Hydean (5e Race)

Hydean

“	How can you bear it? Oh, you lucky people... able to keep yourselves whilst in another body, another form! But we... we are cursed to be our own enemies! we cannot sleep around ourselves for fear that we become them, and they, us!	”
—A hydean to a shifter

Physical Description

Actor Richard Mansfield in an 1887 stage adaptation of Stevenson's novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Hydeans are virtually indistinguishable from normal humans in their normal forms. They look like humans in pretty much every way possible. However, when they transform, their forms become bestial and horrific to behold. Much like a shifter, their features change to become like that of beasts. However, the second form for hydeans has a more sinister element to it. Their eyes commonly turn yellow and the creases on their faces become like that of the visage of evil. It is said their forms are based on a primitive instinct borne within their bodies and psyches, thus giving different hydeans slightly varying shapes. For the most part, they end up looking like wicked beast men. Strangely, their transformations can sometimes look more demonic, and even angelic to some.

History

Unlike shifters, who were natural products of lycanthropes lying with humans, hydeans have a more synthetic origin. It is believed that a special serum meant to grant one greater insight and strength like that of a beast was used to poison an entire town's population. The result was nothing short of a disaster. At first, people showed no ill symptoms. then, strange things started happening around town that seemed to have no explanation. People found their doors unlocked and clothes shredded, with all kinds of mischief running rampant. Most disturbing of all were the lapses of memory and the accounts that the people themselves were guilty of this. This town is believed to be the origin of hydeans, and was since destroyed by religious zealots who declared it cursed. However, many of its inhabitants successfully fled and slowly came to realize what they had become. In essence, the serum split their selves in twain. While they are unconscious, the other mind takes over, one of devious and beastly instinct. There are other origin stories about how hydeans were actually a race cursed by gods. Accounts differ but more or less end the same way with the people ending up split in the mind, and their progeny as well. There are also strange cases of chemical dependency for hydeans, perhaps a byproduct of the curse.

Society

There are shady rumors that the progeny of these afflicted people have established small town-like covens away from others. From young ages, hydeans are taught to fear and suppress their desires and instincts so that they do not grow too powerful while their beings are transformed. It is to be believed that the more one's subconsciousness is allowed to explore, the more powerful a hydean's other self becomes. This is pure speculation, as hydeans are still just usually seen as lycanthropes, albeit with a chemical disorder that makes them more volatile. Due the the dependency that hydeans experience, they are all mandated to learn the concoction of the compound that allows them to transform within their community. Their towns are thus hidden and few gather the courage to leave. Most believe that they will forever have to live in fear of their other self. These towns are generally aware of the location of other hydean dwellings and they communicate and trade through their own network. Some towns have been exposed before, often prompting hydeans to either adapt or flee once more. Due to their freakish status, some hydeans are also unfortunate to be showcased as freaks in circuses and shows, further alienating their kind.

Hydean Names

While a hydean is in their normal state, they usually have a normal human name. However, their other self has a different alias, one that can often sound foreign. The two know and refer to each other often as though different people. The other self of a hydean cares less for gender in names than their normal self might.

Male: Jekyll, Viktor, Ian, John

Female: Giselle, Rose, Paola, Lila

Other Self: Hyde, Ryahl, Zarekah, Iashoth

Hydean Traits

A strange and cursed lycanthrope relative
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1 and one other score of your choice increases by 2.
Age. Unfortunately, hydeans rarely live long. They mature at around 15 and live only about a century.
Alignment. The curse on hydeans often creates a chaotic side of them that is indulgent. Their normal self is as normal.
Size. Whether in their normal or transformed body, hydeans are around the same height range of humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Dependency. You must take one dose of the special compound which has a grip on your race to stave off death. For each day past one week that you don't take a dose, you will take one level of exhaustion. Because of this, you will die if you don't take a dose over a two-week period, as per rules on exhaustion in the PHB.
Dual Nature. Having a second self keeps you on your toes and makes it harder for both your minds to be tricked. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
Concocter. You are proficient with alchemist supplies. Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a dose of the special compound to sate your Dependency. You can spend additional materials and time to craft multiple doses. Each dose expires at the end of a week's time. It takes an action to administer the dose. When you drink a dose of this compound, it removes one level of exhaustion for each compound taken, and prevents Dependency from bestowing a level of exhaustion for a week. Creatures other than hydeans who drink this compound are not affected. Additionally, when you drink this compound, you can activate your Other Self without using an action.
Other Self. When you change into your other self, you take on a more brutish appearance. This transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you die. You gain the following benefits while transformed:
•You gain 1d6 temporary hit points at the start of each of your turns. These hit points expire at the end of your turn.
•You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
•Your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 0''	+4d6	100 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a hydean 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.

Hydeans are often peaceful people while they are normal. Unfortunately, the need for their drug makes them unstable and devolve. Some have been driven to do unspeakable things while they are transformed.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I count the days until I have to become my other self again.
2	I indulge all I want in what I want to do on the time I have as myself.
3	There are things I absolutely must have. Well, one thing. Everything else is second place.
4	I am curious about my misfortune and so I act as if it is not a curse.
5	I adopt silly new rituals daily, believing they will cure my curse.
6	I like to talk a lot and ramble to forget my problems.
7	I have little drive on my own. I need someone else to drive and guide me.
8	I don't like to worry about things so I avoid whatever worries me.

d6	Ideal
1	Cure. I want to be free of this curse that has taken so much from me. (Neutral)
2	Indulgence. I don't care if my other self hurts others. Heck, I'll do it myself even! (Evil)
3	Containment. I can live with this, surely. I just need to keep it a secret... (Lawful)
4	Lasting. If I have to die a monster, I would like to do at least one good thing I can be remembered for. (Good)
5	Hermit. I just want to find a quiet place where I will never harm anyone ever again... (Neutral)
6	Curiosity. I want to find out all that is possible with my condition and maybe it can be used for something... (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	I have blood on my hands... I currently flee from my crimes committed.
2	I hate myself. The other me killed the one I love.
3	I never knew warmth or love. I doubt they matter anyway.
4	I cut my ties to everyone I know for fear of harming them.
5	Once I am able to be normal, I have someone I want to see.
6	I was used by other people as a freak of a joke.

d6	Flaw
1	I dislike everyone and I don't care if I end up alone.
2	I only see the immediate consequences before me, not what the future holds.
3	My self-loathing drives me to self harm so I can inhibit my other self and my dependency.
4	I down my concoction dosage without care, even when I don't need it.
5	I am scared of doing anything for fear I will empower my impulses.
6	I talk to myself so much everyone thinks I'm crazy.

0.00

(0 votes)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races