Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 transcendantviewer May 06, 2015 13:35:46	Anybody remember that species from 3rd edition that was always born as twins because they were two bodies carying a single soul? I think those would fit in 5e much better than in 3rd since they wouldn't just outright die due to damage (At least not as easily as in 3rd and 3.5).   Scratch that, I found their source. I'd like to reperpose this thread to hearing people's suggestions how I could update them without really breaking the system. They look really cool and could make for an interesting character idea.
#2 MechaPilot May 06, 2015 15:58:12	I do not recall the race you mentioned.   However, concerning the implementation of twins sharing a single soul, it really depends on what you mean by a soul, what function it serves, and whether people have more than one soul (some cultures say people have four or five souls).
#3 transcendantviewer May 06, 2015 20:49:29	Here's what I've got for the race thus far. If you want to see the original, it's in the Dragon Compendium for 3rd/3.5 Edition D&D.                                 Dvati                 Dvati Racial Traits Ability Score Increase. Increase your Dexterity and Intelligence Scores by 1 each. Dvati are an intellectual species and are practiced artists. Size. Dvati are Medium in size. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Soul-Bound Twins. All Dvati are born as a pair of identical twins with a single soul and possess the following features: A Dvati Character consists of two bodies, each acting independently in combat, but taking the same turn in the turn order. Each Dvati twin benefits from the character’s Constitution Modifier separately. For example, a first level Dvati Rogue with a 15 Constitution Score has 8 hit points before modifiers, so each Dvati Twin has 4 hit points, however, they each gain the two additional hit points from their +2 Constitution Modifier, resulting in each Dvati twin having 6 hit points. When the Dvati character reaches second level, hit points are rolled normally, however, in the event that an odd number is rolled on the die, round up to the nearest even number. If the same Dvati character rolls hit points and gains 5 from the roll, round it up to 6 and divide the number rolled across the two Twins and then apply Constitution Modifiers normally. Effects that increase a character's hit point maximum by a specific amount, such as a Sorcerer's Draconic Resilience or the Tough Feat increases the hit point maximum of both Dvati twins by the amount listed. A pair of Dvati Twins share all ability scores, features, class levels, and spell slots between them. For example, a 1st level Dvati Bard with a 17 Charisma can use its Bardic Inspiration 3 times per day in total, not three times for each twin and can cast only 2 first level spells, not two for each twin. When one twin is rendered unconscious or subjected to an effect, the other twin immediately knows, even if they are on different planes of existence. If one Dvati twin dies, the other will sicken until dead, recieving 1d4 Life Drain damage each day at dawn until it either dies or its other half is restored to life. Life Drain from this effect does not heal until the other twin is brought back to life or is removed with a Remove Curse spell. Immediately after its twin dies and each day at dawn afterward, the surviving Dvati Twin must make a DC 10 Wisdom Saving Throw to will itself to live on, or otherwise, commit suicide to be reunited with its twin. A Dvati may willingly fail this saving throw. Despite each Dvati twin acting separately in combat, they may only cast a single spell per turn, unless a specific class feature states otherwise. The other Dvati may cast a cantrip with a casting time of one action. If an area of effect spell, such as a Fireball, catches both twins in its blast, they each roll saving throws separately and take damage normally. Each twin may communicate telepathically with the other, regardless of distance, even if they are on different planes of existence. Spells such as Charm Person that affect a target’s mind influences both Dvati if one is affected, regardless of planar boundries, as their linked minds cary the magic. A Dvati Twin may use a bonus action on their turn to strengthen their telepathic bond and use their other hallf's senses instead of their own. This effect lasts until the twin's next turn. Coordinated Assault. A Dvati pair can greater coordinate their strikes. A Dvati twin has a +1 bonus to melee attack rolls made against a target that its other half is also threatening in melee. Artistic Soul. Dvati have Proficiency in the Perform Skill. Echo Attack. A Dvati pair may both use their actions simultaneously to make a single Perform check to release a disorienting screech at a target that both twins are threatening in melee. The target makes a Constitution Saving Throw at a DC equal to the Dvati’s Perform Check. If the target fails this saving throw, it is Deafened for one round and the Dvati gain their choice of one of the following effects until the end of their next turn. +1 to their attack rolls against the creature. +1 to their armor class against attacks made by the creature. A creature that cannot be Deafened or does not have a sense of hearing is immune to this attack. Magic Conduction. When an effect is affecting a single Dvati twin, the other may expend their reaction to have the effect shift to them instead of continuing to affect the original target. In addition, when a Dvati casts a spell, they may choose which twin is the point of origin for the spell's effect and doing so is counted as part of casting the spell, not requiring any additional actions by either Dvati. Languages. Dvati speak the Common and Dvati Languages.
#4 MechaPilot May 06, 2015 16:09:03	In my earlier post, I wasn't just waxing theological/metaphysical, it really does help when implementing the mechanical effects of sharing a soul to know what the nature of the soul.     According to what you've posted, it looks like the shared soul simultaneously is and is not personality.  There is no mention that the twins must have the same personality, and yet they are both charmed if one is charmed.   It also looks as if magic is somehow tied to the soul, if magic is not powered by the soul then the soul appears to act as a channel for magic (with a first spell blocking the path so that a second one cannot be cast).   Also according to what you posted, the twins share a consciousness.  This would indicate to me that each twin perceives the world through two sets of the five senses at once.  For example, a member of this race would see both what she sees and what her twin sees simultaneously.  If this is not how it is intended to work, what are the limits of the shared consciousness?   You also mention that the twins share hit dice.  If the twins are members of different classes with different HD values, do they use the lesser value, the greater value, or the average value?  At later levels you could have them simply use half of each twin's different HDs, but that doesn't really work for first level.  You could also opt to use both sets of HDs, with each set offering half the usual healing.
#5 transcendantviewer May 06, 2015 17:57:42	It does require somewhat more fleshing out, but the Dvati are only able to share the same class. They're one character, just with two bodies. And I should add something about the sharing senses. Thanks for the input. The way it's written in their source material, the twins don't level separately, meaning when the Dvati character increases in level, they only gain one level and the effects of leveling are applied to both twins. So, gaining another level effectively levels up both Dvati Twins simultaneously, though they only gain a single hit dice.
#6 MechaPilot May 06, 2015 18:26:14	I don't think using the twin's senses should cost a whole action.  I would either make it automatic and constant, or have it use the free  object interaction.   Edit: the biggest difficulty/balance issue with this race is how it deals with the action economy.  You cover part of that by not allowing the twins to cast spells in the same round, but non-caster twins (and caster twins both using cantrips) can still effectively double their damage output.
(Reply to #6) transcendantviewer	MechaPilot wrote: