Dullahan

Homebrew

Dullahan

There is no way to bar the road against a dullahan–all locks and gates open on their own when it approaches. Also, they do not appreciate being watched while on their errands, throwing a basin of blood on those who dare to do so. Nonetheless, they are frightened of gold, and even a single gold pin can drive a dullahan away. ~Unknown~

A dullahan is a type of fey creature born of the Unseelie Court. Dullahan resemble undead due to their headlessness but both head and body are kept alive by a curse. Inclined to travel at night by Unseelie magic and their own appearance, grim folklore has sprung up about them. Dullahan are created by Unseelie fey when they decapitate a human as part of a dark ritual.

Dullahan Names.

Dullahan true names tend toward repeating syllables. They don't willingly reveal their true names to any but another Dullahan, simply because they don't like to appear foolish to the mortal races. Some dullahan take on human names or nicknames when interacting with other races.

Male. Mnoh Vis, Khit Tuc, Frur Tor, ...

Female. LaLa, MeiMei, ViVi, ...kp

Nicknames. Grim, Celty, Headless Nick, ...

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

age: Like many fey, dullahan are long-living, reaching maturity at 20 and old age after 400 years.

Size: Medium

speed: 30 ft

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.

race features:

Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in Darkness, only shades of gray.

Intimidating. You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Trance. You don’t need to sleep. Instead, you meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Headless. You cannot be killed by decapitation. You may attach or detach your head at will. You always know the distance and direction of your head unless it is on another plane. Damage done to your head when seperated reduces your hit points. When separate, only your head can see and hear. Your headless body has a Blindsight of 10 ft. and cannot speak. So long as your head is within 30 feet of your body, it can provide the Verbal components for any spell you cast. Such a spell originates from the space in which your body is, unless the spell has only Verbal components, in which case it originates from the space in which your head is.

Unseelie Magic. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the Bane spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast the Find Steed spell with it, without requiring a material component. Once you cast either of these spells with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these using spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Weakness to Gold. Attacks made against you using gold-plated weapons are made at advantage. You can't carry any form of Gold, and grow nervous when in proximity of Gold. Your prefered method of payment is Gems or Magic-items.

Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Dullahan resemble humans with either dark tan or pale blue skin. Their eyes are black and their hair can be any natural color but is frequently black, gray, or white. Dullahan's mouths are very wide and reach the sides of their heads.