Spilarin (5e Race)
Spilarin[edit]
“ | You are all Spilarin! You are all better than the Elves, and I expect you to prove it to me! | ” |
—Voltar Bloodmen, self-proclaimed king of the spilarin |
Physical Description[edit]
Naraku, from InuYasha by Rumiko Takahashi |
Spilarins appear to be like humans for the most part. The irises of their eyes are sometimes a bit too shiny, like that of a spiders however, and there is a large patch of ragged skin on their back. This skin is always in the shape of a spider. Older spilarin grow hairs on the skin that feel soft and silky. This mark eventually spreads its legs around the spilarins body, like scars. This activates a spilarin's innate power to harden their skin and sprout certain arachnid qualities.
History[edit]
Spilarin are believed to have been humanoid sacrifices to Lolth by drow, particularly human slaves. They are marked upon being touched by the spider goddess, and imbued with arachnid essence. Some believe that spilarin carry one of Lolth's eggs within themselves. As they age, the egg matures with them, and slowly spreads its essence through their body. While they remain human on the outside, their insides become changed. These changes eventually show in silken hairs on their skin, the spread of the mark on their back, and the progression of spider powers they acquire. Spilarin are released shortly after being touched by Lolth, though some are kept in the Underdark to remain enslaved. Those who come to the surface have learned to be furtive of their ideal, lest people murder them out of fear.
There was one spilarin who declared himself king of their little race, and he rallied what members he could find. This man was Voltar, an elf turned spilarin. He settled his followers in the dark depths of the High Forest, abutting elf territory. This sparked conflict between the two. Voltar was very cruel and pushed for spilarin to murder and torture their enemies. Any prisoners taken during these battles by the spilarin were usually found in pieces later. However, fate was not on the spilarins side as elves and their magic had the upper hand. As a truce, the spilarin overthrew Voltar and presented his corpse to the elves. The elves banished the spilarin from their lands, but allowed them to leave with their lives. To this day, the spilarin wander.
Society[edit]
While Voltar is dead, his institutions built into the spilarin have survived. They continue to be largely a theocratic bunch, worshiping a male form of Lolth called the Spider King. There is only one large, notable group of spilarin in existence. This group is the remnant of Voltar's original followers. They are a nomadic people, now following solely their faith for survival across lands. After witnessing the folly of Voltar, they were hardly eager to take another leader. Thus, they simply follow wherever their god's direction seems to take them. Other, more innocuous groups of spilarin are scattered mainly in human societies, where they live and keep their true natures a secret. They hope to make new lives, but whatever children they have will also be spilarin. Some have also become hermits, haunted by their memories of enslavement.
Spilarin Names[edit]
Spilarin were once mainly human. To fit in and remain inconspicuous, they use human names
Male: Michael, Thomas, Tim
Female: Alice, Bethany, Sarah
Spilarin Traits[edit]
A race of humans with arachnid qualities
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. They reach adulthood around the same time a human does, but live to be anywhere from 70 to 140 years old.
Alignment. Spilarins tend to lean toward neutral alignments.
Size. Because of their Human origins, spilarins height and build vary just a much as an average human. 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.
Web Creation. Your navel is where silk begins to produce and eventually you grow the mouth of a spinneret there. As part of a short rest, you can harvest webbing from yourself to create either (a) a net, (b) 10 feet of sturdy-woven, silken rope, or (c) 50 feet of silk string.
Gripping Spikes. Like spider man, you have small hooks that grow from your limbs which allow you to grapple and cling to surfaces like a spider. You have a climbing speed of 20 feet.
Survival Instinct. To survive, you have gotten good at hiding what you are. You have advantage in Charisma (Deception) checks when concealing your true nature.
Spider Shift. You eventually gain the form of a spider as Lolth's mark manifests. Starting 5th level, you can use an action, you may polymorph into a giant spider as per the polymorph spell and back into your true form as a bonus action. If you are reduced to 0 hit points in this form you revert back into your true form.
Arachnid Physiology. Like a spider, you can stride and move with ease. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Languages. You can read, write, and speak Common and Undercommon.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
---|---|---|---|
5′ 0'' | +1d12 | 85 lb. | × (1d4) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races