Blinkling Race
Blinkling are a product of a long-lost humanoid race’s deal with an unknown Infernal entity. What society Blinklings had before their transformation is lost to time, modern dealings with the race have shown them to be good natured and loyal despite appearances.
An Unknown Darkness
An unknown race of humanoids eons ago made a pact with a mysterious infernal power, granting them and their offspring unique characteristics.
What price was paid as well as the identity of the dealers is long lost to time, even the millennium spanning elves have forgotten the precise knowledge. What early tales that do remain of Blinkling come from outside sources and describe their culture as one of assassins and spies, whether this is true or not is unknown. More modern dealings with Blinkling have shown them to be a culture of community, caring, and peace. To this day nevertheless suspicious minds still wonder if this is a clever façade to hide some truer evil.
An Unknown Darkness
An unknown race of humanoids eons ago made a pact with a mysterious infernal power, granting them and their offspring unique characteristics.
What price was paid as well as the identity of the dealers is long lost to time, even the millennium spanning elves have forgotten the precise knowledge. What early tales that do remain of Blinkling come from outside sources and describe their culture as one of assassins and spies, whether this is true or not is unknown. More modern dealings with Blinkling have shown them to be a culture of community, caring, and peace. To this day nevertheless suspicious minds still wonder if this is a clever façade to hide some truer evil.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Blinkling Traits
Your race is one of mixed humanoid and infernal lineage. You are one with shadow, stealth, and nimbleness. While unique, you share many traits with all Blinkling.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age: You initially mature at the same rate as a human but stay in your prime much longer. Blinkling live on average live up to 150 years.
Alignment: While each is an individual, most Blinkling are loyal and kind. Blinkling alignment often falls somewhere in the spectrum of Good.
Size: You are almost supernaturally toned with lithe slender muscle. Most Blinkling stand at the average human height but weigh no more than 175 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base Walking speed is 30 feet.
Your Base Climbing Speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision: Your faintly glowing yellow eyes offer you superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in Darkness, only shades of gray.
Blink: You have a natural ability that allows you to teleport yourself around an area. As an action you can teleport yourself to an unoccupied space that you can see within 15 feet.
Using Blink causes minor effects in the space you left behind. Firstly, an audible sound is emitted, similar to a sharp whoosh of air often described as a “bamf” sound. The sound, unless obscured, is obvious to anyone listening within 30 feet. Secondly, left behind is a visible plume of dark purple or blue acrid smoke. The smoke can be dispersed by a sufficient gust of wind, or automatically on the start of your next turn, it smells strongly of burning brimstone.
The number of Blinks you can use increases to 2 at 3rd level, and the number of uses increases to 3 at 6th level with the distance increasing to 30 feet. You regain the use(s) of this ability after completing a short or long rest.
Velvet Night: Your graceful body is covered in very dark fur. The color of which allows your silhouette to unnaturally blend into the shadows. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by shadows, dim light, darkness, dense fog, at twilight and other similar conditions where low light levels are the source of your light obscurity.
After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you complete a long rest.
Nimble Limbs: You have an almost prehensile tail and your hands and feet are very dexterous, giving you a 30 foot climb speed. You are also proficient with Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.
Your race is one of mixed humanoid and infernal lineage. You are one with shadow, stealth, and nimbleness. While unique, you share many traits with all Blinkling.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age: You initially mature at the same rate as a human but stay in your prime much longer. Blinkling live on average live up to 150 years.
Alignment: While each is an individual, most Blinkling are loyal and kind. Blinkling alignment often falls somewhere in the spectrum of Good.
Size: You are almost supernaturally toned with lithe slender muscle. Most Blinkling stand at the average human height but weigh no more than 175 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base Walking speed is 30 feet.
Your Base Climbing Speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision: Your faintly glowing yellow eyes offer you superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in Darkness, only shades of gray.
Blink: You have a natural ability that allows you to teleport yourself around an area. As an action you can teleport yourself to an unoccupied space that you can see within 15 feet.
Using Blink causes minor effects in the space you left behind. Firstly, an audible sound is emitted, similar to a sharp whoosh of air often described as a “bamf” sound. The sound, unless obscured, is obvious to anyone listening within 30 feet. Secondly, left behind is a visible plume of dark purple or blue acrid smoke. The smoke can be dispersed by a sufficient gust of wind, or automatically on the start of your next turn, it smells strongly of burning brimstone.
The number of Blinks you can use increases to 2 at 3rd level, and the number of uses increases to 3 at 6th level with the distance increasing to 30 feet. You regain the use(s) of this ability after completing a short or long rest.
Velvet Night: Your graceful body is covered in very dark fur. The color of which allows your silhouette to unnaturally blend into the shadows. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by shadows, dim light, darkness, dense fog, at twilight and other similar conditions where low light levels are the source of your light obscurity.
After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you complete a long rest.
Nimble Limbs: You have an almost prehensile tail and your hands and feet are very dexterous, giving you a 30 foot climb speed. You are also proficient with Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.
Growth Rate & Stages
Born of Shadow
All Blinkling living in their native city are raised among, around, beneath, and between their multiple neighbors. Their society is one of caring, sharing, and love for one another, and with that love often comes admiration and romance.
For a Blinkling love comes in all forms, and each is embraced and cherished. Monogamous relationships are present but by far are the least common, with most affinities being between multiple partners. Marriage too is foreign concept, but those who favor each other’s company tend to live, work, and stay together.
As nature often takes its course between loving relations and as for most it results in adorable impish Blinkling children. A Blinkling pregnancy develops exactly as a human’s does, with babies being born approximately 40 weeks after conception. The children are raised communally, with the myriad of family combinations present there is always someone willing to help but often the younglings parents acting as the main contributors. Young Blinkling mature as fast as a human child would, reaching young adulthood at 18 to 20 years of age.
After reaching young adult age a Blinkling’s body seems to age much slower, staying nubile and young much longer than a standard human. By the time a Blinkling is in its 100’s their metabolism begins to slow, and they age from that point on as a human just reaching their 50’s. Total lifespan, unhindered, is about 150 years. Some Blinkling have been noted to live and extra 20 or 30 beyond 150, but it is very rare.
All Blinkling living in their native city are raised among, around, beneath, and between their multiple neighbors. Their society is one of caring, sharing, and love for one another, and with that love often comes admiration and romance.
For a Blinkling love comes in all forms, and each is embraced and cherished. Monogamous relationships are present but by far are the least common, with most affinities being between multiple partners. Marriage too is foreign concept, but those who favor each other’s company tend to live, work, and stay together.
As nature often takes its course between loving relations and as for most it results in adorable impish Blinkling children. A Blinkling pregnancy develops exactly as a human’s does, with babies being born approximately 40 weeks after conception. The children are raised communally, with the myriad of family combinations present there is always someone willing to help but often the younglings parents acting as the main contributors. Young Blinkling mature as fast as a human child would, reaching young adulthood at 18 to 20 years of age.
After reaching young adult age a Blinkling’s body seems to age much slower, staying nubile and young much longer than a standard human. By the time a Blinkling is in its 100’s their metabolism begins to slow, and they age from that point on as a human just reaching their 50’s. Total lifespan, unhindered, is about 150 years. Some Blinkling have been noted to live and extra 20 or 30 beyond 150, but it is very rare.
Ecology and Habitats
Beauty in Gloom
Blinkling society is dark but beautiful. They build ominous looking lofty structures for communal use surrounded on all side by a web of homes. The great gothic structures serve many purposes: governmental centers, communal bath houses, and learning centers. These intricate buildings resemble great vaulted cathedrals with gothic architecture, beautiful flying buttresses, spire like towers, and stained-glass windows. Depending on the population size it isn’t uncommon to see several of these large structures dotted throughout each Blinkling city. The cathedrals tower above an ever-weaving irregular maze of rooms, halls, doors and tunnels the citizens use as homes.
Eons of living almost literally on top and between each other has made Blinkling culture one of closeness, community and shared living. What outsiders might call privacy and modestly most Blinkling would call loneliness and prudishness. Something resembling a private standard home is almost unheard of there is however plenty of room for an individual to have personal space if truly desired. The dwellings of Blinklings are densely packed but comfortable winding structures often at irregular angles and intertwined with one another. Stacked upon each other often multiple stories high, these somewhat erratic dwellings often cross the streets and narrow alleys, leaving most lower walkways and homes completely shrouded in deep shadow, even in the middle of the day.
Between any street not already connected, as well as alongside and below those that are, are numerous works of rope, chain, and wood. Looking more at home in a gymnasium than a city street are uncountable bridges, swings, tightropes, ladders and other such loose or free-swinging structures. For an outsider these paths are almost untraversable, but with their supernatural balance and dexterity it is more common to find Blinklings scaling these to get from place to place than walking the flat earth.
The chaotic nature of Blinkling dwellings create a near infinite number of dark nooks and impossible alcoves. A lost creature, or one looking to hide, among these niches may never be found. The rare researcher has even speculated the oldest cities reach inconceivably down, possibly even into the Underdark and beyond.
Blinkling society is dark but beautiful. They build ominous looking lofty structures for communal use surrounded on all side by a web of homes. The great gothic structures serve many purposes: governmental centers, communal bath houses, and learning centers. These intricate buildings resemble great vaulted cathedrals with gothic architecture, beautiful flying buttresses, spire like towers, and stained-glass windows. Depending on the population size it isn’t uncommon to see several of these large structures dotted throughout each Blinkling city. The cathedrals tower above an ever-weaving irregular maze of rooms, halls, doors and tunnels the citizens use as homes.
Eons of living almost literally on top and between each other has made Blinkling culture one of closeness, community and shared living. What outsiders might call privacy and modestly most Blinkling would call loneliness and prudishness. Something resembling a private standard home is almost unheard of there is however plenty of room for an individual to have personal space if truly desired. The dwellings of Blinklings are densely packed but comfortable winding structures often at irregular angles and intertwined with one another. Stacked upon each other often multiple stories high, these somewhat erratic dwellings often cross the streets and narrow alleys, leaving most lower walkways and homes completely shrouded in deep shadow, even in the middle of the day.
Between any street not already connected, as well as alongside and below those that are, are numerous works of rope, chain, and wood. Looking more at home in a gymnasium than a city street are uncountable bridges, swings, tightropes, ladders and other such loose or free-swinging structures. For an outsider these paths are almost untraversable, but with their supernatural balance and dexterity it is more common to find Blinklings scaling these to get from place to place than walking the flat earth.
The chaotic nature of Blinkling dwellings create a near infinite number of dark nooks and impossible alcoves. A lost creature, or one looking to hide, among these niches may never be found. The rare researcher has even speculated the oldest cities reach inconceivably down, possibly even into the Underdark and beyond.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dusk and Her Embrace
Blinkling are without exception one of the most graceful and athletic races you are likely to find. Supernaturally nimble and acrobatic they are seen more often scaling structures and clinging to walls than walking. With their deceptively sinister appearance they were also granted the ability to Blink, making short teleporting hops from place to place, which is also where the race has derived its colloquial name.Although somewhat similar, a Blinkling’s human silhouette is betrayed by a few key features.
Starting at the head they have naturally thick black hair that is often, but not always, wavy or loosely curled. Going further down a Blinkling’s ears are pointed and elven in shape. A Blinkling’s eyes are where one might first spot them among the shadows. The eyes faintly glow when in darkness and are entirely a solid yellow or amber color with no visible pupil or sclera. Whether the glow is some supernatural ability or an exaggerated eyeshine, like a feline stalking in the night, is unknown. The last striking feature on the face is a Blinkling’s teeth, mostly human in size and layout but distinctly more carnivorous and wickedly sharper.
More so obvious from a distance than their face is a Blinkling’s dusky covering. Except for the pads on their three digited hands and feet, a Blinkling’s body is entirely wrapped in a short dense velvety fur. The satiny fur is typically a deep hue between midnight blue, dark purple, and black. This fur’s coloration and density amplifies, or is possibly the origin of, a Blinklings signature ability to fade into shadows. A Blinklings hands and feet, while not covered in fur, share a similar deep coloration.
Concerning the body itself most Blinkling are limber, supple, and leanly muscled. While identical to a human’s shape the joints, bones, and ligaments are preternaturally flexible allowing a Blinkling to sit, stand, crawl, or contort in a myriad of ways that would snap a human’s spine.
Accompanying and aiding their physique are a Blinkling’s hands, feet, and tail. Both extremities ending in a three digited grasping structure with blunt claws, the hands having two fingers and a thumb and the feet having two long toes in front and a third thumb-like toe in the rear. The tail itself is prehensile and very strong, some Blinkling even observed using their tails to lift their full weight off the ground. Their tails are long and slender but deceptively muscled, much like a Blinkling itself, ending in an oddly sinister looking spade tip.
A Blinkling’s ability to Blink is an inborn ability but not one that comes with ease. It seems this natural ability is unlocked sometime after an individual reaches maturity, but it requires considerable practice, meditation, and bravery to attempt. When a Blinkling uses their Blink ability they are not simply disappearing from one spot and reappearing into another but somehow, by will alone, punching a hole through the Material Plane into one of the Lower Planes and then back through to the Material, instantly appearing in a different location. The foul smoke and noisome sulfurous smell accompanying a Blink is evidence of this. The “blinks” between Planes isn’t a controlled one and a Blinkling attempting to experiment with their ability beyond its natural limitations often find themselves stranded, disfigured, maimed, stuck between Planes, or in two places at once (in every sense of the phrase).
Blinkling are without exception one of the most graceful and athletic races you are likely to find. Supernaturally nimble and acrobatic they are seen more often scaling structures and clinging to walls than walking. With their deceptively sinister appearance they were also granted the ability to Blink, making short teleporting hops from place to place, which is also where the race has derived its colloquial name.Although somewhat similar, a Blinkling’s human silhouette is betrayed by a few key features.
Starting at the head they have naturally thick black hair that is often, but not always, wavy or loosely curled. Going further down a Blinkling’s ears are pointed and elven in shape. A Blinkling’s eyes are where one might first spot them among the shadows. The eyes faintly glow when in darkness and are entirely a solid yellow or amber color with no visible pupil or sclera. Whether the glow is some supernatural ability or an exaggerated eyeshine, like a feline stalking in the night, is unknown. The last striking feature on the face is a Blinkling’s teeth, mostly human in size and layout but distinctly more carnivorous and wickedly sharper.
More so obvious from a distance than their face is a Blinkling’s dusky covering. Except for the pads on their three digited hands and feet, a Blinkling’s body is entirely wrapped in a short dense velvety fur. The satiny fur is typically a deep hue between midnight blue, dark purple, and black. This fur’s coloration and density amplifies, or is possibly the origin of, a Blinklings signature ability to fade into shadows. A Blinklings hands and feet, while not covered in fur, share a similar deep coloration.
Concerning the body itself most Blinkling are limber, supple, and leanly muscled. While identical to a human’s shape the joints, bones, and ligaments are preternaturally flexible allowing a Blinkling to sit, stand, crawl, or contort in a myriad of ways that would snap a human’s spine.
Accompanying and aiding their physique are a Blinkling’s hands, feet, and tail. Both extremities ending in a three digited grasping structure with blunt claws, the hands having two fingers and a thumb and the feet having two long toes in front and a third thumb-like toe in the rear. The tail itself is prehensile and very strong, some Blinkling even observed using their tails to lift their full weight off the ground. Their tails are long and slender but deceptively muscled, much like a Blinkling itself, ending in an oddly sinister looking spade tip.
A Blinkling’s ability to Blink is an inborn ability but not one that comes with ease. It seems this natural ability is unlocked sometime after an individual reaches maturity, but it requires considerable practice, meditation, and bravery to attempt. When a Blinkling uses their Blink ability they are not simply disappearing from one spot and reappearing into another but somehow, by will alone, punching a hole through the Material Plane into one of the Lower Planes and then back through to the Material, instantly appearing in a different location. The foul smoke and noisome sulfurous smell accompanying a Blink is evidence of this. The “blinks” between Planes isn’t a controlled one and a Blinkling attempting to experiment with their ability beyond its natural limitations often find themselves stranded, disfigured, maimed, stuck between Planes, or in two places at once (in every sense of the phrase).
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Blinkling Names
Blinkling seem to have adopted the standard naming conventions of neighboring human settlements. Though to protect their friends and loved one’s identities some Blinkling have taken up nicknames.
Common Blinkling Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (Female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (Surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag
Common Blinkling Nicknames: Knightingale, Ashfairy, Devillain, Sundaemon, Hypnotwist, Knightmare, Grimcubus, Demonkey, Moonraider, Nightcrawler, Phoenixia, Warlocket, Deathspook, Ghostling, Shadowslider, Midnight, Doomdemon, Nightstar, Moonprowler
Blinkling seem to have adopted the standard naming conventions of neighboring human settlements. Though to protect their friends and loved one’s identities some Blinkling have taken up nicknames.
Common Blinkling Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (Female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (Surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag
Common Blinkling Nicknames: Knightingale, Ashfairy, Devillain, Sundaemon, Hypnotwist, Knightmare, Grimcubus, Demonkey, Moonraider, Nightcrawler, Phoenixia, Warlocket, Deathspook, Ghostling, Shadowslider, Midnight, Doomdemon, Nightstar, Moonprowler
History
Blossoming Moonchild
Initially thought of as an entire race of spies, thieves, and assassins (a notion in itself ridiculous)
Blinkling society is a peaceful one. While misguided and brash individuals still sneak off to sell their talents to nefarious guilds and bandits, most Blinkling are more than willing to help others for the betterment of themselves and everyone. Your character may fall into this category or have motives all their own.
Initially thought of as an entire race of spies, thieves, and assassins (a notion in itself ridiculous)
Blinkling society is a peaceful one. While misguided and brash individuals still sneak off to sell their talents to nefarious guilds and bandits, most Blinkling are more than willing to help others for the betterment of themselves and everyone. Your character may fall into this category or have motives all their own.
Origin/Ancestry
The Darkfae Realm
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