Homebrew Bovidae Species Details

The Bovidae of Welshna are an interesting species. The Ramkin being of strong body, dedication, and courage, with the Ewekin being agile, cunning, and strong wild. They are at home on the battlefield, willing to fight for their various causes.

They combine a burning fury in battle with keen tactics that make them excellent commanders, valuable front line soldiers, and excellent advisors.

Horns and Hooves

Ramkin, the male of the species, are barrel-chested humanoids with heads resembling those of Rams. Their horns range in size from about 1 foot long to great, curling weapons easily three times that length. They often ornament their horns with metal rings or sheathe them in metal to protect them from damage.

Ewekin, the female of the species, are lithe humanoids with heads resembling those of Sheep. While they have no horns, they do poses a quickness that is oft surprising for their size. The often ornament their braided fur with colours of their clan or symbols of their Clan's victories in battle.

While generally covered in corse, curly wool over their bodies, the males tend to have long tufts of hair on their chins and cheeks. Their legs end in heavy, cloven hooves. Bovidae are born with long, tufted tails, but the species of the Highlands Clan (and some others) have their tails docked as part of a coming-of-age ceremony; they find that charging into battle is significantly easier without a long tail trailing being them.

Strength and Zeal

Bovidae are zealous and love battle. They are found across all of the country of Welshna (with cousins in the Land of Scots) but the Bovidae of the Kingdoms United family line, long associated with the Royal Legion, are much better known and respected. Royal Bovidae choose the precision of the legion over the fury of the flock.

Bovidae tend to vent their outrage through direct, furious violence, but they aren’t generally quick to anger. They are passionate, loving their family & friends fiercely, defending their flocks to the death, and are known to laugh loud and long at good jokes.

Family and Flock

Bovidae legends describe a small pantheon of heroes—perhaps they were once thought of as gods—who established the Bovidae's place in the world. Every Bovidae in Welshna claims descent from one of these heroes. The Kingdoms United line is the most prominent, with thousands of members descended from an ancient hero who is said to have taught Bovidae the arts of war. Other important family lines include the Kharran line (primarily associated with the Gruul Scab clan), the Drendaa line (found scattered among the Gruul Clans), and the Tazgral line (divided between the Boros and the Gruul, with a significant number in the Rakdos as well).

Since each family line has so many members, Bovidae don’t usually find it helpful to connect the name of the line to their personal names; even though Commander Grozdan of the Royal Legion’s Windsor Fortress is a prominent member of the Anglodine line, he would never call himself Grozdan Anglodine the way a human would.

Bovidae Names

The legends that recount the deeds of ancient Bovidae heroes are full of other names as well: those of the retainers, allies, lovers, servants, enemies, and others who played roles, however small, in the lives of the heroes. Almost every Bovidae name is drawn from that long list of minor characters of legend, so that those folk are never forgotten.

Male Names: Alovnek, Brogmir, Brozhdar, Dornik, Drakmir, Drazhan, Grozdan, Kalazmir, Klattic, Melislek, Nirikov, Prezhlek, Radolak, Rugilar, Sarovnek, Svarakov, Trovik, Vraslak, Yarvem

Female Names: Akra, Bolsa, Cica, Dakka, Drakisla, Eleska, Enka, Irnaya, Jaska, Kalka, Makla, Noraka, Pesha, Raisha, Sokali, Takyat, Vrokya, Veska, Yelka, Zarka, Zoka

Male Names: Airell, Arwen, Barra, Bowen, Cahal, Cedric, Dorran, Einion, Floyd, Glyn, Heilyn, Iden, Kelvyn, Llyr, Owen, Sawyer, Tristen, Vaughn, Wynne, York

Female Names: Aina, Alice, Berta, Bryana, Cara, Carmel, Diva, Eveline, Fianna, Gilda, Isolda, Joyce, Keelia, Linette, Oifa, Rowena, Selma, Ula, Venetia, Winnie

Bovidae Traits

Your Bovidae character has the following racial traits. These traits are also suitable for Bovidae in other D&D worlds where these people have avoided the demonic influence of Baphomet.

Ability Score Increase

Their thick coat of wool grants a Constitution score increase by 1. 

The Ramkin's fierce love of battle grants them a Strength score increase by 2.

The Ewekin's tactical mindset grants them a Wisdom score increase by 2.

Age

Bovidae reach maturity at the age of 30 years. Their lifespans tend to expand over to 120 years old.

Alignment

Most Bovidae tend towards lawful alignments, caring mainly for the security and protection of the flock. Those associated with the Cult of Saxxon or the Land of Scots Clans tend more toward chaotic alignments. Bovidae rarely tend towards evil, unless they have been corrupted by the touch of Baphomet.

Size

Bovidae average between 4-5.5 feet in height, and they have stocky builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Horns

Your horns are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + Strength modifier, increasing to 1d8 at 6th level, 1d10 at 10th level, 1d12 at 14th level, and 2d12 at 18th level.

Skull Bash

Immediately after you use the Dash action on your turn and move at least 20 feet, you can make one melee attack with your horns as a bonus action.

Hammering Horns

Immediately after you hit a creature with a melee attack as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to shove that target with your horns. The target must be no more than one size larger than you and within 5 feet of you. Unless it succeeds on a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier, you push it up to 10 feet away from you.

Brains Vs. Brawns

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Intimidation or Persuasion.

Languages

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