Shadow (5e Race)

Shadows

“

"Fiend!" The hasty, fearful human throws a net to the pale man, who was ensnared. "Abominations like you shouldn't exist," the human cried, "you succubus-spawn!" Flames approached the man, who would seem to be melting by the looks of it. The desperate man used his wild shape to transform into what he could only think of in the moment; a rat. He scurried away from the flames before reverting back to his true form and casting a mighty fireball. He pants and cries as he hears the agonizing screams of his foes. It wasn't long until they brought reinforcements.

”

History

Shadows are the combination between fiends and elves. They are comparable to Tieflings, in a way. There are many ways for a shadow to be made, the most common is the most obvious, an Elf and a Fiend breeding. However, an Elf who makes a pact with a devil gets a bit of devil blood in them, over time they may become a shadow naturally. Shadows are barely known about, sometimes they are indistinguishable between an average Half-Elf. Once found out, however, many civilizations become fearful of these beings. Civilizations more welcoming will see them being no different than a Tiefling or a Half-Elf, but those unwelcoming civilizations may try to burn Shadows on a cross. Those civilizations see Shadows as an abomination and likely see Tieflings as the same.

Shadows are born from Fiends and Elves. There are Infernal Shadows and Abyssal Shadows. Infernal Shadows are far more common to find.

Physical Description

A shadow fresh after a battle, source

Shadows appear similar to a Half-Elf, to the point of some Human and Elven societies adopt them, unknowing of their origins. Rarely does a Shadow look anything darker from a vampire pale, but of course, the rare exceptions exist. Those rare exceptions typically have skin colors similar to a Tiefling, ranging from a devilish red to royal blue to a light violet. The easiest way to tell a shadow apart from others, however, is their blood. Due to their unholy combination, Shadows bleed purple*.

Society

Many Shadows live in different cultured societies, trying to pass off as a pale human, a half-elf, and sometimes even a vampire, presuming they use fear tactics. Many Shadows do not try to cause trouble, since such an act would bring attention to them. They try to be humble and unnoticed. Some join the ranks of Tieflings in some societies. Abyssal shadows are typically nicknamed as Waxflesh, due to their crippling weakness to flames.

Shadow Names

Shadows tend to have names varying from an Elven serenity to a Fiendish harshness. Not many have blood families, but their biological families have surnames similar, and sometimes even identical to food items.

Male Names: Franek, Lukala, Morphius, Skalar, Tharios

Female Names: Bireka, Leia, Naminé, Ritha, Valakala

Surnames: Condict, Gherkin, Jerkil, Mayonaizzu, Pierro

Shadow Traits

You're an Elf-Fiend hybrid in this unholy combination.
Ability Score Increase. Your ability score increases are determined by your subrace.
Age. Shadows tend to age similarly to a human, reaching maturity at age 19. They become elderly and decrepit at age 180 and rarely last longer than 190.
Alignment. Infernal Shadows tend toward their devilish nature of law. Even the evil infernal shadows have a sense of honor.
Size. Shadows can range from 4' to 6', rarely exceeding the boundaries. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, either Elven or Infernal.
Subrace. Shadows have two subraces. Pick your choice of either abyssal shadow, or infernal shadow.

Abyssal Shadow Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution and Wisdom scores each increase by 1.
No Easy Task. You gain one feat of your choice.

Infernal Shadow

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 120 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.
Experts of Artifice. Your are proficient with an artisan tool and skill of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Abyssal Shadow's Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 1″	+4d10	80 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Infernal Shadow's Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
3′ 11″	+4d10	90 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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