Awakened Darkspawn (Tales from Thedas)

Ever since the Architect’s experiments with Grey Warden blood, there have existed darkspawn that are unlike the mindless hordes in the deep roads. These “awakened” darkspawn are as individualistic as any surface race, with some embracing the bestial and vile nature of their brethren and some restraining themselves, aspiring to master their nature like their liberator. Most of the awakened stay underground, but a few dare the surface, careful to keep their forms hidden.

\*This race choice is designed to be difficult, due to lore restrictions. Think carefully before selecting it.

### Darkspawn Origin

If you are an awakened darkspawn, your only origin is Awakened. You can not hide in human, elven, or dwarven society for any extended period of time.

### Speed and Size

* If a hurlock, your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your size is Medium.
* If a genlock, your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your size is Small.
* If a shriek (sharlock), your base walking speed is 35 feet. Your size is Medium. You have a +2 bonus to stealth checks.

### Ability Score Increase

With the taint being the foundation of your existence, you gain +2 to CON. You also gain +1 to Int due to your newly awakened mind. You receive a -1 to CHA due to your unfamiliarity with non-corrupted races.

### Monster Among Us

As a darkspawn, you must be careful to keep your body and face covered at all times. If spotted for what you are, you will likely be fled from at best and attacked on sight at worst. It is extremely unlikely you will be able to explain to, negotiate with, or persuade those who have seen you.

### Blight Vector

You are a tainted creature, and may bring harm to others, even unintentionally. If you are in a settlement for more than 24 hours, roll 1d20. On a 1-4, blight sickness has begun to spread in that settlement. If you spend a long rest within 30ft of non-darkspawn or Warden characters, roll 1d20. On a 1-4, they must each pass a DC 10 CON save, or contract blight sickness. You can choose to self-quarantine by spending the long rest more than 30ft away from the rest of the characters, though this will prevent you from interacting with them during the long rest. If you are hit by a melee attack and take damage, and another non-tainted player character, enemy, or npc is within 5ft, they must make a DC 10 CON saving throw or contact blight sickness.

As a creature of the blight, you are immune to disease.

### Darkspawn Sense

Being a creature of the Blight means that you can sense other darkspawn—and they can sense you. You possess the ability to sense them from afar, manifesting as advantage on all Perception and Investigation checks to detect darkspawn and disadvantage on Stealth checks against them. At a certain distance, detection will not even require a roll and is automatic.

This detection also applies to Wardens, manifesting in the same way as described above. Wardens can also sense other Wardens, and thus may mistake you for one at mere visual if you are covered. This mistake/assumption will not hold up to extended scrutiny or close proximity.

### Languages

The darkspawn possess no real language, but having traveled on the surface, you know common well enough to converse.