Dromite

Another Cosmos

Beyond the known planes of existence lies other realities. These are not simply additional planes. They are entirely different cosmologies, entire sets of planes organized in ways far different from the known cosmology. One such reality was the home of the dromites.
Unlike the known Inner Planes that are composed of the four elements as well as Positive and Negative Energy planes, the reality of the dromites was based on the five energies (acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sound) as well as the planes of Elemental Life and Elemental Undeath all intertwined within the Ocean of Thought. This cosmology was known as the Cosmic Mesh, as each plane of existence was a strand woven through the others merging and splitting in an infinite weave.
The dromites were beings touched by the Energy Planes, much like the elemental genasi of this reality. Just as the planes were interwoven with each other, so too do the dromite castes typically live with and are born to each other. Each caste is touched by one of the forms of energy, but they are not subraces in a traditional sense since any type can be born within a community

Invasion of Nightmare

The influence of the Ocean of Thought engulfing these planes lead to a preponderance of psionic magic both from trained practitioners, as well as abilities native to the beings themselves. The power of the dromites manifested itself in their use of their planetouched energy, but other races, most long forgotten, were born with a wide array of psionic abilities.
Unfortunately, such a concentration of psionic ability garnered the attention of a dimension of nightmare. Slowly corrupting the beings within these planes, this nightmare dimension managed to seep its way into that reality. As the infestation grew, it reached a threshold and these planes were opened up entirely to this dreadful realm.
Horrors surged throughout that entire universe, consuming and twisting its inhabitants into frightening monstrosities. As the end drew near, the dromites managed to find a means for some of them to escape. The Pyre Caste had discovered links, almost like metaphysical overlaps, between their Energy Plane of Fire and another reality the Elemental Plane of Fire of this reality.
Drohma, the goddess and mother of the dromites sacrificed herself in a conflagration of divine energy strong enough to rip a hole between the two realities. Waves of dromites fled before the link was broken in hopes of containing the infestation to that reality. Now refugees in another reality, dromites have tried to find a place and a new purpose.

Steampunk Compendium

Dromite

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

sub races:
Glimmer Dromite
Ice Dromite
Pyre Dromite
Voice Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Steampunk Compendium

Dissolution Dromite

Dissolution caste dromites are often somber and can make other dromites uncomfortable. They realize all reality is a cycle of renewal. Living things die and become food for other life. Mountains rise and eventually crumble. Everything is temporary and in transition, and Dissolution dromites are drawn to helping that cycle. Others see them as destructive, but Dissolution dromites feel resisting change is unnatural and harmful. Despite the opinions of others, Dissolution dromites are rarely malicious and are not wanton agents of destruction. They are reminders that anything built will someday fall, and everyone will someday die. These reminders make many other dromites uncomfortable. However, when a dromite community is threatened, the other castes are quick to overlook that as the Dissolution dromites remind their enemies just how transitory their existence is as well.
Members of the Dissolution Caste tend to be thin and frail in appearance. This is deceiving as their wiry frames mask a flexible resilience. Their skin tends towards yellow-greys with green spots and speckles randomly scattered.

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

parent race: Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Energy Resistance. You have resistance to acid damage.
Find the Weak Spot. You can find the weaknesses in objects, and have advantage on attack rolls against objects until the end of your turn. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Energy Ray. You know the acid splash cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Steampunk Compendium

Glimmer Dromite

In many respects, Glimmer caste dromites are more the opposite of the Ice caste dromites than the fire ones are. While the Ice dromites thoughtfully consider their actions, Glimmer dromites blurt out virtually every thought that ever occurs to them. One would think this would lead to many regretted comments, but Glimmer dromites see life and the world as too fleeting to waste on regrets. To many others, it looks as if Glimmer dromites live their lives as a race – constantly focusing on the next moment before the current one has been experienced. An Glimmer dromite actually seeing a project through to completion is a rare thing indeed. Ironically, they actually share some characteristics with the Ice dromites. Their ability to think quickly on their feet actually leads them to be among the more intelligent dromites as well. Furthermore, in their own very different ways, the Ice and Glimmer caste dromites tend to be the ones most focused on the future.
They are tall and thin to the point of occasionally being mistaken for a short elf. They are typically either a near white with deep violet accents or a lavender with striking yellow highlights. In both cases, the colors are in branching patterns similar to cracks of lightning.

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

parent race: Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Energy Resistance. You have resistance to lightning damage.
Speed Burst. You are able to double your movement speed until the end of your turn. You are unable to use this ability again until you complete a short or long rest.
Energy Ray. You know the shocking grasp cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Steampunk Compendium

Ice Dromite

The members of the Ice caste tend to be more calculating and analytic than others. Some dromites, especially of the Glimmer and Pyre castes, look upon the members of the Ice caste as slow in thought, and sometimes even dim-witted because their inability to react quickly. This is far from the truth, as Ice dromites tend to be the most intelligent and wise members of their race, but take the time to analyze every action before it is taken, and every word before it is spoken. They may not snap to judgment as the Glimmer dromites would, but their precision in thought and logic are greatly beneficial. A more accurate criticism is that Ice dromites lack emotions. Although not entirely true, they often become too caught up in considering a situation and all the alternative courses of action, that they often leave little room in their thoughts for emotional reactions to grab hold. Besides, emotions can be fleeting, and by the time a Ice dromite reacts, the emotion may have already passed, leaving only the cold logic speaking.
They are broadly built and typically shorter for dromites. Their skin is often a consistent color in the blue to white shades. Any variations in their skin tone is subtle and difficult to notice.

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

parent race: Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Energy Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage.
Calculating Mind. You have advantage on Intelligence saving throws.
Energy Ray. You know the ray of frost cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Pyre Dromite

Pyre caste dromites are among the most passionate and emotional of their race. Their emotions may seem erratic to others, but to the members of the Pyre caste, this is simply how they react to an ever-changing world. As things happen around them, it only makes sense that their emotional reactions would shift as well. Pyre dromites tend to be the most excluded of the castes because most dromites are not thick-skinned enough to deal with a Pyre caste member calling them their truest friend one day and then bitterly insulting them the next.
This does not bother the Pyre dromites greatly, as they prefer their own company anyway. Most of the other castes seem dull and unfeeling to the Pyre dromites. Although the Glimmer caste is as capable as the Pyres to dare to great feats of bravery (or foolishness if you ask the Ice dromites), the Glimmer ones do so more from compulsion, whereas the Pyre dromites savor every breathtaking moment.
They, along with the Glimmer Caste, are typically the tallest of the dromites. However, their builds run the full range from slim to well muscled. The skin tones are typically a pale yellow with red, orange, and deep black streaks and stripes.

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

parent race: Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Energy Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.
Bold Spirit. You have advantage on saving throws against the frightened condition.
Energy Ray. You know the fire bolt cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Steampunk Compendium

Voice Dromite

Voice caste dromites are an interesting blend of the passion of the Pyre caste and the calm of the Ice caste. Their emotional lives are as rich as any Pyre dromites, but it is an introspective richness, every bit as analytical as the Ice dromite’s logic, but focused more on the ephemeral emotions within them and the subtle wisdom in the world around. Voice dromites express their emotion through works of art that range from the life-altering enlightening to the utterly nonsensical. In the later cases, Voice dromites merely shake their heads in realization that the other castes can never see the world as they do and experience the things they can experience. Even though they prefer contemplation and creative expression to seeking positions of authority within their community, many Voice dromites view themselves as greater than their brethren. They only wish that their art, whether it is a song or a sculpture, helps elevate the other castes toward the serenity and superiority of the Voice dromites.
They are small and thin, making them typically the meekest of the dromites. They are often various shades of grey with one other highlight color, but this color can be virtually anything. These accents ripple over their chitin skin like waves.

ability score increase: Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1

age: Dromites mature slightly faster than humans, reaching adulthood in early to mid-teens. They typically live as long as humans.

alignment: Dromites tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the words are found amoung them

Size: Small

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

parent race: Dromite

race features:
Keen Smell. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Naural Armor. You have hardened, almost exoskeleton-like skin. 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 woul leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefit apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Energy Resistance. You have resistance to thunder damage.
Powerful Hearing. You have advantage on saving throws against the deafened condition.
Musical Talent. You are proficient with one musical instrument of your choice.
Energy Ray. You know the thunderclap cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.