Homebrew Awakened Shrub Species Details

As the sun began to set, the Awakened Shrub returned from a successful hunt. The air was cool and crisp, and the sound of chirping crickets filled the quiet forest. It made it's way back to their home, nestled deep within a grove of trees. The cozy abode was made of woven branches and leaves, and a small fire flickered gently in the center. It entered the warm and inviting space, shedding their hunting gear and taking a seat by the fire. The aroma of roasting game filled the air as it prepared it's evening meal, it's bow and arrows resting against the wall nearby. The soft glow of the fire and the soothing sounds of nature outside created a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, and it couldn't help but feel content and at home in their tranquil abode. After a satisfying meal, they curled up in their cozy sleeping nook and waitng for the sun to shine once again.

Life ain’t easy for a plant, and it doesn’t help that you stick out like a sore thumb. Small and underestimated, these plants make their way in a world that is far bigger and less burnable than them.

Born to follow orders

An awakened shrub lacks the free will to do as they please, in the end the are just servants. However when their creator perishes, they are left with no place in a world far stronger and superior in every manner. Some of them simply stay on the move until something interesting happens, some find new masters, some perishes with their masters and others just roams the forest, city or tower they were in. An awakened shrub is very likely to unknowingly follow most commands esued by a friend and other friendly creatures. This sense of duty and obligation is deeply ingrained in Awakened Shrubs, and they take great pride in their ability to work together seamlessly towards a common goal. While this can make them appear submissive to outsiders, in reality, their ability to cooperate and their unwavering loyalty to their leaders make them a formidable force to be reckoned with. Despite their willingness to follow orders, Awakened Shrubs are not without agency, and they are capable of critical thinking and making decisions for themselves when the situation calls for it. However, they always keep in mind the greater good of their community and act accordingly.

Is it just me or is it hot in here?

An Awakened Shrub has a unique adaptation to hot and dry environments that sets them apart from other creatures. Due to their plant-like nature, they are capable of absorbing and retaining moisture from the surrounding air, making them highly resistant to dehydration. This allows them to thrive in arid and desert environments that would be inhospitable to other creatures. However, this adaptation also has a downside. When exposed to high temperatures, Awakened Shrubs can experience an increase in metabolic activity, causing them to heat up from the inside out. This can lead to discomfort and even overheating in extreme conditions, such as from a fireball or similar spell. As a result, Awakened Shrubs have learned to be mindful of their surroundings and to seek out shade and cooler temperatures when necessary. Despite this vulnerability, their ability to thrive in otherwise hostile environments makes them highly adaptable and versatile creatures.

Greeted with… confusion?

Despite their small size and limited mobility, they possess a unique ability to keep impressing. However, when encountered by outsiders, they are often greeted with a mix of surprise and confusion. Many find it hard to believe that a plant can possess sentience, let alone the ability to hold a conversation. This disbelief often leads to misunderstandings and mistrust, causing some Awakened Shrubs to keep to themselves and avoid contact with other creatures. Despite these challenges, those who take the time to get to know an Awakened Shrub will find them to be wise, loyal and thoughtful beings with a deep connection to nature.

Those who live in the city

For the Awakened Shrub race, living in the city can be a challenging experience. While they are adaptable creatures, their deep connection to nature makes the noise, pollution, and artificial environment of urban centers feel alien and uncomfortable. Many Awakened Shrubs who find themselves in the city will seek out green spaces, such as parks or gardens, where they can find a sense of familiarity and tranquility. However, this can also put them at risk of being mistaken for ordinary shrubbery and potentially destroyed or removed. Despite these challenges, some Awakened Shrubs have found ways to thrive in the city, using their unique abilities to communicate with other creatures and forge connections with those who share their love of nature. These urban-dwelling Awakened Shrubs may even become advocates for the environment, using their voices to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and nurturing the natural world in the midst of an increasingly urbanized landscape.

Shaping a personality 

Unlike other creatures, who may be influenced by genetics or socialization, Awakened Shrubs have a deep connection to both their master and the natural world that forms their character. From a young age, they are taught to respect and honor the balance of nature, and to view themselves as a vital part of the ecosystem. This sense of interconnectedness with the world around them shapes their personalities, making them thoughtful, empathetic, and attuned to the needs of others. Awakened Shrubs also possess a deep wisdom that comes from their long, yet uncertain, lifespans. This wisdom is reflected in their patient and deliberate approach to decision-making, as well as their commitment to seeking harmony and balance in all things. In the end the personality of an Awakened Shrub represents their master in some way, shape or form. Whether it being their outstanding cruelty, curiosity, compassion, reckless or eagerness to make things happen.

Awakened Shrub Traits

+2 con, +1 intelligence, +1 wis, speed, weakness, resistance, plant camouflage, rake, photosynthesis, armour implantation

Language

You can speak read and write one language that your creator spoke. This is typically common, but can very from creator to creator.

Ability score increase

Your constitution score increases by 2 and your intelligence and wisdom score increases by one.

Age

Do to barley begin a race you are there are no recordings of how old you can get. You age depends of the work you where created for and the age you got animated at. Most Awakened shrubs are between 20 to 750 years old, but doesn’t have any more from before they got animated. 

Alignment

Awakened shrubs have the same alignment, personality and ideals as there creator, but tend to be chaotic neutral.

Size

Awakened Shrubs typically stand between 3 to 4 ft tall your size is small.

Speed

You have a base speed of 30 ft.
You have 6 main roots that you can walk with. Each of these roots gives you 5 feet of movement. Each one of these roots also counts for your hands, meaning that you can have a shield in one root and a shortsword in the other, but then only have 20 feet of movement, or you can have 2 greatsword, and a shield, leaving you with 5 feet movement. If you speed is increased you instead gain extra roots equal to the speed increase divided by 5 for the duration.

Weakness

Do to you being made of wood and leafs you gain weakness to fire damage

Resistance

Shrubs are made up of many small branches that makes you hard to pierce. You gain resistance to piercing damage.

Plant Camouflage

You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks you makes in any terrain with enough plants to cover 1/4 of your body.

Rake

You lash your roots out on a creature dealing 1d4+dex slashing damage. 

Photosynthesis

You can’t physically eat drink or sleep.
Eating: For you to eat you need to be in direct light for 1 hour. This can be light from a camp fire, someone spamming the light cantrip or sunlight. 
Drinking: You dip you roots into a liquid. You have to be willing before you can drink. 
Sleeping: You gain immunity to the unconscious condition and can’t be put to sleep. When you are reduced to 0 hit points you gain the paralysed condition. This paralysation cannot be negated.

Armour implementation

Your physique barley allows for the utilisation of armour. For you to utilise armour you need to spent a long rest implementing the armour into your plant nature.  A creature can forcefully remove this armour by successfully making a strength check (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your constitution modifier). The check automatically fails if you are not restrained.