Blodfraeling

The roots of trees from which fraelings first form run deep underground from the surface. Many of these roots ran through cities of the underdark. Fraelings rarely felt the effects of bloodshed through the roots that made them. Once they were discrete beings, they were far below the goings on of creatures above them. As their domain spread, and proximity shrank, the rock from which they gained their nutrients had more blood among it. In time, some fraeling mutated to require blood soaked earth. When fraelings met other creatures in the underdark, that mutation finalized in their ability to forego rooting in the ground and allowed them to sustain themselves on the bodies of their victims. If needed, they can root in the ground, but it fills them much slower than it normally would.
Because of this new nature, an almost feral rabidity became common place for them. Combat and murder helped them thrive. Settling down or calling any one spot home was not something that let them thrive. These fraelings don't gain much from rooting in the ground - they seek blood.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Like the original fraelings, they are bipedal and have two arms, though some have four arms. They have a thick chest and average sized head with the rest of their body being thinner. Their skin is fibrous, with calloused, barky, patches. Along their body are many, hair like roots, from which they gain nutrients from soil.
Out of their back sprouts two long, thin tendrils from which hang long and prehensile roots. These roots are the most effective at obtaining nutrients for them. Some fraeling have learned how to flex amd shape these tendrils and roots to look like wings.

Genetics and Reproduction

They live incredibly long lives, averaging around 5,000 years. Incredibly rare cases are practically immortal. As such, they do not reproduce frequently. The process involves germinating seeds along their roots that they plant in the ground when they are ready for the next phase of growth.

Growth Rate & Stages

The seeds that germinate on the roots of adult fraeling take 1 year to reach viability to plant. Once planted, the seeds take 10 years to grow. Once complete, it is able to burrow and break ground as a juvenile fraeling. Fraeling are juvenile for an average of 30 years. During the juvenile stage is when blodfraelings begin rooting in living beings.
Adulthood lasts from 30 years to 4000 years. The last 1000 years are a very gradual decline. Roots begin drying and wilting, losing their ability to obtain nutrients as well. Their body also begins to become brittle.

Ecology and Habitats

Because they need living beings as a source of nutrients they prowl around population centers. It is uncommon for them to settle down.

Dietary Needs and Habits

10% for fraelings have mutated with the capability of rooting in a living being, using their blood and organs to obtain the nutrients they need. Fully draining a person can give them enery for a full day. This process can take around 4 hours on average. 
Blodfraeling can do this to up to three people at once, giving them energy for three full days maximum. Unlike regular fraelings, the level of activity does not change the duration. But, if they exhaust themseves they will need an extra few hours of rooting to recover.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Their head is very angular and triangular, reminiscent of a deer skull without horns.

Average Intelligence

Given their longevity they tend to develop great intellect and wisdom over time. Their nature as predators gives them a more practical and predatory intellect than scholarly or diplomatic, though not impossible for them.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Growing and living so deep beneath the surface means their hearing is incredible. After meeting denizens of the lowerdark, their other senses started becoming comparable to other humanoids, but their hearing remained exceptional. If they are within 50 feet of a living creature, many are able to hear their heartbeat in the right conditions.
Due to mutating from the roots of trees, they feel a connection to plants and are able to discern where nutrient rich material is. For blodfraeling this sense is weakened, but still present.
Their noses do not smell in the typical sense. They are lined with receptors that can detect even the faintest trace of pheromones. This helps them avoid pests that could harm them as well as get a read on creatures around them. For blodfraeling this sense is far stronger. They also seem to have gained the ability to "smell" blood and track its source.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The Vishik Empire was the most famous organization led by a blodfraeling. --successful tribes

Historical Figures

Vishik the Viscious

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Fraeling

Scientific Name

Alta radix sanguinis

Origin/Ancestry

Fraeling, Solarfraeling

Lifespan

5000 years

Average Height

6' - 11'

Average Weight

200 lbs - 280 lbs

Average Length

6' - 13'

Average Physique

While generally thin, they do have remarkable strength on par with goliaths and half giants. They are also dexterous and swift, as opposed to the bulky constitution of fraelings.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skin is black, grey, or brown. The patches of bark on them are mahogany or reddish-black in color. Their roots are also reddish-black.

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Also referred to as Blodfrae
Related species: Solarfraeling