D&D Homebrew Races - The Concubi (Succubus-born)
A homebrew race of seductive planetouched for Dungeons & Dragons 3e/3.5; created by Aboleth Eye!
As always, though this homebrew was made with D&D 3.5 edition in mind, with a few tweaks you can absolutely use this material with Pathfinder 1st edition! -- Aboleth Eye
The Concubi are a race of descended from humans who were intimate with or pacted with succubi and other manipulative, soul-draining fiends. Many mortals would trade their soul, their destiny or even their own legacy for their heart's desire. Succubi and incubi, of all demonkind, are the most eager to forge these damnable pacts. And the embrace of a succubus is famously unforgettable; their tainted touch irreparable. Even their cursed descendants feel the draw of their Abyssal ancestor...
"We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us,
but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter."
Denis Diderot, poet (1713-1784), in his work "Rameau's Nephew" (1762)
Photo by Luiz Vertullo on Unsplash
Origins
Physical & Psychological Traits
A Concubus is mostly humanoid in appearance, save for certain fiendish traits. Like tieflings, some traits present more commonly than others. The most common traits Concubi share with one another are asymmetrical horns or horn-like growths on their heads, two-toed feet (almost like goats' hooves) and dark scales along their arms and lower legs. Other traits a succubus-born might present include long needle-like nails, vestigial wings (bat-like or even black feathered), pupils with unusual shapes, collar-like stripes or spikes at the neck and wrist, or even whip-like tails. There are endless possibilities to the presentation of these more unique traits.
Sharp canine teeth and forked tongues are rare for a Concubus to have naturally. However, some who embrace the wickedness of their Abyssal heritage have their teeth and tongues shaped to intimidate their enemies. Decorating their horns and tattoos of Abyssal scrawl are also common ways to display their heritage proudly.
Because of their chaotic heritage, no two Concubi share similar fiendish traits in the same way. One Concubus might have several crystal-like horns jutting from one side, while another horned Concubus has upside-down crescent-shaped horns. Even pair of twin Concubi might have only one vestigial wings on opposite shoulders and entirely different coloration. They are colorful and strange to behold, and their unnatural beauty transforms these fiendish traits into one's of awe in onlookers.
Concubi typically have the physical frames, skin tone and common facial features to their mortal parent. Their hair, however, is usually in dark pastel colors, and it always has a shimmer to it regardless of cleanliness. Some Concubi have two or more colors running through their hair--found in colorful streaks, odd patches or even changing midway down the length. Traits like nails, scales and wings usually are colored in darker shades of their primary coloration.
Their eyes always seem to glow, no matter their pupil shape. Heterochromia or multicolored eyes are very common. Some succubus-born even have eyes that change colors as their mood switches.
Concubi have always have pointed ears, which seem to pick up on the true emotions emotions of those they speak with. Their senses of smell, touch and taste appear to be heightened across their kind. Because of this, many of these planetouched are drawn to physical pleasures as they get older, rather than philosophical or intellectual ones. They love to touch one another intimately when conversing, sharing physical sensations and picking up unconscious cues from spoken interactions.
Probably due to their chaotic ancestry, these planetouched find sitting still in a rigid pose for long unbearable. Their volatile temperaments compel them to instinctually bend, twist and shift their bodies nearly every moment when left to their own decides. Some are so limber and flexible that the poses they use while draped over furniture would cause pain to other humanoids. This trait, however, does lead to cultural stereotypes and rumors about them that they are unnaturally (or demonically) talented at physical intimacy. This may be partially true, but their ability to match their partner's unspoken emotional state is more likely the foundation to this stereotype. They are very restless unless they have another person or creature to focus on. The Concubi have been compared to water without a container, flowing restlessly unless they have a vessel (such as another person) to pour themselves into.
Concubi are extremely likely to be chaotic-aligned. Concubi are extremely volatile and passionate, often rubbing others wrong with how fast they change emotions. Unlike tieflings, who use their upbringing suffering social stigma to find purpose and simply stay ahead; Concubi clash outright with those attempting to limit or oppress them. They are the fiercest lovers, the most creative of enemies, and the greatest of friends. Their emotions are often larger than their body can contain, it is said; and their limbs move on impulse--quicksilver fast--before the rest of them has time to have its say.
It is not impossible for a Concubus to be neutral or even lawful-aligned. Often, these Concubi are raised in a stable or rigid environment from a young age.
Succubus-born Psychology
From birth, a Concubus is aware of their unusual heritage and volatile nature. They grow up often similar to tieflings and other planetouched--sometimes ostracized for their extraplanar appearances, sometimes lauded and given a path or purpose. Due to their rarity, many Concubi are raised as tieflings, cansin or similar planetouched. The physical beauty and social instincts of a Concubus help these planetouched better integrate with humanoid societies than their tiefling cousins. They additionally have an instinctual sixth sense for hidden emotions and secrets--hearing and coaxing them out like a cat hunting mice.
Despite their fiendish ancestry (and stereotypes surrounding them), Concubi are not any more sexual than other humanoid or planetouched--and certainly are not all nymphomaniacal. While their heightened senses and physical graces might be advantages in intimacy, these people across the board are not driven by a need for sex and physical gratification than a normal human is. Stereotypes do often demonize the succubus-born, proclaiming that they feed on sexual emotions and human life forces like some form of "sexual vampire". Though due to their typically passionate and volatile temperaments, as a whole Concubi do not get along with restrictive religions and cultures. Especially regards to oppressions against breaking gender roles, physical dress, gender identity and non-heterosexual relationships.
From their Abyssal bloodlines, the succubus-born have access to a similar gift succubi have: they have an innate ability to the dampen the minds and inhibitions of creatures they touch. A Concubus typically first becomes aware of their exact planetouched origins when they use their touch of idiocy spell-like ability for the first time. Like a tiefling's gift at manifesting darkness, a Concubus has a weaker form of a succubus' power to siphon willpower. Luckily the touched creature's soul is unaffected and the magic is temporary.
Because of this gift and their potential for spontaneous arcane magic, many are afraid to be touched by a Concubus. Much like their succubus or incubus parent, Concubi often are believed to drain the willpower of anyone they touch. Touch spells are common among sorcerous Concubi due to their quick reflexes.
With amplified anxieties and emotions compelling their actions, most Concubi are a terrible fit for wizardry or druidic magic. Unless self-trained to restrain themselves, they cannot sit still in an academic classroom to recite and scribble facts and figures. And meditating on the serenity and majesty of nature does not appeal to most Concubi. They are, of course, thrilled by chaos and unpredictability of natural disasters and storms, but they would rather unleash elemental fury at-will rather than hammer themselves down into a rigid niche of the cyclical, natural world.
Sorcerous succubus-born are drawn to manifest spells from the schools of enchantment and illusion, due to their interests in others' thoughts and emotions, as well as manifesting experiences and visions from their imaginations. They typically learn evocation and necromancy spells as well to channel the hellish firepower and draining capabilities of their succubus ancestry. Spells used to create or summon undead are not appealing to them; they feel the repulsion most living creatures have towards corpses and undead, only tenfold. Summoning conjuration spells and divination magic are exceedingly rare for them to learn--they are entirely devoted to the physical realm they reside rather than making allies of extraplanar entities. Additionally, most Concubi aren't interested in predicting the future or learning from the past--enjoying only the merest glimpses off of the present they reside in with divination spells like true strike.
Like other planetouched of disreputable or fearful parentage, succubus-born are likely to train themselves in stealthy and subtle pursuits as rogues. They also make fantastic, if not well-learned, bards. They are rarely drawn to religious ideals or philosophical ventures; only rarely will a Concubus become a cleric or variant of paladin (such as an anarch or paladin of freedom). With their volatile emotions, barbarians are uncommon but are more likely compared to other martial classes (especially monks).
If they do worship gods, a Concubus will usually only know one or two gods whose portfolios directly affect their interests. Gods like Olidammara the Laughing Rogue are favored by these planetouched for his hedonistic, self-serving tendencies and trickster charm.
Concubi of more wicked natures, however, may worship powerful entities of the Abyss; especially Malcanthet, Queen of the Succubi. Some even hope to have a place in her paradisial realm of Shendalavri, and as her devotees they use their talents to form sorcerous cults devoted to the desolation of mortal morality in exchange for pleasure and power. Devotees of Malcanthet are more likely to pursue power as a warlock, pacted with one of the demon-goddesses Lilitu servants or forming a cult of pleasure and pain.
Racial Traits
- Medium Outsider (native)
- Succubus-born are attuned to the Material Plane, and can be raised, reincarnated or resurrected as other living corporeal creatures can be. Unlike true outsiders, native outsiders need to eat and sleep.
- They are not subject to spells or effects that affect only humanoids, such as charm or dominate person.
- Ability Scores: Dexterity +2, Intelligence -2, Charisma +2
- Concubi are graceful and alluring to watch, however, they struggle to temper their emotional impulses and drives with logic or reason.
- Base Land Speed: 30 feet
- Special Qualities:
- Darkvision 60 feet (black and white only)
- Resistance 5 against Acid, Electric and Fire damage
- Special Abilities:
- Touch of Idiocy (Sp): Once per day, a Concubus can use touch of idiocy as the spell effect. Their caster level for this effect equals their character level.
- Skills: Concubi have a +2 racial bonus to Diplomacy and Sense Motive skill checks. These planetouched have a good instinct at picking up on hidden emotions and convince others with their sweet words.
- Languages: Abyssal and Common
- Bonus Languages: Celestial, Dwarven, Elven, Gnomish, Halfling, Infernal.
- Favored Class: Sorcerer
- Concubi have a habit of unearthing secrets both mundane and magical in nature; they pick up spontaneous spellcasting really easily through instinct.
- These planetouched are rather talented with picking up bardic music and warlock abilities, though they struggle with practicing skills and coming up with plans for themselves or others. Concubi as a whole are very irreligious due to the structure of most faiths; but Malcanthet the Succubus Queen does have a few devout Concubi worshipping her.
- Level Adjustment: +1
- ECL: 1+
Lesser Planetouched:
- All lesser planetouched have the following racial trait in common, in addition to all the standard racial traits.
- Planetouched: Planetouched are humanoids (not outsiders) with the planetouched subtype. They are susceptible to spells and effects that specifically target both humanoids or outsiders. Charm person works against them, and so does banishment. This trait replaces the outsider entry in each planetouched description.
The Concubus Paragon
Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Craft (int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points: (4 + Int modifier), quadruple at 1st level
Table: the Concubus Paragon Class
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Improved Resistance | -- |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Skill Bonus | +1 level of sorcerer |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Ability Boost (Cha +2 ) | +1 level of sorcerer |
Class Features:
Spells per Day: At 2nd and 3rd levels, a Concubus paragon gains spells per day as if they had gained levels in sorcerer. They do not, however, gain any benefit a character of that class would have gained (e.g. summon familiar). This essentially means that the Concubus adds their paragon class level paragon to their level in sorcerer, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly.
If a Concubus paragon has no levels in cleric, this class feature has no effect.
Improved Resistance (Ex): At 1st level, one of the Concubus paragon's racial resistances to fire, cold or electricity increases form 5 to 10. The character may choose any one of their elemental resistances to improve, but once this choice is made it can never be altered.
Skill Bonus: A 2nd-level Concubus paragon's racial bonuses to Diplomacy and Sense Motive checks improves from +2 to +4.
Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a Concubus paragon’s Charisma score increases by 2 points.
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