Homebrew Apoidean Species Details

Hailing from deep within blossoming forests, apoideans are bee or wasplike humanoids driven by the service to their queen, with some apoideans being solitary though most belong to a hive. Ranging from powerful warriors and agile hunters to thrifty merchants and skilled artisans, they are often met with curious glances from strangers and travelers, and have developed a naturally bubbly outlook on life. Their innate nature pushes them to serve whatever it is their queen desires, no matter the risks. Apoideans have natural armor from their chitin plating as well as the ability to fly and burrow.

Wing and Comb

From below, apoideans  look much like huge bees and wasps. Only when they land does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, apoideans are anywhere from 4 to 6 feet tall, have 4 arms and two legs and transparent wings attached to their back. Their skin is typically dark with lighter colored bands, depending on which hive they are a member of, however, most common is black and yellow. Hair is typically colored opposite from skin (ie blonde hair with black streaks). Males are slightly larger and less common whereas females are abound. Queens are the most rare as there is only one per hive and they never venture outside. 

Matriarch Leadership

With the matriarchal structure of the apoidean races, communities have been built and founded under the leadership of a queen. These apoidean communities have sprung up in many different environments with most of them being subrace specific. Being a particularly isolated species, they often come across as odd and ill-mannered, though show great respect to female authority. Some apoideans have moved into other race settlements when they have been met with warm hospitality.

Great Purpose

Apoideans enjoy socializing and working. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in past times or relaxing. For this reason, it takes an exceptional circumstance for an apoidean to leave their hive and undertake the adventurer’s life. Neither treasure nor glory is enough to lure them from their hives; a dire threat to their people, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the apoidean adventurer’s chosen path.

Apoidean Names

Apoidean names are as diverse as their appearances, and have very few common threads between them. Some have surprisingly human-like names considering their minimal contact with outside races, while others have much more exotic and unusual names. They tend towards names that reflect something about their appearance or personality, though these connections are often extremely loose and subjective - insect puns are not uncommon to see as names, though they do not seem to realize themselves that this is the case.

Apoidean Traits

Hailing from deep within blossoming forests, apoideans are bee or wasplike humanoids driven by the service to their queen. Ranging from powerful warriors and agile hunters to thrifty merchants and skilled artisans, they are often met with curious glances from strangers and travelers, and have developed a naturally bubbly outlook on life. Their innate nature pushes them to serve whatever it is their queen requires, no matter the risks.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and one ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

Apoideans vary in longevity by subspecies, but generally mature around the same age as humans, and live slightly shorter lives (about 80 years).

Alignment

Apoidean are typically lawful, as they obey their queen and generally adhere to the hive mind. Though they do have more freedom than a standard apoidean.

Size

Male apoidean tend to be between 5 and 6 feet tall, while female apoidean tend to be over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Multilimbed

You have four arms instead of two; these additional limbs can hold objects and wield weapons as normal. While wielding a two-handed weapon, you cannot benefit from a shield, wield a second two-handed weapon, or use unarmed strike as a bonus action.

Additionally, because of your buggy heritage you can take an unarmed strike with one of your extra arms as a bonus action if you are not using a two-handed weapon. If you hit with them, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.

Darkvision

Accustomed to nocturnal activity, apoideans have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. Apoideans can see in dim light within 60 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.

Exoskeleton

Due to your exoskeleton and the shape of your body, you are provided ample protection with a base AC of 13 + Dexterity modifier (while not wearing armor). If you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal.

Poison Stinger

Apoideans come complete with stingers. Because of this, your stinger is a natural weapon which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal 2d6 piecing damage + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus, as well as force the attacked creature to make a saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 poison damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your stinger, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Natural Compass

You are innately aware of which direction you are facing relative to north, even when underground, and can recognize at a glance any landmark you have seen before. Additionally, you gain proficiency in Survival Skills.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan, and one other language of your choice.