Homebrew Yautja or Predator Species Details

Physiology

Appearance

The Yautja are a bipedal lifeform, definitely distinguishable from most lifeforms, including humans. The species is 7+ feet tall, weighing in at over 520 lb., however there are rare instances where some are born to be a 6ft-8ft and taller. They possess arthropod-like mandibles and no visible nostrils whatsoever, however the mandibles are believed to be used in mating, feeding and even as a means of conveying the emotion of the creature. The creature possesses reptilian-like skin, which varys in color, similarly to the genetic diversity found in humans. They don't have hair like a normal human, but have hair-like appendages which many refer to as dreadlocks. Their heads are also known to have some quills on them.

Physical Abilities

The Yautja are a very resilient species and has shown it on many occasions. They are able to take multiple wounds from ranged weapons with little to no medical attention, as well as surviving levels of radiation fatal to humans and other lifeforms. Their resilience also extends to their resilience to bacteria and viruses. Clearly they are physically stronger than humans lifeforms similar to humans and it extends to shattering solid concrete. They're abilities also extend to their lower half, as the creature can leap 3x it's height and land 10x that, landing safely on it's feet with no after effects. They are very skilled climbers, preferring to hunt from above, likely in areas where there's plenty of trees or high buildings. They can survive in the extreme cold, however prefer a hot jungle-like climate.

The Yautja also have an extremely long lifespan, making it's age almost impossible to pin point. Their blood, which is a luminescent green phosphor in nature, is able to give them such a long lifespan and any exposed to it, gain an extended life and enhanced strength. It's also capable of partially neutralizing the highly acidic blood of their Xenomorph prey. They are shown to be a carnivorous or possibly omnivorous creature, as they have shown to feed on meat. Those exposed to Chemical A0-3959X.91-15 have been however shown to resort to cannibalism. In terms of their sight, the Yautja are known to see only in the infrared spectrum, hunting by the heat of their prey. Their technology, mostly in their bio-mask however allows them to expand on this, ranging from low infrared to high ultraviolet and other types of vision, even to see Xenomorphs.

Communication

The Yautja are known to have their very own language, both written and spoken. The spoken form of the language usually has a series of clicks, roars, snarls and growls and their language comes in dialects, similar to the languages spoken by Humans. Their language consists of patterns made from dashes, which is somewhat similar to human languages and it is shown on many of their weapons, armor and devices. They are also capable of mimicking languages they hear through their bio-masks, as well as repeat or replay sentences, however it is unknown as to how much of the language they can truly learn, but it's not impossible for them to learn. Yautja are also known to communicate successfully through sign language. They are not opposed to showing humor, mostly by rapidly clicking their tusks.

Culture & Technology

Culture

As stated before, the Yautja base their culture around the hunt. This is usually considered ritualistic for them, as they seek the universe's most worthy adversaries to challenge and wish to face them in fair combat. If defeated, the Yautja hunting will usually decide to utilize their Self-destruct device on their gauntlet in a form of honorable suicide. If a hunter is killed by a sentient creature, they maybe confronted by others of it's clan and therefore considered an equal by them and given a weapon or device of great rarity or exotic nature as a trophy and sign of their respect. Those who die in honorable suicide however, will usually have their ships automatically returned home with information about the species it had recently hunted.

The Yautja also have a hierarchy, usually consisting of the following ranks:

• Un-Blooded: Hunters who have finished basic training, but are un-refined in nature. They are usually the hunters of the future and are physically young adults. Though the majority is mostly male, there are female hunters as well.
• Young Blood: Hunters who have proven their worth against non-Xenomorph humanoids like humans. The fighting style on Xenomorphs however vary and if they successfully manage to kill one, they mark themselves with the blood of the alien and are considered blooded.
• Blooded: Once a hunter has marked themselves with the symbol of their clan with the Xenomorph blood, they are considered blooded and therefore, completed their adulthood ritual and therefore are able to obtain their plasmacaster. Females also begin to pay interest into this rank and the hunter who is now blooded, usually will go off to become another specific rank.
• Elite: Considered the most dangerous of hunter, Elites are usually those who can take on several Xenomorphs at once, including castes like Praetorians, Predaliens and even Queens. They also take on lengthy and taxing missions on and off Yautja Prime.
• Leader: An ambiguous rank in the Yautja society, Leaders are able to lead clans, which include either fellow packmates or students into a hunt. There are 3 types of leader, one of which is Clan Leader, Hunting Captain and of course the "Leader".
• Elder: The older and much wiser hunters who usually lead clans.
• Ancient: The eldest of the Yautja, who are known to make the laws and use enforcers to keep the crime down. This is also the rank with the highest respect and are usually made up of those who are well over hundreds or even thousands of years old.

Their Code of Honor is usually something to adhere to, otherwise those who don't are not considered to be true Yautja. Such individuals are dubbed as Bad Bloods, which usually is an individual or several Yautja who have broken the code and therefore dishonored by their kind. These renegades are known to murder those who cannot defend themselves such as innocents, the sick and even offspring, as well as members of their own kind. Bad Bloods are usually considered unstable and hostile, sentenced to exile and even to be butchered by enforcers if ever encountered. Some have come close to being bad bloods, however those who are willing to submit to punishment and exile are given a chance at redeeming their honor. Bad blood can also refer to one who unintentionally violated their code.

Their code consists of the following rules:

• Hunt those who are worthy, mostly those that are healthy, of age, able to defend themselves and have the potential to kill the hunter. Hunting those who are old, sickly, children or even those who are pregnant are usually considered dishonorable kills. Those who do hunt the latter are usually considered bad bloods.
• Hunting the innocent is a expressly forbidden way of making one a bad blood. Innocent usually consist of those who are unarmed and have no military training whatsoever.
• If hunting for food, only hunt the week to purify a species bloodline.
• Never hunt in the territory of another Yautja without their permission and never take trophies, otherwise it will be dealt with accordingly.
• Never murder another Yautja, or those who did will be dubbed bad bloods.
• Yautja must reveal themselves when dueling a worthy foe, it is considered hunting ethic to reveal ones self before delivering the final blow.
• When coming across wounded game of another hunter, should the prey show dying without sport, show honor to the kill. If still showing sport however, both claim the trophy as a joint trophy.
• Bad Bloods who are encountered by honorable Yautja are to be killed.
• Yautja who have been defeated in a hunt by another lifeform are considered their equal and it's therefore up to the Yautja defeated to either kill himself and their equal or bestow them with a reward.

       Technology

The technology of the Yautja is an impressive feat. They possess some of the most sophisticated weapons and devices, surpassing anything humans or other primitive races possess. Despite the tribal appearance of such technology, the Yautja have created direct energy based weapons, advanced cloaking technology, enabling them to become nearly invisible in the spectrum of humans, as well as armor and masks, allowing them to suvive extended periods of time in other environments. Their bio-masks enable them to see in a variety of visions as the species itself is a single spectrum vision lifeform, as well as using materials valued by the Yautja due to their immunity to the acidic blood of a Xenomorph. Despite their advancements however, Yautja prefer to utilize ancient weapons like daggers, wristblades, swords and spears, which are considered the most "honorable" for hunting.

 

 

 

Yautja or Predator Traits

The Yautja are a very strong, fast and durable species to fight.

Ability Score Increase

You can choose any ability score to increases by 2, and any ability score to increases by 1.

Age

Lizardfolk reach maturity around age 14 and rarely live longer than 60 years.

Size

Lizardfolk are a little bulkier and taller than humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 40 feet.

Cunning Artisan

As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or blowgun needles. To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan’s tools, such as leatherworker’s tools.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.

Hunter’s Lore

You gain proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.

Natural Armor

You have tough skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Feral Rage

In battle, you can throw yourself into a vicious frenzy. As a bonus action, you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier, and you can’t use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

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