Nuzulk (5e Race)

Nuzulk

A nuzulk (n(y)o͞o•zo͞olk) is a mistaken demon stalker of the night.

Physical Description

Art by Jodeee

Nuzulks are humanoid figures standing about the size of a human, and around the same weight. They look human save for their heads, which have the face and shape of a darkened skull, along with large, curved horns protruding to the side from their temples. Their face glows due to an internal light that emits fire-like luminescence from the holes of their skull face. It is like staring into a hearth if one looks in their eyes. Their bodies are typically lithe and their hair is often black like a raven's wing, and wispy.

History

Nuzulk are believed to originate from the desire of inadequate humans to become evil creatures. When a human dies wishing they had been a demon or fiend in life, sometimes that desire is strong enough that it leaves an impression in the rift of spirit and material. The rift fluxes like a tear until it forms something solid in the Material Plane, resulting in a nuzulk. Something in the process is taken from the spirit realm, though people aren't quite sure what. Nuzulk take a skinnier form of the person whose desire birthed them, though without their head. Instead, their faces look like something from a horned demon skeleton, with eyes burning like infernal flames. They are created thus fully grown but not fully aware.

Nuzulk historically have been troublemakers for many villages of many races. They like to set small fires that can be dangerous if spread far enough. Along forest trails, they jump out and scare the daylights out of unguarded travelers by waving their arms and shouting in eerie voices. If the travelers drop anything, that's nuzulk loot. They have also been known to steal children, and some are never seen again. It is believed they are more like pranksters than evil demons, even when their jokes go too far. But holy followings will often brand them demonic dangers and persecute them.

Nonetheless, their impish doings get them in more than enough trouble and people will hold many hunts on nuzulk. However, as nuzulk are shunned and grow older, their deviousness seems to expand as well and they become more demonic, making them more dangerous. While the mainstream solution is to nip them at the bud, some groups are sympathetic and see nuzulk as redeemable, being born of human thought. It has been observed that there do exist wizened old nuzulk who act nothing like their expected nature. They can be very insightful and caring, even if they still do pull an occasional joke. Nuzulk, who are accepted as they are, simply remain the town jokesters. They sometimes become popular with the local troublemaking children as well, despite the fact that they are a common nightmare figure in children's cautionary bedtime stories.

Society

Nuzulk have not been known to found any place as their main base of operations. The most seen of groups of nuzulk are organized groups of who seem to be mature nuzulk that band together to create the ultimate mischief. They are extremely dangerous and known to be an unlucky sight. Other nuzulk usually remain individuals within other societies where they cause trouble. They typically live no better than the beggars in the slums of a city or town, as even well-meaning nuzulk are seen without prospects. Usually, they survive by stealing food and necessities. The wiser nuzulk have grown accustomed to the fact that they are not entirely a welcome presence in the world, and so withdraw as hermits.

Nuzulk have had a weird reputation for death. Their origins are tied with it, and they fear it like any other living thing. Towns they stay in inexplicably develop an odd spike in death rates after a while. Usually, that is when the nuzulk is rooted out and either killed or thrown out. Sometimes, however, they leave on their own, vanishing without a trace. This leads people to believe that the creation of nuzulk is a very bad omen which upsets the balance of life and death. Thus, they are always haunted by the reaper, and they flee from it.

Nuzulk Names

Nuzulk inherently know Abyssal and sprinkle that generously in their self-declared names. their names are without gender differentiation.

Names: Daviddon, Suzra, Gargaroth, Globgor

Nuzulk Traits

Pranksters of the night
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Nuzulk do not die of age and only seem to grow more into a more mature looking body as time goes on. They eventually stop aging altogether once they reach their prime.
Alignment. Nuzulk are not always evil, but they sure are evil more than good. Even moreso, they're chaotic.
Size. Nuzulk are just thinner than 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.
Lantern Eyes. Your eyes can burn with the intensity of a light source and glow in the dark. Using a bonus action, you may emit or dim light from your eyes. When emitting light, your eyes illuminate a 10-foot radius around you. This is considered dim light.
Inner Fire. Within your being blazes a flame comparable to that of Hells. You are resistant to fire damage.
Prankster. You are able to make people see and hear what may not be there. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip and can cast it without any material components.
Jester Act. To pull your shenanigans, you need either a good act or good joints to swing away. You are proficient in either the Acrobatics or Performance skill.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Abyssal.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 00''	+2d8	120 lb.	× (2) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Nuzulk 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'm easily skittish.
2	Words are quick to anger me.
3	I like to do things that are amusing and fun.
4	I like to make other people laugh.
5	Sunshine and all those cheery thing repulse me.
6	I have a resting glare.
7	I keep my true feelings bottled up.
8	Everything I do, I do cuz I want to.

d6	Ideal
1	Freedom. I don't wanna follow any rules!. (Chaotic)
2	Destruction. If this world rejects me, let it burn. (Evil)
3	Revenge. All those who crossed me will get their due. (Neutral)
4	Carnage. I can't explain the joy I get from murderous mischief~! (Evil)
5	Peace. The world is such a chaotic place. I want some quiet. (Neutral)
6	Normality. I want to be normal like everyone else. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	There was once someone geninely kind to me.
2	Everyone hates me, and I hate them too.
3	I want a family like those I see so much.
4	Watching people laugh at my pranks brings me joy.
5	I learned a long time ago not to let my emotions rule.
6	I want to make something of myself to make that person proud...

d6	Flaw
1	I cannot seem to take anything seriously.
2	I like to procrastinate to a fault.
3	Authority only makes me more stubborn.
4	I'm snappish and off putting to everyone.
5	Hygiene is not my strong suit.
6	I'll be greedy and hoard all the good stuff for myself.

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