Aetherborn

Strangers from the aether. They know no true home or family, but have adopted both. Some see them as aliens, others see them as unatural. Aetherborn live short lives and they make sure to make every moment out of it.

Twice as Bright, Half as Long

Aehterborn are beings who are not ever actually born. They are a created from pure aether that has been pushed out into the world and given form and consciousness, they are born fully grown with all the knowledge of an adult. They can speak, walk and fight from the moment of creation. But this unusual birth comes with a cost. aetherborn only live for 2-5 years. Their form is unstable and overtime decays, in the last few months of their life their skin starts to flake and bright colors of the energy sometimes escapes from their body as the aether returns to the world.

Life of the Party, Life of Adventure

Because of their short lives aetherborn live very exciting lives, trying to get the most out of every second. No party compares to one thrown by an aetherborn, many times they last for days and stretch across city blocks. Aetherborn are also known for being somewhat promiscuous at these parties as well even though they are genderless. The life of adventure is also very calling to them. Competing to see who can defeat the biggest foe or who can kill the most goblins in the camp are popular past times for aetherborn.

Not Blood, but Still Family

Since aetherborn are not born their families are usually other aetherborn who adopt them. Those who do not lead a life of adventure usually claim territory in a space where aetherborn commonly spawn. The new ones are given the surnames of the adopted family and allowed to choose their own names. Most follow the convention of the family that adopted them.

Not Found, but Not Lost

The unfortunate aetherborn that do not get found quickly and are not adopted usually turn to the underground. As much as they are known for their parties and adventuring they are also known as being indispensable grunts for criminal leaders. They often follow with great loyalty for being given a purpose and a chance to experience life, even if it is a dark life.

Appearance

Aetherborn are about the same size and shape of humans, but their skin ranges from as black as night to as white as snow, and all sorts of gray in between. Their skin has either sharp rock like features or smooth chiseled statue features. Their eyes have no pupils or iris’ and are pure white, yellow, black, blue, or any other color. The color of their eyes reflects the color of aether inside. They lack noses, ears and mouths, but can smell, hear and talk. They do not need to eat and drink, but still need to sleep. They also have no reproductive organs, but are quite fond of flirting anyway.

Aetherborn Names

Aetherborn are genderless and names they choose could be anyhting and don't stick to other cultuers conventions for names for different kinds of people. When refering to one with pronouns people use "they, them, theirs."

---

• First Names: Yivti, Xithrel, Zawaka, Iqua, Sav, Riztho, Poxla, Kyth, Ux, Zisyas, Ganti
• Surnames: Wivaana, Toyzithu, Oixlequ, Vivithez, Crotal, Yahenni

Aetherborn Traits

All aetherborn share a few things in common in their lives other than the fact that they die young.

Ability Score Increase Aetherborn are very good at making converstation and love to be around people. You get +2 Charisma.

Age. Born fully mature and live only for 2-5 years. A truly lucky one could live to 7 and an unlucky one could live to 6 months only

Alignment. Their lifestyles make them inately selfish and most tend twords nutral at best and evil at worst, as well as a strong connection to chaotic so they can live life to the fullest.

Size. Average height and weight as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Average walking speed of 30 ft.

Experts of Social Situations. Aetherborn are very firendly and talkative usually and great at getting to know people. You have proficiency in Persuasion (Charisma) checks.

Empathic. All aetherborn have the ability to sense to emotions of those around them. You have advantage on Insight (Wisdom) checks.

Go Out With a Bang. If an aetherborn dies before its time has come the magical energy inside of it has not had time to properly and slowly leave. If you don't die from old age each creature within 10 ft. of you must make a Dex saving throw or take (4d4) force damage. Additionally, each creature within 20 ft must make a constitution saving throw or be blinded for 1 round. Distance for each saving throw goes up by 10 ft. at level 6, 11, 16, and 18. Damage goes up to (4d6) at level 6, (4d8) at level 11, (4d10) at level 15, and (4d12) at level 18. DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + you Cha modifier

Starving for Life Since they have no mouths aetherborn do not need to eat, drink, or breath to survive.

Languages. You speak Common and one other language of your choice common to the area you were born.

Subrace. Two main subraces of aetherborn live in the world, the most common one is socialite aetherborn, and the less common vampire aetherborn. Choose one of them below.

Socialite Aetherborn

When someone thinks of an aetherborn they probably think of a socialite aetherborn. Known for their lavish parties and vast networks of friends it is sometimes hard for someone to not know a socialite aetherborn.

Ability Score Increase. You get +1 to Intellegance.

So Damn Charming. You can choose to spend 1 minute, outside of combat, talking to a creature they then have to make a wisdom saving throw or be put under the effects of the Charm Person spell but the person will retain no memory of being charmed and will not know you attempted to charm them if they succeed the save. The saving throw DC = 8 + proficiency + Cha modifier. After this feature is used it cannot be used again until after a short or long rest.

Vampire Aetherborn

Much less known and sometimes seen more as a curse than a gift among the aetherborn are the vampire aetherborn. Some use their powers to live relativly long lives and become crime lords, others are ashamed of what they can do and never use their power. But not all vampire aetherborn are to such extremes.

Ability Score Increase. You get +1 to Dexterity.

Life Drain You can target one creature you can see within 30ft and use this ability as an action. They make a Constitution saving throw, on a failed save they take 1d8 necrotic damage, on a successful save they take half damage. You gain life equal to half the amount of damage dealt this way.

If you kill a tiny creature with this ability you add 1 month to your life span, if you kill a small or medium creature add 1 year, large creature add 2 year, huge add 3 years, gargantuan add 5 years.

The damage of this ability increases to 2d8 at level 6, 3d8 at level 11, 4d8 at level 16. Once you use this ability you can't do so again until you finish a short rest.

Art

All art taken from MTG cards

Aetherborn Marauder by Kieran Yanner

Syndicate Trafficker by Tony Fotyi

Mountain by Eytan Zana