Nyxborn
A race born from dreams
"And old King Priam was first to see him coming, surging over the plain, blazing like the star that rears at harvest, flaming up in its brilliance,— far outshining the countless stars in the night sky..." - Homer, Iliad 22.30
Nyxborn are not just a race of people, but a mixture of the mortal and divine. Any creature can be or become Nyxborn, one only needs a touch of divinity. Specifically from the plane of Theros, these creatures dwell in the starry domain of the gods called Nyx. Nyx can be seen from the mortal realm in the manifestation of the night sky, where all mortals roam when they dream. As the boundaries between the realms of mortals and gods thins, more Nyxborn inhabit the realms of men.
Mirrors of Mortals
Nyxborn often manifest as mirrors of creatures in the mortal world - there are Nyxborn minotaurs, Nyxborn humans, Nyxborn gorgons, Nyxborn wolves, and on and on. They are formed from the collective subconscious or by the divine will of the gods, which is why they appear so often as creatures favored by particular gods.
Divine Wills
Often the more insidious part of being Nyxborn is being influenced by the will of your god, their will often overpowers your own and your goals often align with their capricious whims. Whether they retain their mortality or they become subsumed by their divine origins, it is entirely dependent on their force of will.
Nyxborn Names
Depending on a Nyxborn's origins, they usually have names that reflect the culture of the creature they were manifested as or created from. Nyxborn usually have names that they had as mortals or are given names by their god. They often have titles expressing the domain or will of their god such Favored by Deceit, Blessed by the Sea, Beloved by Death, or Chosen from the Forge and this will reflect in their appearance or personality.
Nyxborn Traits
Your Nyxborn character has the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2. In addition, one ability score of your choice increases by 1.
Age. Nyxborn are immortal in the sense their body will never age, but there is a predestined date for which they will rejoin the underworld. Not even they can escape death.
Alignment. Depends on the alignment of their god. Most Nyxborn are of some neutral or chaotic alignment.
Artist Credit
Victor Adame Minguez; AD: Dawn Murin, WOTC 2020. Art for Magic The Gathering's set "Theros Beyond Death". Hero of the Nyxborn and Iroas's Blessing.
Size. Your size is Medium. Nyxborn the same range of height and weight as other humanoids.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Favored by Divinity. As an action, you can call upon a spectral avatar representing the aspect of your deity, it does not have any statistics and cannot take any actions or reactions. Only creatures you choose or creatures with true sight can see the avatar. You can speak to it and ask it for advice; it is up to the GM and you to decide the avatar's demeanor and personality. This avatar stays present for up to an hour or until it is dismissed.
After you use this trait once, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Gifts of Nyx. You know the word of radiance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the heroism spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th Level, you can cast the shadow blade spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.
Starry Form. Your body looks like a field of stars and it is often disorienting to others. As a reaction to a creature attempting to discern your actions or intentions, you can impose disadvantage on any Wisdom (Insight) or Wisdom (Perception) checks that the creature makes against you.
After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Chosen Task. You gain proficiency in two tools, weapons, or skills of your choice. (e.g. you could choose to have Shortbow and Survival, or Herbalist and Poisoner's kit, etc.)
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.
Celestial Aspect
The deity that sways you can present themselves in an avatar. Whether it be their preferred humanoid form or the shape of an animal that symbolizes them, they can guide you in a limited way. This aspect isn't omniscient, but may have knowledge outside of your awareness -- this doesn't mean it will choose to share it. Your deity has desires and goals of its own and will guide you in ways that favor themselves or their goals.
Racial Feats
This section introduces a collection of special feats that allow you to explore your character’s Nyxborn further. A racial feat represents either a deepening connection to your your deity, a mastery of your racial abilities, or a physical transformation that brings you closer to the realm of Nyx.
Celestial Fortitude
Prerequisite: Nyxborn
Your divine body has strengthed, achieving a fortitude similar to many Celestials. You gain the following benefits:
- You have resistance to necrotic and radiant damage.
- Your Starry Form becomes amplified as your stars begin to shift and swirl, you become as fluid as the realm of dreams. As a reaction against an effect that would cause you to make a saving throw, you can gain advantage on saving throws using that ability score for 1 minute. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Dreamflesh
Prerequisite: Nyxborn
You become more connected to your physical essence as an extension of the dream realm of Nyx. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Wisdom or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- When you hit with an attack, you can siphon off a creature's dreams. You can roll one of your attack's damage dice an additional time and add it as additional psychic damage. You gain temporary hit points equal to half the total damage dealt. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
- You gain immunity to magical effects and spells that would put you to sleep.
Reforged in Nyx
Prerequisite: 4th level
Taken by the gods, stripped of your former life to become a champion of the gods as a Nyxborn. If you were already Nyxborn, you become stronger as a champion for your god. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Constitution or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- Your body gains the starry features similar to other Nyxborn. Your form sheds bright light out to 5 feet and dim light for an additional 5 feet.
- As an action, you can fling your stars to cast magic missile as a 2nd-level spell. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
