Dullahan
Dullahan are a mysterious and disconcerting race of the Feywild. These fey spirits prefer to live and work in isolation from other races, but many myths have sprung up around them, in large part due to their terrifying visage: an animate body carrying its own severed head.
Harbingers of Death
Dullahan have the ability to sense when other creatures are close to death. This gives them a profound respect for the natural cycle of life and death, and they oppose those who would violate it. In this, their motivations and beliefs align with that of the Raven Queen, although they are loath to acknowledge this.
Unlike banshees, whose cry causes the death of those who hear it, the cry of a dullahan merely serves to direct the soul of those who have already passed. They often serve as psychopomps, leading the souls of the dead and dying into the Astral Plane. However, this distinction was often lost among those who encountered dullahan performing their work, which further grew their fearsome mythology.
Unique Biology
The most notable trait of the dullahan is their disconnected head and body. To a dullahan, their head feels just as connected to their body as any other being's. In a sense, this is true, due to the mystical energy that binds the two pieces together. Sometimes this energy can be seen emitted from the area where the neck would attach, as a glow or small flames. The intensity of this energy will often indicate the dullahan's mood.
Dullahan typically keep their heads and bodies close together, for separating the two halves inhibits their senses and leaves them vulnerable. It is common to see dullahan wear special harnesses to carry their heads to leave their hands free, although it is traditional to use handheld harnesses or carrying pillows. Despite this apparent inconvenience, dullahan relish the freedom and versatility that this circumstance grants.
Reclusive Society
While other fey are not fooled by the myths of the dullahan, their actual connection to death and their unusual body plan make even the most eccentric fey uncomfortable. Because of this, dullahan communities tend to keep to themselves. For fey, they present a relatively ordered society, with stable relationships and hierarchies. That said, petty disagreements leave long grudges, and families tend to raised communally.
Dullahan Names
Dullahan rarely share their names with people from outside their home, absent a deep respect and trust. Because of this, adult dullahan tend to have several names: their dullahan name, and the names they adopt while living and working in the wider world. The latter are often elvish in origin, or chosen specifically to fit in with the local culture. Dullahan names themselves are not gender-specific and tend to be rich with consecutive vowel sounds.
Dullahan Names: Aisling, Cainneach, Fionnuala, Iarlaith, Riordan, Searlas
Dullahan Traits
Your dullahan character has the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Dullahan mature at about the same rate as humans and reach adulthood in their late teens. They live somewhat longer than humans do, up to 150 years.
Alignment. Dullahan are naturally attuned to the natural cycle of life and death and find attempts to cheat it distasteful. Like other fey, dullahan tend towards chaotic, although to a lesser extent.
Size. Dullahan are taller on average than humans and relatively slender. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your head does not have a speed on its own.
Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, 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.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Fey. Your creature type is fey, rather than humanoid. This confers you advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Harbinger of Death. Dullahan innately know when a person is due to die and can call away their soul to induce their passing. You know the Toll the Dead cantrip and Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.
Of Two Parts. Unlike most creatures, your head and body are separate objects, but share a health total. Your head and body are fully aware of each other as long as they are on the same plane. When separated, your body is blinded and deafened, and your head is prone. Your body can't cast spells that require a verbal component, and your head can't cast spells that require a somatic or material component.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.
Image credits:
DeviantArt.com/HawtKoffee
DeviantArt.com/Skepsisfox
