Gowell

Of all the peoples of the Gozric Empire, Gowells are the most enigmatic, and the most feared. The first Gozric Gowells journeyed from their homeland across the Biaji Desert to serve Emperor Malavash as mercenaries. They quickly proved themselves to be skilled assassins, spies and necromancers: all skills Malavash was eager to exploit.

In terms of physicality, Gowells are similar to their eastern cousins, the elves -- tall and lean. But their most striking and distinguishing feature is their skin, which reflects virtually no visible light, making them appear void-black even in the brightest daylight. Traditionally, they keep their faces shrouded beneath heavy hoods while around members of other races.

* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Wisdom or charisma score increases by 2, and your dexterity score increases by 1.
* **Age.** Gowells are closely related to eastern elves and live about as long (100-120 years). They reach maturity in their late teens.
* **Size.** Gowells are between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 160 and 280 pounds. Your size is Medium.
* **Speed**. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Dark Communion**. You can cast Speak with Dead using wisdom as a spellcasting ability. Once you cast this spell, you can't cast it again with this trait until you finish a long rest.
* **One with the Shadows.** In dim light and darkness, you may, as a bonus action, briefly meld with the shadows, turning yourself effectively invisible until the start of your next turn or until you attack, make a damage roll, or force someone to make a saving throw. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest. This trait is effective even against creatures with darkvision.
* **Terrible Visage.** Your appearance strikes terror into the hearts of those around you, giving you advantage when making intimidation checks against creatures who are not gowells. However, you have disadvantage on persuasion and deception checks against people who do not know you well. This trait does not apply if using a spell such as *Disguise Self* or *Alter appearance* to change you apparent race, or if the target is charmed by you.
* **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.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read, and write Common, Biaji, and one other language of your choice.

**Variant: Gowell Deceiver.** Deceivers hail from the vast metropolises along the norther rim of the Biaji Desert. They are more social and sophisticated than their nomadic cousins. Their shapeshifting ability makes them excellent spies.

* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your dexterity score increases by 1.
* **Age.** Gowells are closely related to eastern elves and live about as long (100-120 years). They reach maturity in their late teens.
* **Size.** Gowells are between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 160 and 280 pounds. Your size is Medium.
* **Speed**. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Dark Deception**. You can cast Alter Self and Charm using charisma as a spellcasting ability. Once you cast either of these spells, you can't cast it again with this trait until you finish a long rest.
* **One with the Shadows.** In dim light and darkness, you may, as a bonus action, briefly meld with the shadows, turning yourself effectively invisible until the start of your next turn or until you attack, make a damage roll, or force someone to make a saving throw. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest. This trait is effective even against creatures with darkvision.
* **Terrible Visage.** Your appearance strikes terror into the hearts of those around you, giving you advantage when making intimidation checks against creatures who are not gowells. However, you have disadvantage on persuasion and deception checks against people who do not know you well. This trait does not apply if using a spell such as *Disguise Self* or *Alter appearance* to change you apparent race, or if the target is charmed by you.
* **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.
* **Languages.** You can speak, read, and write Common, Biaji, and one other language of your choice.