Soul-forged

Future historians would mark 4 Summer Dawning, 206 AC as the Dawn of the Age of Hope, the Fourth Age, the end of the 2nd Interregnum. The sound of the Fifth Wish, "Mortal hands breathe life into unliving mechanisms" echoed across the world. In its wake a new race arose, innocent and searching. The soul-forged, once contraptions powered by fragments of dying souls, now a living race with their own sparks. Arising first in the forests of Byssia and in the goblin workshops and manufacturies of Byarsha in the Remnant Dynasty, they set out to forge their own destiny and discover the meaning of their existence.

This is a new playable race.

Soul-forged

The soul-forged awakened in the echoes of the Fifth Wish in 206 AC. Each gained individuality in the body of a construct empowered by souls. Whereas those constructs were short-lived and halting, body and soul poorly integrated, the soul-forged were able and capable. Learning at a tremendous rate, they set out to carve their own place into the world around them. Driving many of them is the desire to learn to create others of their kind. Not all the construct bodies awakened; no one knows why some did and others did not. As of 210 AC, only a few dozen soul-forged are known to exist within the territories of the Federated Nations; almost all are trying to become adventurers. By 250 AC, the total number of soul-forged is approximately 2,000. The rate of awakenings has fallen off over time, but has reached a steady state.

Each soul-forged is individual--no two share the same appearance beyond the basics. All the Awakened were in the form of a human being--two arms with opposable thumbs, two legs, a head, a torso. Some had detailed faces; others merely porcelain masks. Some had fragmentary memories of past souls that empowered them, others were a completely blank slate. Some were decorated in elaborate patterns, others not at all. Some wear the draperies of mortals, others prefer to go without body coverings.

Soul-forged Traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Soul-forged are new to the world. No one knows how long they will live, but none have died of old age by 250 AC. Each one comes into existence as a blank slate, learning fast. Within a month they are fully adult.

Size

Soulforged are approximately the size of humans, but there is much variation in height and weight. Steel-skin tend to be larger and bulkier than bark-skin. Both are more dense than humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Living Construct

Even though you were constructed, you are a living creature. You are immune to disease. You do not need to eat or breathe, but you can ingest food and drink if you wish. Instead of sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 4 hours each day. You do not dream in this state; you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal. Unlike most constructs, healing magic and potions works fine on you, as does resurrection magic.

Hardened Body

Your armor class increases by 1. You can wear armor as normal.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common as well as one other language of your choice.

Steel-skin

The steel-skin soul-forged were first constructed in the goblin workshops of Byarsha in the southern area of Wyrmhold. Made out of metal and crystalline stone, they were built for harsh labor; in the Awakening, it became clear that their minds were like the crystal they were made of--clear and structured, able to learn and form new ideas at a tremendous rate.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and your Intelligence scores increase by 1.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency in either Mason’s Tools or Blacksmith’s Tools.

Strong Frame

You count as one size larger for determining how much you can lift, pull, or drag.

Skill Proficiency

You gain proficiency in your choice of Arcana, Investigation or Nature.

Bonus Language

You can speak, read, and write Ngyon Toi (Goblin).

Region of Origin

Byarmarsh

Bark-skin

The bark-skin soul-forged were originally carved in the forests of Byssia as guardians of the sacred resting places of the honored ancestors. Made out of the various trees with joints of carved stone, they maintain a connection to nature and a keen awareness of their surroundings.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and your Wisdom scores increase by 1.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency in either Carpenter’s Tools or Woodcarver’s Tools.

Natural Bond

You know the druidcraft cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast pass without trace once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast plant growth once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Your ability modifier for all these spells is Wisdom.

Bonus Language

You can speak, read, and write Metsae (Wood Elvish).

Region of Origin

Byssia