Shuffling Cactus

Shuffling Cactus, sometimes known as, "cactusfolk", are a race of walking plant people. Born from the reconstituted souls of the land, many shuffling cactus rarely or never leave their desert home. This same origin also lends them a startling desire to consume souls. Especially those of intelligent beings. Shuffling cactus often wander their desert homeland searching for places of death or victims to make themselves feel whole. This leads many to take residence as ranchers, bounty hunters, or highwaymen of the desert. Few ever leave their home, in part because they dislike the overabundance of water, and partly because they fear what they would do if their desire to be around death overtook them. Those who do venture outside of their homelands are often known for being ruthless and frighteningly decadent if they choose to give in to their desire for souls. Those actively fight against their internal desires might take up other vices or, in extreme cases, holy vows. Even with the aid of supernatural forces, the lust for the essence of life can prove too great. Any cactus folk should be treated as a potential hostile. Even if they have shown previous sympathy and remorse.

Science vs Magic:

The development of technology, whether scientific or magical, often leads to increased security and a greater pressure on laws. It is for this reason that Shuffling Cactus who feed their desire for souls resent developed realities and instead move to wild spaces. But where applicable, they will take advantage of legal options for their killing. Conversely, Shuffling Cactus who wish to restrain their feeding will take advantage of the support offered by law.

Stats

Shuffling Cactus Base Traits: Standard Ability Score Increase- Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age: Shuffling Cactus ages vary drastically based on whether they consume souls. However, it has been found that a Shuffling Cactus who doesn't consume any souls in their lifetime may live up to 70 years. Those who do, or find a substitute which is especially energy filled, have been known to live up to 200 years. Rumors state, however, that this limit is false.
Alignment: Their ingrained desire to consume souls leads many Shuffling Cactus to be somewhere on the Evil spectrum. Lawful evil examples include an executioner or sheriff who takes the souls as payment, while Chaotic individuals won't hesitate to pillage or ransack for no reason. Those who manage to stave off the hunger may be Neutral or Good.
Size: Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your roots slow you down and cement you to the ground. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Desert Diet: You must be in direct sunlight (or equivalence) for 4 hrs as a replacement for food and require half as much water as other races. In addition, you are acclimated to naturally hot climates, and have advantage on saves made against magically hot climates.
Soul Survivor: You gain proficiency in two of the following skills- survival, medicine, or intimidation.
Spiky Exterior: You have a spiky exterior you may use to cause harm to others. If a creature within 5 feet hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to deal 1d4 piercing damage to the attacker. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier, and regain all uses on a long rest (minimum of one use).
Soul Feeder: Unleashing a ghastly hunger, you choose one target and steal part of their soul. Choose one target within 10ft you can see. The target must make a Constitution saving throw with the DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. On a failed save, the target takes 2d4 necrotic damage and you gain half that many temporary hit points (rounded down). You may use this feature once per long rest. When you use this ability, you are considered fed (Desert Diet) for a number of days equal to your Constitution modifier. Constructs and creatures without souls are unaffected by this ability. (Note that most celestials, elementals, fey, and fiends, are considered to have souls.) The damage increases to 3d4 at 5th level, 5d4 at 11th level and 6d4 at 16th level.