D&D 5E Dont know where to post this, but looking for feedback.

[Corey Simons]

I have been creating a race for a while, and would like some feedback on it.
My DM's love the idea of it so I figured I would throw it out there.
If you like this, please thumbs up it so that I know I did well. THANK YOU!
I took quite a bit of time on this, so please don't claim this as your own. Thank you.

Nephalem

Spawn of the cross breeding between Angel and Demon, the Nephalem is a creature of unique power. Made in the image of Human Mortals and due to their abnormal origins, the Nephalem are cast away to live among these mortals, hiding in plain sight. Rarest of all the races, Nephalem are considered to be a myth, spoken about only in the oldest of books and fabled stories. Orphaned and alone, many Nephalem do not realize their hidden potential throughout their long lives. They only believe themselves to be healthier, stronger and live longer than their counterparts due to the luck of the draw.




Superiority To Counterparts

Brought up in the world by humans they follow their lesser, giving a helping hand when they can. Similar to Humans, the Nephalem are Physically diverse, but superior to Humans in every aspect. Due to the supernatural blood coursing through them, the Nephalem body is stronger and faster than the Humans they know so well. They can out pace them with ease and lift almost twice as much. A Nephalem can range from 6 feet to 7 feet tall on average and weigh 225 to 300 pounds consisting mostly of pure muscle. Nephalem skin shades range from nearly black to to very pale, but unlike their human counterparts, in the right lighting it is said that you can see an aura of midnight blue to blood red around them. Their hair color ranges from black to pure white; males might also sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. Nephalem reach adulthood in their early teens and often live over a century.

Nothing To Leave Behind

Nephalem, like Humans, are extremely adaptable. Due to living around and being raised by humans, they too are ambitious people having widely varying tastes, morals, and customs similar to Humans. What sets them apart is that Nephalem are a steril race. Because of this flaw in their genes, Nephalem have the urge to leave a successful mark on the land having their names told about in story. They do not settle in place for long, constantly moving from location to location. This makes the Nephalem suited for the adventuring life so that their names can stand out in time.

Everyone Knows Your Different

Just like the Humans who raised them, Nephalem are able to mingle with almost every race. They create friends easily in all their travels and have a natural ability to memorize almost anything they seen or heard instantly (Locations, Names, Structures, Writing, Symbols, etc). Nephalem serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants and functionaries of all kinds like their lesser counterparts. Unlike the Humans, almost every race seem to know a difference in the Nephalem. A powerful feeling comes over the other races which seems to be in the benefit of the Nephalem most of the time.



Nephalem Traits:
Being raised by Humans, in their image, made the Nephalem extremely versatile.
Ability Score Increase
Nephalem Versatility:
You have 4 points to spend in any ability with the maximum of 2 in any one ability.
Age:
Nephalem reach adulthood in their late teens and often live over a century.
Alignment:
Nephalem have demonic and angelic blood running through their veins, because of this a Nephalem does not have an innate tendency to choose a side in the war between good and evil, rather they sway between each extreme till their mid 20’s.
Size:
Nephalem range from 6 to 7 feet tall, weighing around 225 to 300 pounds mostly consisting of pure muscle. Regardless of your position, your size is Medium.
Speed:
Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Nephalem Vision:
Thanks to your Angelic and Demonic blood, you have superior vision in length as well as in the Dark and Dim Conditions. Can you see in dim light as if it were bright light within 120 feet of you, and you can see in darkness as if it were dim light within 120 feet if you.
Nephalem Skin:
You have resistance to Radiant and Necrotic Damage.
Languages:
You can Speak, read, and write Common, Infernal and Celestial.

 

[Satyrn]

I will happily thumbs up your write up.



I find the mechanics uninteresting, though. Although I can see the big draw is obviously those ability score increases - and it gives the better-than-human vibe you're aiming for, I just can't get excited about that. Personal preference for me.

 

[clutchbone]

Pretty cool. I'd suggest changing their ASI to the following (based on the half-elf model):

"Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2, and two other Ability Scores of your choice increase by 1."

Your fluff says that all nephalem are incredibly muscular, but as written I could totally make an 8 strength weakling. This change keeps the versatility and stays faithful to your lore.

 

[Corey Simons]

I totally didnt think about that! Thank you! This is the advice I need.

 

[Corey Simons]

I will happily thumbs up your write up.



I find the mechanics uninteresting, though. Although I can see the big draw is obviously those ability score increases - and it gives the better-than-human vibe you're aiming for, I just can't get excited about that. Personal preference for me.

I will start to rewrite things a little different to try and grab more attention.

 

[OB1]

Having both Vision and Skin seems a bit strong, I'd advise having the players choose one or the other at character creation (perhaps these are different subraces).

Also, necrotic resistance is quite powerful on it's own, as it's damage type that comes up very often. Perhaps instead they get resistance to radiant (much less common) and advantage on saving throws related to necrotic energy?

 

[clutchbone]

Honestly, I don't think vision+skin is too much. No active abilities, no skill proficiencies, and radiant is so rare it's practically worthless (except to add to the flavour).

Compared to other races, I'd say this is about average, which in my mind is a good thing. Less powerful than wood elves, mountain dwarves, and on par with half-elves (although charisma is a better stat than strength, as strength can usually be substituted for the often superior Dex).

If you did feel it needed scaling back, just give it regular darkvision.

 

[Harzel]

Interesting idea. I have one thought, which is kind of vague: to play upon the lore a bit more, you could give them some additional advantage (e.g., could be one more ASI point, but preferably something more flavorful like advantage / proficiency on some (not all) types of knowledge checks based on "have a natural ability to memorize almost anything they seen or heard instantly" ) and a disadvantageous instability of some kind that reflects their opposing dual nature. Something along the lines of Wild Magic. I'm not sure what should trigger it, but perhaps they inadvertently and unpredictably project one of a number of auras, some helpful, others baneful, that affect friend and foe alike. Or maybe they spontaneously start Blinking; again not sure what the trigger should be, but it should not be under their control. I'll try to come up with some better examples.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I like the idea of a sterile race being driven to leave a lasting mark (good or bad) on the world to be remembered by.
The concept of such a special snowflake race that is superior to humans in almost every regard I'm less of a fan of.
That isn't borne out by the mechanics however: despite their description being massively muscular, they would have to put 2 of their versatility points into Str just to be slightly stronger than the standard human.

Honestly, I don't think vision+skin is too much. No active abilities, no skill proficiencies, and radiant is so rare it's practically worthless (except to add to the flavour).

Fast move speed, possible to get +2 in any 2 stats in addition though, and you have a race that is very optimisable for almost any class.

 

[pemerton]

Everyone Knows Your Different

Your should read "You're".