often live and blend well into societies when they wish. However, they cannot quite quell their reputation for trouble and often doing something that results in their banishment or even being declared wanted dead. Such activities range from grave robbing, murder, and of course, soul stealing. While it is unclear exactly what they do with the souls, it can be attributed to their lineage. The same thing can be said of their usually darker thoughts than that of the average person. Otherwise, they make great neighbors.

Interbreeding has given black eyes no penalties, save a more variant range of sizes maybe. While they are similar to humans, black eyes are often on the shorter side of the spectrum. A good deal of black eye children are also described to be quite the vicious ones, without much restraint having been taught. Their eyes are often a survival risk, as other races would think to nip the demon at its bud. Thus, it is understandable that black eyes are not only crafty but cautious. They do not often conceal their eyes however, perhaps because of some pride in having such feared blood in their veins.

Society

True to its name, any black eyes has trouble fitting into normal society unless its eyes remain hidden, which is strangely unlikely. A knowledgeable person who sees the tell-tale black eyes will often ostracize the creature for the demon spawn it is. Those not in the know are much more likely to make riots and raise hunts against them. Consequently, many black eyes tend to either be a hermit or live a meagre lifestyle in the slums of a larger city.

The race's scarcity and secretive makes villages of them quite uncommon, which is only fueled by the relative dislike black eyes have for each other. Despite this, there are rumored tribes of them that live by the lost city of Omu and such secluded places. The isolation makes them hostile and often dangerous places to stumble upon. They are not the friendliest or the most organized of societies and prefer to keep to themselves in all facets of life, even within a community. There are no central leaders, though black eyes do have admiration for the swift, the strong and the wit.

It is not uncommon for black eyes to sometimes go into societies they know to be safe or ignorant of their nature. Looking rather normal, if not just a bit creepy, black eyes can easily adapt to mannerisms of the locals and live in quiet until they inevitably, irrevocably cause some big stink and are forced or chased out. This is not to say, however, that black eyes are always culprits. Due to the dislike surrounding them, they make excellent scapegoats for real troublemakers sometimes. Some black eyes who work hard to cultivate their lives in secret can have their lid blown on them by nosy villagers or often even be held in blackmail over their true identities.

Common Black Eyes Names

Male: Ameretat, Erebus, Shshrivar

Female: Brigid, Oinoe, Melusine

Black Eyes Traits

A demonic humanoid with stark black eyes and unusual supernatural capabilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom increases by 2, and your Constitution and Dexterity scores each increase by 1.
Age. Black eyes can live about 750 years and reach mental maturity at around 100.
Alignment. Black eyes tend to veer toward chaos and evil due to their abyssal heritage.
Size. A typical black eyes is between 5 and 7 foot tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Demonkind. Your creature type is considered to be both fiend (demon) and humanoid.
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.
Demon Blood. You are resistant to necrotic damage.
Soul Grab. You can use your action to force a creature within 10 feet of you to make a Constitution saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d8 necrotic damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d8 at 6th level, 4d8 at 11th level, and 5d8 at 16th level. You regain hit points equal to half the necrotic damage dealt with this trait. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all use of this trait after you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can read, write, and speak Common and Abyssal.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 8''	+2d10	110 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

5.00

(2 votes)

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