Homebrew Viera Species Details

The Viera may begin as part of the Wood, but the Wood is not the only end that we may choose. I have discarded Wood and village. I won my freedom. Yet my past has been cut away forever." 

— Fran, Vieran Master of Weapons

 

 

The Viera are a reclusive race that mostly live in forests, hidden away from other civilizations. Under their laws, which they call the Green Word (also known as the Word of the Wood), Viera are forbidden to leave their home and live among others with those that do branded outcasts, though increasingly more do so as time goes on. Generally a society of hunters and gatherers, Viera live off the land. Different professions within their societies include salve-makers and wood-warders.

Elegant and Deadly

Known for their unmatched beauty, their traditional attire seems to accentuate their bodies and—perplexingly to the eyes of outsiders—includes tall stiletto-heeled sandals that would typically make traversing the forest difficult. The Viera have leporine features, pointed feet, long ears and limbs. Their trademark long ears grant them exceptionally good hearing, although they are said to have excellent senses overall. It is said that the Viera's superb hearing allows them to sense changes in the weather, hear over great distances, and also allow them to listen to the voice of nature. Most Viera have light coloured hair, dark skin, and their ears are covered in short fur and are usually mottled with brown specks at the tips; though different tribes of the Viera can have lighter skin and more pigmented hair. 

The Viera are sensitive to the magic (which they refer to as Mist) of others. If they are exposed to high concentrations of it, they will enter a berserk state. When experiencing a frenzy, Viera are strong enough that they can tear apart metal shackles and kill armored humanoids while unarmed. 

Segregation of Clans

Viera live roughly three times that of humans, and more than eight in ten Viera are born female. They grow much like human children, but, their physical ageing slows down upon reaching adulthood and they retain their youthful appearance until old age. The biological sex of Viera is determined at birth, but cannot be distinguished until they hit puberty, where gradually their sex becomes apparent. Males and females live apart, coming into contact with each other periodically. A child will stay in their villages until they come of age; at which point they go their separate ways. While females prefer to remain in close-knit matriarchal societies, the majority of males live solitary lives as sole protectors of the forests, rarely seeking the companionship of others unless its to mate, trade, or collect the male adolescents who reach puberty to teach them the ways of the hunt.

Protectors of the Wood

Befitting the name of "people of the wood," Viera women live largely as hunters and gatherers, laboring not only to protect the wood, but to nurture them. They clear undergrowth, plant seeds, and eradicate vermin. To the Viera, their forest is sacred ground, and they will not suffer the desecration of their sovereign domains by outsiders. This is especially true of those who would dare hunt their lands. Even the mere presence of outsiders can be taken as a grave offense.

Viera Names

Because a Viera's male or female characteristics are not present at birth, parents typically opt to bestow their children with names that are considered appropriate for any sex and gender. Nevertheless, in line with the cultural tradition of adopting a new name to suit one's newfound environment or identity, many Viera choose to change their names upon reaching adulthood. Though in many cases male Viera will choose a traditionally "masculine" name, or female Viera a traditionally "feminine" one, there are myriad examples of Viera who eschew these patterns by keeping or choosing names that are culturally recognized as non-binary or associated with a different gender. For this reason, it is nearly impossible to determine whether a Viera is male or female by forename alone.

Viera Traits

Viera have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Maturing at the same rate as humans, Viera have approximately three times their lifespan at about 300 years.

Size

Viera average 5'6" to 6'6" in height. Taking into consideration their long ears and stilettos, most Viera are between 6 to 7 feet tall but are still classed as Medium creatures.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

You 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.

Heightened Senses

You are proficient in the Perception skill and have advantage Wisdom (Perception) checks involving hearing.

Sensitive to Magic

You are sensitive to magic and feel the presence or absence of magical auras. When you reach 3rd level, you are able to sense the presence or absence of magical auras, via the detect magic spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You have advantage on Arcana checks to discern the nature and strength of magic you can see.

Mist Frenzy

When you take any magic damage, you must make a DC 10 WIS saving throw (DC 13 if HP is below half) to prevent yourself from going into a magic induced rage. On a failed save, you must move directly towards the nearest creature and attack.

If there is more than one target then the DM chooses the target. Your turn then immediately ends and you regain control.

Viera Magic

You know the guidance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the speak with animals spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the conjure animals spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Can be swapped out with Controlled Frenzy optional class feature

Languages

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