Homebrew feathered kobold (tribal) V.2 Species Details

The Maugh Atrux (mUO-gh TR-rux) tribe (the “burning fang” tribe) variant was discovered on the continent of Wildemount, on an isolated volcanic island of Rumblecusp on the southern side of the Menagerie Coast. Fishing vessels from Nicodranas often travel here with caution for fishing during the local unfavorable season to check up with demand in the Nicodranas’ docks. The fishermen always remain vigilant for a valley of spears, arrows, and stones from the unusual indigenous folk. The seafaring travelers enjoy sharing tales of the strange “feathered dragons” and often spin their daring encounters more boastfully than what actually often occurs. Whenever the feathered kobold of this island feel threaten they attack from afar and hidden within the foliage of the jungle. Other than those that travel too close or dare to take a chance to explore the island, the only other natural predators of the feathered kobold are the yuan-ti from the neighboring island of Urukayxl. Their feud only occurs during the low tide season when the sea is at its calmest and travel by simple fishing boats is possible.

Lava Runners

The Maugh Atrux are excellent tunnelers, much like their parent Kobold. Similar to dwarves, they seem to have a near-instinctive sense of what sections of stone or earth are strong or weak, are bearing a load or are safe to excavate, or are likely to contain minerals or offer access to water. This ability enables them to fashion secure homes in places where other creatures wouldn’t feel safe. In addition to normal rock tunneling they can tunnel through existing magma tunnels and chambers. Along with the heat and humidity of the jungle, they have adapted to the heat of the volcano and the darkness of traveling through the cooler less active tunnels and chambers.

Matriarchy “Mother” and Tribal Hierarchy

The elder matriarchy, or “Mother to All”, is the voice of law and judgment of the tribe as well as the ritualistic leader. For other tribal decisions the final word goes to Zygax’s Champion, the warlord of the tribe.

The Rites of “feeding the gods/goddess”

As many ancient societies go, this tribe believes in their own primal deities of Andusk (AN-dusk, Sun god, female), Zygax (zI-gax, War god, male), and Voarex (vO-au-rex, Death god, neither/they). Depictions of their deities are more draconic and grander and fiercer versions of themselves.

-Andusk demands a small giving of blood at night in order to have the strength to rise again. There are events where more blood is required, such as an eclipse.

-Zygax demands the flesh of the fallen enemy of the tribe, the yuan-ti on the neighboring island that on occasion swim over to fight for resources.

-Voarex demands the souls of the fallen to join their side in preparation that should the world’s end days come they’ll return to the material plane with their soul army to reap the “Soul Harvest” of the living.

A majority if not all of the rituals are preformed at the mouth of the volcano by the tribes elder matriarchy. Due to the strong sense of the tribe’s survival, very rarely do they sacrifice their own kin to their rituals. Instead they use any trespassers that they trap and capture. The rare times that they would use their own kinship for sacrifice are when they pose a danger to the tribe or the individual has broken a law and their blood/soul must be judged.

Personality

 They have a history of being skittish ambush predators, being too small and frail to succeed in a direct fight but taking advantage of tactics, numbers, and higher ground to their advantage. As a result they have grown into a very social species with a complex interplay of behaviors and quirks which those outside their circle may not immediately pick up. For others these strange habits are merely quirks, but for the Maugh Atrux kobold they are practically instinct.

Physical Description

With their small and thin with lightweight bones, the feathered kobold looks like your typical kobold with patches of soft spines and colored feathers as "hair" and "highlights". Their tails are longer and more whip-like ending in feathered tufts and fans, and both hands and feet sport pronounced claws for gripping and tearing. Male feathering is more garish and brightly colored than females with their social structure promoting the flashiest and most impressive male as important. They can spread their feathered frilled on their head, neck, or back for the purpose of intimidation, flirting, or other emotional responses.

feathered kobold (tribal) V.2 Traits

As a kobold, you have the following racial traits.

Lava Runner

With a resistance to fire and having been around the volcano from birth, you can easily travel over small quantities of lava/magma ground as if it’s normal terrain, up to your walking speed before taking full burning damage.

Fire Resistance

You have resistance to fire/burning damage.

Climbing Speed

You can climb 30 ft.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Small.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Draconic Cry

As a bonus action, you let out a cry at your enemies within 10 feet of you. Until the start of your next turn, you and your allies have advantage on attack rolls against any of those enemies who could hear you. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Flare Crest

These feathered kobolds can flare their crests to Intimidate creatures out to 30 ft. Creatures with 4 or less INT are particularly affected by this for the kobold seem as if it grew one size category larger. For all other creatures with an INT of 5 or higher they must perform a CHA saving throw DC of 15. On a failure the creature is frighten.

Kobold Legacy

Kobolds’ connection to dragons can manifest in unpredictable ways in an individual kobold. Choose one of the following legacy options for your kobold:

Craftiness. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Investigation, Medicine, Sleight of Hand, or Survival.

Defiance. You have advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the frightened condition on yourself.

Draconic Sorcery. You know one cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for that cantrip (choose when you select this race).