Homebrew Erina Species Details

The stories of the enigmatic hedgehog-folk trace their history back to the beginning of the world-- further back than even elves can trace, so they say-- to the first groves and wild grasslands, to those green places between the elemental poles that birthed all that is. This is what the erina druids claim.

The erina are small-statured race of creatures resembling bipedal hedgehogs. They often escape the notice of the powerful rulers of the land, though anyone traveling through the wilds would do well to have them as allies.

Curious

Erina are a highly intelligent species whose natural curiosity and cunning serve them well. They are always probing around the limits of their territory and keep a careful record of their environment. Erina seem supernaturally aware of their surroundings and have a keen eye for things that are out of place or novel.

Scroungers

Erina subsist by scrounging. In the wild, their diet consists of fruit, roots, insects, and small animals that come within range of their spears. The few erina who make their home in cities live in much the same way. For this reason, erina sometimes run afoul of the law, though they are not naturally greedy.

Defenders of Hearth and Home

The erina generally worship deities focused on hearth and home. The tenets of such deities regarding defense of home align very closely with the erina's territorial nature. The burrows of the erina contain a dizzying number of tunnels and chambers with multiple camouflaged entrances and exits. Invading an erina burrow is a nightmarish experience, as the little defenders burrow over, under, and beside their enemies with alarming speed, striking from a freshly dug hole before retreating to safety.

Erina Abroad

Erina tend to live in large communities of their own kind. Occasionally, compatible fey creatures may lair near or even within an erina burrow. On occasion, some erina are so overcome with curiosity that they leave their homes to investigate the world beyond. These adventurous souls make excellent rangers and druids, exploring the unknown wilderness with a grin and twitching nose.

Other times, if there is a great threat to the region where the erina make have dug their home burrows, the defenders of the colony embark on a mission to face the dangers nose-on. On the rare occasions, some erina may find their actions warrant expulsion from the burrow. Erina communities are often suspicious of warlocks and sorcerers, and members of the colony who make bargains with strange entities or how exhibit dangerous connections to powerful magic are often escorted out of the burrow.

Erina Traits

Your erina character has traits which complement its curiosity, sociability, and fierce nature.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and either your Constitution or Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Erina mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 15. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75 years, although some burrow elders have memories of events that suggest erina can live much longer.

Size

Erina average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 50 pounds. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet, and your burrowing speed is 20 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life in the dark burrows of your people, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

Hardy

The erina diet of snakes and venomous insects has made them hardy. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and resistance against poison damage.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Spines

Erina grow needle-sharp spines in small clusters atop their heads and along their backs. While you are grappling a creature or while a creature is grappling you the creature takes 1d4 piercing damage at the start of your turn.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and either Gnoll or Sylvan.