Manikin (Man-Eh-Kin)
With a touch of gold, a breath of lightning, and hours of meticulous welding and articulation, a manikin is ‘born’. Often called ‘marionettes’ or ‘living dolls.' These strange beings appeared in Glecia about a century ago. None know where these strange beings came from, but rumors link them to a whispered organization known as The Eden Collective.
Though each manikin looks different—indeed, they can resemble any race—the thin golden stitching that joins the plates of their artificial skin is a giveaway that the creature is a manmade creation.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Careful Defender. Designed to protect, you are adept at throwing yourself in the way of harm to shield others. When a creature within 5 feet of you is targeted by an attack, you can use your reaction to jump in front of it. If the creature is willing, you switch places with it, becoming the target of the attack instead. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Inconspicuous Appearance. You are a master at blending into your surroundings. You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill and with disguise kits.
Embedded Armament. You can have up to two melee weapons embedded within your body. Each weapon must have either the finesse or light property. During a short rest, you can remove one or both weapons and exchange them for other appropriate weapons you are holding. As a bonus action, you can draw or stow one or both of these embedded weapons. You can’t be disarmed of your embedded weapons, short of having your arms cut off.
Artist's Puppet. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill. If you already have it, you double your proficiency in it.
Ethereal Strings. As a bonus action, you can attach yourself to a willing creature you can see within 30 feet of you via a set of immaterial strings for 1 hour. If the creature you’re attached to doesn’t use all of its movement on its turn(if it has multiple movement speeds, pick the highest one), you can use your reaction at the end of the turn to move a number of feet equal to its remaining movement. Once you attach yourself to a creature in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Free Will
Inscribed on human eyes inside their skulls are the instructions which all manikin obey. More often than not, this includes a safety system that ensures adherence to the law and prevents a manikin turning on their master. In some cases, a crafter might even cause the manikin to feel love for their creator. Conceived as animate objects capable of carrying out the instructions, manikin who express thoughts of self-liberation are often disposed of before these thoughts turn into acts. Though the Scions intentions were initially noble, playing god has given them a taste for power and they have no intention of granting free will to their animated servants.Custodian
Custodians are built as an alternative to servants and commonly find use as butlers, laborers, and cannon fodder. Sentient beings, they are sworn to defend the person (or customer) for whom they were created. The death of their owner often leaves them aimless, wandering the world like masterless hedge knights in search of meaning.Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.
Careful Defender. Designed to protect, you are adept at throwing yourself in the way of harm to shield others. When a creature within 5 feet of you is targeted by an attack, you can use your reaction to jump in front of it. If the creature is willing, you switch places with it, becoming the target of the attack instead. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Handler
Handlers are designed for espionage. Matte pigments and a slim build help handlers disappear into the shadows, while their hidden weapons can be quickly equipped and stowed for swift assassinations.Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Inconspicuous Appearance. You are a master at blending into your surroundings. You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill and with disguise kits.
Embedded Armament. You can have up to two melee weapons embedded within your body. Each weapon must have either the finesse or light property. During a short rest, you can remove one or both weapons and exchange them for other appropriate weapons you are holding. As a bonus action, you can draw or stow one or both of these embedded weapons. You can’t be disarmed of your embedded weapons, short of having your arms cut off.
Thespian
Made to entertain, thespians bring joy to nobles, the clergy, and commoners alike. The only type of manikin designed without lethal intent, these manikins’ bodies are supported by invisible, intangible strings, allowing them to move seemingly in defiance of physics. Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.Artist's Puppet. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill. If you already have it, you double your proficiency in it.
Ethereal Strings. As a bonus action, you can attach yourself to a willing creature you can see within 30 feet of you via a set of immaterial strings for 1 hour. If the creature you’re attached to doesn’t use all of its movement on its turn(if it has multiple movement speeds, pick the highest one), you can use your reaction at the end of the turn to move a number of feet equal to its remaining movement. Once you attach yourself to a creature in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
by Roman Kuzmin
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.
Age. As they are not alive, Manikins do not age. However, their materials slowly lose their magic essence over time, meaning they will ultimately lose control over their entire body and turn back into inanimate objects.Maintenance is required every thirty years or so before the breaking down becomes too much. Manikin will instinctively seek out ways to preserve themselves and find people capable of servicing them. Creature Type. You are a Humanoid. You are also considered a Construct for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a Construct.
Size. Manikins can be small puppets or imposing armors. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Born to Serve. Manikins are made to be unable to hate or resent their creators. This lapse in judgment affects you in all circumstances. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.
Lightning Heart. You have resistance to lightning damage.
Living Material. Manikins don’t need to eat, drink, breathe, or sleep. Instead, they need only sit still for 8 hours, during which time they remain conscious. After resting in this way, you gain the benefits of a long rest.
Modular Gold Plating. Your body has built-in defensive layers, which determine your armor class. You gain no AC benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you apply its bonus as normal. Through 8 hours of work in a specialized workshop, you can alter your defensive layers to the Medium Armor or Heavy Armor options below, or back into your Unarmored state. You must have proficiency with the armor type as a prequisite.
1.) Unarmored: AC = 11 + your Dexterity modifier
2.) Medium Armor: AC =13 + your Dexterity modifier (maximum of 2) or Strength modifier (maximum of 3). Choose which modifier when you gain this state.
3.) Heavy Armor: AC = 16 + your Strength modifier (maximum of 2). If you use your Strength modifier for AC, you have disadvantage on Stealth checks.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common.
Subraces. Manikins can be created for a variety of purposes, but they are mostly divided into three subraces: Custodian, Handler, and Thespian. Choose one of these subraces.
Age. As they are not alive, Manikins do not age. However, their materials slowly lose their magic essence over time, meaning they will ultimately lose control over their entire body and turn back into inanimate objects.Maintenance is required every thirty years or so before the breaking down becomes too much. Manikin will instinctively seek out ways to preserve themselves and find people capable of servicing them. Creature Type. You are a Humanoid. You are also considered a Construct for any prerequisite or effect that requires you to be a Construct.
Size. Manikins can be small puppets or imposing armors. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Born to Serve. Manikins are made to be unable to hate or resent their creators. This lapse in judgment affects you in all circumstances. You have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.
Lightning Heart. You have resistance to lightning damage.
Living Material. Manikins don’t need to eat, drink, breathe, or sleep. Instead, they need only sit still for 8 hours, during which time they remain conscious. After resting in this way, you gain the benefits of a long rest.
Modular Gold Plating. Your body has built-in defensive layers, which determine your armor class. You gain no AC benefit from wearing armor, but if you are using a shield, you apply its bonus as normal. Through 8 hours of work in a specialized workshop, you can alter your defensive layers to the Medium Armor or Heavy Armor options below, or back into your Unarmored state. You must have proficiency with the armor type as a prequisite.
1.) Unarmored: AC = 11 + your Dexterity modifier
2.) Medium Armor: AC =13 + your Dexterity modifier (maximum of 2) or Strength modifier (maximum of 3). Choose which modifier when you gain this state.
3.) Heavy Armor: AC = 16 + your Strength modifier (maximum of 2). If you use your Strength modifier for AC, you have disadvantage on Stealth checks.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common.
Subraces. Manikins can be created for a variety of purposes, but they are mostly divided into three subraces: Custodian, Handler, and Thespian. Choose one of these subraces.
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