Sumaya

"We are the whispers that defy the stars, the shadow that lingers beyond creation. Our time will come, and even eternity will tremble."

The Sumaya are enigmatic spiritual entities from a forbidden universe, a realm outside the authority of the Astrals and shrouded in the darkest mysteries of existence. Their very nature defies the known laws of the multiverse, bringing turmoil and discord wherever they manifest. As spirits, they lack physical form but possess the terrifying ability to usurp lifeless Sapiens bodies, turning them into vessels of unimaginable power and malevolence.

While their presence as specters allows them limited interaction with the material world, the Sumaya's true strength lies in their ability to corrupt and prepare physical hosts, transforming them into devastating agents of chaos. As the multiverse teeters on the edge of conflict, the Sumaya stand as one of its greatest existential threats.

Born of the Forbidden Universe

The Sumaya hail from a place beyond comprehension, an uncharted realm known only as the Umbrage Void. This dark plane exists outside the multiverse, untouched by the Astrals' dominion and unbound by the principles of creation. The Umbrage Void is a swirling chaos of spiritual energy, where time and space collapse into an endless abyss.

It is said that the Sumaya were born from the first act of rebellion in existence—a primordial defiance of the Architect's laws. Whether they were created by some unknown higher entity or are remnants of a failed cosmic experiment, their origins remain a closely guarded secret, even among their kind. What is known is that their connection to the Umbrage Void grants them powers that rival those of the most divine beings in the multiverse.

Sumaya in the Material Plane

The Sumaya's relationship with the material plane is one of manipulation and corruption. Without physical bodies, they appear as ghostly, translucent specters, capable of influencing their surroundings in minor but unsettling ways. They can whisper into minds, cause shadows to lengthen unnaturally, and briefly manifest to terrify or confuse. However, as spirits, their ability to directly affect the material world is extremely limited.

Their true influence emerges when they usurp a body. Initially, the Sumaya focused on inhabiting the lifeless forms of Kwasars, exploiting their divine strength and abilities. Over millennia, they refined their techniques, allowing them to prepare the corpses of other Sapiens, including Delta Humans, Oasis, and even Elitex. These "Sumaya Hosts" are terrifying hybrids of spiritual malevolence and tangible power, forming an army of unparalleled destruction in the tangible universe.

Culture of the Sumaya

The Sumaya do not possess a "culture" in the traditional sense, as they are not bound by mortal concepts of society or hierarchy. Instead, they operate as a collective consciousness, each individual working toward a shared purpose.

Philosophy

The Sumaya's ideology is rooted in rebellion and transcendence. They view the multiverse as a flawed construct imposed by the Architect and the Astrals, one that must be undone. Their ultimate goal is to spread the chaos of the Umbrage Void into the tangible universe, reshaping existence in their image.

Rituals and Practices

The Sumaya prepare their hosts through Rituals of Usurpation, dark ceremonies performed in the shadowy corners of the multiverse. These rituals involve corrupting the lifeless body of a Sapiens, infusing it with the essence of the Umbrage Void, and binding the spirit of a Sumaya to it. The process is as grotesque as it is efficient, leaving behind a vessel that is both a mockery of life and a weapon of devastation.

Playing a Sumaya Host

A character bound to the Sumaya offers a dark and complex roleplaying experience. Whether you embrace your sinister nature or struggle against the corruption within, playing a Sumaya Host is a journey into moral ambiguity and existential dread.

Roleplaying Hooks

  • You are a Sumaya spirit in a usurped body. Do you revel in your new existence, or do you secretly yearn for redemption?
  • You are the lifeless vessel of a Sapiens, reanimated by a Sumaya. Can fragments of your former self still influence your actions?
  • A failed Ritual of Usurpation has left you as a half-formed hybrid, battling for control of your body.

Examples of Sumaya Characters

  • Draiven, the Shadow-Bound: A former Kwasar now controlled by a Sumaya, struggling to balance the divine power of their original self with the dark intentions of their new master.
  • Velkrith, the Wraithspeaker: A Sumaya that failed to complete a usurpation, now manifesting as a spectral presence tethered to the material world.
  • Lysera, the Defiant Host: A Delta Human body inhabited by a Sumaya spirit, who seeks to harness its power for revenge against those who betrayed her in life.

Traits

Ability Score Increase

  • Your Wisdom increases by 2, and your Charisma increases by 1.

Age

Sumaya Hosts do not age in the traditional sense. Once a body is usurped, it ceases to deteriorate, though prolonged use may lead to gradual decay.

Alignment

Most Sumaya lean toward chaotic alignments due to their rebellious nature. However, some hosts may find balance or redemption.

Size

Sumaya Hosts retain the size of their original bodies, typically Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to the shadowy nature of the Umbrage Void, you have superior vision in darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

Spectral Presence

As a bonus action, you can manifest your spectral form for 1 minute. During this time, you gain resistance to nonmagical damage but cannot make physical attacks. This ability recharges after a long rest.

Ritual of Usurpation

Once per long rest, you can attempt to inhabit a recently deceased body within 10 feet. The target must have died within the last hour. You gain the physical attributes of the new body but retain your mental statistics.

Umbrage Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage and advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Subraces: Variants of the Sumaya Host

Wraithform Host

Specialized in spectral abilities.

  • Gain the ability to pass through solid objects while in Spectral Presence.

Titanic Host

For Sumaya inhabiting massive bodies.

  • Increase your Strength by 2.
  • Gain proficiency in Athletics.

Names

The Sumaya have little regard for personal names, as their collective identity transcends individuality. However, hosts often adopt a name derived from the remnants of their previous existence or crafted to inspire fear and awe. These names blend harsh, guttural tones with ethereal, otherworldly sounds.

  • Male: Kaelor, Drakthar, Voryn.
  • Female: Lyxara, Shynessa, Morvaine.
  • Neutral: Thariel, Zeynith, Oryxal.

Names are often followed by ominous titles reflecting their role or abilities, such as "The Silent Reaper" or "Bearer of Avernus."

Playing a Sumaya Host

Becoming a Sumaya Host is a path of internal conflict and overwhelming power. As a player, you embody a being caught between spiritual rebellion and physical transcendence.

Roleplaying Prompts

  • Are you fully aligned with the Sumaya's purpose, or do you fight against the spirit within you?
  • How do mortals react to your spectral presence, and how do you view their fear or reverence?
  • What connection remains between your physical host and its previous life? Do echoes of its identity linger?

Narrative Hooks

  • A former Kwasar's body harbors a Sumaya spirit, creating a dynamic mix of divine power and rebellious chaos.
  • The party must decide whether to trust a Sumaya Host claiming to have vital knowledge of an ancient enemy.
  • A Sumaya-bound warrior seeks redemption by assisting mortals while suppressing the corruption within.

DM's Toolbox: Sumaya in the World

The Sumaya introduce a wealth of storytelling opportunities, from spectral terror to moral ambiguity. Their unique nature makes them versatile antagonists, mysterious allies, or even player characters.

Encounters

  • The Spectral Siege: A Sumaya Host leads an army of spectral warriors to reclaim an ancient artifact from a Sapiens stronghold.
  • The Defiled Champion: A legendary hero's body has been usurped, and the Sumaya Host now wields their skills against those who once revered them.
  • The Shadowbound Pact: A desperate mortal strikes a deal with a Sumaya specter, unleashing chaos in exchange for salvation.

Campaign Integration

  • Use the Sumaya as a foil for Kwasars, highlighting the tension between divine order and spiritual rebellion.
  • Introduce the Sumaya as a mysterious presence in the early stages of a campaign, gradually revealing their full nature as the story progresses.
  • Create moral dilemmas where players must decide whether to destroy a Sumaya Host or seek to separate the spirit from its vessel.

Sumaya in Combat

In battle, Sumaya Hosts are versatile foes, blending spectral abilities with devastating physical prowess. Their ability to shift between their spectral and corporeal forms makes them unpredictable opponents.

Combat Strategies

  • Spectral Assault: Use Spectral Presence to bypass physical defenses and strike at vulnerable targets.
  • Host Versatility: Adapt combat style based on the host body, utilizing its physical strengths or inherent abilities.
  • Necrotic Devastation: Unleash necrotic powers to weaken opponents and disrupt their strategies.

Strengths

  • Resistance to damage and advantage against mental effects make them durable in combat.
  • Spectral abilities allow for mobility and surprise tactics.

Weaknesses

  • Dependence on their host bodies makes them vulnerable to focused attacks on their vessel.
  • Limited ability to affect the material world while in spectral form.

The Sumaya are a fascinating blend of terror, intrigue, and cosmic rebellion, offering endless possibilities for storytelling and gameplay in the universe of Tzion.