Homebrew Michtim Race Details

Apollonia was looking through the bushes over to the human woodchucks. These men have already taken down ten of her beloved trees: homes to many families of squirrels she knew since ages. She would not allow them to take more. Not this time. She secretely placed a plate with tasty bocicne close to their base, and asked the spirits of the wind to spread the delicious aroma to the workers. It did not take long until the humans found the plate and sat down to eat. Apollonia snuck into the camp and stole all their equipment. When they wanted to resume their work, they were out of luck and had to go home. It would only be a short relief, she knew, but it was well worth to bake those bocicne.

 

Adorable looks can get you into trouble, especially with fey monarchs. Michtims are fluffy, benevolent creatures, but they also were kept as pets for a very long time, and have fought hard for their sovereignty and freedom.

Cute but Fierce

Michtims are small humanoid creatures that are completely covered in fur. They share various features with small woodland animals like hamsters, rabbits, mice, squirrels, hedgehogs or wildcats. Due to their small size and cute looks, they were kept as pets by larger species, until they were able to free themselves from oppression. They are a highly egalitarian culture that views everyone as valuable. They look after each other and make sure that their young grow up to become equally friendly and protective people.

Woodland Protectors

Their magical kingdom Turnaya is hidden by powerful magic called the Veil. It allows Turnaya to be accessible from many different woods around the world, but this magic comes at a cost. Only untarnished woods can be accessed, so Michtims have always looked after the many forests that are connected. Due to their history as slaves, they are very secretive and try not to be seen when patrolling the woods.

Cultural Values

Nevertheless, some Michtims are driven by wanderlust. They make friends easily, as long as others share some of their values. Charity is one of these values that urges them to be kind to all other beings and to avoid using deadly force against others. Civilization is the drive to develop new things and learn more about the world. Conservancy demands respect for nature and looking after the environment.

Nest-Based Society

Michtims are magical creatures. They have more than two sexes, and do not require sexual intercourse to reproduce. Some Michtims are hatched from eggs. Some of these eggs grow directly on the magical tree they inhabit. Young Michtim are looked after by nests. Nests consist of any number of likeminded individuals that love each other. Michtims do not distinguish between genders at all. Looking after the kids, going on adventure, fighting, cooking – are not bound to human standards of identity, but depend solely on the individual.

Kraxelstube, Fauchschule, Haus Affiliation

Small Michtim cubs first attend Kraxelstube (Climbing Hut) where they learn to climb. At Fauchschule (Hissing School), youngsters learn to properly communicate and learn the basic cultural values of each Haus. When they finish Fauchschule, most Michtims take up apprenticeships. After they finish their education, Michtims are free to join one of the Houses that best lines up with their values.

Michtim Names

The first name of a Michtim is their personal name. It is given at birth, and Michtims usually do not distinguish between different gendered names. It is totally possible for a male Michtim to be called Marianna, or a female Michtim to be called Tommo. As such, there is only one list to pick from. However, Michtims also gain deed names, once they finish their apprenticeships. These are usually related to their classes and have a foreign ring of them. When a nest is founded, the family name is constructed out of parts of individuals' deed names, picking one part from each Michtim's deed name.

Personal Names: Anya, Apollonia, Basti, Castillus, Cornelius, Dolores, Emilio, Felixus, Floresh, Lumpi, Plavka, Rasse, Rocco, Rozalia, Tym, Vesh

Deed Names: Eisenfuchs (iron fox), Funkenflug (spark flight), Honigpfote (honey paw), Langohr (long ear), Leckertopf (tasty pot), Mauseohr (mouse ear), Stahlfaust (steel fist)

Michtim Traits

Your michtim character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and a second score increases by +2, depending on your Haus Affiliation.

Age

Michtims have lifespans equivalent to elves, but they mature at a very fast pace. They reach adulthood after six years.

Haus Affiliation

You choose a Michtim noble house. Each Haus follows a different virtue and values different talents.

Haus Turnaya Michtims are very charismatic. They follow the virtue of Charity, taking care of others and looking for the greater good for society.
Haus Grauling Michtims are very intelligent. They follow the virtue of Civilization, always advancing culture and technology.
Haus Barsik Michtims are very wise. They follow the virtue of Conservancy, to protect nature from exploitation and pollution.

Alignment

Michtims tend toward good alignments, as they strive to bring benevolence to the world. However, few Michtims are lawful, as tight restrictions on behavior presumably stifle their creativity.

Size

Michtims are smaller on average than halflings and gnomes. Many are rather stocky and fluffy. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Due to their arboreal habitats, Michtims also have a climbing speed of 25 feet.

Darkvision

You have keen senses, especially in the dark. You can see in dim light within 60 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.

Environmental Adaption

During a long rest, pick a type of terrain for this feature (arctic, coast, desert, forest, grassland, mountain, swamp, or the Underdark). When you are within your selected terrain, you may Hide as a bonus action, and can do so without having cover.

Languages

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

Beast Tongue

Through sounds and gestures, you have the ability to communicate with beasts. The knowledge and awareness of beasts is limited by their intelligence, but at minimum, they can give you information about nearby locations and monsters, and whatever they can or have perceived within the past day. Michtims often keep animals as pets.

Harmless Appearance

Due to their fluffy and diminutive appearance, Michtims don't appear to be threatening. They have disadvantage on Intimidation rolls, but have advantage on Deception and Persuasion rolls to appear harmless and friendly. In fact, Michtims have a dark history of being kept as pets by fey lords.

One with Nature

Michtims have an innate connection with nature and as such learn the Druidcraft cantrip. Charisma is their casting ability for this spell.