Crystalborne
As I trudged on, hurt, helpless, alone, hunted by a band of bandits, I found momentary asylum from the cold, stinging rain within a cave. I walked on, losing sense of direction in its darkness; the howls of hounds pierced the silence like arrows flying through the air. A glow. A faint glow broke through the darkness, growing brighter and more brilliant as I moved closer. I reached its source; the air here surged with an unknown power, like ionized air during a harsh thunderstorm. Crystals protruded from the walls, some loose on the ground. My hand moved on its own towards one of the crystals on the ground, like a magnet to metal. As I grasped the crystal, energy surged through my arm and into my body, momentarily losing consciousness. When I came to, the crystal was fused within my palm, and I felt its power coursing through me. As the howls drew nearer, I stood, despair replaced with valor.
— Zar'iel Kieran, Rebirth
The crystalborne are a recently discovered breed of humanoids, having features exclusive to other races while being a separate race of its own. A crystalborne is easily identifiable by the crystal infused with their body.
Planar Origin
Because crystalborne are a race that was unheard of until recently, it is unknown who the first crystalborne was nor how crystals of mysterious origin arrived in the Material Plane. Studies conducted by wizards and sages have speculated that these crystals contain influences of arcane and elemental energy originating from different planes. Because of this, they have been given the name "Planar Crystals".
Crystal Fusion
When a creature comes into contact with a planar crystal, they undergo a process of fusion with the crystal; the time the process takes can vary from a few seconds to over the span of a few hours. The creature retains the physical appearance of their original race, such as the pointy ears identifying an elf or the tusks belonging to a half-orc, and their body also gains a crystalline look. However, they lose features granted by their race and are instead replaced with new powers and abilities gained through the fusion. The most common places to find a fused planar crystal is in the hand or chest. When a creature completes a fusion with a planar crystal, they are considered "reborn".
Fusion Between Various Races
Planar crystals are not prone to fuse exclusively with one race. Because of this, it is possible to encounter crystalborne from different humanoid races. Research is still being conducted to determine the property that allows this kind of multi-racial interaction to occur.
Selective Fusion
Research and experimentation have revealed that not all creatures are capable of initiating a fusion with a planar crystal. Theories suggest that planar crystals have a state of consciousness high enough to be capable of "choosing" their hosts.
Crystalborne Names
Crystalborne carry on the name given to them by their original race before fusing with a planar crystal. Some choose to reject their old name and instead adopt a new one.
Subrace
So far, four main subraces of crystalborne have been identified: blaze crystalborne, frost crystalborne, terra crystalborne, and gale crystalborne. There have been rumors of a fifth crystalborne subrace: umbra crystalborne. Further research may uncover even more subraces.
Crystalborne Traits
Your crystalborne character has an assortment of abilities, given to you by the planar crystal fused with you.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age The lifespan of a crystalborne is extended exponentially. Though it is still unclear to approximate the range a crystalborne's lifespan is lengthened, research has determined that a crystalborne lives approximately an additional 100 years.
Alignment Alignment among crystalborne are varied and are not particularly drawn to a specific alignment, ranging from lawful good to chaotic evil.
Size Your size is Small or Medium.
Speed You have a base walking speed of 30 feet.
Innate Focus You can use your planar crystal as an arcane focus for spellcasting.
Gemstone Resilience Fusion with a planar crystal hardens your skin against damage. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Languages You can speak, read, and write Common, Primordial, and the language of your race of origin. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.
Blaze Crystalborne
Blaze Crystalborne are fused with planar crystals hailing from the Elemental Plane of Fire. They have a slight red pigmentation and are capable of shrugging off fire. They can even channel their planar crystal's inner flame to amp their attacks.
Ability Score Increase Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Flame Armor Your body has adapted to handle hot climates due to the burning energy within your planar crystal. You also gain resistance to fire damage.
Searing Heat When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you channel the elemental flames within your planar crystal to bolster your attacks. For 1 minute, or until you end this early as a bonus action, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack or spell, you roll an additional damage die that deals fire damage. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Frost Crystalborne
In the frigid artic of the Elemental Plane of Ice originate the planar crystals of frost. Cold to the touch, these crystal adapt their host's body to wintry climates. A frost crystalborne can manipulate the surrounding moisture to conjure and fling piercing icicles towards their foes.
Ability Score Increase Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Winter Body Due to residing in a plane of endless winter, your planar crystal has adjusted your body to become accustomed to cold climates and resistance to cold damage.
Icicle Assault When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you cause icicles to form around you for 1 minute or until you end this early as a bonus action. The amount of icicles created is equal to your Constitution modifier. When you activate this feature, and as an action on your turn, you can make a ranged spell attack with one of the icicles. The icicles have a range of 60 feet and deal 1d4 piercing damage and 1d4 cold damage. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting modifier.
Terra Crystalborne
The power of the Elemental Plane of Earth swirls around the planar crystals of terra crystalborne. Their bodies are always covered with particles of rock and mineral, no matter how much a terra crystalborne bathes and carry a brown or green pigmentation to resemble the earth. One who becomes a terra crystalborne reports their body becoming sturdier and more capable of withstanding damage.
Ability Score Increase Your Strength score increases by 1.
Hardened Body Your hit point maximum increases by 1 and increases by 1 again whenever you gain a level.
Sedimentary Protection When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you manipulate the earthen energy in your planar crystal to harden your skin with layers of sediment. For 1 minute, or until you end this early as a bonus action, you gain +2 to your AC and temporary hit points equal to your level. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Gale Crystalborne
Planar Crystals from the Elemental Plane of Air seek out hosts who wish for freedom and adventure. Several reports theorize the raging wind in a gale crystalborne's planar crystal allows them to temporarily become more agile. Gale crystalborne have a lighter skin tone, leaning towards a light grey or white-ish pigmentation, and their hair is constantly in motion, possibly due to the air swirling in their Planar Crystal.
Ability Score Increase Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Aerodynamic Body Your walking speed increases by 5 feet.
Tailwind When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you channel the elemental air within your planar crystal to course through your body. For 1 minute, or until you end it early as a bonus action, you have advantage on Dexterity checks and you can Dash or Disengage as a bonus action. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Umbra Crystalborne
Rumors among scholars and sages speak of a fifth crystalborne type; few have seen for themselves. Those who have managed to come into contact with an umbra crystalborne reported them having dark purple pigmentation. A popular theory suggests that planar crystals of this nature became tainted by the fell energy of the Elemental Plane of Shadow.
Ability Score Increase Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Necrotic Armor You gain resistance to necrotic damage.
Fell Aura When you reach 3rd-level, as an action, you unleash the fell energy corrupting your crystal, causing a cold aura of darkness to emanate from you. For 1 minute, or until you end it early as a bonus action, each creature within 10-ft of you, and whenever a creature enters the space for the first time or ends their turn in the space, must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus) or take 1d6 necrotic damage and becomes frightened of you until the end of your next turn. After you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Art Credit
Lily Abdullina (Artstation)