Homebrew Deer Men Species Details

  Deer Men:

"Sightings of the Deer Man have been reported from several U.S. states, and all over the globe!"- Concerned Journalist

   Alignment and Nature

  The noble Deer Man is a friend to nature. They are of good alignment, but some variations of Deer Men can be rowdy, such as the Moose Men who lean more toward neutrality. No matter what species they all share their love of the wilderness and because of this some have taken up the mantle of protector. Sworn guardians of the forest and those who seek out certain guardians will learn that they will stand post for years if need be. Some have also moved away from their homeland and chose to live nomadic lives, these groups are known as Gypsies.

  Life Cycle

  Deer Men age in a different way compared to humans and their cousins the ordinary deer, in fact, they age more so like trees do. Some of the oldest Deer Men have lived for 300 to 500 years, but some say as long as they are healthy they will live indefinitely.

  Diet and Habits

  Living solely off the land, the noble Deer Man gets all they need. Often being seen grazing near berry bushes for food and some even cultivating their own crops to live a semi-agricultural life style such as ancient farmers of the human cultures. Typically when first settling down to make a home or a camp, they look for an ample source of water. All of the encampments will have someone to fetch water every hour, to ensure that the community water reservoir is always full. Due to this attraction to creeks, rivers, marshes, lakes, and ponds the Deer Man became known as some of the best canoe makers.

  Theology and Belief

  Some scholars theorize that Deer Men were the first to practice the druidic arts, long before man. Wise tales say that Deer Men were just men, afflicted with a curse to walk the earth as half-beasts due to their over practice of druid magic. Such as wise tales go, nothing can prove this theory, but if you were to ask a Deer Man he might tell you...

  Even since the genesis of life on earth, Deer Men have been drawn towards nature. They worship the trees, the plants, the primordial force of nature that they refer to as Gaia. She is the force of nature, and the metaphorical circle of life. In their belief, all living things have a distinct place in their own respective natures, to them they do not hate the wolf for killing them because the wolf must eat. Such as they must eat. An excerpt from an old Gaian hymn explains this best, "Down layeth thine seed, for it is right and just. For that seed shall bear thine blood, and you, it."

  History

  Deer Men have been around since the Ice Age, growing alongside of man and beast for millennia. The first wars were fought against the people of Gaia, the Deer Men were thought to be weak and were preyed upon by early man. The Deer Men were driven from Africa and inherited Central Europe and Eurasia. When they were almost driven away once more they fought back, in a battle called The Forest of the Elken King. In this battle, a Deer Man witch doctor known simply as Chestnut sacrificed his own life to ensure that his tribe was protected. He formed a magical forest using his life force to create a intangible fortress of mana infused wood. They shed no blood on that day on either side and they forever made peace with their ancient enemy forming a pact, "For as long as there are trees on this land, we will have peace". Man chose to honor their wrong doings by providing the Deer Men with the knowledge of technology, and providing ample settling lands for their many tribes.

  Today, the Elken King's fortress still stands and the Deer Men have spread to all corners of the globe. In the year 2020, the first Deer Man president was elected in the United States of America, president Boe "Proud-Water" of the Freetown State Forest Tribe. During his years in the presidency he helped pass laws that would define the coming years of the U.S, and the world, by passing a bill that allows and decriminalizes the full sale and distribution of cannabis in all 52 states which turned out to be the spark of a new age entirely. Deer Men all around the country became rich and in return they gave their earnings to the less fortunate, and by the end of president Boe "Proud-Water" 's two terms the homeless population in the U.S dropped 90% and the War on Drugs stopped to a complete halt due to the lack of drug related deaths, dropping as low as 1 mortality every 5 years of so. Sadly, the president was assassinated by a terrorist group known as K.K.K, or better known as the Kool Klux Klan. This called for the complete eradication of all the clan members in the U.S and they were all put to trial for treason, domestic terrorism, and a number of other serious crimes. A monument to the beloved president was put directly in the front of the White House, on full display to the world.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deer Men Traits

It’s hard to make generalizations about deer, but your character has these traits.

Antler Bash

The use of antlers in Deer Men combat is key to their fighting style. In an action, you may target a creature that is within 5ft of you and bash your antlers against them with great force. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw DC 12 + your Wisdom modifier or take 1d4 and be knocked prone. If you had chosen to dash with a separate action prior to using Antler Bash, in addition to being knocked prone they are also knocked back 5ft + the movement you dashed with (example: if you had dashed 35ft the target is sent back 40ft). However, if the target succeeds in the save it has advantage on the first attack made against you.

Druidcraft

Being one with nature you gain profound knowledge of the cantrip Druidcraft. You may cast this cantrip as a bonus action instead of a full action. You also gain a list of Druidic Arts.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1 and Constitution score by 2.

Age

Deer Men age like trees and grow as old as 500 years or so. Some say they live indefinitely.

Size

Deer Men vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 8 feet tall. Size may also vary, your size can be Medium or large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Deer Men typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects.