The Erebis
"Many mortals wish for an immortal life - we are cursed with one" - Sothari-Vol
Survivors from a Shattered World
Long ago, the planet Erebus was a lush and alien world filled with many wonders seen in so few other places within the cosmos. The Erebis were the dominant race of their world and had a global empire that toppled the few other races that shared their domain. In flesh, some Erebis would say they looked similar to elves but stood taller and much more gracefully. They had thin, lithe bodies, with elongated limbs, and large glowing eyes of starlight. But their world, and even their mortal coils is now only a distant memory, something so few even recall. Erebus was destroyed, the world was shattered and ripped apart by the all consuming Void of the cosmos. Most perished with their planet, a fate some survivors would say is much more merciful than their own fate. For those who survived and managed to flee the planet on their inter-dimensional ships, the survivors were changed by the same cosmic energies ripping their planet apart. The energy did the same to its people as it did to their shattered home: every living being on the planet was ripped and flayed from their mortal bodies, leaving behind a bodiless soul, shifting about - a husk of their former beauty.
After centuries adrift in the endless dark, they crash landed on Amora, where they made first contact with the wood elves in the Taul jungles. After centuries of tentative peace with the elves, the Erebis would eventually overthrow their elven allies to make their own empire, only to be toppled from the inside by the elves centuries later. Many of the Erebis perished in the retaliation, and only a few thousand managed to survive. They now roam Amora, scattered and divided.
After centuries adrift in the endless dark, they crash landed on Amora, where they made first contact with the wood elves in the Taul jungles. After centuries of tentative peace with the elves, the Erebis would eventually overthrow their elven allies to make their own empire, only to be toppled from the inside by the elves centuries later. Many of the Erebis perished in the retaliation, and only a few thousand managed to survive. They now roam Amora, scattered and divided.
Secretive Masterminds
Today few Erebis remain, they tend to stick to themselves in isolation, never really trusting anyone else but other Erebis (even then they are still suspicious of their brethren). Many prefer a life in the shadows, manipulating others and slowly working their way to the top of their organizations. They are patient predators, waiting silently for their opportunity to strike. An Erebis' mind is complex and always scheming, making them natural leaders for crime organizations or other lucrative careers. In the few rare cases an Erebis befriends someone, it is often hard to tell they actually do, letting their guard down is something an Erebis never really does. But in those rare cases they let their guard down slightly, they are usually willing to provide their most important currency - knowledge. Erebis are ancient creatures and when one tells you a secret, it is usually worth taking note.
Physical Traits
- Age - Erebis are immortal, and all of them are at least 8,500+ years old. Erebis do not reproduce so only survivors of their world are left.
- Speed - Erebis base walking speed is 30 feet.
- Size - Most Erebis "stand" (hover might be more appropriate) at around 6 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 10 inches. They have a slim ethereal form that appears ghostly and immaterial yet is still corporeal. Their size is medium.
- Complexion - Erebis are mostly gaseous and have a semi-solid form. They are made of a cold black mist that constantly pours out from them as they move or even stand still. Most have no facial features or anything to distinguish between themselves other than tone of voice, but some few do have glowing eyes (although most prefer to wear clothing or armor in order to maintain some physical form and individuality).
- Eye Color - Most Erebis have no facial features at all, but some have glowing eyes - almost any color is possible if they do have glowing eyes, although purple is the most common among these cases.
D&D Race Stats - Erebis
- +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence (Vol-Tesh Caste) OR +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity (An-Solai Caste)
- Advanced Darkvision - Your shadowy curse also enhances your vision in darkness; you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 90 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.
- Studious Mind - Your long life span granted you time for observation and study of cultures. You can speak, read, and write two extra languages of your choice.
- Ethereal Form - Your shadowy form is vulnerable to damage of the mind. You are considered vulnerable to Psychic damage.
- Shadowstep - Your ethereal form allows you to shift your body to surpass non-magical difficult terrain unhindered.
- Bodiless Soul - Your bodiless form has less need for sustenance and maintenance compared to mortal races. You have no need for air, sleep or food/water. Because your body requires less sustenance traveling has much less ware on you. You however still need 4 hours of recovery doing light activity for a long rest and at least 1 hour of light activity for a short rest.
- Misty Step - Starting at level 5, you gain the ability Misty Step, which allows you to envelop yourself in black mist and teleport 30 feet into an unoccupied space you can see as a bonus action. Can be used once per long rest (See the Spells Page for more details).
- Telepathy - Erebis dislike speech and instead usually speak through telepathy. You can speak into the minds of any creature that speaks the same language as you and could normally hear you instead.
- Languages - Erebis can read and write in Common and Erebisian. They can also speak in it, but prefer to speak telepathically. When speaking with another Erebis telepathically, the conversation is almost instant even for most lengthier conversations.