Shadebreak (5e Race)

Shadebreak

“	The kingdom was taken down from the inside by the joker of the court. Some say they saw pure evil in his eyes but no one lived to say what really happened	”
—Unknown

Physical Description

Image by creedexo

A shadebreak is characterized by their special skin, which turns dark when in darkness, and is a silvery grey when in dim or bright light. They thus "break the shadow," hence their name. Their bodies are fairly humanoid, hairless, with slightly short arms and a smooth head. Strangely well-toned muscle lies under their skin. Their faces are said to be very disturbing, with slightly human-like arrangements of the features, but stretched to appear in a creepy manner. This rarely matters too much, as shadebreaks luckily like to wear masks. In fact, they tend to wear a lot of goofy clothing, typically appearing like clowns or jester types. It is said these clothes are belying their true sinister nature. Their eyes are said to show this, as any who gaze into them feel malice.

History

It is said that in an ancient war, there was only time and space. From the aftermath of the war came about concepts like life, and from life came sentience and thought. With the development of the mind, good and evil emerged. The ideal of evil created, in their own image, creatures that were as twisted and destructive as they. Such was the shadebreak. They were brought into the world as an uncontrollable force that reveled in misery from others. Depravity was no limit to them, and they were to spread pain and suffering to satisfy their own internal sadism. But one day, some shadebreaks had begun to question where this inner drive came from, and thus began the reform of some. For, as a creature who could think, shadebreaks were able to tame their desires and create their own futures.

Society

Shadebreaks are highly volatile beings that can mean disaster when more than one of them appears in a place. They are tricksters with maniacal murder tendencies by nature, and they love to disrupt order. They are drawn to places like kingdoms where stability lies. As such, they can be classified as nomadic, since they are drawn to convene in groups. They do not have civilizations of their own, but they are very cooperative with one another. A few shadebreaks can plan assassinations together to ruin the local polity. They are therefore feared and often hunted. Their clothing is supposedly an expression of mockery towards the world. Reformed shadebreaks usually still wear masks, but dress in less flamboyant clothing.

Shadebreak Names

Shadebreaks view most conventions in society with derision. They often take and toss names and identities without a care. Those who develop a conscience usually grow a single name to fit in with others. Shadebreaks do not have sexes or genders.

Names: Arriya Kafkar, Lonnjilak, Gorer Fertham

Shadebreak Traits

Enigmatic tricksters unafraid to kill
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence and Dexterity scores each increase by 2.
Age. Luckily for society, most shadebreak never live longer than 70 years. Unfortunately, they are made fully grown, and so have plenty of time to make people miserable.
Alignment. By design, shadebreak are almost always chaotic evil. But those who reach an epiphany can become reformed and turn neutral or even good.
Size. Shadebreaks tend to be a bit smaller and lighter. 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.
Skin of Shadows. You shifting skin makes you very good at hiding like the assassin you can be. You are proficient in the Stealth skill, and you have advantage in Dexterity (Stealth) checks when you are in darkness or dim light.
Cold Heart. Things do not move that cold heart of yours. Creatures trying to persuade you have disadvantage on their checks. Additionally, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
Betrayer's Blade. You are proficient with daggers and shortswords
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Undercommon.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 9''	+1d10	90 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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