Fireborn (5e Race)

Fireborn

“	Some want to watch the world burn. Others came from the ashes of that fire, and we tried to kill them. Clearly, one of the many mistakes our kind has encountered.	”
—Saladin, Human Wizard.

As it stands, there is no solid proof of the invasion of the fire plane, but the evidence is there in the form of fireborn, humanoid creatures with the ability to wield flames. They became feared because of their powers, nearly hunted to extinction several times. Despite literally glowing like a lantern with hair made of fire, they have learned to control their abilities, or as they came to be known, “gifts”.

Invasion of Flame

Thousands upon thousands of years ago, a rift in the multiverse opened up the elemental plane of fire to the material plane, and the whole land was completely burned before the rift closed a few months later. A few hundred years later, mysterious humans arose from the ashes of the places that were hit the worst. They became known as the fireborn, and were feared throughout the material plane as humans who could wield fire. It was later found out that they were not humans, but the name stuck.

In fear for their lives, human kingdoms started ordering fireborns to be killed because of the way they can control fire frightened the humans. They faced extinction, but ironically, it was actually the Elves who first helped them. The masters of racial pride and xenophobia helped them out and let them live in Elvish forests simply because they were at war with the humans at the time, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. When the war was over, the Fireborns numbers had risen to a point where the humans had given up trying to exterminate them because it would simply be too much effort.

Gifts of Fire

The fireborn resemble humans to some degree, but are more consistently compared to dwarfs. Both respect their heritage, honor their families deeds and are prideful of their society. Fireborns always have intense maroon irises and have normal hair on their heads, it is made of a material that naturally can always be on fire. It cannot be extinguished by water, but is not magical either, even though they don’t produce smoke or even the heat of a normal fire.

Every fireborn is very prideful of his or her ability to wield fire, or as they call them, “gifts”. They wield their gifts with great pride, and it is extremely uncommon to see a Fireborn reject their heritage or try to pass as human by extinguishing their burning hair. Trying to hide one’s identity by not using their gifts is seen as shameful among the fireborn.

Legions of Heat

Because of the almost massacre thousands of years ago, Fireborn never let their numbers in the military fall. Fireborn raised in Fireborn territory will almost always join the military, male or female, because they believe it is their duty to serve the country. Others will become ambassadors, adventurers, or even master smiths. Fireborn armies are some of the toughest to face in battle, despite never having the numbers due to being an uncommon race. Many monster armies would rather run away than face them in battle, except red half dragons and other firery creatures.

Fireborn Names

Fireborn names tend to have an intense feel, often relating to fire in some way.

Male: Barret, Coal, Dills, Flare, Flamethrower, Gear, Harbunad, Heat, Kira, Sword, Titan, Wave, Zane.

Female: Ember, Flame, Gil, Gyre, Karen, Rinku, Rod, Shatter, Solv, Spark, Spear, Teris, Wildfire, Zoe.

Fireborn Traits

Humanoids created in the ashes of a war between the Material and Fire planes.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age. Fireborn gain their “gifts” at around age 10, reach maturity at about 18-22 years old and can live up to 600 years.
Alignment. Fireborn tend to no particular alignment, but are often lawful as a result of a clan system.
Size. Fireborns stand up to 6 or 7 feet tall and can weigh over 230 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Burning Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.
Illumination. As a bonus action, you can ignite your hair causing you no harm, when you do you shed bright light in a 20-foot radius and in dim light an additional 20 feet beyond that.
Gifts of Fire. You know the produce flame cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell once as a 2nd-level spell and need to finish a long rest before you can cast it again. When you reach 5th level, you can also cast scorching ray once and need to finish a long rest before you can cast it again. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Ignan.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 10''	+4d6	135 lb.	× (2d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a fireborn character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I. NEVER. LOSE.
2	I always like keeping my hair on the down low, but whenever I’m surprised it burns even stronger.
3	Water is the bane of my existence, even though I still have to drink it.
4	I love violence to an point where I sometimes can’t be controlled.
5	I get enraged by anyone who insults me or my family heritage.
6	Fire hair is great. Anyone who doesn’t have it are the ones missing out.
7	I won’t take no for an answer, especially to someone I’m challenging.
8	Cold? What is this cold you speak of?

d6	Ideal
1	The world needs fire, for cooking and heat (Neutral).
2	Fire is part of a balance, ensuring that no one will ever be without light (Lawful).
3	I will burn those who have disgraced my family (Evil).
4	I will use my fire to provide warmth and comfort for those who are not born with it (Good).
5	Fire overcomes all. Everything burns eventually. (Chaotic).
6	Fire is a force of nature, and its our job to wield it in ways we see fit (Any).

d6	Bond
1	I have a brother or sister who I lost years ago, and I will continue searching for them to the last.
2	My clan is everything. The clan comes first, even before friends.
3	I carry a (weapon). It was made by my father, and he used it before me.
4	Our gifts our a blessing, and we must use them to the fullest.
5	I would defend my non-firery companions as if they were the leader of my clan.
6	I used to think I was human, until a deity of fire revealed my true nature.

d6	Flaw
1	I sometimes try not to use my gifts when I’m not with other Fireborn.
2	I treat any non Fireborn with indifference at best.
3	I think anyone without gifts means the gods have abandoned them.
4	I have vowed revenge on the humans for what they did thousands of years ago.
5	I never trust anyone.
6	I secretly believe that those who cannot withstand the flames should not have them.

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