Istari (5e Race)
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Istari[edit]
The wise speak only of what they know.-Gandalf the White
Physical Description[edit]
Despite their divine origins being closer to the elves of their world, the istari all appear as elderly humans, usually of above average height. Most istari in male forms also grow large beards and eyebrows over their lined faces. Despite this appearance, the istari display none of the infirmities of old age beyond their own lifestyle habits and none have ever displayed any long-term health complications of their chosen forms. Despite their immortality and ageless natures, the istari can slightly alter their visages to appear older or younger over time if they wish, though none have ever demonstrated the ability to look any younger than late middle-age.
Istari tend to wear voluminous robes or coats, often with hidden pockets, and many have a fondness for hats. Strangely, when they get incarnated most istari tend to fixate on a single color that they will try to always be wearing as their robes, if not sole color, though many also like to accessorize with smaller items like scarves and boots. They also will usually have some sort of stave available for them to both help them channel their magic and make their wizened exterior more believable.
History[edit]
The istari, known more formally as the istarion and more colloquially as wizards, despite not all of them being wizards, are angelic spirits known as maiar given flesh by their bosses, the quasi-deities known as the valar, to oppose the dark designs of fallen maiar in their corporeal world after they restricted themselves from direct involvement. To this end, the istari are restricted from using their full powers and dominating the freedom of mortals. However, once incarnated the valar have a limited ability to control the actions of the istari, leading some to follow their kin into darkness. The only real punishment the greater celestials can dispense is same for all fallen maiar that reject their light; refusing the istari return to their celestial home of Valinor, a plane of eternal paradise. Instead, the istari’s spirit is cursed to fade away into nothing when their body expires instead of the express return trip most maiar get.
Society[edit]
Within the halls of Valinor, the istari act as any other maia would; formless, primordial beings overseeing the world. On the more material plane, the istari have never been deployed in numbers greater than single digits, so they don’t have much society of their own beyond personal friendships, rivalries, alliances and general interest in their shared goals of combating evil, though fallen istari can easily subvert such missions from within as few istari will assume the worst in their limited kin without overt betrayals. To these ends, most istari tend to work independently of each other, only grouping up against greater threats they and their mortal allies cannot handle alone.
Speaking of mortal allies, istari tend to ingratiate themselves well into any peoples that value faith, friendship, and freedom, often becoming sage councilors or odd meddlers depending on their timing and the disposition of the societies’ people and rulers. Few of their acquaintances are aware of the istari’s extraplanar origins, but most can respect their magical and academic knowledge enough to give them a similar degree of deference, if not trepidation. Because of their longevity, most istari tend to gravitate towards friendships with long-lived peoples such as elves, nature spirits like fey and plants, or entire family lines, especially with hobb… halflings. Others avoid all that and become woodland hermits instead.
Istari Names[edit]
Over their long lives, istari tend to pick up a number of names, titles, and nicknames, but usually have a favorite they use when talking among themselves or just in general. Istari generally don’t have last names, but nothing is stopping them from using one if they want. Most instead just use a title of their favorite color such as Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown, or Saruman the White. Gender is no object to the istari.
Any: Aiwendil, Curumo, Curunir, Haimenar, Hravandil, Incanus, Ithryn, Luin, Mithrandir, Morinehtar, Olorin, Palacendo, Romestamo, Tarindor, Tharkun, Tom, Sharku
Istari Traits[edit]
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores all increases by 1.
Age. Istari are immortal and cannot be magically aged.
Alignment. Istari tend towards a lawful good alignment when they first incarnate, but many develop their own ideas over time.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Just a Walking Stick. You have proficiency with quarterstaffs and can use any quarterstaff or staff as a spellcasting focus.
Subtle Influence. You can cast any cantrip or spell you know without verbal or somatic components. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Wise Counsel. You have proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Stealth, Arcana, Religion, Animal Handling, Medicine, Intimidation, Persuasion.
Wizards of Many Colors. You know a cantrip of your choice from any class spell list. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast a 1st-level spell of your choice with this trait, without requiring a material component. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast a 2nd-level spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast either spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Celestial, Common, and one other language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 0'' | +3d6 | 100 lb. | × (1d10) lb. |
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*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
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