Clamantes Hostia (5e Race)

Clamantes Hostia

A small child sits outside a place where they once felt safe. He has just escaped a horrid experience, only to find himself in another predicament. The killer advances on them, smiling wickedly. Suddenly, a long, thin hand with three fingers covered in black silk, grabs the killer's wrist. With a flick of the wrist, the hand tosses him into a nearby building, leaving him unconscious. As people gather around, an unusually tall and skinny figure slips away, words coming from an unmoving mouth on a tear streaked face. The words are, "... never again."

Physical Description

A clamantes Hostia. By Yanied (talk) 20:20, 22 March 2019 (MDT)

Clamantes hostia are typically around 7 to 8 feet tall, and about as wide around as a quarterstaff with a generally humanoid build. Their faces remind most of a mask, unmoving and waxen, and a rather creepy mask at that. While they are capable of a normal range of expressions, one feature remains the same: the tear streaks of black down their humanoid faces. These streaks are from which they get the first half of their racial name Clamantes, or crying. Their "skin" is black and silken to the touch, with their hands only having three fingers and looking wreathed in black silk, fine and smooth to the touch. They are rather skinny in musculature, with long thin limbs and larger hands and feet at the ends.

History

Nobody knows exactly when the first Clamantes Hostia came into existence. They have long been known to exhibit vigilante behavior on the behalf of children, and so people sometimes take to calling them "crying angels" who guard and protect youngsters. This is not a common phrase and is often used jokingly even when said.

The race is already that of niche knowledge and within that is a theory the clamantes originate from children, particularly those killed in gruesome or cruel ways. The clamantes are considered masses of resentment from these wronged children, which then gain sentience to exact vengeance on those who would hurt other children. These children were victims, thus giving meaning to the "hostia" or victim part of the race name. They desire no more victims, as they know the feeling of fear from having the experience themselves.

Clamantes hostia are considered a type of undead in taxonomy. A splinter theory of them being the representation of child resentment is that the sentiments of the children killed grow consciousness and desire to save others from meeting the same fates. But they require a material body. The stories get a bit mixed here, whether the sentient emotions possess corpses or create from its own will a misshapen form that is the clamantes. In the former, the sentience desire strength and so move to possess the larger of bodies, resulting in their height. In their process, however, the body turns black and emaciated looking. In the latter, the sentience also desires strength and so make a body that is imposing in size. However, in expending too much on size, it fails to make the body stockier. The body created is also black as a result of the innate undead influence the sentience carries from dead children.

Despite its ugly and possibly horrifying form, the innate sentiment connects still with children today who encounter clamantes. In either splinter theory, it is stipulated the clamantes retain the feelings of children and just a general want to help. This is often accepted over the other theory about the creation of clamantes, which is that they are not amasses of children sentiment, but an actual manifestation of an individual child that was murdered or killed in cold blood.

Society

Clamantes don't have a formal society of their own normally, as they are just born with a purpose to protect children. However, sometimes, if they find foes too great to face alone, they may decide to band together temporarily. Clamantes are neutral towards others within their race and acknowledge they all ultimately share the goal to make the world a better place for all children. They are solitary wanderers usually, going from place to place looking for children in need of help, and so do not settle.

Clamantes have mixed receptions in towns if recognized. If a clamantes witnesses a child in neglect or abuse, it may choose to abduct the child to save it, which often draws the ire of the entire town and gives clamantes the names of children snatchers. Others are more cognizant of the race's nature to help children and try not to mind them. Children often enjoy the company of clamantes, though they are somewhat shy and so people may often hear children talking about what sounds like their imaginary friend.

Clamantes Hostia Names

Clamantes have names that they may choose for themselves that are often childlike and whimsical:

Male: Dalsethel, Rolyat, Ira

Female: Mari, Chia, Sel

Clamantes Hostia Traits

A word from the wise: betrayed children rarely stay dead.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score is increased by 2 and your Constitution score by 1.
Age. Clamantes are immortal, and their ages are not discernible, although they always maintain some semblance of child-like innocence in behavior.
Alignment. Clamantes are almost always good. But due to their immaturity, they use methods that, depending on the child's nature before death, can seem gruesome and chaotic.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base 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.
Undead Nature. You do not need to eat, drink, breathe, or sleep. You are vulnerable to radiant damage but resistant to necrotic damage.
Inner Child. Children tend to be more open to you, their kindred eyes able to perceive the true nature of clamantes better than adults. You gain advantage on Charisma checks involving children.
Tall Legs. You have long legs that double your jumping distance.
Childish Fancy. Your inner child has an interest in playing with toys. You are proficient in one instrument of your choice.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and one other language of your choice

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
7′ 0″	+1d4 feet	70lbs lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Clamantes Hostia, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use this table in addition to, or in place of, your background characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	Adults cannot be trusted, us kids have to look out for ourselves and each other.
2	Sometimes I have nightmares about bad things.
3	I hate to be alone, and will stand as close to others as I can to escape the feeling.
4	I'm not good with large words and sometimes talk very childishly.
5	I collect small comfort objects such as blankets and dolls. They make me feel more at peace with what I am.
6	I have no real concept of money and tend to spend it on nonsensical things, such as toys and trinkets.
7	I avoid contact with large people if I can.
8	I sometimes get lost in thought staring at children and mothers.

d6	Ideal
1	Passing On I don't wanna be this anymore. I have to find a way to move on! (Any)
2	Responsibility I can't let this happen to anyone anymore. I have to protect others from meeting this fate. (Lawful)
3	Spite Why should I help anyone when they wouldn't help me, they should suffer just like I have. (Evil)
4	Inquiry If I can learn a little more about what I am, maybe I can help others understand me (Any)
5	Adventure I have been given a new opportunity to start in this world and who knows what I'll do with it! (Chaotic)
6	Goodness I should look at this as a gift to do good for others. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	I talk to toys like they can talk back.
2	Shades follows me, sometimes cursing my name, other times speaking gently that what happened wasn't my fault.
3	I have a group of warm people who know me well. They accept me no matter what I am, and will welcome me back with open arms at any time.
4	I will hunt down the one who did this to me. Maybe then I'll be free to move on.
5	The one who did this to me had a strange symbol on their body. I feel as though this is part of some bigger plan.
6	I watched the one who did this commit a horrid atrocity in my dying moments I have to find someone who will listen.

d6	Flaw
1	Sometimes I am overcome with paralyzing bouts of anxiety and depression about what I have become.
2	No matter how many people I save, I always fail to help those who matter most to me.
3	Maybe if I hadn't left that day, I would still be alive...
4	I hate conflict especially when it involves killers, and I will go to great lengths to avoid it.
5	I hate this thing I have become and I make everyone aware of that.
6	I can't trust anyone. For all I know they could have killed someone innocent and I can't take that chance.

4.50

(2 votes)

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