Exegen

Exegen are made from a strange combination of organic and inorganic materials. While their bones are indeed porous mineral, these are layered with animal or plant veins to move fluids, and muscles are instead fibrous plant materials. Metal forms take shape to provide a protective outer shell and to reinforce joints. Exegen share similar facial structures, and tend to have smoothly rounded heads ending with angular jaws. Their eyes are generally crystalline in appearance. They all take on a humanoid shape, typically in the same size ranges of other sapient species. Beyond these common elements of design, the precise materials and build of an exegen vary.

Although they may appear otherwise, exegen are living humanoids. Resting, healing magic, and the Medicine skill all provide the same benefits to them that they do to other humanoids.

They are very uncommon creatures, to be sure, and their origins are conflicting. Some seem to have awoken from humanoid-shaped constructs, and most folk regard them as such and are surprised when one demonstrates any signs of sapience. A few have been seemingly discovered without any known origin or history, often encountered by chance with no discovered record of construction. As far as people know, scholar or otherwise, no one has yet succeeded in awakening one on purpose.

While magical constructs are not unheard of, neither are they a part of most folks' daily lives. Reactions to meeting a sentient one may vary.

Playable Race Notes

Ability Scores: +2 CON; +1 any other

Size: Small or Medium. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed: 30 ft.

Lifespan. The maximum lifespan remains a mystery; so far, exegen have shown no signs of deterioration due to age.

Constructed Resilience. You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits:

You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.

You don't need to eat, drink, or breathe.

You are immune to disease.

You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep.

You are immune to magical aging effects.

Sentry's Rest. When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn't render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Integrated Protection. Your body has built-in defensive layers, which can be enhanced with armor:

You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class.

You can don only armor with which you have proficiency. To don armor other than a shield, you must incorporate it into your body over the course of 1 hour, during which you remain in contact with the armor. To doff armor, you must spend 1 hour removing it. You can rest while donning or doffing armor in this way.

While you live, the armor incorporated into your body can't be removed against your will.

Specialized Design. You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.