Gem Warriors (5e Race)
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This page is incomplete and/or lacking flavor. Reason: A race page is almost never complete when first created. For guidance, see the 5e Race Design Guide.
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Gem Warrior
Physical Description
Gems are a space-faring race of sentient gemstones who, at their very core, are exactly that― a gemstone. Their physical bodies are made of light, which creates a mass depending on what kind of gem it is. A gem’s appearance is influenced by its type, variation, and what it chooses to make its form look like. Gems that are the same type, such as Amethysts, can still have physical differences― color shades, hair styles, and gem placements may vary between gems. All gems are genderless, but present themselves and identify as female.
History
Nobody is sure of the gem race’s true origins― whether it’s a closely guarded secret or simply forgotten to time is unknown. Some say they were created through a freak magic accident, while others say they were formed by a much more powerful creature. What everyone can agree on, however, was that their empire is incredibly powerful. The gem empire has existed for thousands of years under the rule of the Great Diamond Authority― the four highest ranking gems, known as the Diamonds, who rule over the gem race. Their empire was divided into four courts, with each being governed by a different Diamond from the empire’s main planet, Homeworld.
The empire expanded its territory by colonizing other planets, terraforming them as they see fit and turning the landscape nearly unrecognizable. They had no problem with declaring war on the inhabitants of these areas, whether they be aggressive animals or intelligent species. Their advanced technology allowed them to conquer large areas of land with ease. These areas would be filled with cities, shrines, temples, military bases, and kindergartens, where more gems would be made. They cared very little for organic life, seeing it as inferior.
Thousands of years ago, one of the diamonds, Pink Diamond, was given her very first colony. She quickly got to work plotting out locations for various structures and setting up a kindergarten for making Quartz gems. One of these gems was Rose Quartz, who at first performed her duties to the best of her ability. However, over time she began to notice the abundant life inhabiting the planet, falling in love with it and wanting to see more. Upon realizing these organisms wouldn't survive the colonization, she begged Pink Diamond to consider leaving the planet and setting up a colony elsewhere. Her diamond refused and sent Rose away to go back to work. Not wanting to see the life on the planet die, Rose Quartz started a rebellion, with herself as the leader. These rebels called themselves the Crystal Gems.
Over time the Crystal Gems grew more and more, gaining new members who wanted to fight not only for their planet, but for their freedom. Many rebels were shattered, but they never gave up, continuing to fight for what they thought was right. However, Rose Quartz came to a troubling realization― this war wouldn't end so easily. Homeworld, despite their depleting resources, would continue fighting until every last rebel was shattered. There was only one solution to this, and it was something Rose Quartz wasn't fond of.
One day, when Pink Diamond visited Earth to address her subjects about the war, Rose Quartz snuck past the guards and shattered her. This move shocked everyone― the Crystal Gems never shattered other gems, but nobody could deny what they saw. Homeworld soon realized that the rebellion couldn't be stopped and ordered their troops to retreat. As a last-ditch effort to destroy the rebels, the three remaining diamonds launched one last attack on the planet. This was intended to destroy every gem remaining on the planet, but instead created something far worse. Every gem on the planet, except for Rose Quartz and those closest to her, were turned into horrifying monsters. Their minds had been broken beyond repair.
Ever since that day, what remains of the Crystal Gems have been travelling the world and destroying the forms of the corrupted gems, placing them in specialized bubbles to protect them and everyone else.
Society
The gem empire operates under a strict caste system. Every gem is made for a specific purpose, and knew what that purpose was the moment they emerged from a kindergarten. Any gem who deviated from this role or disobeyed the empire was shattered.
The Diamonds are the highest ranking gems of them all, ruling over all other gems. These gems tower over their subjects, and are often gifted with incredible strength and power. There are four Diamonds― White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Diamond, and Pink Diamond.
Aquamarines are elite gems who serve as their diamond’s right hand, retrieving anything their diamonds tell them to. These can range from certain objects to defective gems, or even members of other races. Aquamarines are also able to fly using small, butterfly-like wings made of water.
Sapphires are incredibly rare aristocratic gems. They are the only gems with the ability to see into the future, and use this ability to advise the Diamonds on what they should do, or to guide other gems such as Garnets. They are typically accompanied by a group of Rubies.
Lapis Lazulis are very important noble gems with the ability to manipulate water. They are tasked with terraforming the landscape of their Diamond’s colonies in order to create the right conditions for building structures and kindergartens. These gems also possess the ability to fly with bird-like wings made of water.
Jades are high-ranking gems that come in a variety of colors and gem cuts, although their exact role is unknown. They’re a high enough rank to attend balls hosted by the Diamonds, so their jobs are likely something that allowed them to be considered nobility.
Garnets are the generals of the gem empire, commanding large armies of gems for various purposes. There are three known varieties of Garnets― Hessonites, Demantoids, and Pyropes. Hessonites are military commanders in every sense of the word, using their armies to assist with colonization and warfare. Demantoids are tasked with overseeing lower-class gems, and focused more on infrastructure, science, and technology than actual fighting. Pyropes are in charge of upper class gems such as Sapphires and Lapis Lazulis. Other types of Garnets exist, although it’s unclear what their specific roles were.
Emeralds are also commanders, often working with Hessonites to fight in wars. However, unlike Hessonites, Emeralds were more in charge of commanding fleets of ships.
Zircons are the lawyers of the gem empire, prosecuting and defending those accused of crimes. The exact number of Zircons in existence isn’t known, but two have been confirmed to exist― a prosecuting Yellow Zircon and a defending Blue Zircon, both of which reside on Homeworld.
Nephrites are pilots and captains, commonly serving underneath Hessonites. These gems were tasked with operating large ships for various purposes, whether they be warships or transportation ships.
The exact role of Rutiles is unclear. Some believe they may have been scouts used tracking down defective gems.
Topazes acted as bodyguards and escorts for elite gems. They’re less abundant and higher ranking than Quartzes and Jaspers, and are often paired with Aquamarines for retrieval missions. They are one of the few gems that are allowed to fuse together for work-related purposes.
Quartzes and Jaspers are soldiers, bodyguards, and escorts to lower-ranking gems. They are more abundant and lower-ranking than Topazes, but fewer in number and higher-ranking than Rubies. Quartzes and Jaspers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, but what’s consistent between them all is a large build and incredible strength.
Rubies are common soldiers who are lower-ranking than Quartzes and Jaspers. They can’t do much on their own and are often deployed in groups, and are also often tasked with guarding Sapphires. They are one of the few gems that are allowed to fuse for work-related purposes.
Agates enjoy a slightly higher rank than their Quartz and Jasper counterparts, acting as overseers and managers to these gems, as well as other lower-ranking gems. They rely on intimidation and brute force in order to keep gems in line, and aren’t afraid to destroy a gem's form for disobeying them.
Bismuths are resilient gems that act as construction workers and masons, building large structures for higher-ranking gems to enjoy. Their enhanced shapeshifting abilities allow them to do their work easily, transforming their hands into hammers or axes.
Obsidians are very large gems who are tasked with constructing trenches. Different variations of obsidian do better in different environments, and can even manipulate certain elements. Snowflake Obsidians, for example, are made to dig trenches in colder environments and can manipulate ice.
Larimars are smaller gems who create beautiful ice sculptures for other gems to enjoy. They use their sharp claws to carve the ice into the desired shape, such as a higher-ranking gem or a recreation of an important event.
Peridots are fairly low-ranking gems who act as engineers and technicians, working in places such as shipyards or kindergartens. Due to a lack of resources, Peridots are quite small and require limb enhancers in order to perform their jobs properly.
Spinels are gems made as entertainers and playmates for high-ranking gems. Their gemstones can come in one of four shapes, based on the four suits of cards― hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds. It is unknown how many Spinels have been made, although one Spinel formerly belonging to Pink Diamond has been confirmed to exist.
Pearls are one of the lowest ranking gems in the empire, often being considered property. These gems are custom-made to act as servants for higher-ranking gems, with their colors and gem placements reflecting those of their owners. Unlike other gems, these gems can have their appearances customized to their owner’s tastes. Pearls often perform simple tasks for their owners or provide entertainment by singing, dancing, and projecting images via holograms.
Defective gems, also known as off-colors, are gems that were made incorrectly. The conditions of the kindergartens they emerge from can influence a gem to become defective― uneven terrain, poor ground composition, emerging too late or too early, and the placement of injectors can affect a gem’s appearance. These gems can be smaller and stocky, taller and skinny, have incorrect colors or flawed abilities, and even resemble conjoined twins in more severe cases. The latter condition is more common in Rutiles. Most defective gems are shattered moments after they emerge, but some are kept alive, whether by still being somewhat useful or escaping before they could be shattered.
Gem Names
Gems are not given names. Instead, they identify themselves with a special code consisting of a facet number and cut or cabochon number. Since this is confusing to most non-gems, they are often referred to by their gem type or given a nickname by their friends.
Gem ID: Amethyst Facet-5 Cut-8XM, Blue Lace Agate Facet-16H Cabochon-9TS, Nephrite Facet-413 Cabochon-12, Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG Nicknames: Army, Biggs, Bud, Crazy Lace, Doc, Eyeball, Holly Blue, Navy, Lapis, Leggy, Rose, Snowflake, Volleyball
Gem Traits
A race of sentient gemstones hailing from space.
Ability Score Increase. Your An ability score was not entered for this template! score increases by 2 and your An ability score was not entered for this template! score increases by 1.
Age.
Alignment.
Size. Speed. Your base walking speed is <speed> feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight
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*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
Suggested Characteristics
When creating a <race name> 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.
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Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races
Because we are the crystal gems! We're still alive and we're still the guardians of this planet! -Pearl
Physical Description
History
Society
<Race Name> Names
Male:
Female:
<Race Name> Traits
Ability Score Increase. Your An ability score was not entered for this template! score increases by 2 and your An ability score was not entered for this template! score increases by 1.
Age.
Alignment.
Size. Speed. Your base walking speed is <speed> feet.
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** |
|---|---|---|---|
| ′ ″ | + | lb. | × () lb. |
|
*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
Suggested Characteristics
When creating a <race name> 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 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
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| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 |
Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Races