Spectral (5e Race)
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Spectral[edit]
| “ | Ghosts don't cut people... Do they? | ” |
Ethereal[edit]
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| From Path of Exile by Grinding Gear Games |
Spectrals generally appear as apparitions of their former selves. They usually glow with a sickly, turquoise light of another world, with the clothes which they had on in life. When a spectral is lingering only, they appear more as a glimmering shape in the air, without much substance. However, fully manifested or wrathful spectrals can wear physical clothes and show a ghastly visage like that of a deteriorated skeleton, only made of luminescent ectoplasmic matter. Their faces can be obscured depending on their mood. When angered, they may show their true skeletal face, with burning lights of eyes and worn features. Otherwise, they may appear faceless. A spectrals legs are said to be the most faint of all their body, which is why they can move rather easily over difficult surfaces as though floating.
Physical Ghosts[edit]
Spectrals are a form of undead alongside ghosts and specters. They are an oddity, however, being fully susceptible to physical influences, like non-magic weaponry. It is believed that their attachment to the earthly realm is so strong that it not only anchored their spirit to the realm after death, it also gave them the ability to feel like the living. Like the other ethereal undead, however, spectrals are formed when one is unable to pass on to the Fugue Plane to be reincarnated, whether by external intervention or their own doing. They either have or develop an intense attachment to their lives that drives them to still live so. Therefore, much like ghosts, they will haunt the areas where their attachments leave them stuck. Like ghosts, they take after their original selves, rather than being evil due to undeath.
Hollow Existence[edit]
When large groups of strong-willed people die, they may become a band of spectrals. This is a common finding among places like battlefields and shipwrecks, where these undead will often be floating around, on guard, acting as though they are still alive. It is not a true community of any kind, as it is their mere denial and refusal of death. They usually reenact the things they would have done at the time of death. For example, corsairs would still be guarding their wrecked ship as though it were still at sea. A fallen soldier would be sparring with his fellows, if any. When a spectral comes to terms with their death, some do pass on. Others become untethered from their place of sentiment and are allowed to roam elsewhere in the world.
Spectral Names[edit]
Race names aren't terribly important and are typically analogous to what the character's name was when they died/dissolved.
Male: Max, Ed, Isaac, Spender, Sandra, Revolver Ocelot
Female: Isabel, Day, Vice Admiral Mulholland, Zoey, Aerith, Isaac
Spectral Traits[edit]
Spirits who have, through vaguely defined means, created physical bodies for themselves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Spectrals do not age naturally and appear as they pictured themselves prior to their death.
Alignment. Like ghosts, spectrals can be of any alignment, and usually adhere to the one of their past life.
Size. Most spectrals materialize in forms that are sustainable, but keep their general size and shape.
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.
Ethereal Existence. You may be physical, but you lack any real organs or blood. You do not bleed, and you are immune to poison damage, diseases and being poisoned.
Undead. You do not need to eat, drink, sleep or breathe, but you can ingest food and drink if you wish. You are vulnerable to radiant damage.
Original Mind. You recall things you can do in your past life, even if your body may be a bit different. You retain proficiency in one skill of your choice from your past life.
Spectralized. While physical, you have some resistance against the banal inconveniences of mortal transport. You are unaffected by most forms of difficult terrain.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write in Common and any one language which you knew in your past life.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
Their height and weight is the same as their original race.
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