Phantom (5e Race)

Phantom

Phantoms are a people from between the mortal plane and the astral plane, who have died a gruesome death.

Physical Description

Ghastly Figures

Appearing to be visages of the dead, these people certainly aren't easy on the eyes. They are ghoulish looking beings that stick out like sore thumbs among the living, with them being made of a ghostly and transparent essence, rather than meat and bone. Though to the living, the most terrifying part of these beings is their scar. A wound most prominent in their body that looks horrifyingly real, like staring at the corpse it once belonged to just as it died. Orcs, humans, elves, dwarves, it does not matter race nor creed, these figures are very real and they are not to be witnessed by those of weak stomach.

History

Gruesome Curse

When a person dies, especially in a gruesome way, they have a chance to manifest a phantom. Their soul becomes trapped into a form that looks most ghastly, looking like that of a ghost with the scar of their death making them stand out most prominently. Some upon seeing this form, might be horrified, wishing for a death they cannot bring to themselves.

Semblance of Mortality

While supernatural and mysterious, they are not entirely ethereal. They are in fact mortal, meaning physical and magical attacks can still harm them, but they may interact with the world. When in their true form, their phantasmal presence, they are most vulnerable. If they are killed by any means, they will banished to an alternate plane of existence from which they cannot escape.

Society

Animal Spirits

Most commonly, Phantoms who are of a good nature possess the bodies of Animals and are often believed to be Animal Spirits by those who are assisted by them. Owls that give wisdom to weary travelers, eagles that lead adventurers to nearby towns, or wolves that protect lost children from a vicious pack of mangy dogs. Often, these good willed phantoms are not interested in their own selfish wants, however these kinds of phantoms are incredibly rare.

Phantasmal Tricksters

Malevolent phantoms are the most common of these phantasmal apparitions, playing games with the living or causing havoc and misery. Some possess corpses and terrorize towns, while others commit crime and make people suffer just as they have. However, often these phantoms are found, caught, and banished, so most tend to merely mess with the living in smaller, more undetectable ways. Stealing belongings, causing people to say things they don't mean, and other such mischievous actions.

Phantom Names

Scars of how a phantom dies often remain after death, and they usually choose to name themselves after those scars. A phantom with a dagger sticking in their shoulder may choose to call themselves Dagger, whilst a phantom that burns with a ghostly flame and burns on their ghostly form may call themselves Blaze.

Scar names: Spark, Dagger, Fletch, Maul, Blaze, Douse, Venom

Phantom Traits

Life goes on even after death, but to what extent is a mystery.- Yulon the Wise, on the subject of the Afterlife
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Age. Phantoms can live as long as forever, but often move onto the astral plane at one point or fade from existence for one reason or another.
Alignment. Phantoms typically are of an evil or neutral nature, often seeking only the answer to their own selfish questions.
Size. You take on the size and shape of either the body you possess or the race you once were in life. Your largest possible size is Large.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 ft. feet. You may also float 5 ft. off the ground whilst not possessing a body.
Darkvision. You have 60 ft. of Darkvision.
Phantom Scar. You show a scar of your death that while reminding you of your demise, also grants you new strength. Because of this scar, you have resistance against attacks of the same kind that killed you. Choose one from acid, bludgeoning, cold, fire, force, lightning, piercing, poison, or slashing.
Possession. As an action, you may hide inside of a body, living or dead. You have no control over your host, living or dead, but are capable of communicating with a living host via telepathy. Separately, once per day you may take possession of a body you are hiding in, given that it is one of medium size or smaller. The host must make a Wisdom Saving Throw with a DC of 8 + your proficiency bonus + your wisdom modifier. Should the creature fail, you will have successfully taken control of their body. This creature can attempt retake control of their body by making another Wisdom Saving Throw once every hour. This process is not needed for possessing a corpse, but depending on the quality of the body you inhabit people may think you simply gross and smelly, or an undead monster wreaking havoc on the town. Your ability scores will remain the same, regardless of the creature's or corpse's.
Ethereal Form. Thanks to your ethereal form, certain advantages and limitations have been granted to you. You may now move through any creature or object as if it were difficult terrain, taking 1d10 force damage if you end your turn inside a creature or object. In exchange, you can only carry ten specific items on your person, of which you must spend 8hrs trying to incorporate said items into your ethereal form with any kind of armor equipped taking up four of these limited item slots. It'll take another 8hrs to remove an item from your form, the item returning to its original physical form once done so and freeing up an item slot.
Mortal Feature. You hold onto a piece of who you were in your mortal life. You have a feature from the race you were in life.
Grisly Wisdom. You've learned something your death and time as a phantom. You gain proficiency in a tool or weapon of your choice.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language you knew in life.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
′ ''	+	lb.	× () lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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