Homebrew Volodni Species Details

Reaching for the Sky

Treefolk resemble humans, though they’re generally taller and more slender. They tend toward broad shoulders and long arms, and can stand stock still for a very long time without tiring. Treefolk have woody flesh and their skin ranges from deep green to nut brown to gray. Their hair grows in long, thick locks of scaled bark and either leaves or pine needles, and their eyes are a gleaming black or deep emerald. Their blood is transparent and pale green, with the consistency of tree sap. Treefolk in their native groves see no point in clothing, though when they go abroad they wear useful garments of leather or plaited plant fibers because they remember pockets.

Into the Woods

Treefolk are patient and have long memories who defend their forest homes with iron resolve. They tend to ponder deeply before they speak or act. Treefolk can appear cold and dispassionate to warm-blooded, shorter-lived races such as humans, but they get along well with wood elves and sylvan creatures. Like other creatures borne of the fey, treefolk have an aversion to things wrought of iron, and prefer armor and `weapons made of leather, wood, stone, and other natural materials. Sages say that, many centuries ago, when the long, bitter war between Narfell and Raumather was flaring to its zenith, a group human refugees fled into a forest. Their Nar lord made a pact with a powerful entity, perhaps an ancient treant, a lord of the fey, or even Silvanus himself. In any case, that powerful creature offered the Nar lord a bargain: Reject their demon-binding ways and take the blood of the forest as their own. The Nar lord readily agreed, and he and the refugees surrendered their humanity in exchange for sanctuary in the forest. Thus were the volodni born.

A Pleasant Sunlit Grove

Treefolk live in small tribes in groves they cultivate to their liking. Druid circles govern their society, and they respect druids, even those of the “warm folk.” They honor treants and are friendly with most other forest dwellers, including centaurs, satyrs, and elves. Some treefolk condemn any incursion into the forests under their care, and meet intrusion with death. More moderate treefolk acknowledge the difference between husbandry and forest management, as practiced by most humans and dwarves, and malicious destruction. Those that despoil the forests out of spite rather than the need to survive will feel the hostility of the volodni, and most treefolk harbor deep resentment towards goblins and orcs. Some treefolk think their people should retreat into the forest and avoid contact with any outsiders, while most seek to expand their territory. Some have visions of covering the land in one vast forest. Treefolk don’t build enclosed structures, but in their groves stone circles are common. Like most sylvan creatures, treefolk cherish the forests and seek to defend them. However, unlike most sylvan creatures, perhaps because of their vestigial human nature, they are aggressive, expansionistic, and often cruel. In the Forgotten Realms, the volodni seek to spread their numbers to other forests, and to encourage the forests to grow without check. Though they live in harmony with their warm-blood neighbors in Rashemen, every Rashemi knows not to provoke them by cutting wood where it hasn’t been previously agreed, and wonders when -- not if -- the treefolk will swarm out of the forests bringing war.

Like a Leaf on the Wind

Though they are seldom tempted to part with the trees of their home, some treefolk long to see the other great forests of Faerûn, such as the wonders of the High Forest or fabled Cormanthor. Others have suffered some great tragedy; when an orc raiding party destroys a grove, the survivors often take to the road, seeking another place to make a life -- or to exact their revenge. Volodni druids and rangers go out into the world to protect woodlands and sometimes are sent to secretly scout out the civilized lands near their homes.

 

 

 by RP davis

Volodni Traits

Basically, they are trees

Alignment

Though they’re seldom actively malicious, they’re neither always benevolent, though they’re good more often than not.

Size

Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 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 cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of gray

Plant Traits

You have resistance to poison and piercing damage, as well as advantage on saving throws against sleep and charm effects. In addition, you have disadvantage on saving throws to resist damage from magical fire, and you count as a plant creature for blight spells and similar effects. 

Cold Iron Anathema

You have disadvantage attack rolls made with metal weapons, and you can’t regain hit points while you wear metal armor.

Root and Branch

After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that ahuman does from 8 hours of sleep. In addition, while you rest and meditate, you can mentally communicate with with trees and other treefolk as if you cast a speak with plants

Forest Hunter

Stealth in forest terrain does not slow your walking speed.  In addition, you can attempt to hide in forest terrain even when only lightly obscured by foliage, falling rain or snow, and mist.

Nature’s Avenger

You know one cantrip of your choice from the druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it

Languages

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom and Constitution scores increase by 1

Age

A volodni typically reaches adulthood within 20 years and can live to be 350 years old or more.