Metuomagnus (5e Race)

Metuomagnus

“	It was as the fire parted that I saw the creature, it's eyes glowing with with a ferocity, blood dripping from it's teeth. It simply stared at me as I watched it's hulking figure rise and fall with each breath it took. It wasn't going to give me a second chance, so I backed away, trying to not aggravate it. May the gods have mercy on those who stand before this beast.	”
—Tablet of Xenna, IV

The Physiology of the Metuomagnus

By Kate Max

Metuomagni are tall, muscular humanoids with devil blood coursing through their heritage. They are known to sometimes have a bullish head like a minotaur, and always have a set of bull's horns on their heads. Their upper body sprouts a number of spines that are the same dark color as their horns, and these often cover their knuckles to give their punches a bigger bite. Their skin is often reddish or tinted with slight orange-brown, and their eyes vary between pitch black, gold and red, or just red. They have sharp teeth and pointed ears. Their feet are deformed to look like a half-transformed beast's talons with black scales of keratosis. They have a great deal of strength, but their movement is hampered by their top-heavy development and often rash maneuvering.

The First Blood

The metuomagni were born as a result of bloodshed during the Blood War. They were one of the many machinations Asmodeus brewed up in his scheme to steal the shards of evil from the Abyss, thus rendering all demons under his control and uniting the Lower Planes against that of the Upper. The metuomagni were created with demon blood and damned souls in Baator, as part of his devils' efforts to expand the infernal army. They are thus different from normal demons as well as devils, and intended to be a sort of perfect spy which could penetrate the demon societies of Abyss at Asmodeus' behest.

An Infernal Purpose

After Asmodeus banished Abyss and shattered it partially, it was now removed from the usual reaches pre-Spellplague. As a result, he needed a different way to implement his plan. The metuomagni slowly were trickled into the Material Plane to find openings into Abyss, as well as ways to traverse the Elemental Chaos. In truth, the metuomagni are but a side project for Asmodeus, as he is amused in their efforts to carry out his design. But he has other plans should they fail, and so they are expendable. Driven by this purpose, the metuomagni seek information on Abyss. They are sometimes reviled like tieflings due to their infernal appearance and demonic temperament.

Metuomagnus Names

The names given to the metuomagni are those that would be given to a devil, are of the demonic tongue, and do not specify to a specific gender of metuomagnus.

Names: B'rakaar, K'raxiv, Q'irog, M'otar, T'arkos, I'rox

Metuomagnus Traits

A being made to infiltrate demons.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Constitution increases by 1.
Age. The metuomagni typically live up to 500 years on the material plane. When they die, they are returned to Baator and may be sent out again once 2000 years of recuperation have passed.
Alignment. Given the blood of demons, the metuomagni have chaotic temperaments in contrast to devils.
Size. The metuomagni are hulking creatures standing on average 7 to 8 feet tall and weigh over 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 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.
Hide of Hell. Due to the spines on your body, you are ill-suited to wearing armor. Your devil skin provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 16 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal.
Hands of Hell. Your hands have spikes on them to deal extra damage with a punch. If you hit with them, they deal 1d4 piercing damage instead of bludgeoning damage normal for unarmed attacks.
Spiked Ram. Throwing yourself at someone with your prickly skin, you can poke holes in them. If you move at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with an unarmed strike on the same turn, your attack deals additional piercing damage equal to 1d8 + your Strength modifier.
Gore. Immediately after you use the Dash action on your turn and move at least 20 feet, you can make one melee attack with your fists as a bonus action.
Fiendish Ancestry. Due to your origin, you are resistant to fire damage.
Languages. You can speak and read Common and Infernal.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
7′ 0''	+1d12	200 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Asmodeus' Emissary Background

Below is a special racial background unique to the metuomagnus. You can take this instead of the usual background option when making your character. Be sure to discuss this with your DM if you choose to do so.

You were given an important purpose by Asmodeus. Your very being is branded by this purpose and recognized as an agenda by other devils loyal to Asmodeus. Do you fight this fate of yours or embrace your task? Punishment awaits those who die before completion of their mission, and they will be thrown back out after 2000 years of cleansing to retry once more. Do you see this as inevitable fate, or an unjust life?

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Religion

Language Proficiencies: Abyssal

Equipment: Black tattered common clothes, a devil's cipher with the symbol of Asmodeus, and a belt pouch with 15 gp

Feature: Devils Court

You are on an important mission and other devils know it. Devils that are lesser, like imps or lemure, will defer to you when encountered, and be less hostile to you, and only you. They may offer you information for free without an annoying contract for instance, so long as it is connected to your duty to the devil lord. Higher ranking devils like pit fiends may not treat you so nicely, but they will still give you some leeway as a favor for their lord.

Suggested Characteristics

You may be on a quest from the Lord of Lies himself, but that hardly means playing evil all the time.

d8	Personality Trait
1	My temper is short, and the lives of those who anger me are shorter.
2	I see violence as the answer to everything.
3	I like to look down on everyone.
4	I do not fear dangerous situations.
5	I am above Asmodeus and the gods themselves.
6	I hate people telling me what to do.
7	A strike against me is an enemy for life made.
8	I try to get in touch with diplomacy.

d6	Ideal
1	Abyss. I will bring my lord Asmodeus the treasure he requires. (Lawful)
2	Power. I serve my own desire to grow in power, no one else. (Neutral)
3	Bloodthirst. I have a hunger that must be sated by blood. (Chaotic)
4	Redemption. I am a being of evil and hatred, born of blood, but I will not be defined by the blood I have shed. (Good)
5	Wrath. I will survive and I will kill. (Chaotic)
6	Fame. I will be a legend among devils and have no rivals. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	The Upper Planes are my enemies, as my lord dictates.
2	I like to play tyrant over others.
3	I dislike humans and non-devils.
4	Mortals who believe they can control my power are ignorant.
5	I have no feelings of remorse for any I have harmed or will harm.
6	I owe no one allegiance, not even Asmodeus.

d6	Flaw
1	I have no mercy for even those who would consider me a friend.
2	I assume that even those who do right by me deserve to die some day.
3	I can turn a blind eye to any injustice so long as it's not against me.
4	I am disloyal towards everyone.
5	I have an unhealthy obsession for earthly material.
6	My rage keeps me from keeping focused on tasks at hand.

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