Homebrew Deerfolk Species Details

 

 

Deerfolk are a magical people of almost otherworldly power, living in the woods they are a part of. Deerfolk are solitary and are manifestations created to defend nature, particularly woodlands.

Slender but Powerful

With their unearthly power and large antlers, deerfolk appear hauntingly to humans and members of many other races. They are slightly larger than humans on average, ranging from slightly over 6 feet tall to just over 8 feet including antlers. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about the same height.

Deerfolk’s coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes  hair of green or brown, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and little body hair. They favour basic clothing in natural colours.

A Timeless Perspective

Deerfolk can live well over 10000 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply.  They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or defending their home, deerfolk can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends, and even slower to forget enemies. They reply to petty insults and serious insults with vengeance.

They have never been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply force the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern negotiating side.

Hidden Woodland Realms

Most deerfolk dwell hidden among the trees. Deerfolk have no need to hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, instead giftedd with the ability to survive off the energy of nearby trees and plants.

Exploration and Adventure

Deerfolk take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society, which is regimented from day to day but constantly changing over decades, so they find careers that let them travel freely and set their own pace. Deerfolk also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and others might become champions of moral causes.

 

Elf Names

Deerfolk are almost always adults.

If it so chooses, a deerfolk may select a name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies.

Deerfolk Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall, Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis, Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Deerfolk Traits

Your Deerfolk character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of it's elemental origins.

Antlers

You can use your antlers to attack enemies. Such an attack is the same as an unarmed strike, but does piercing instead of bludgeoning damage.

Tree Strider

You can cast tree stride without using an action and without components at will.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Trance

Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.