Geleton

[Aloud]The dark of the ruin was comforting, despite the occasional creaks and distant howls. It was, after all, the only home they’d ever known.   Sitting next to them on the stone floor lay the remnants of long-disused weaponry and rusted chainmail. A little book, long since faded and mildewed, was clutched in their translucent hands. They didn’t know what it used to say, only that it felt like it mattered. The leather binding was both curious and familiar, much like the strewn equipment beside them. A pair of letters, J and S, were sewn into the armor’s cracking leather.   And so, Jayess was the name they’d given to themselves. Whether the armor was theirs or not was a mystery, but it was nice to have an identity to cling to. Of course, it didn’t seem like anyone else was around for them to tell, but in case they came across someone on one of the slow and quiet foraging trips they took, it would be nice to brandish “Jayess” like a badge of honor.   For now, the only thing that mattered was sitting still, resting, and staying safe. Terrible, hungering things crept in the shadows outside, and this life grew more and more precious to them with each passing day.   So until they needed to move again, it was best to enjoy the comforts of home and hold their book. The faded echoes of lost memories touched Jayess’ mind as they caressed the book’s cover, and as they thought of everything its pages might have once said, they began to imagine the future that they could write in it instead.[/aloud]  

Culture

By their very nature, almost all geletons come to life in dangerous places. For however many there are in the world, there are countless more that inevitably perished shortly after their creation. Some unscrupulous figures—typically necromancers or mad scientists—try to use the process of Synthesis for personal gain, but are for the most part stopped whenever they’re discovered. Geletons created and held captive in such harrowing conditions for a long time often carry a deep-seated fear or resentment for necromancy, if not all magic, for the remainder of their lives. Other geletons created in such conditions recover faster, especially if they are found and rescued shortly after their Synthesis. Regardless, the origins of virtually all geletons are rife with danger, and those that are brought into safety early in their lives are counted among the most lucky.   Depending on the nature of your campaign, it’s safe to assume that most common folk have never seen a geleton before. This is rarely an issue in cosmopolitan cities where even the most unusual species are hardly given a second look, but superstitious villagers and rural townsfolk may see a geleton as a creature of mere ooze and bone rather than as a complete person. This can cause friction in some cases, and outright panic in others. Geletons that travel to these places with other creatures, especially those that resemble more common humanoids, can usually avoid any issues if at least one of their companions is with them.  

Characteristics

Physical features

Aging

Geletons come to life fully matured but may resemble a younger or older creature. Their full life span is unknown, but in general they live for about a century.  

Physique

By far, gelatinous cubes are the most common subject of Synthesis. These clear oozes are known to carry skeletal remains longer than others, and in doing so have a higher chance of becoming a geleton. As a result, most geletons’ bodies are similarly translucent. When other oozes like black puddings or ochre jellies undergo Synthesis, the resulting geleton’s appearance is typically more opaque.   Regardless of the ooze, a geleton’s form always reflects their desired features. Most eventually resemble humans or elves, but when a dragonborn or tiefling skeleton is used in Synthesis, their appearance will often reflect that ancestry in some capacity. Similarly, all geletons have a viscous sheen to their bodies, and though they may have the appearance of hair or eyes, they are still fully gelatinous in nature.  

Mental traits

At the start of their new lives, geletons are featureless, ooze-covered humanoids with only a spark of traditional consciousness. Over time, usually about a month, this small consciousness grows into a fully sentient being just like any other. During this period, a geleton’s appearance also becomes more discernable, and eventually grows into a humanoid form that feels natural to its budding sense of self. The memories from any of their previous lives are lost in this process, but can resurface in pieces through hazy dreams or waves of déjà vu.   Without a unified culture or history, each geleton’s story is unique. Many geletons adopt attitudes similar to those close to them early on in their lives, but others develop strong personalities entirely on their own.  

Names

Geletons tend to choose names that are important to them and are independent of the gender that they eventually choose to assume, if any. These names may be based on items that were nearby when they gained sentience, or could even be based on names they dimly remember. Geletons that are rescued or become part of an adventuring party early in their lives may choose to adopt or modify a name given to them by an ally, rather than create one from scratch.  

Notable members