Homebrew Drakefolk (Idrothas) Species Details

Much like the many beasts known as drakes that carry draconic heritage from the early ages of Idrothas, drakefolk share the blood of their dragon ancestors. They are the only humanoids indigenous to Idrothas, and have been here since the early days of the planet. In fact, they are the eldest humanoid species ever known. Unfortunately, like many other beings on the war-torn world, drakefolk have a tragic history. They have been collateral damage throughout much of their time on Idrothas, but have also played significant roles in the shaping of the world as it is today. Without their assistance, humans may have been wiped out during the Divine Wars. Drakefolk also composed a large portion of Thanatos’ armies, enslaved by the Doom Warlock. Additionally, prior to this, they had aided countless societies in advancing forward. Now, however, given their traumatic past, drakefolk are much rarer on Idrothas. They live all over the world and can adapt to nearly any environment, with their largest communities on Nostranar, where few other humanoids venture. Much like those on Nostranar, the rest of Idrothas’ drakefolk typically isolate themselves in small strongholds and villages far from other settlements. However, it is not unheard of for drakefolk traders or adventurers to be seen in other lands. They are regarded suspiciously by most, but are generally treated with a cold respect. Being such an elder species, they are slow to emotion, responding in a very patient and calculated manner. There are no other humanoids on Idrothas that have a closer relationship with drakes, and these animals are integrated into every facet of their society. It was they who actually taught the peoples of Idrothas how to domesticate drakes in the first place. Drakefolk are born in clutches of eggs and as they are nonbinary, they do not interbreed with other creatures nor outside of their own subspecies. If not befallen by illness or injury, these humanoids can live for 300-500 years, though their birth rates have declined drastically over the millennia. Having lived on Idrothas longer than any other species, all drakefolk are attuned to the natural world in a way very few can match. If any drakefolk wants to find you in the wild, it will, and if it does not want to be found, it won’t be. Having seen the flaws in Idrothas’ divine beings over the course of history, no drakefolk openly worship them, preferring to commune with the natural world itself. The two civilized subspecies of drakefolk are greater drakefolk and lesser drakefolk (kobolds). This society is made of very specific castes, though the leader of each caste has an equal place on their council and none are afforded greater respect than the others.

Generally known to outsiders simply as “drakefolk,” the greater drakefolk are the druids, craftsmen, farmers, warriors, and heavy laborers of their society, among other jobs that their stature makes them more suited for than the diminutive kobolds. Drakefolk stand between five and six feet tall, with lean but muscular frames. Their arms are proportionately long for their size, but not extremely so. They look much like the drakes with which they share blood, having a mix of lizardlike and draconic features. A short-spined fin runs the length of their head, which gradually gives way to spiny bumps and a crocodilian tail. This tail is longer and thinner than that of true crocodiles, and is semi-prehensile, helping drakefolk to move through the trees as well as swim rapidly. Their scaled bodies are variable in color, ranging from green and brown to bluish black or even reddish hues. The drakefolk that live closest to Idrothas’ poles are nearly white in color, and those in its deserts are a goldish yellow. These creatures are physiologically the same, other than weather tolerance and coloration. Drakefolk scales, much like those of draconians, are thick and armored, and are able to repel glancing blows from most weapons.  Their hands and feet are tipped with sharp, black claws. Though not all drakefolk are trained spellcasters, they have been on Idrothas so long that they can all pull minor amounts of Chaos from it without harming themselves or others in the process. These cantrips aid them in their day-to-day tasks and are occasionally used to entertain others when drakefolk leave their communities, though these magicks are typically disguised so as not to arouse suspicion.

Drakefolk (Idrothas) Traits

The strong draconic blood running through your veins gives you traits unique to drakefolk.

Bite

You have a fanged maw that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with it, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Natural Armor

You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your base 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.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence OR Wisdom score (your choice) is increased by 2.

Draconic Cantrips

You may select two cantrips of your choice from the Druid spell list to be used once per short rest each. Your spellcasting ability score is Intelligence OR Wisdom, whichever is greater.

Drake Whisperer

Regardless of the skill being used, you are considered proficient in any skill check with relation to drakes. Add your proficiency modifier to all these rolls.