Homebrew Literally Just a Snake Species Details
Picture the scene. No arms. No eyelids. One lung. Ribs for legs. Welcome to the world of snakes.
Snakes are size small to medium, averaging widely from 3ft to 6ft long.
Just a Lil' Guy. Easily overlooked in the shadow of their Yuan-Ti cousins, the Forgotten Realms easily forgets that snakes are people, too.
Adaptive Species. Despite their physical disadvantages, Snakes are able to hold weapons coiled in the ends of their tails, or in their mouths. With practice, a determined snake can even learn to use two 'handed' weapons, heavy weaponry, and ranged weapons such as bows. They are able to carry their equipment in specially designed body wraps, which take the place of a traditional backpack, with all the same functionality. Snakes are well suited to almost every environment, and are able to move at relative speed. Snakes can hold their breath for a surprising amount of time, and are surprisingly agile even in the water. Snakes also have the ability to burrow within loose ground, creating small tunnels the diameter of their bodies.
Escape Artist. Snakes can squeeze through gaps almost half their size without injury. They move at their burrowing speed when moving through spaces slimmer than their body width.
Literally Just a Snake Traits
'****, A SNAKE!' You're Literally Just A Snake.Shed Armour
Snakes frequently shed their skin, averaging at 3-4 sheds per year. As an Bonus Action, you are able to time this process to your advantage, allowing you to slip out of the grasp of enemy grapples.
Roll a D4
1-3: You are able to loosen your skin whilst grappled by an enemy, giving you advantage on saving throws to end the grapple.
4: You explode from your shed skin, escaping from the grapple, but leaving behind all armour and equipment being worn or carried. This immediately ends the grappled condition and allows you to escape a distance up to your total movement speed. All buffs from armour and weapons are removed until you are able to recover your possessions.
This can only be done once, and recharges after each Long Rest.
Racial Modifiers
You are naturally quick on your, uh... feet. You have a +2 to Dexterity.
You're hardy, and can withstand most situations. You have a +1 to Constitution.
Sadly, social stigma means you aren't so popular in crowded towns, and often need the help of friends to traverse towns safely. You have a -1 to Charisma.
Slippery Fellow
Darting around the battlefield, you are able to cast Expeditious Retreat to increase your movement speed.
You are able to cast Expeditious Retreat an amount of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. This resets at the end of a Long Rest.
Cold Blooded
Your cold blooded nature means you struggle in cold environments. You have disadvantage on saving throws and ability checks in cold climates, and against any attacks that cause cold damage. Your total movement speed is reduced by 10ft in cold climates.