Wizards of the Coast Reveals Revised Eberron Species Details

Wizards of the Coast has revealed some new details about Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, specifically detailing some of the changes players can expect to see from the species rules in the book. The upcoming Eberron splatbook will feature five species. Four of the species appeared in Eberron: Rising From the Last War, while the Khoravar (which have mixed human and elvish ancestries) are presented as a unique species in the book.

Today on D&D Beyond, Wizards listed some of the changes that will appear in each ruleset. Most notably, the Warforged is now presented as a Construct, while the Kalashtar are presented as aberrations. This makes these species immune to various spells that only impact humanoids. Additionally, the Khoravar has a new Lethargy Resilience feature that turns a failed saving throw to end or prevent the Unconscious condition into a success. This feature recharges after 1d4 Long Rests, which is a new design element to D&D.

According to D&D Beyond, the following changes are being made:

Changeling:

• Based on the Changeling from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
• Shape-Shifter: You have Advantage on Charisma checks while shape-shifted.

Kalashtar:

• Creature Type: Kalashtar now have the Aberration creature type.
• Mind Link: You can now allow multiple creatures to communicate with you telepathically, and they no longer must be able to see you.
• Severed From Dreams: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice after a Long Rest. This proficiency lasts until you finish another Long Rest.

Khoravar:

• Now included as a unique playable species in the world of Eberron
• Darkvision: Gain Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
• Fey Ancestry: You have Advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the Charmed condition.
• Fey Gift: You know the Friends cantrip. When you finish a Long Rest, you can swap it for any Cleric, Druid, or Wizard cantrip.
• Lethargy Resilience: You can turn a failed save to avoid or end the Unconscious condition into a success. You can use this trait again after you finish 1d4 Long Rests.
• Skill Versatility: Gain proficiency in one skill or tool of your choice. After you finish a Long Rest, you may swap that proficiency for a different skill or tool.

Shifter:

• Based on the Shifter from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
• Size: You can choose to be Medium or Small when you select this species.

Warforged:

• Creature Type: Warforged now have the Construct creature type.
• Constructed Resilience: Now have Advantage on saving throws to end the Poisoned condition and some aspects of this trait have been moved to Sentry's Rest and the new Tireless trait.
• Integrated Protection: Donning armor no longer takes an hour.
• Sentry's Rest: Now specifies Warforged don't need to sleep, and magic can't put them to sleep.
• Tireless: You don't gain Exhaustion levels from dehydration, malnutrition, or suffocation.

 

[Kurotowa]

I'm mixed race and I personally am really interested in the experiences of mixed race people across Earth and in fiction.

Why are we allowed to have black, white, Asian and even Hispanic people in D&D but we can't have mixed or creole people?

Because none of those ethnicities have mechanical game stats attached to them. They're all bumping elbows in the "human" category, nice and equal.

Attaching game stats to something is a delicate matter. It makes it an objectively true fact, as far as the game system is concerned. So D&D has to be careful what they assert is an objectively true fact when it comes to easily construed metaphors about human society. Especially what with being a big international brand that has to respect the viewpoint of a lot of different cultures, all of whom have different histories and attitudes informing their take on things.

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. If you include half-races, you're perpetuating a history of racial segregation and persecution of mulattos. If you don't include half-races, it's erasure of multi-ethnic family representation. Right now, WotC is trying to thread the needle by making the default answer "Describe your character cosmetically however you please, just pick a dominant bloodline for mechanical purposes" and only giving unique stats when it's a well established ethnic group like the Khoravar. Which obviously doesn't please everyone, but no answer was going to do that.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. If you include half-races, you're perpetuating a history of racial segregation and persecution of mulattos. If you don't include half-races, it's erasure of multi-ethnic family representation. Right now, WotC is trying to thread the needle by making the default answer "Describe your character cosmetically however you please, just pick a dominant bloodline for mechanical purposes" and only giving unique stats when it's a well established ethnic group like the Khoravar. Which obviously doesn't please everyone, but no answer was going to do that.

My dude are you literally saying every mixed race person brings to mind the "tragic mulatto?" Simply having a mixed person must bring to mind segregation and persecution? That's such an American-centric take.


You're just like Gary Gygax saying all half-orcs must be the result of rape. The Khoravar are a perfect example of a creole/mixed/multiethnic people being made with the full consent of everyone involved and I don't think a single person here (mixed or otherwise) has had a problem with the stats as presented, so clearly the concept isn't inherently problematic.

 

[Kurotowa]

My dude are you literally saying every mixed race person brings to mind the "tragic mulatto?" Simply having a mixed person must bring to mind segregation and persecution? That's such an American-centric take.

I'm raising it as an example of why some people object to the archetype. You speak for yourself, not everyone, and other people have equally valid and reasoned conclusions that different from yours. WotC has to try and balance these conflicting opinions, all while designing a fun and balanced game.

Also, while D&D is international, it's still based in America and has a majority of its players there. So obviously yes, the American context is going to play a heavy role is shaping the decision. You can't ask that it be discarded and ignored because it doesn't apply to you personally.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

You can't ask that it be discarded and ignored because it doesn't apply to you personally.

I can ask that it be discarded and ignored because it is a harmful stereotype and an overwrought literary trope that directly affects me.

Imagine saying that same naughty word to a Native American who's tired of the "noble savage" archetype, because that's exactly how I feel about "tragic mulattos."

 

[Charlaquin]

I'm mixed race and I personally am really interested in the experiences of mixed race people across Earth and in fiction.

That makes two of us

Why are we allowed to have black, white, Asian and even Hispanic people in D&D but we can't have mixed or creole people?

What…? What did I say that gave you the impression I don’t think mixed race people should be allowed in D&D? I just questioned the value of having a catch-all term for mixed-heritage species