Wayang, Variant (5e Race)

Wayang

Design by DesertDraggon

Wayang originated from the shadow puppet theater in Java, Indonesia. This D&D Race is based on the concept of shadow people, with inspiration from the shadow puppets themselves.
This is a rework of the orignal Wayang race posted here.

Heralding Region: The island nation of Pulau Pegunungan
Other Common Regions;
Awan Panjang: Wayang here are majorly sea-faring or reside around volcanic islands to seclude themselves from the other indiginous peoples.
Hanya Tanah: Wayang here can be found living underground to escape the overbearing heat and guard against wildlife.

Physical Description

Wayang are a spindly, sometimes frail looking humanoid people. They take characteristics of real world Indonesian-Asianic people, with round and flat faces and fully lidded eyes. Their noses range from flat and wide, to long and protruding (much like their shadow puppet homage).

Skin
Common: Grey to Black
Uncommon: Dark Jewel Tones

Scarification tattoos are a common practice. Once religious, but now more cosmetic and personal. Scarred skin turns a very light color. It has also been majorly replaced with white or pastel ink tattoos.

Hair
Kinky, Curly, or Wavy
Common: Grey to Black
Uncommon: Dark Jewel Tones

Eyes
Common: white, yellow, orange
Uncommon: red, rose
Rare: purple, blue, hazel/dual-color
Exotic: iridescent, multi-color

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  Skin Tones

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  Hair Colors

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  Eye Colors

Age
The oldest known Wayang was recorded to live to be 514 years of age. The average recorded life expectancy is about 350 years. Young adulthood is reached at 30, and adulthood 40. Elders become ashy over the years (note; ashy, not pale.) But their hair doesn't grey like other species. Instead, it loses its shimmer, becoming matte, almost absorbing light.

History

Wayang have ancient stories of their origins in Shadowfell, and the heroic journeys their ancestors took to cross the border into the Prime Material Plane. Unfortunately, many of the tales that explain the Wayang’s existence in the Shadow Planes have become muddied over time. Some say their people were crafted from the paper fabric of shadows themselves, cut just so and soaked in dark magic to bring their people to life. Other claims explain that the Wayang were simply another race who had gotten lost in the Shadow, changing to survive the bleak and lifeless realm, until many generations they finally found the way back into the Prime. Either tale could be true, with the Wayang being of a strange ethereal magic only seen in other planes of existence.

Society

Design by DesertDraggon

Despite being majorly isolated as a people, the Wayang have advanced scientifically, magically, and socially quite astoundingly. From steam powered lights, to casual spellcasting, the Wayang have had many years to develop, especially with the small amount of trade with the outside world they allow. The Wayang Elders wish to keep their people a secret from the outside world, to the point of even sentencing death to those who venture out into the world without permission, or those who venture into their territory. During a terrible stint of storms ravaging the islands, the Wayang were forced to create a pact with villages of Humans also indiginous to the islands. Opening trade helped spring the Wayang into a new age, and created friendships with the neighboring villages who greatly benefitted from Wayang crafts and resources.

Language Bayanicara, Pegununicara, common sign language.
Due to Bayanicara being a rather difficult language for outsiders to learn, the Wayang have adopted common sign language as a secondary language, using it to speak with their trade partners. The local traders of Pulau Pegunungan have also been working with Wayang officials to help translate Bayanicara to Pegununicara, making it the closest descriptive language of the Wayang.

Religion

While religion has become more versatile in the modern Wayang communities, the major deities worshiped by the Wayang are Shar and Selune. Both sisters are revered highly in Wayang culture, their contest with one another seen as the gift of life. Some teachings believe Shar crafted the Wayang from shadows themselves, and to tease her sister, Selune brought her light before them, making the paper shimmer and shake. With their powers combined the Wayang became. Others believe Shar had led a village people into the safety of the Shadow Plane, Selune guiding those people with the silvery light of her moon. Both Shar and Selune watching over them changed them, and with it finally safe to return to the Prime Plane, guided them from the Plane of Shadows. They Wayang show their devotion to both goddesses by scarring or tattooing their dark skin with patterns of light, creating designs to tell stories of themselves using shapes and symbols like the traditional shadow puppetry shows used to pass stories down.

Gender and Sexuality

Wayang are Agender, having both the ability to inseminate or be inseminated. There are no particular features to differentiate any sort of social gender construct. The socially accepted relationships of giver and bearer have changed over the years, no longer seeing those who wish to couple without having children as outcasts. Ancient Wayang have been known to still hold these beliefs though, putting pressure on the hierarchy to keep the more accepting ideologies suppressed within the court.

Companions

Common animal companions that Wayang choose, are Tigers. The mammals create an easy silhouette for Wayang to hide behind, due to Wayang being so small in stature. Tigers also benefit as hunting companions, due to their natural camouflage. In the event of an encounter with an outsider, the tiger is most likely to be seen first, scaring most folks away without causing any suspicion.

Wayang Traits

In the depths of the jungle, the Wayang thrive. A solitary people who are told to be crafted from the shadows themselves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age. Maturity is reached by 30. Wayang can live up to 350 years.
Alignment. Lawful Neutral
Size. Small, with an average height of 3 feet, and weight of 35 pounds.
Speed. Base walking speed is 25ft.
Darkvision. You can see up to extremely dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Unlike most races, Wayang can discern color in darkness.
Shadowy Reality. Wayang's affinity for shadows gives them the ability to perceive that which is not entirely corporeal. You have advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks to see through visual illusions.
Lurker. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Shadow Magic.

• You know the Minor Illusion cantrip.
• You know the Umbral Visage cantrip.
• When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Silent Image spell once and need to finish a long rest before you can cast it again.
• When you reach 4th level, you can cast the Shadow Step spell.
• When you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Darkness spell once and need to finish a long rest before you can cast it again.
• Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
  Languages.
  

Umbral Visage

Illusion cantrip
Casting time:	1 Bonus Action
Range:	Self
Components:	S
Duration:	Instant

You meld with the shadows, allowing yourself to be practically unnoticeable in dim or dark light. You gain +5 Stealth. Your movement speed is reduced by 10. Light will cancel the spell instantly.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
3'′ 8"''	++2d8 - 2	35 lb. lb.	× (+2d8 lb.) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Wayang character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
2	I judge people by their actions, not their words.
3	I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments.
4	The leader of my community has something wise to say on every topic, and I am eager to share that wisdom.
5	I'm driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home.
6	I enjoy sailing into new ports and making new friends over a flagon of ale.
7	I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me.
8	I think anyone who's nice to me is hiding evil intent.

d6	Ideal
1	Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)
2	Independence. I am a free spirit--no one tells me what to do. (Chaotic)
3	Greater Good. It is each person's responsibility to make the most happiness for the whole tribe. (Good)
4	Master. I'm a predator, and the other ships on the sea are my prey. (Evil)
5	People. I help people who help me--that's what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
6	Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I will do anything to protect the temple where I served.
2	Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back.
3	My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots.
4	I'm still seeking the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me.
5	My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.
6	I've been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question.

d6	Flaw
1	I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
2	I turn tail and run when things go bad.
3	I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
4	I'm never satisfied with what I have--I always want more.
5	I am slow to trust members of other races
6	Violence is my answer to almost any challenge.

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