Crystalborne
As I trudged on, hurt, helpless, alone, hunted by a band of bandits, I found momentary asylum from the cold, stinging rain within a cave. I walked on, losing sense of direction in its darkness; the howls of hounds pierced the silence like arrows flying through the air. A glow. A faint glow broke through the darkness, growing brighter and more brilliant as I moved closer. I reached its source; the air here surged with an unknown power, like ionized air during a harsh thunderstorm. Crystals protruded from the walls, some loose on the ground. My hand moved on its own towards one of the crystals on the ground, like a magnet to metal. As I grasped the crystal, energy surged through my arm and into my body, momentarily losing consciousness. When I came to, the crystal was fused within my palm, and I felt its power coursing through me. As the howls drew nearer, I stood, despair replaced with valor.
— Zar'iel Kieran, Rebirth
The crystalborne are a recently discovered breed of humanoids, having features exclusive to other races while being a separate race of its own. A crystalborne is easily identifiable by the crystal infused with their body.
Planar Origin
Because crystalborne are a race that have been unheard of until recently, it is unknown who the first crystalborne was. Studies conducted by wizards and sages have speculated that these crystals are not of the Material Plane, instead containing arcane energy of different planes. Because of this, they have been given the name "Planar Crystals".
Multi-Racial Traits
Planar Crystals do not fuse exclusively with one race. Because of this, you can come across crystalborne of various sizes and characteristics from their original race.
Crystal Fusion
The true nature of Planar Crystals still remain foreign. However, experiments have revealed that not all creatures are capable of initiating a fusion with a Planar Crystal. Theories suggest that Planar Crystals have a state of consciousness high enough to be capable of "choosing" their hosts.
Crystalline Rebirth
When someone initiates a fusion with a Planar Crystal, they go through a process of "rebirth". The creature retains the physical appearance of their original race, such as an elf's ears or a dwarf's short, stout body. However, they lose any special features offered by their original race, replacing them with new powers and abilities gained through their rebirth.
Crystalborne Names
Crystalborne carry on the name given to them by their original race before fusing with a Planar Crystal. However, some choose to reject their old name and instead adopt a new name.
Subrace
So far, four main subraces of Crystalborne have been discovered: red crystalborne, blue crystalborne, green crystalborne, and clear crystalborne. There have been rumors of a fifth crystalborne subrace: dark crystalborne, and further research may uncover even more subraces.
Crystalborne Traits
Your crystalborne character has an assortment of abilities, given to you by the Planar Crystal fused with you.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age Regardless of their original race, all crystalborne age the same, reaching maturity at the age of 20 and adulthood at the age of 30. They are capable of living up to 320 years old.
Alignment Alignment among crystalborne are varied and are not particularly drawn to a specific alignment, ranging from lawful good to chaotic evil.
Size Because any humanoid creature could become a crystalborne, their size and build are vast. Your size is Medium. Work with your DM if you want to play a crystalborne from a smaller race.
Speed Regardless of your previous race, all crystalborne have a base walking speed of 30 feet.
Darkvision Your Planar Crystal grants you the ability to see in dark and dim light conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 ft 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.
Innate Focus You can select your Planar Crystal as an arcane focus for spellcasting.
Gemstone Resilience Fusion with a Planar Crystal hardens your skin against damage. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Languages You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.
Red Crystalborne
Red Crystalborne are fused with Planar Crystals hailing from the Elemental Plane of Fire. Planar Crystals from this plane seek out hosts who are brash and quick-tempered. They have a slight red pigmentation and are capable of shrugging off fire. These are the most feared, capable of defeating their foes with fiery might.
Ability Score Increase Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Flame Armor You have resistance to fire damage.
Cinder Blast When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you channel the power within your Planar Crystal, releasing it as a ball of fire at a point within 60 ft of you. The ball explodes, and each creature in a 10-ft radius has to make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d8 fire damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The effort of summoning the raw power of the crystal drains you, and you take one point of exhaustion. After you use your cinder blast, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest.
Blue Crystalborne
Planar Crystals from the Elemental Plane of Water tend to fuse with hosts who are calm, collected, and patient. They are exceptionally sturdy and are harder to take down than other crystalborne. Blue crystalborne have a blue tint in their skin and their skin is cool to the touch, like an ocean at night.
Ability Score Increase Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Water Mobility You have a swimming speed of 30 ft.
Conduit of Water When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, mist exudes from your body and surrounds you for a minute, giving you temporary hit points equal to your level. While you have temporary hit points from this source or until a minute passes, your AC increases by 1 and your melee weapon attacks deal an additional 1d8 cold damage. Once you use your conduit of water, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest.
Green Crystalborne
The power of the Elemental Plane of Earth swirls around the Planar Crystals of green crystalborne. Wise individuals, most can be found among druidic circles or aiding adventurers through dangerous forests. Green crystalborne have a greenish or brownish hue in their skin, and no matter how much they bathe, there is always a little bit of dirt on them.
Ability Score Increase Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Terra Connection You have proficiency in the Nature skill.
Earthen Sonar When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you lower your senses into the ground around you. For 1 minute, you have tremorsense up to 30 ft, and you become blinded, or you can end it early (no action). Once you use your earthen sonar, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest.
Clear Crystalborne
Planar Crystals from the Elemental Plane of Air seek out hosts who wish for freedom and adventure. A clear crystalborne does not like to be tied down and travel with no plan, instead choosing to wing it. Clear crystalborne have a lighter skin tone and their hair is constantly in motion, possibly due to the air swirling in their Planar Crystal.
Ability Score Increase Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Tailwind Your walking speed increases by 10 ft.
Arcane Aviation When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you channel the rushing wind within your crystal, giving you a flying speed of 30 ft for 1 minute. Once you use your arcane aviation, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Dark Crystalborn
Rumors among scholars and sages speak of a fifth crystalborne type, few actually having seen it for themselves. Those who have managed to come into contact with a dark crystalborne reported them having black or dark purple pigmentation. A popular theory suggests that Planar Crystals of this nature became tainted by the fell energy of the Elemental Plane of Shadow.
Ability Score Increase Your Strength score increases by 1.
Necrotic Armor You have resistance to necrotic damage.
Fell Wave When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you unleash the fell energy within your crystal, releasing a cold wave of darkness centered on you in a 10-ft radius. All creatures caught in the wave take 1d8 necrotic damage and must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened of you for a minute. After you use your fell wave, you can't use it again until you complete a long rest.
Art Credit
Lily Abdullina (Artstation)