Dark Fey
Tundra. Forest. Jungle. Desert. These four factions of the Nest of Origin, home of the Dark Fey, are so different yet all come together in one understanding. The tension between their frighteningly beautiful, yet foreign species and the rigid, civilized yet close-minded human race. These winged and horned elves, had flown along and hidden themselves for eons, but now is the time that one of them, or perhaps a whole flock of them, will rise and spread their wings.
Bold and Magnificent
Dark Fey are tall, sharp with lean bodies. Their ears are pointed, and many of these fey have extremely sharp cheekbones and piercing cat-like eyes. Their hair colors vary a little further than humans, coming in white, black, brown and blonde, while the style of their hair is limitless. Their skin tone range is about the same as humans, from the darkest browns to the most pale whites.
Wings and horns, the Dark Fey's most unusual features, vary similarly to birds and any horned animals such as cows, sheep, antelope and so on. Fey of the tundra almost always have fully white wings like angels, but are just as commonly seen in blue-ish whites and black accented feathers, with smoothly curving white horns. Fey of the forest generally have full black or brown wings and sharper curved black horns. Fey of the desert tend to have falcon-like or hawk-like wings, mostly white or beige inner feathers and brown or golden outer feathers. Their horns can be any color, but are often straight but slightly waving their way up. Fey of the jungle, however, have limitless colors on their wings, just as parrots in the human world do. Their feathers can reflect all the colors of the rainbow on one wing. Their horns vary just as much.
Dark Fey will dress accordingly to their home environment. Fey in hot environments, such as the desert, will merely cover themselves with loincloths or loose sweatpants, with just straps for males and torn chestplates for females. Fey in colder environments, such as the tundra, will cover themselves in as many fabrics as necessary to stay warm. However, all fey no matter what environment will commonly wear cloaks or long skirts.
Hidden Away
Dark Fey are constantly hiding in a cavern far off from Faerûn they call the Nest of Origin. There they hide in the only place no one will find them, where their race can live on safely. This massive cave is surprisingly full of life thanks to the fey's natural druidic abilities. The nest is a mix between small rooms and tunnels, that all meet at a gigantic open area where shelters and life lie. However, many Dark Fey are debating on what they should do when they do come out, due to their most populated rival: humanity. Some believe humans cannot be negotiated with and that the fey can only be given land through war, and some believe that the best choice would be to make peace with the humans through a treaty or agreement.
Your character's reason for leaving the nest, as a Dark Fey, could be either of these or inbetween. For example, you could be going out to prove that Dark Fey are not as malicious as they may seem, thus gaining a better reputation for the fey; or perhaps you have believed your people were weak hiding away from the start, and are leaving the nest as a way of becoming your own person.
Descendants of the Phoenix
All Dark Fey are descended from the Phoenix Mother, a massive, fiery and feathered neutral beast. The Phoenix is what gives them their horns, wings and sharp features, as well as their subtely calculating personalities. Even the most skilled and powerful wizards have abilities immeasurable to the powers of the Phoenix Mother. A stat block for the Phoenix is provided at the last page.
Credit: Olga Shvartsur
A painting of one of the last direct descendants of the Phoenix Mother.
Dark Fey Names
Dark Fey names would easily be mistaken for the names of legends and myths. Many of their names have a tribal air to them, and some are simply english words mixed together, which are not subject to gender. You have full freedom with your character's name, as long as it's not a human name or has clicks in it.
Male Dark Fey Names: Conall, Borra, Udo, Yati, Lovai, Porro, Troyar, Voraz
Female Dark Fey Names: Loralia, Mavnes, Coravana, Reia, Pora, Kuda, Euori, Gaelle
Dark Fey Traits
Your Dark Fey character has a wide range of powerful yet costly abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age. Dark Fey mature at around the same rate as humans, however can live for up to 800 years.
Alignment. Most of these fey generally lean towards neutral, however many can be good, and as chaotic or lawful as they please. Only a few Dark Fey are evil.
Size. Aside from their massive wings, Dark Fey stand at around the same height as a human. Your size is Medium.
Speed. You have a walking speed of 25 feet.
Wings. You have a wild flying speed of 50 feet. Dark Fey have large, powerful wings that can even be used as non-lethal attacks (1d8). However, you have these limits:
Weather will strongly effect your flight. In any storm, or if there are harsh or damaging winds, you will be knocked prone. If it is raining, your speed is halved.
If you are not hovering and your speed is reduced to 0, you will fall to the ground.
If you are grappled, restrained or unconscious, your speed is reduced to 0.
Attacks of oppurtunity still apply to you unless you have a feature that says otherwise, such as the mobile feat.
You can't fly while wearing heavy armor.
You will automatically fail stealth checks while flying. Dark Fey wings are extremely noticeable in mid-air, and will easily be seen at any time nearby.
If you attempt to carry someone while flying, your speed is halved and you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
You have disadvantage on two handed and/or heavy weapons while flying.
For every hour of flying, you must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. For each save you fail, you gain a level of exhaustion.
Horns. You are proficient with your horns as natural weapons. Your horns act as a melee weapon dealing 1d4 piercing damage. You have advantage on all checks in which you intend to shove a creature, however, not to avoid being shoved yourself.
One With the Wilderness. Dark Fey have been living their entire lives in a culture of almost all druids, where being able to survive and connect with nature is essential. You are proficient in all Survival checks.
Iron Vulnerability. Iron, when touched, will burn fey flesh of your kind. If you are touching any iron, you will take 1d6 fire damage, and 1d4 more fire damage every five minutes after.
Dark Fey Magic. You know the druidcraft cantrip at 1st level. At 3rd level, you may cast animal friendship once, and again after you finish a long rest. At 5th level, you may either learn gust of wind or spike growth as a 2nd level spell, and be able to cast it once each long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for all of these spells.
Darkvision. You are accustomed to dark environments, which gives you the ability to see 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.
Subrace
Tundra Fey
Tundra Fey are calm, graceful and calculating. They live in an extremely cold environment just below the entrance to the cavern. They live in igloos and hollowed trees. While most Tundra Fey are slender and straight-haired, many can be rough and bearded like sheep.
Prepared for the Cold. At will, you may touch a creature and roll 1d4. That creature will regain that many hit points and lose a level of exhaustion. You may only use this feature after you have completed a long rest, and on the condition that the creature you touch is exposed to cold weather and is already in one level or more of exhaustion.
Born to the Snow.. While you are in Arctic or Mountain terrain, you have immunity to cold damage and have advantage on Survival and Nature checks.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Forest Fey
Forest Fey are kind, optimistic and wise. They are more connected to nature than most Dark Fey, and will often choose peace over fighting in any situation. Forest Fey have similar color schemes to that of Wood Elves: bronze skin and dark hair. Of course, there are many Forest Fey who have pale skin and hair.
Wild Companion. You know the find familiar spell at level 1. Your familiar must be of fey type when you summon it. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Born to the Forest. While you are in Forest or Swamp terrain, you have resistance to poison damage and have advantage on Survival and Nature checks.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Jungle Fey
Jungle Fey are strong, quick and charismatic. They move fast in both their speed and train of thought. If you want your character to be both beautiful and a quick thinker, this would be the perfect subrace to choose.
Communicator of All. You know two extra languages of your choice.
Born to the Trees. While you are in Coast or Grassland terrain, you have resistance to lightning damage and have advantage on Survival and Nature checks, as well as Performance checks.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Desert Fey
Desert Fey are bold, hard and sticklers of tradition. They live in harsh environments and survive with brute force. In almost any situation, Desert Fey choose war over peace, which stirs the flame of their disagreements with Forest Fey.
Dust Kicker. At 5th level, you know the wall of sand spell. You may only cast this spell after you have completed a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Born to the Sand. While you are in Desert terrain, you have resistance to radiant damage and have advantage on Survival and Nature checks.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Phoenix Fey
Phoenix Fey are by far the rarest of all Dark Fey, and perhaps the rarest race known to man, considering their population lies around two or three. They are direct descendants of the Phoenix Mother, which means they inherit many of the Phoenix's strikingly powerful abilities.
Talk to your Dungeon Master before considering playing this race, as playing it may change the entire campaign. A Phoenix Fey being found anywhere is a great deal to the Dark Fey, as the Dark Fey's species itself is threatened. A fey with any power of the Phoenix is not only an incredible sight, but also a very dangerous one.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Dexterity score increases by 1.
Powerful Aura. You have advantage on Intimidation checks and know two 1st level spells of your choice from the sorceror spell list. You may cast them after you have finished a long rest. You gain two sorceror spells again at 4th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th and 20th level, and the spell level and spell list will change each time you use the ability. Use the table below for reference. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for all of these spells.
Phoenix Fey Spells
| Level | Amount of Spells Learned | Spell Level | Spell List |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | 1 | Sorceror |
| 4th | 2 | 2 | Sorceror |
| 7th | 2 | 3 | Sorceror or Warlock |
| 10th | 2 | 4 | Sorceror or Warlock |
| 14th | 2 | 5 | Sorceror or Warlock |
| 17th | 2 | 6 | Sorceror, Warlock or Druid |
| 20th | 2 | 7 | Sorceror, Warlock or Druid |
The leader of Desert Fey, Borra.