Phoelarch
Phoelarches are thought to be the descendants of the legendary phoenix. Their proud bearing, brilliant plumage, and their command of fire and life magic all prove these rumors are closer to the truth than many realize.
Phoelarches vary somewhat in plumage and skin tone. Some have skin the color of dark rust, while others have skin that shows just a hint of gold. The feathers of these creatures serve no purpose but to hint at their ancestry and give the phoelarches something to preen. They range in color from pale gold to deep fiery red.
Phoelarches do not confine themselves to any one terrain or climate. They prefer warmer areas, but they can tolerate almost any habitable clime. They are almost universally possessed of a terrible wanderlust, though. Most phoelarches spend their lives wandering the land, seeking out new places and new people. As a result, phoelarches don’t typically have their own society, although rumors of phoelarch cities on the Elemental Plane of Fire circulate among the phoenixkin.
Ability Score Increase
Increase your Dexterity score by 2 and one other ability score of your choice by 1.
Age
Phoelarches reach adulthood in their late twenties and frequently live over a century.
Alignment
Phoelarches treasure their freedom, and the freedom of others, almost more than anything else. Their most common alignment is chaotic good.
Size
Phoelarches are usually around 6 feet tall and weigh between 160 and 180 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Blazing Endurance
You have resistance to fire damage.
Everburning Heart
When you roll a 1 on a death saving throw, you do not fail. When you roll a 20 on a death saving throw, you regain a number of hit points equal to your level. Once this trait activates, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Fierce Talons
Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Your talons are considered finesse weapons. They count as a melee weapon worth at least 1 sp for the purpose of spells that require such a material component.
Phoenix Magic
You know a cantrip that deals fire damage or Spare the Dying. Once you reach 3rd level, choose a 1st level spell that deals fire damage. You can cast that spell once at 2nd level. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Lesser Restoration spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (your choice) is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.
Fallen Phoelarch
The origin of fallen phoelarches is shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that they were ordinary phoelarches who were cursed, while others claim they are the misbegotten heirs of a corrupted phoenix. Regardless of the truth, no one doubts the dark power they wield.
Ability Score Increase
Increase your Dexterity score by 2 and one other ability score of your choice by 1.
Age
Fallen phoelarches reach adulthood in their mid teens and rarely live to over 70.
Alignment
Fallen phoelarches have a void in their heart and struggle to feel empathy for others. Their most common alignment is neutral evil.
Size
Fallen phoelarches are usually between 5 and 6 feet tall and weigh between 120 and 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Heart of Ash
You have resistance to necrotic damage.
Bloody Talons
Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Your talons are considered finesse weapons. They count as a melee weapon worth at least 1 sp for the purpose of spells that require such a material component.
Dark Phoenix Magic
You know a cantrip that deals fire damage. Once you reach 3rd level, choose a 1st level spell that deals fire damage. You can cast that spell once at 2nd level. Once you reach 5th level, choose a 2nd level spell that deals fire damage or Darkness. You can cast the spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. When you cast these spells, they deal necrotic instead of fire damage. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (your choice) is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.
New Feat: Black Fire
Prerequisite: Fallen Phoelarch
You wield wicked flame. You gain the following benefits.
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Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
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When you cast a spell or use a feature that deals fire damage, you can change the damage type to necrotic. Once you use this feat, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
New Feat: Phoenix Down
Prerequisite: Phoelarch
Your feathers can restore life to the fallen. You gain the following benefits.
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If you are killed, 1 minute after you die, you are restored to life with 1 hit point. This trait does not activate if your body is destroyed, and it doesn't restore any missing body parts. If you died of old age, you erupt into flame, and you are reborn as a child.
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You can perform a 1-minute ritual with the corpse of a creature that has died within the last hour. The ritual culminates with you placing one of your feathers on it. At the end of the ritual, the creature is restored to life with 1 hit point. This trait cannot bring back creatures that have died of old age, and it doesn't restore any missing body parts.
Once you activate either use of this feat, you can't activate either use again for 30 days.
New Feat: Phoenix Talons
Prerequisite: Fallen Phoelarch or Phoelarch
Your talons are exceptionally sharp and imbued with mystical power. You gain the following benefits.
- Your talons deal 1d8 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier slashing damage on a hit.
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When you make an attack roll using your talons and roll a 1 on the d20, you can reroll it. You must accept the result of the new roll, even if it is a 1.
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Your talons count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.