Homebrew Bainligor Species Details

Bainligors are small, flightless bat-people. Their primitive tribal culture is found in the upper reaches of the Underdark, where they subsist almost entirely on insects, spiders, rothe, and edible fungi. Bainligors are considered hideous by even the most charitable. Their ears are huge and pointed, their ridged snouts and elaborately sculpted facial features are those of bats.

Though bainligors can speak Underdark trade common, most of their speech is too high-pitched for others to hear. Even if one speaks in a voice low enough to be heard by other races, its voice remains a high-pitched squeak. As a result, bainligors rarely speak with outsiders and carry on less trade than other races. Most of what they have is of little value; bone and stone tools, tanned hides, and small quantities of food are their usual treasures.

Habitat/Society

 Bainligor society is based on reverence of the elderly; young bainligors always defer to the commands of the old. As they age, the bat-people continue to grow larger throughout their lives in a series of magical transformations. Eventually, the eldest of the bainligor leave their tribes, compelled by an inner voice to seek out dry, empty caverns where their bodies are transformed for the last time. Once they return from their seclusion, they are undead creatures of 10+9 Hit Dice, called Revered Ones. These creatures are chieftains, war leaders, priests, and guardians of their descendants; the strongest of them may rule a swarm of bainligors for generations. A few of the undead (about 10%) become spellcasters after they make the transition to unlife; all of their followers are fanatically loyal to them.

Ecology

 Bainligors are nomads and scavengers, feasting on insectss detritus, and even rotting flesh if necessary. Rather than a source of shame, this scavenging, wandering existence is a source of pride among the bainligor, for they believe that they can survive anywhere, on anything, whereas others are tied to the earth by their possessions, their cities, and their weakness for special foods. Eating noxious foods is a source of many bainligor boasts.

Tales are told of the Deep Tribes, those who starved until they were reduced to nothing but dozens of the Revered, who still hunt in great swarms, not for nourishment but for the joy of their great strength and the fear they cause in others. These are likely nothing more than myths told to bainligor young, for such sightings have never been confirmed by sages or savants of the Underdark races.

Bainligor Traits

As a bainligor you gain the following traits

Creature Type

You are a humanoid.

Size

You are Small or Medium (your choice). A bainligor reaches sexual maturity at 15 years of age and 4 feet tall. They grow slowly throughout their lifetime. If not done in through violence or disease, they can grow to 6 feet and 100 years of age

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a climbing speed of 30 feet.

Ability Score Increase

One Ability Score of your choice increases by 2 and another ability score increases by 1.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 30 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.

Echolocation

You have Blindsight out to 60 feet.Your blindsight is based on hearing. You cannot use this ability when deafened, or if in the area of a silence spell or take thunder damage.

Keen Hearing

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Scavenger

You have advantage on saving throws against sickness and nausea effects, as well as ingested diseases and poisons.

Sonic Boom

Once per long rest as an action, you can create deadly vibrations targeting a single creature within 60 feet. The creature must make a Constitution saving throw or take 4d6 thunder damage and is stunned for 1 round. A successful save halves the damage and negates the stunning effect.

Natural Weapons

You have a fanged maw and sharp claws that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with your bite, the strike deals 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier piercing damage, When you hit with your claw, the strike deals 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

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