Nephilim

Heaven's Wrath

Nephilim bear within their souls the radiance of the heavens, but it is a tainted legacy. The divine origins of the nephilim lie with the Fallen, beings of immense power who turned their backs on the celestial realms eons ago in order to dominate the world of men. Though the Fallen have long since passed on, all nephilim carry the searing rage of their forebears. Nephilim are generally indistinguishable from pure-blooded humans, though their eyes and hair colors tend toward the extremes of the human range.
It is the inner self where nephilim differ so greatly from those around them. Nephilim burn with passion and see all problems in blacks and whites. They cannot be compromised with, nor reasoned with when their core beliefs have come into play. This righteous conviction can sometimes boil over, causing the ground to shake, flames to gutter, or the nephilim's eyes to flare with radiant light. More powerful nephilim will blaze with such holy wrath that those around them are burned to ash. These outbursts can cost a nephilim its life at the hands of a terrified mob, and so self-control is the first and most important lesson for all nephilim.
Nephilim often take up positions of power and authority in human society, and provided they can control their supernal temper, they are extremely effective and driven leaders. Most lead solitary lives, as their singular focus on a set of ideals can leave no room for casual acquaintance. But those who share similar goals to a nephilim can find themselves trusted allies, though woe to any who do not meet their expectations.

Nephilim Traits

Your nephilim character has the following racial traits born from the divine.

Ability Score Increase

One ability score of your choice increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Aspect of the Fallen

Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine energy within yourself. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. Each time you transform, choose one of the benefits below.

Scourge of the Fallen

While you are transformed, searing light radiates from you, pouring out of your eyes and mouth, and threatens to char you. You shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet, and at the end of each of your turns, you and each creature within 10 feet of you take radiant damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals your level.

Shroud of the Fallen

While you are transformed, your eyes turn into pools of darkness and two dark, ghostly, flightless wings sprout from your back. The instant you transform, other creatures within 10 feet of you that can see you must each succeed on a Charisma saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier) or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. While you are transformed, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra necrotic damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra necrotic damage equals your level.

Divine Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage and radiant damage.

Presence of the Fallen

You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

A light came from the girl. It shone into the sky, up and up, as warm and heartbreaking as the first finger of dawn. She split down the middle and the light got bigger. A wing came from her. It was not hers. It came through her. An angel of God was born into the world. Her blood on its wing.

— Between Two Fires, Christopher Buehlman

Age

Nephilim mature at the same rate as humans, and typically live slightly longer, up to 120 years.

Alignment

Imbued with divine power, most nephilim focus on the purity of a singular purpose. As a result, nephilim are often lawful neutral, neutral good, chaotic neutral, or neutral evil.

Size

Nephilim have the same range of height and weight as humans.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial. You don't know how you know Celestial, and you aren't aware you know it until the first time you encounter it.