The Godsent
_ "I had spoken with a diviner, a friend of mine, who assured me the Holy One would come at that certain place and time. I followed his instructions and awaited the arrival of the Einui. _
_ He fell from the heavens like a comet. The azure, shining star arced across the horizon of the starry night and slammed into ground not a hundred metres from me. _
_ When I arrived at the crater he was kneeling on the floor. He rose, tall and strong with skin as pale as marble, radiating both with divine presence and a sheer sense of purpose. He looked at me with deep, green eyes and greeted me in the Common Toungue. "I am Tieriel, Godsent of Vaul. Where will I find the grove known as the Whitewood?" I pointed to the east, and without another word he strode past me into the depths of the night." _
Avyrith Brightmoon, My Travels In Voradin
The Godsent are quasi-angelic beings sent by one of the Old Gods to fulfil a particular mission. Each God grants the Godsent a small portion of their divine power, which grows the longer they stay on Eithel.
Arrival from the Heavens
When a Godsent journies to Eithel, they arrive as a fully developed adult complete with a task that they must complete at all costs. While they are aware of who they are and basic information about their quest, they do not have any memories of their masters or the Star Tree. They typically fall from the sky as a star, land upon the earth and immediately begin their duties. They are individual, singular in purpose and rare in number, with perhaps between forty and sixty existing on the entire plane of Eithel at any one time.
Mission from the Gods
Many of the Godsent find it easiest to complete their task as adventurers, and will gather like-minded allies around them to aid them in their quest. They care little for material trappings or gaining friendships, beyond those that further their mission.
Some Godsent only exist upon Eithel for a period of hours, days or weeks. A Holy One required to complete a simple task, such as "Liberate the Shrine of the Lorhi" or "Vanquish my enemies at the Battle of Daggerlon", will accomplish this, allow themselves to die and then their return to the Star Tree.
Others are given much more garguantuan tasks to complete. Arrakiel the Seeker, High Inquisitor the Order of the Godsent Purge, was instructed to "Purge the plane of Eithel of the faithless". Arrakiel is now over 600 years old, and will likely never return to the stars.
Scion of The Holy Eight
As each Godsent has been sent by their respective god, their features and charistics depend entirely on the god who send them. A Godsent of Vashni will likely be a terrifying, fearless warrior who revels in bloodshed, while a Godsent of Keelathi will be a mysterious and ineffable, wielding magic of incredible power.
Despite being imbued with the power of the gods, Godsent are not immortal. It is of great shame for one of them to die upon a material plane without completing their task. Once their spirit has reformed on their home plane, the Star Tree of Tirine, most will once again be sent back to Eithel to continue their journey.
Godsent who are not of Ados are heretics who operate outside of the law of the Caliphate. While it takes a very brave inquisitor to accuse a Godsent of heresy, the worship of the Old Gods has been outlawed within the Caliphate so the Holy Ones must watch where they tread.
Why The Godsent?
The Godsent exist as an alternative to Aasimar/Tiefling in my homebrew setting. One of my players expressed desire to play a Tiefling, but the religious system of the Old Gods has a looser concept of alignment and subseuqently the childrens of fiends made little sense to me as a race. Rather than pushing away a good character idea, we sat down and homebrewed a race that was a spin on Judeo-Christian angels, so the Godsent were born. tradition.
Godsent Names
Godsent are named in the Old Tongue, the language spoken by priests of the Old Gods. These names are similar the angels that feature within the bible and Judeo-Christian
Godsent Names: Asteraoth, Darahel, Empyrean, Gadreel, Iliyah, Hayyel, Madan, Ophanim, Salathiel, Tatrasiel, Xariuk
Godsent Traits:
Your Godsent character has the following traits:
Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age: As the physical manifestations of extraplanar spirits, Godsent are "born" as fully developed adults with many of the skills they need to complete their quest. They do seem not to age and have been known to live for hundreds of years.
Alignment: As a group Godsent do not display a specific alignment, but specific ones generally tend towards the alignment of the god they represent.
Size: You are roughly the same size as a human, are usually larger than 5 feet and typically no too much taller than 6 feet.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages: You can speak, read and write Common and the Old Toungue, spoken by priests of the Old Gods (this may be replace with Celestial in other settings).
Darkvision: Having travelled from your home plane by journeying across the starry skies, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Holy Descent: Being a servant of the Old Gods, you know their ways and subsequently you have proficiency in the Religion Skill. Additionally you can double your proficiency bonus when the information you want to know is specific to the customs of your God.
Magic of the Gods: You have been granted a portion of your god's power, which grants you magical abilities. The spells you can cast are determined by the god you serve. You know a cantrip, which you can cast at will. At 3rd level you learn another spell, which you can cast once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. At 5th level you learn another spell, which you can cast once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Subrace: Their are eight subraces of Godsent, one for the servants of each of the Old Gods. Choose one of these subraces.
Ados the Dragonlord
Ados is the god of light, fire and purity. While many Adosian priests preach a sermon of love and compassion, they are also cruel and merciless against liars, heretics and mages. Ados is associated with the Lawful alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Strenght score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Sacred Flame (Cantrip), Bless (at 3rd Level) and Zone of Truth (5th level)
Hunt for the Wicked: Many of the Godsent of Ados are witch hunters or inquisitors, who root out magic users and heathens. You have proficiency in the Investigation skill.
Barakiel the Allfather
Barakiel is the god of the four elements: Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. More so than the other Old Gods, he has no compassion for mortals and his godsent reflect as such. Barakiel is associated with the Neutral Evil alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Consitution score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Gust (Cantrip), Absorb Elements (at 3rd Level) and Gust of Wind (5th level).
Doomcaller: Servants of the Allfather often demand sacrifices from the populace and you know how to channel fear in the hearts of others. You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Freyel the Hearthkeeper
Freyel is the god of honour, compassion and loyalty. His Godsent are noble keepers of the peace and protectors of the innocent. Freyel is associated with the Lawful Neutral alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Consitution score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Guidance (Cantrip), Shield of Faith (at 3rd Level) and Aid (5th level).
Peacekeeper: Godsent of Freyel are smooth negotiators, and will only resort to armed conflict when reasonable diplomacy has failed. You have proficiency in the Persuasion skill.
Hannar the Giver
Hannar is the god of nature. She made many of the plants and animals of Eithel and is honoured as the providers of harvests and plenty. Hannar is associated with the Neutral Good alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Druidcraft (Cantrip), Goodberry (at 3rd Level) and Animal Messenger (5th level).
Greenfingers: Denizens of nature recognise Hannar's servants and treat them with respect and deference. You have proficiency in the Animal Handling skill.
Keelathi the Seer
Keelathi is the god of magic and secrets, as well as the patron of wizards. His godsent are usually powerful magic users and their tasks usually vague and full of mystery. Keelathi is associated with the Chaotic Neutral alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Mage Hand (Cantrip), Detect Magic (at 3rd Level) and Misty Step (5th level).
Power of the Seer: Keelathi whispers the secrets of the arcane into the ears of his minions. You have proficiency in the Arcana skill.
The Trickster
The Trickster is a two faced mad god. Karan is a god of freedom, joy and mischief, while Narak is a god of torture, murder and madness. Like their master, the Godsent of Carithi are capricious and volatile, likely to be your friends in one moment and your enemy in the next. Karan is associated with the Chaotic Good alignment and Narak with the Chaotic Evil alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Minor Illusion (Cantrip), Disguise Self (at 3rd Level) and Crown of Madness (5th level).
Two-faced: The Trickster's servants are masters of lies, likely because they are so prone to change they often do not know they actually speak the truth. You have proficiency in the Deception skill.
Vaul the Maker
Vaul is the chief of the Old Gods, creator of many of the mortal races and patron to kings and chieftans. His Godsent are leaders and warriors, who supplement their own wisdom with powerful divination magic. Vaul is associated with the True Neutral alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: Thaumaturgy (Cantrip), Augury (at 3rd Level) and Enhance Ability (5th level).
Divine Cognisance: Vaul's powerful magic grants allows you to easily discern the motivations and intention of others. You have proficiency in the Insight skill.
Vashni the Slayer
Vashni is the god of death, battle and conquest. His Godsent are mighty warriors who march into battle without fear. Vashni detests the undead, and many of his Godsent are sent on missions involving the destruction of the necromancers within the Hoarfrost Wastes. Vaul is associated with the True Neutral alignment.
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 1.
Magic of the Old Gods: You gain the following spells: True Strike (Cantrip), Bane (at 3rd Level) and Gentle Repose (5th level).
Vigour: The Godsent of Vashni were not sent to Eithel to be diplomats or missionaries, they are warriors first and only. As such, you have proficiency in the Atheltics skill.
Credits:
- Tom Cardin, whose pretty map I stole at the start of it all.
- Matt Colville, for insipring me to DM
- Peter Mohrbacher, from whose website www.angelarium.net I stole these two images: Azazel, Angel of Sacrifice and Penemue, Angel of the Written Word.