Homebrew Deku Scrub (Swamp) Species Details

Deku scrubs, sometimes referred to merely as scrubs or deku, are a race of squat humanoid plants that primarily dwell in forests and swamps. Their bodies are made of wood, leaves, and nuts. Their appearance is characterized by glowing yellow eyes and a tubular mouth. Most scrubs are extremely wary of other beings, and live reclusive lives. Often they are regarded as weak, paranoid, and sometimes even second-class citizens among the likes of hylians and gorons.

An adult deku scrub stands at a height between 2 and 4 feet, and weighs somewhere between 25 and 50 pounds. Scrubs have skin comprised of tree-like bark, and they feature outgrowths of leaves used to absorb sunlight and perform a process similar to photosynthesis. Nearly all deku scrubs have some form of leaves or shrubbery growing from atop their heads, though many of them style it in ways other than a natural shrubbery-like look. Most scrubs also grow leaves below their neck and across their torsos, which other races might mistake for clothing. Though rare, deku scrubs can also grow flower petals alongside or in place of leaves—and this is usually considered a feminine quality.
     Deku scrubs have yellow, orange, or red eyes which glow dimly and allows many of them to see in darkness. Rather than a nose or a mouth, their face features a short tubular 'snout' which can both smell and taste that which enters it. Most deku scrubs are able to move their snout from its default circular shape, especially with practice—and those who live among other races often to so to more easily convey emotions to races prone to smiling and frowning. These snouts are frequently used to spit nuts at high speed, used as both a means of warding off predators and as a means of reproduction.

Deku Scrub (Swamp) Traits

Poggers

Darkvision

A deku's glowing eyes are adapted to dim, dank forests and marshes. 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.

Hybrid Nature

You have two creature types: humanoid and plant. You are affected by a game effect if works on either of your creature types.

Natural armor

Your skin is a form of wood. Your Armor Class can't be lower than 12 + your Dexterity modifier, regardless of what kind of armor you are wearing. If your AC isn't at least this high without this trait, you are vulnerable to fire damage. You can't benefit from a shield in addition to this AC.

Seed shot

Your funnel-like snout can shoot seeds that are naturally produced by your body, and you can shoot a seed as a ranged weapon attack without using your hands. This attack has a range of 20/60 ft. You add your Dexterity modifier and proficiency bonus to this attack roll. On a hit, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier (or your Constitution modifier if it is higher).

Petal glide

You know the petal glide spell. You can cast it once without expending magic points, and once you do so you cannot cast it again in this way until you finish a long rest. If you have magic points, you can also cast the spell normally.

Water hop

If you use your action to Dash, you can traverse over the surface of water or similar liquids until the end of your turn. If your turn ends while you are over a liquid, you will submerge into it as normal.

Languages

As a player-character, you can read, write, and speak both Deku and Hylian. It is common for deku scrubs to speak Hylian awkwardly, and many can't speak it at all.