Plaguespreader (5e Race)

Plaguespreader

“	We do not take kindly to you encroaching upon our fair village, Infected One. Leave at once.	”
—Unknown Townsmaster

Physical Description

Art by husz

Plaguespreaders are humanoid carriers of disease. They themselves are not afflicted, but run the high risk of infecting others. They are often pale and sickly looking, with light colored hair pigment, if any. Some plaguespreaders look quite normal outward, while others sport blisters and skin anomalies. They are human-sized and occasionally have heterochromia. They may have genitalia but it will be scarred or absent, often disfigured and completely nonfunctional.

History

Plaguespreaders are believed to be the embodiment or personification of those who died in plagues past. Often they were dismissed as mistaken ghosts, but recent findings indeed document these immortal wanderers to be real. Given their appearance and association to disease and death, they are often labeled and associated with more hostile Undead.

There is some fairy tale credence given to plaguespreaders as rather special undead. Some writings tell of people who were too eager to play god and escape death. There is a tale of how, once, a doctor who bargained to be able to cure any disease with Death and the gods of Pestilence. Instead, he was inflicted with a horrid mix of curses from plague. His body became a mere vessel for plagues themselves and he no longer could treat patients without rendering them ill. The husk left wandered, unable to die, spreading disease.

Not all plaguespreaders necessarily share that tragic origin. Some are recorded to have been victims of plague past who came to survive it and internalize the disease in themselves, becoming pariahs. There is also speculation minor gods or banished souls took form in a wandering vessel for prophetic purposes as well as to render punishment.

Society

Luckily for everyone else in the world, too few plaguespreaders actually exist to form societies. Rather, if one is ever encountered or seen near an establishment, they are driven out and exiled for fear of pestilence. Among even races hardy to disease they are rather unwelcome as their very appearance is abhorrent.

Thus, plaguespreaders are very unwanted creatures. As a result, they become fiercely loyal to whoever is willing to put up with the risk of them as company. Plaguespreaders who have interactions recorded are noted to be very courteous to anyone willing to lend an ear or talk to them, hinting that they are rather lonely creatures. There have, however, been recorded disturbances with violent plaguespreaders who curse at all who live comfortable lives and turn their backs on helping the unfortunate.

Plaguespreader Names

Plaguespreaders rarely hear an address other than the usual "monster" or some other unwelcome address due to their status and nature as an ill omen. However, names, wrought out of their own sentience, do exist. Often they are names connoting power over life and death and are androgynous for their race.

Plaguespreader Names: Deathbringer, Cartaphilus, Erys

Plaguespreader Traits

Undead bringers of disease and pestilence
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity and Wisdom scores each increase by 2.
Age. Plaguespreaders are immortal specters that wander. They do not age or die of aging.
Alignment. Plaguespreaders tend toward Neutral alignments.
Size. The average size of a plaguespreader is 5-7 feet tall. You are Medium.
Speed. While somewhat hardy, plaguespreaders are known to be slow and tottering creatures, possibly due to the raging virulence within. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Blindsight. You can perceive your surroundings without relying on sight within a specific radius. You have a blindsight range of 30 feet, but are blind beyond this radius
Image of the Afflicted. Your chalky exterior and sunken eyes cause you to naturally have disadvantage in all Charisma (Intimidation and Persuasion) checks.
Of the Dead. Your creature type is undead instead of humanoid. You do not need to eat, drink, breathe, or sleep and are vulnerable to radiant damage.
Immune Carrier. Though you may be a carrier of disease and pestilence, you are not affected by them. You are immune to diseases.
Ill Omen. While awake, Plaguespreaders maintain some degree of control over the pestilences raging within. However, when unconscious or incapacitated, any creatures within 30 feet of the resting Plaguespreader must succeed a DC 5 Constitution saving throw or be inflicted with a random disease. On success, the creature is immune to this trait for the next 24 hours.
Languages. You can read and write Common.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Plaguespreader Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
6′ 0″	+1d8	120 lb.	× 5 lb.

0.00

(0 votes)

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