Homebrew Chitinoid Species Details

Denizens of the Buried City

The labyrinth of Rajuu’ra is home to billions of individuals who all fulfil roles that serve to benefit the Hive, under the indirect influence of Nagrakeph the Underking. The most advanced and intelligent of these insectoid creatures, the Chitinoids, form colonies that can almost be considered autonomous from the Underking’s sovereignty; so far-reaching is the Buried City that even Nagrakeph is unable to keep tabs on all of his children. In the dark, the Chitinoids live a mirrored mockery of the lives of surface-dwellers, hoping one day to ascend and feel the sun. Whether their intentions are to take the surface for their own, as Nagrakeph desires, or live in harmony with the other mortal races, varies significantly between individuals.

Diverse Evolution

Nagrakeph himself is a twisted arthropodal monstrosity, but his progeny tends to take on more familiar forms that resemble insects, arachnids, grubs and crustaceans. From the day they hatch, a Chitinoids lot in life is predetermined by their physiology and dictates the duties they will perform for the Hive.

Chitinoid Names

The dim tunnels of Rajuu’ra hum with activity, as its inhabitants communicate with a complex vocabulary of clicks, buzzes and screeches. Even signals as subtle as scent can be used to convey a lengthy soliloquy of information. As their native language lacks words – especially ones that other creatures would be unable to pronounce – they tend to forgo names altogether, their companions choosing to refer to them using terms of endearment if they are unable to speak their tongue.

Chitinoid Traits

As they come in a myriad of forms, the abilities of Chitinoids are vastly varied. However, all are suitably adapted to the harsh conditions of the Buried City.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Arthropod

You gain a +2 bonus to AC when you aren’t wearing heaving armour.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 200 feet of yourself as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. While in bright light you suffer disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Buried City Adaptation

Your body has evolved to suit the environment of Rajuu’ra, or to fulfil particular tasks. Select one of the options below when you create your character;

Additional Appendages

Trichobothria

Caustic Discharge

Languages

You can speak Chitinoid. You can also read and understand Common but are unable to speak it. If someone spends more than a week in your company, they become able to understand the intention behind your various chittering and buzzes and can translate for others.