Xaelia (5e Race)

Xaelia

I shouldn't be here. I should have left this place as the darkness crept into vision. I can feel them watching me. Stalking me. Judging me. I can hear their whispers, their promises, their lies...none of which are good. Why did I come here? The more I wander, the darker it gets. I shouldn't be here. Help me. - From the Journal of Liserae Lightstrider, Human Paladin. Page 88

Physical Description

Xaelia are petite Fae creatures born of the void. They have slits for nostrils, no mouth, and their slit eyes glow in varying shades of yellow, green, and blue. On occasion a xaelia have been seen with wide, Doe like eyes in place of the normal glare-like slit eyes. The skin of the xaelia can be any color between deep purple and white, with most having skin a shade darker than Lilac. When excited, their skin around their hands and wrists release a dust similar to pollen that sparkles and shimmers in any type of light, leaving a trail behind their movements. xaelia hair color is the inverse of their skin. The darker the skin, the lighter the hair, and vice-versa.

Male Specific Traits

Male xaelia do not generate muscles that are easily seen. They stay lithe, lean, and become more toned as they train their body. Male xaelia are generally less aggressive than females and are content to connive and trick those they consider enemies rather than resort to open conflict.

Female Specific Traits

Female xaelia are different from the males most noticeably due to their skin. The surface of female xaelia's skin seems to shift and writhe like mist in the shadows, usually in a hypnotic pattern. This shifting is normally just barely noticeable, but happens more violently when enraged or excited, and slows down to near stationary levels when sleeping or bored. Female xaelia are more aggressive and will usually resort to violence when they perceive themselves to be attacked or slighted.

History

The history of the xaelia is shrouded in darkness, just like the void in which they originate from. From what scholars can piece together from unconfirmed sources and the mad ravings of those who dare venture near one of the xaelia settlements, unguided, the xaelia were once Forest Fae who were drawn into the void long, long ago. We do not know if they were drawn in willingly, tricked in, or dragged in to the void...but we do know that now they feed off the void constantly for life. The xaelia are known to make their homes in places where the material plane is closest to the realm of the void. Some places that are known to occasionally house xaelia are dense, deep forests (Darker than normal, filled with briars), Mountaintops, and vast underground canyons.

Most xaelia are proficient in the dark arts of the void, and most know some form of dark magic. Xaelia are known to crave knowledge, the darker the better, and will interact with outside races for short periods of time in order to obtain it. While trading knowledge or assisting a xaelia in finding knowledge will ally you to them for short periods of time, never assume that the xaelia is your friend, or will stay allies with you once it has what it needs.

Society

Xaelian society is ruled by a 5 tiered class system, with each class being above the one before it in stature and prestige. These classes are the Deadwalkers, the Shadow-Stalkers, the Void-Tenders, The Essence Collectors, and the Darklights. The xaelian society is separated into small tribes of around 50, with a monarch that rules over each tribe. The entire tribe strives to collect knowledge, the more forbidden, then better. But while their thirst for dark knowledge is great, they rarely trust outsiders with anything, even if knowledge is the reward. Most knowledge within the tribe is acquired by xaelia going out into the world, and sacrificing much of their life outside the void to collect what they deem valuable to the tribe. Once the xaelia leaves the safety of their home, they start to rapidly age, only able to survive roughly 50 years outside the abundance of void energy that makes up their home. Contrary to popular belief, the xaelia do not regenerate their life energy with the void, merely prolong it.

Deadwalkers

Deadwalkers are the outcasts of xaelia society. This class of xaelia are those that perform actions that harm the tribe as a whole and are banished, forced to live in the material world. These xaelia usually have no real skills to speak of, save their limited ability to use the void (At the cost of some of their remaining life force). These xaelia are forced to depend on outside races to sustain themselves and acquire essence of the void. While these xaelia may interact with outside races almost exclusively, they still fiercely defend the secrets of their tribes.

I shouldn't be here. That's the only thought that seems to pass through my head as of late. If I had never met that Deadwalker I would never have known this place existed, and i'd still be safe. Now i'm lost in this forsaken hell, and the land surrounding me is black and desolate, covered in mist and shadows. How could anything live here? - Journal of Liserae Lightstrider, Human Paladin. Page 93

Shadow-Stalkers

Shadow-stalkers are the warriors of the xaelia society. They train their bodies for physical combat, forsaking offensive spells that the xaelia are naturally inclined to. The Shadow-Stalkers are best known for their legendary rogues, able to slip into the shadows and darkness and lie in wait until the perfect time to strike. After all, what safer place than the shadow of your enemy? Shadow-stalkers are normally policing the tribe and acting as unseen protectors of the monarch's bloodline.

Everyone knows that the brighter the light, the larger the shadow. The trick is finding balance. If you shine bright enough, something will appear from your shadow to snuff you out - Daenor Dawnslight, Master Paladin

Void-Tenders

Void-Tenders make up the next class in xaelia society, the healers in the tribe. Void-tenders use spells and herbal remedies that allow the void within them and around them to mend the body. Once an apprentice Void-Tender manages to fully understand the nature of shadow healing, they craft a potion using a rare type of plant that only grows within the corrupting energy of the void and their own eyes. This potion, once drunk, allows the imbiber to "see" the flow of the void, allowing them to better direct its flow while using it to heal. Due to this ritual, Void-Tenders are commonly known to wrap their face in a wrap composed of the same corrupted plant to hide their eyeless sockets.

If you're not already mad to even consider the ritual used to create this potion, the visions you'll experience once you drink it will. - Grimtakz, Wandering Cleric

Essence Collector

Essence Collectors are the scholars/Knowledge Keepers of the xaelia society. Essence collectors are the highest in the class system, second only to the royal class. These xaelia are normally much more frail in body, even compared to other xaelia, and this is due to how little they actually use their body for most than turning pages and moving their arms to cast spells. Despite this frailty, Essence Collectors are especially dangerous xaelia because they will do anything to acquire more knowledge. Also, because they are the keepers of knowledge and spells within their tribes and society, they are much more in tune with the void than normal xaelia and their spells are usually much more dangerous and diverse.

Hello there, brightling. I hear you know the secret of binding spirits to gems...Tell me how. Trust me...I'll make it worth your while...I'll do anything... - Ihsri, Essence Keeper Third Class to a magician within the Dwarven kingdom

Darklights

Darklights are the royalty within the xaelia society. Few in number compared to the other classes, these xaelia are considered the top class for a reason. They have naturally stronger bodies, are so in tune with the void it sometimes appears that they can speak with it directly, and they command all xaelia in the lower classes. Darklights are known to almost never venture outside of the void-like area that is their home, and are extremely arrogant, selfish, and vain. Most darklights keep their hair very long and well cared for.

Did I ask for your opinion? No, I don't believe I did. The Darklights are displeased with you, very displeased. Maybe you need to be taught a lesson? Guard, please...escort...this wretch from my sight. Place them within the sun room for a few days and we'll see how they change their views. - Yaela, xaelia queen sending a shadow-walker to the torture room.

Xaelia Names

Male Names always have the hard 'T' sound in the middle of the name (Example: Altun, Pronounced Al-TOON).

Female Names always start with a vowel (Including Y), and are no more than 5 letters long (Example: Okka, Pronounced Oak-ka).

Male: Altun, Kotota, Ghota, Yetui

Female: Ishi, Asiha, Yatsu, Okka

Xaelia Traits

Knowledge hungry Fae that feed off the dark energy of the void.
Ability Score Increase. Xaelia hunger for dark knowledge, your Intelligence or Wisdom score increases by 2 .
Age. Xaelia feed off the energy of the void, aging extremely slowly within their land where the material plane and the void meet. Xaelia can live up to 50 years cut off from the energy of the void. Xaelia reach physical maturity at what would be considered 15 years outside the void.
Alignment. Xaelia tend to be lawful evil or neutral evil. They can be mischievous and downright malicious, but mostly to those, they consider outsiders. To their own race and to those the xaelia come to respect, you can expect great things.
Size. Xaelia can stand between 4' 4" and 5' 3". Xaelia generally weighs no more than 150 pounds. 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.
Unnatural Aura. Your aura is tainted with the void to the point others can sense it. You are proficient in the Intimidation skill and are resistant to necrotic damage.
Voice of Silence. Xaelia have no mouths with which to speak. Xaelia can project emotions to creatures within 30 feet.
Languages. You can read, write, and understand Common and Sylvan, but cannot speak. You communicate using your "Voice of Silence" trait.

Deadwalker

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Artistry. You gain proficiency with one type of artisan's tool or one musical instrument (that doesn't require a mouth to use).

Shadow-Walker

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Keen Senses. Your training has honed your senses and you have the proficiency in Perception.

Void-Tender

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Stability of Shadows. You gain the spare the dying cantrip.

Essence Collector

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Knowledge of the Void. You gain the toll the dead cantrip.

Darklight

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Graceful Reflexes. When attacked opportunity attacks, you may use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 4''	+1d10	70 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a xaelia 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	Curiosity killed the cat. You're often curious of things you shouldn't be, and perform actions that get you in trouble more often than not.
2	You're lazy and enjoy things that are as least strenuous as possible. Your favorite activities are bathing in the stream, sleeping, and playing games with friends.
3	You're very aggressive and can't help but want to fight over every little thing. Any victory, by battle or words, gives you a great sense of accomplishment and as such you will do anything to win.
4	You're very imaginative and clever, able to think of multitudes of different ways to figure problems out. Your stories are embellished to be more exciting than they are.
5	Someone very close to you was killed by an outsider. As a result you're very bitter and mistrusting. You will use others to further your own gain, but will always stab them in the back in some way.
6	You've lived long enough to remember life before the void, as a result you're constantly depressed and want nothing more than to return to the light.
7	You're very unusual for a xaelia, as you are actually nicer towards outsiders and very trusting. You seek more to make others happy than yourself.
8	You're evil to the core. Your heart is ruled by the void and shadow and you'll do anything to cause some disasters. Everything you do will be to bring pain to others.

d4	Ideal
1	Darkened: I want the world to be apart of the void!
2	Inquisitiveness: I want to explore the material plane and all its wonders!
3	Service: I'm here for a purpose, and I shall not rest until it is completed!
4	Frivolity: I'm here for a purpose, but I'll complete it when I am good and ready!

d6	Flaw
1	I'm not able to say no to requests I know are within my power to complete.
2	I've never been as interested in knowledge as the rest of my tribe, and commonly lose sight of the goals they give me.
3	The odds of battle do not matter, if I see an agent of the light I must fight it.
4	I have a problem with trusting others and will commonly leave my allies to fend for themselves in fights I think they can win.
5	I see myself as better than everyone, even royalty, and will not hesitate to let them know it.
6	I'm a compulsive liar and will purposely mislead those around me for my own amusement.

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