Homebrew Enoron Badaksai Species Details

The Badaksai are an ancient breed of humanoid Rhinoceri, known the world over for their steadfast, uncompromising nature. While they were once a mighty, populous people, they have lost far too many of their number and now they risk dying out altogether. Because of this, most Badaksai have retreated from the rest of the world to focus on repopulation, selectively breeding amongst each other to ensure their descendents both survive and thrive.

 

Though Badaksai once spread out across all of Tocran, the Shattering cut their numbers by half, and the later Tocran Conflict whittled their numbers down enough that all who survived had to retreat to the fortress city of Fentall to ride out the war. So few are they that they cannot run and defend a city of that size effectively without help, so after the war ended, the Badaksai were forced to open their doors to members of other species to help them manage their territory. For some this was a source of terrible shame, but for most it was simply the most practical solution.

 

While Badaksai generally eschew magic and technology, it would be a mistake to call them primitive. Everything to a Badaksai is either necessary or not, and so life becomes a matter of regularly separating the wheat from the chaff, keeping only what is needed. As such, they care little for the luxuries and creature comforts of city life, for they will brook no influence that might weaken their people in the long run. This makes for a constant tension between them and the other cultures living in Fentall, who many Badaksai see as diluting the way of life that will keep them strong.

 

Physically, these mighty people are a force to be reckoned with. Badaksai are proud of their bulk, protecting their vital organs with thick layers of skin, fat and muscle. Most grow to 6 or 7 feet tall, and weigh up to 400 pounds. They mature quickly, reaching adulthood at only 5 years of age, and rarely live longer than 50 years. This brief lifespan means that Badaksai only have a decade or so of breeding age before their loins turn barren.

 

As breeding is of prime concern to Badaksai, their family and lineage names are of prime importance, with a personal name only known to close friends and family. The family name is the one used most commonly, and is the only one that ever changes. Wives can have several husbands, chosen for pleasing congenital traits, and upon marriage these husbands take the wife’s family name, as they are joining her household. However, the lineage name, which references a noteworthy ancestor, always stays the same, as it is an advertisement for what the bloodline has to offer. To ensure proper recording of bloodlines, the husbands take turns on mating duty, with each having designated months where they must be at home. This enables genealogists to correctly determine which husband sired the child, and apply the appropriate lineage name.

 

As they are so few in number, the murder of any one Badaksai is a capital offence, one they will punish even outside of their own society. Entire communities have taken up arms to avenge the death of one, leaving scores of broken and gored bodies in their wake. Because of this, highwaymen usually think twice about attacking a traveling Badaksai, for to cross one is to cross them all.

Enoron Badaksai Traits

Instead of choosing one of the game’s races for your character at 1st level, you can use the following traits to represent your character’s lineage, giving you full control over how your character’s origin shaped them:

Creature Type

You are a humanoid. You determine your appearance and whether you resemble any of your kin.

Size

You are Small or Medium (your choice).

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Ability Score Increase

Recommended Ability Score Increase: Con +2; Str +1

Variable Trait

Thick Skin. Your tough hide protects you from some attacks. Your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Badaksai