Palademon (5e Race)

This page is of questionable balance. Reason: The two forms have a 7th level boost, which is beyond the usual 5th level limit. They also give a flat bonus which is more 4e and discouraged in 5e. The occult variant doesn't work on account of having force resistance of all things, and a very setting-conditional trait to communicate with deities. The race also isn't fully well-conceptualized on account of how celestials and fiends work in DnD. And it also has alignment restrictions, which are ill-advised for 5e. You can help D&D Wiki by better balancing the mechanics of this page. When the mechanics have been changed so that this template is no longer applicable please remove this template. If you do not understand balance please leave comments on this page's talk page before making any edits. Edit this Page | All pages needing balance

Palademon

Good and evil are two opposing forces that are always in conflict. The thought of something, or someone, becoming a bond between the two is unthinkable but not impossible. A few unfortunate souls have the burden of being descended from the spawn of good and evil, and it is up to them which side they will embrace.

Physical Description

Palademons look almost human at a distance, but up close, it becomes apparent that they are anything but. An individual palademon's appearance depends on their subrace, detailed below. Some are born with greater celestial heritage, looking almost angelic but only just with lighter skin tones, blue, purple, or white eyes, light-colored hair, and a cool, comforting aura about them. Others have a more dominant infernal heritage, looking almost demonic but not quite to the unnatural chill that demons give. They have brown, orange, or even red eyes. Their skin is usually darker, but not always, and their hair is often dark brown and black.

History

Palademons are the unholy union of demons and the holy power that derives from a person of divine nature, most commonly paladins or clerics. How exactly they came to exist remains a mystery to recorded history, some theories include a paladin that broke their oath and conceived a child with a demon, perhaps in spite of the gods, or possibly came from the result of a retired cleric getting a bit to drunk at a bar with a few too many tieflings. Most likely, a very unfortunate (or was he) paladin had a run with some succubi.

Being a mix of infernal and holy blood causes palademons to be hunted by both infernal and divine forces. Some redeem themselves to one of their heritage races, becoming great warriors and ambassadors, though this causes the other heritage race to increase efforts in hunting down the palademon.

Society

Most palademons can go their entire lives without ever knowing of or meeting another like them. Despite this, palademons take refuge in whatever society they can find themselves being comfortable in and make this their home.

However, having two palademons meet each other is not unheard of. When this occurs, it either results in the best friendships ever known or the bitterest rivalries ever forged in the mortal world.

For the most part, palademons live lives of solitude or lives disguising their true nature out of fear of what mortals will think of having a demonic creature in their midst.

Often, when a circle of holy figures or demons discovers that someone among them is bearing a palademon, that person is killed for having committed such an atrocious act. On the rare chance a child survives the womb and its infancy, it will often realize its nature when it ages and manifests part of its heritage.

Palademons are often riddled with nightmares resulting from being a cosmic paradox and a "morally wrong" being. They often see visions of themselves being ripped apart by demons and angels, punishing them for what they are. These dreams usually occur throughout the palademon's life, even if they have come to peace with those who would rather them dead.

Palademon Names

Palademons take three names: one angelic, one demonic, and one copying the civilization they took as their own, if any. Below are two example names given for demonic and divine names, in that order

Male: Carac, Gumir, Gadreel, Cassiel, and a male name fitting the society they have become accustomed to.

Female: Hismaia, Dorbis, Neriah, Azrael, and a female name fitting the society they have become accustomed to.

Palademon Traits

Palademons look to be humanoid, namely of whatever race they hide as, But when embracing their divine nature, they can't hide who they truly are. After reaching five years of age, a palademon's true nature begins to show, whether angelic or demonic.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2,
Age. Palademons mature slightly slower than humans, reaching maturity at around age 24, and in turn, have significantly longer lifespans. Though a Palademon has never been known to die of old age, as most reach an early demise by either end of their divine heritage. The oldest palademon known lived to be 240 years.
Alignment. Palademons' alignment corresponds to the background they possess. A Palademon that has demonic features will most of the time be chaotic, while a divine palademon will most of the time be lawful; however, the environment also plays a big role since Palademons like to blend in with their surroundings.
Size. Palademons are roughly the same size and build as humans, standing at around 5 to 7 feet, but can slowly change their appearance over the years to fit better in other civilizations. 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.
Dual Divine Nature. Your creature type is considered to be celestial and fiend
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common.
Subrace. Choose from either angelic or infernal heritage

Angelic Heritage

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1
Angelic Form. Beginning at level 3, as an action, you can form your angel wings and gain a flying speed of 30 for 1 minute. You can use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to your Constitution modifier (Min 1). At 5th level, your form surges your weapon with holy energies, granting it an additional 1d6 of radiant damage and a +1 to all attack rolls.
Celestial Resistance. You are resistant to radiant damage.
Celestial Tongue. You can speak, read, and write in Celestial.
Angelic Speech. You have advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks make against humanoids of non-infernal descent.

Infernal Heritage

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1
Demonic Form. Beginning at 3rd level, as an action, you can form your demon wings and gain a flying speed of 30 for 1 minute. You can use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to your Constitution modifier (Min 1). At 5th level, your form also grants you demonic claws that deal 2d6 Necrotic. These claws have the finesse property, and you are considered proficient with them.
Infernal Resistance. You gain resistance to necrotic damage
Infernal Tongue. You can speak, read, and write in Infernal
Devil's Sight. Magical darkness doesn't impede your darkvision

Occult Heritage (Varient)

The odds of a Palademon having occult heritage are infinitly low, with only one or two having ever been thought to have existed. The chance of a humanoid surving the reproductive process with a creature that will make them become insane with a single glance is slim, let alone the odds of this confrontation happening in the first place. However unlikely, a miniscule amount of palademons have the blood of the Great Old Ones in their veins, putting them at an odd perspective in life and in blood, but allowing them to manifest their occult heritage instead of angelic. There is little to no conflict between the Occult Palademons and their Great Old One ancestors, and as a result often end up being neutral beings, embracing their alien nature. They often have the palest skin, bordering on white, or often have deep tinges of blue and green "around the gills". Their eyes range from green to violet and even reds, even grey, and their hair is usally shades of light grey to deep, dark blues and greens. They are the most alien and obvious of their kind.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1
Ancient Form. Beginning at 3rd level, as an action, you can form your abberant wings and gain a flying speed of 30 for 1 minute. You can use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to your Con modifier (Min 1). At 5th level, your form also grants you the ability to grow one of your arms into a massive tentacle, dealing 1d8 force damage on a hit.
Occult Resistance. You gain resistance to Psychic damage
Abberant Tongue. You can speak, read, and write in Deep Speech
Whispers of R'lyeh. Your terrifying presence puts a great burden on those around you. You are immune to being frightened

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 6''	+2d12	100 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Palademon 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.

d4	Personality Trait
1	Everyone can be good. I work to prove that, even if it means laying down my life.
2	The world has gone to the Nine Hells and back. No use saving it.
3	My parents believed I was born to shatter the warring barriers between Angel and Demon. I try to live up to their example and work towards peace in the divine.
4	My parents believed I was born to bring ruin to the divine, of both Angel and Demon. I live to show them that I am no such monster.

d6	Ideal
1	I must help those below me (Good)
2	Damn them. Damn them all. (Chaotic)
3	All are below me. Even those in power (Evil)
4	I respect all beings that respect authority. (Lawful)
5	All beings are equal in creation. I am a prime example of that. (Neutral)
6	Some beings require a step up. Others must take one down, or I will make them. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	My parent(s) sent me to complete a mission before their death(s). I will finish it.
2	A mere human saved my life during my early years. I am forever indebted to their noble act.
3	A human saw my true self. Now I am indebted to them, lest they reveal my secret.
4	I will find a way to avenge my parents.
5	No one will hold my will against me. Only those I deem my friends shall get that honor.
6	The world is dark, but beautiful. I align myself with those that seek to shed light on that long lost beauty.

d4	Flaw
1	I always work to help others, often at my own expense.
2	My ego prevents me from associating with others easily
3	I don't understand why others don't just help themselves get ahead. It's worked for me my whole life.
4	My works to make the world good often lead to my own life being endangered. I do not care

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