Homebrew Kreen Race Details

Oh, that? That's Zera'tek. Picked her up back in the grasslands a while ago, and she's been following us ever since. She don't talk much, but she's loyal and quick and can track like a bloodhound. What? How do we understand her? Eh, it's not so hard once you pick it up.

Physical Description

Kreen resemble bipedal Insectoids. Their bodies are coated in exoskeletons with various earthy hues and brand colors, including rust red, bright yellow, and iridescant. Unlike most humanoids, Kreen possess six limbs, walking on two legs and possessing four arms, each ending in four prehensile, claw-like fingers. The lower two arms are smaller and less-powerful than the upper two. Their heads possess compound eyes, generally in somewhat-brighter colors like green, black, or blue, antennae, and mandibles. Because of the alien shape of their jaws, they have difficulty speaking and pronouncing Common and most other humanoid languages besides their own. They wear little clothing beyond simple harnesses for carrying weapons and equipment.

Their lower bodies are very powerful, and because of their exoskeleton, they are proportionally much lighter than most humanoids of their size. Combined, these traits give them exceptional reflexes, speed, and jumping power.

Society

Kreen view themselves as hunters or warriors and judge other folks on the simple relationship of predator to prey. They respect barbarians, rangers, and others who live off the land and treat it with care. On the other hand, savage and evil races such as gnolls and orcs despoil the lands that should be hunted with respect, and thus they earn the Kreen’s enmity. The insect warriors generally regard city folk and farmers of other races as not-hunters, and therefore worth neither their attention nor their enmity.

Their culture has no taboos regarding either cannibalism or the consumption of the flesh of other sapient creatures, particularly elves. Although they do not hunt for sport and will generally be no more likely to commit murder than any other sapient mortal, this, combined with their difficulties in communicating with most humanoids, has still resulted in an extremely sinister reputation.

Although Kreen experience all emotions that non-Kreen do, they are generally of a very cool-headed temperament and are not as likely to act rashly because of them as most sapients. Those who have manifested psionic abilities are generally the exception to this rule. They tend to move and act in "clutches" of approximately six individuals, in a combination of a team and family. Lone Kreen or those integrated into the broader community of other races still obey this instinct to form a "clutch."

Thri-Kreen Names

Thri-kreen make no distinction between male and female names, and they do not use surnames.

Examples: Chak-tha, Drik-chkit, Kacht-ta, Kat’chka, Pak’cha, Pik-ik-cha, Ptekwe, Tak-tha, Tik-tik.

Kreen Traits

As a Kreen, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an aarakocra requires special consideration by your DM.

Bite and Claw

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 piercing or slashing damage on a hit.

Chameleon Carapace

You can change the color of your carapace to match the color and texture of your surroundings. As a result, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 120 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.

Natural Armor

While unarmored, your AC is equal to 12 + your Dexterity modifier

Stinger

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 piercing damage on a hit.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Kreen reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, Kreen don’t usually live longer than 18 years.

Alignment

Reclusive and nomadic, most Kreen are chaotic neutral and only exist to serve themselves or the hive.

Size

Kreen are about 5 feet tall with the Queen being the largest of her species at 10 feet. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 50 and 110 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, and Kreen.