#deodanth

“Dark Elf” © Adriana Zaroda, accessed at her ArtStation page here

[Commissioned by @crazytrain48. The deodanths are the Arduin Grimoire equivalent of drow, and like 1e drow, they are clearly Better Than You in every respect. So I had to tone them down considerably in order to make them even remotely a PC race (as the commissioner requested). So no ogre strength, no level draining bite, and certainly no time jump abilities. I’ve included some feats under the cut to help give them at least a little more of their monstrous feel.]

Deodanth CR ½ NE Humanoid This rangy humanoid looks like a gray skinned elf, but their eyes are wild and their hands end in jagged claws.

Deodanths are cruel offshoots of the elves. Their bloodlines are infused with negative energy, and their own legendry refers to their ancestors as ghouls who were returned to true life by some cruel power. They are typically nomadic, living lives of piracy and raiding. On the rare occasions they attempt to ally others, it is usually with exploitation in mind. Deodanths typically prefer warm climes, and what few cities they have are typically hidden deep within treacherous jungles. Deodanth society is a cruel meritocracy, where the strong grab power and the weak are little more than slaves. Relationships are usually polyandrous—as males cannot bear children, they are seen by most women as expendable. Despite (or perhaps because of) the similarities between the two races, deodanths and drow despise each other.

Doedanths are aggressive and eager combatants, leaping into the fray in order to feel warm blood on their skin. They usually wear light armor, suiting both their nimble frames and the hot environments they prefer. Some deodanths fight solely with their claws and teeth, but those that use weapons favor piercing ones such as rapiers, javelins and longspears. They use their innate magic in order to make powerful leaps and disappear briefly from view—rumors that deodanths can “jump through time” are merely rumors, but the deodanths themselves spread them out of amusement. Deodanths delight in causing pain, and frequently capture enemies for recreational torture.

Deodanths advance by class level, and most of them favor martial classes such as fighter, rogue or swashbuckler. Spellcasting deodanths are not uncommon, and they favor classes that allow them to manipulate others—bard, sorcerer and mesmerist are favored choices. Few deodanths are divine casters, because that requires them to devote themselves to another power—those that do follow divine courses are likely to worship the Four Horsemen, or be an oracle more aligned with an ideal than a divinity.

Deodanths as Player Characters Deodanths do not have racial hit dice, and advance by character level. Deodanth characters have the following statistics

+2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Wis Deodanths are nimble and charming, but reckless Medium size A deodanth gains no bonuses nor suffers penalties for its size. Low-light vision Deodanth Defenses A deodanth gains a +2 bonus on saves against fear, and against all necromancy spells and effects. Claws A deodanth gains two claw attacks as primary natural weapons that deal 1d4 points of damage Keen Senses A deodanth gains a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks Spell Resistance A deodanth gains spell resistance equal to 6 + its character level Spell-like Abilities A deodanth may use the following spell-like abilities once per day, using its character level as its caster level: hypnotism, jump, vanish Languages A deodanth begins play speaking Elven and Necril. Deodanths with an Intelligence bonus may select from the following bonus languages: Abyssal, Aklo, Common, Giant, Gnoll, Infernal, Undercommon

A sample deodanth NPC, as well as feats for deodanth characters, can be found under the cut