Homebrew Awakened Niffler Species Details

"Long-snouted, burrowing creatures native to Britain with a penchant for anything shiny."
— Description of a Niffler

History & Description

The Niffler was a magical beast with a long snout and a coat of black, fluffy fur. They were attracted to shiny things, which made them wonderful for locating treasure, but that also meant that they could wreak havoc if kept (or let loose) indoors. Nifflers in general were usually harmless.
Nifflers have a pouch on their bellies which hold far more than at first seems possible, like the effects of a Bag of Holding.

Nifflers are gentle by nature and could even be affectionate towards their owners. However, they could destroy belongings looking for sparkly objects, and for that reason it was inadvisable to keep them as a house pet. It was also implied that they could turn vicious if provoked, as a Niffler once apparently tried to take a chunk out of an intruders leg.
Nifflers were kept mainly by goblins to burrow for treasure.

"These're Nifflers. Yeh find 'em down mines mostly. They like sparkly stuff.... There yeh go, look. Useful little treasure detectors. Thought we'd have some fun with 'em today. See over there? I've buried some gold coins. I've got a prize fer whoever picks the Niffler that digs up most. Jus' take off all yer valuables, an' choose a Niffler, an' get ready ter set 'em loose."
— Hobgoblin King

Known Nifflers Names

Male: Alfred, Oswald, Rococo, Sickleworth, Teddy, Timothy, Newt
Female: Pandora, Primrose, Mabel, Marigold, Freya, Lisa, Annie

Awakened Creatures

An Awakened Animal looks just like any animal you'd see while adventuring, the only thing that sets them apart from other animals is the unusual amount of intelligence in their eyes and their ability to communicate in humanoid speech.

Awakened Niffler Traits

As an Awakened Niffler, you have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores above 20.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.

Creature Type

You are a Beast.

Size

You are Tiny.

Speed

You have a walking speed of 20 ft. and a burrow speed of 25 ft. 

Tiny Stature

Due to your Tiny form you have no reach, therefore you must be in your enemies space to be able to engage into melee combat. Additionally, you cannot provide any help to your allies for Flanking as you are too small to give any benefit.
On the Flipside because you are Tiny you gain Advantage on all Stealth rolls. As well, while you occupy the same space as your allies you gain the same benefits as half cover.

Niffler Tricks

Due to a Nifflers nature, they can find their way into anything. Because of this they gain Proficiency with thieves' tools. Additionally, Nifflers have a kangaroo like pouch that acts like a Bag of Holding. This pouch can hold up to 250 pounds, not exceeding a volume of 15 cubic feet. The pouch weighs 3 pounds, regardless of its Contents. Retrieving an item from your pouch requires an Action

Nifflers, due to digging in the ground all the time have the ability to feel vibrations and Subtle movements in the earth. You have Tremorsense out of a range of 10 ft.