The Shadowborn (5e Race)

The Shadowborn

Physical Description

Shadowborn look similar to regular humans with the exception of their often pale complexions and dark hair, which allow them to easily blend into the shadows and darkness. Their eyes stand out against the darkness, unusual and bright, the only sign of life amongst their undead seeming appearances.

History

Not much is known about the Shadowborn beyond the fact that they must have existed since the dawn of time, if not before that. Folklore presents them as spirits that help those when they are lost in the darkness, whether literal or of the heart.

Society

Shadowborn are rarely witnessed together, and instead take to assimilating themselves into other races societies and living there until that society falls.

Shadowborn Names

Many Shadowborn names derive from names of favorable objects, people, or animals. They take on these names in honor of the things they held close to them at one point in time or another.

Shadowborn Traits

Shadowborn are creatures born of shadow, awoken from the deepest, darkest parts of the earth
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and any other ability score increases by 1.
Age. You mature fast, but age slowly, for shadows are until the end of ages. Shadowborns mature at the age 19. On average, they live around 900 years old.
Alignment. As passive guardians of the dark, many Shadowborn are neutral. Few turn to Evil.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 40 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.
Shadow Form. You are proficient in the Stealth skill.
Shadowy Imitation. As an action, you can change your appearance and your voice. You determine the specifics of the changes, including your coloration, hair length, and sex. You can also adjust your height and weight but can only change to a size category one size smaller or one size larger than medium. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. Your clothing and equipment are either discarded or absorbed into you, your choice. You stay in the new form until you use an action to revert to your true form or until you die.
Dark Concealment. You are able to take the Hide action, while only lightly obscured from the creature from which you are hiding in dim light or darkness.
Sunlight Sensitivity.. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Shadow Legacy. Being made of shadow, Shadowborn have immunity to necrotic damage, exhaustion and the petrified condition. They also have advantage against ability checks to avoid the grappled conditon.
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**
4′ 8″	+2d10	130 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)