Hearth Wyrm Keeper

Among the traditions of old Tristoania is that of keeping a Hearth Wyrm Keeper, a six legged lizard that is believed to be the offspring of Igen, the primordial presentation of the land. It is considered an honor to care for these creatures and is believed to bring one good fortune. 

Hearth Wyrms

Hearth Wyrms are six legged lizards with triangular shaped heads. They start out tiny, around six inches long but with time and care they can grow to be fairly large creatures. Hearth Wyrms are rarely aggressive being docile and lazy creatures that spend most of their time bathing in the sun or near heat sources. They are omnivores and although they seem to prefer meat they make poor predators, being very slow and only capable of speed in short bursts. Although the Hearth Wyrm is slow and lazy they are quite durable for their size.

Most Hearth Wyrms are shades of brown, red or green. Rarer colors include dusky purple, albino and black.

The Tradition

Long before Marus Tristan arrived in Tristoania, the natives were keeping Hearth Wyrms as a form of worship to Igen and the old gods in general. It was considered a prestigious task with villages taking pride in the size and health of their Wyrms. Since then the practice has not changed, even with the rise of the Church of Serrna people still keep Heath Wyrms even if it would mean catching the ire of the church. 

Although Hearth Wyrms start out as tiny creatures, barely six inches in length; head to tail. They never seem to stop growing given enough food and care.  They also don't die of old age meaning a Hearth Wyrm kept over many generations can grow to be the size of a large cat or small dog or over hundreds of years can grow into large or even huge creatures. Their growth seemingly unending. Despite this the tiny variety are the most common with small ones being rare. 

Your Hearth Wyrm might be one passed on to you by a relative or prior Hearth Wyrm keeper or it could be you've raised since its hatching. 

Caring for your Wyrm

Heath Wyrm's do not require much care. They only eat once or twice a week and don't require any exercise. They are unlikely to runoff unless they get cold or hungry. They will naturally nestle up to a heat source and stay there. Occasionally they will require a brushing or cleaning to remove plant matter and fungus from their skin and during their molting might require more care. Hearth Wyrms will occasionally bathe if given the chance but require warm water.

Tiny Hearth Wyrms are usually being fed worms, grasshoppers, berries or root vegetables. They will not eat rotten flesh and they prefer a raw diet. 

 

Skill Proficiencies: Two of the following: History, Nature, Religion, Animal Handling, or Insight.

Tool Proficiencies: A tool set pertaining to your occupation.

Languages: One of the following: Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Primordial or Sylvan.

Equipment: You gain a Hearth Wyrm, picking whether it is tiny or small, a small wicker cage or cloth to carry your Hearth Wyrm in, a set of traveler's clothes, a priest's pack and a belt pouch containing 10 gp worth of currencies.

Suggested Characteristics

Wyrm Keepers can be apart of many other background. Pick characteristics that fit your character.