Ink Cursed (5e Race)

Ink Cursed

“

These aren't "tats" for fun. It's a curse.

”

Physical Description

By Mary Baumann

The ink cursed resemble ordinary humans in size and stature. However, their body is covered in what look to be tribal markings that never vanish, instead spreading as they get older. When an ink cursed is first born, they have stipples of color on their bodies that vary from red, blue, white or black. As they age, these stipples become the wellspring from which more markings appear on their bodies. These markings are often intricate, beautiful and tribal looking. The ink cursed are commonly mistaken to be just tattooed people, when in fact these markings are part of their skin, not able to be washed off or drained. Their skin is special in this way that where the markings are have odd pigments built into the dermis, and it is a fluid that can resemble ink in molecular structure.

The different subraces of the ink cursed are divided based on the color of their ink. There are four known varieties: red, blue, black, and white. While ink cursed usually look human, as they age and the markings encapsulate their body, their skin ton changes to that of the ink. So a red ink cursed will get redder and redder as he or she ages. All ink cursed share eyes that look like milky whites, colored by the ink which spreads there. It has been noted that the patches of skin with ink have different properties than the rest of the skin, able to heat up are harden at will. These properties are considered a magical gift of the curse ink cursed bear, giving them superhuman abilities.

History

The ink cursed were once normal humans. They belonged to a large and powerful tribe which traveled over from the Kara-Tur continent. According to legend, their ancestors came under the influence of a creature of ink. Its name is unknown, but it held a thrall of these people, who believed it to be a deity. It demanded of their women a following, but it could not copulate without possessing the body of a male. The male would sometimes die from poisoning as a result of being possessed. Those who survive were left with tainted skin and blood that contained ink. The women who were impregnated gave birth to children with odd marks on their bodies that grew as they did. When they reached elderly age, the ink would have spread across all their bodies. When this happened, they body drops dead. The people were horrified and sought to drive out the thing they thought to be god. When they ran to the altar, the trickster was gone... But its influence on the tainted seed of the entire tribe remains today.

Society

The curse is said to have shortened the lifespan of the ink cursed by draining their life from within, eventually consuming them at about only 70 years old. Ink cursed realized this and decided to separate their large tribe into smaller groups to better find a cure for this curse. They divided into groups by the colors of their ink, making four tribes: red, blue, black and white. Despite the split, the ink cursed remain a relatively connected race. They are largely nomadic, searching tirelessly for their goal, and passing this goal onto their later generations. Ink cursed look relatively human and so can often pass as one in society. It is thought, however, that the ink curse may have altered their bodies in other physiological ways, allowing them greater powers.

Ink Cursed Names

The ink cursed still have human names for the most part.

Male: Roikin, Akhir, Zera, Torak

Female: Lileluah, Kojiru, Relayan, Nyari

Ink Cursed Traits

A race cursed with short lives due to draining ink
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Age. Ink cursed have a life span of about 70 years and mature to adulthood at 20.
Alignment. Ink cursed have a variety of alignments like humans.
Size. You have a body similar to a humans. 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.
Warrior Tribe. You possess the training of the warriors from which you descended. You are proficient with one simple melee and one simple ranged weapon of your choice.
Languages. You can speak, read and write in Common and Primordial.
Subrace. Choose from the red, blue, black or white subrace.

Red

The red ink cursed have discovered their inked skin can absorb and give off heat. It has additionally changed their personality to be both warm and hot-tempered.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Red Ink. The red ink imbues your body with the power of infernal nature. You are resistant to fire damage. Additionally, you may cast the burning hands spell once, without material components, at its lowest level. You regain use of the spell via this trait by finishing a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Fiery Demeanor. You can be both encouraging and terrifying with your fervor and temper. You are proficient in the Persuasion and Intimidation skills.

Blue

Blue ink has made the ink cursed that bear it have lower body temperatures, as well as an inability to express feelings adequately, instead sharpening their mental prowess.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2.
Blue Ink. You are given a cold and calculating power. You are resistant to cold damage. Additionally, you may cast the detect magic spell once, without material components. You regain use of the spell via this trait by finishing a long rest.
Unfeeling. You have advantage in saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Black

The black ink cursed have resolute bodies like that of rock, reinforced by the ink. They do not fear death as the others may.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Black Ink. Something dark from the ink imbued your body with the power to resist death. You are resistant to necrotic damage.
Fortitude. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Stalwart. You are proficient in the Deception skill.

White

White ink cursed sometimes have the most subtle of features, as their pale skin can hide the ink. But their presence is often spellbinding itself, and they are extremely wise.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
White Ink. You are able to save those in need with a radiant power given by your ink. You are resistant to radiant damage. You know the spare the dying cantrip.
Wise Tongue. You know two extra languages of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 5''	+3d4	130 lb.	× (1d10) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

Personality Perks

d8	Personality Trait
1	I desire security from other's praises.
2	My words hold only what meaning they have!
3	I am facetious, but so is everyone else.
4	Good luck trying to get me to care about your issues.
5	I will follow what I want to know.
6	I prefer to be silent in groups.
7	People are to be watched.
8	I am a bit of a lethargic person who yawns a lot.

d6	Ideal
1	I want to be seen for more than the color on my skin.
2	I want to be the best at my trade.
3	I want to teach others the culture of my people.
4	I want to beat down all my enemies!
5	I want to be the best known explorer.
6	I want to discover who I am.

d6	Bond
1	This ink is part of me...
2	I will carry out the will of my ancestors and end this curse!
3	There are people cursed even more unfortunate than I...
4	Attachment to the world is folly.
5	There is little that I wouldn't do for my tribe.
6	I want to find love, just once.

d6	Flaw
1	I get really heated really fast.
2	I can't find it in me to care about anything at all.
3	There is an impossibility that I am vain.
4	My loyalty is near blind.
5	People can't understand me because of my fast tongue.
6	I like to alienate people I see as beneath me.

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