Homebrew Anadi Species Details
As a communal and peaceful people, Anadi ancestors endeavoured to establish trade with the neighbours of their homeland. However, these Anadi soon learned that most others found their appearance to be extremely objectionable. Wishing to avoid conflict, ancient Anadi retreated into isolation until they could find a solution. The answer came when their greatest scholars innovated a fusion of transmutation and illusion magic that allowed them to assume a humanoid form. The technique was developed, perfected, and eventually taught to the overwhelming majority of Anadi.
Early efforts with their new approach to diplomacy have yielded much better results, though sporadic contact means that some outsiders whisper false legends about Anadi, such as claims that they are humans who transform into monstrous spiders at moonrise. Even contemporary explorers have reported Anadi as human-spider hybrids. The Anadi people of the current day strive to slowly but surely create a world where they no longer need to hide their true nature.
You Might...
- Only reveal your true form to people who have earned your trust.
- Openly express sympathy for misrepresented and unfairly stigmatized cultures.
- Provide for those you hold dear and defend them from danger without hesitation.
Others Probably...
- Appreciate your willingness to seek nonviolent solutions to complicated problems.
- Have a strong reaction to seeing your natural form.
- Assume you have an affinity for druidic magic, given your ability to transform.
Physical Description
Anadi in their true form resemble human-sized spiders with a variety of colorations. Some tones look simple or muted while other remain striking and vibrant, with most patterns inherited from an Anadi's parentage. A typical Anadi measures five feet in length from their front legs to their rear legs when standing comfortably.
All Anadi possesses the ability to transform into a humanoid guise. This form can resemble any humanoid ethnicity, but it's usually one that blends in with the region of an Anadi's hatching. Anadi reach physical maturity after 13 years, going through multiple phases of molting along the way. A typical Anadi lives to be about 80 years old.
Society
Anadi live in a communal society, sharing peaceful lives farming mushrooms or weaving warm blankets. Their culture places great value on cooperation and mutual respect. Due to this cultural upbringing, Anadi often have issues facing severe conflict and often come off to other ancestries as very shy. Their history of dealing with arachnophobia in other peoples—which Anadi understand is often instinctual and very difficult to control—likewise means that Anadi do their best to be accommodating and comforting, even in situations that aren't necessarily fair to them.
Alignment and Religion
The cooperative nature of Anadi society and their dislike of violence means many Anadi lean toward good alignments. They're more often neutral than chaotic or lawful, though the latter aren't unheard of.
Legends say Grandmother Spider rescued Anadi people from servitude and brought them to Golarion, becoming their patron deity in the process. Her values of mutual care and playful trickery interweave into Anadi culture, and even those who don't worship her tell tales of her adventures.
Names
Anadi names are given by the members of the web marriage that raised them. Each parent contributes a single syllable, usually the first, from their own name. Older Anadi who feel their identity has settled often take on or are given a phrase-title to honour them as well. Anadi who live among human populations rarely take a cover name, but some might adopt one if their given name strongly contrasts the norm in the local culture.
Sample Names
Altava, Anavachti, Strings-On-The-River Inkeelah, Kerialnamu, Maracha, Leaves-Shelter-Her-Feet Naiala, Orvasa, Reloana, Rivuken, Velachamon
Anadi Traits
You change into your human or spider shape. Each shape has a specific, persistent appearance. In your human shape, you can't use unarmed attacks granted by your race.Change shape
As a bonus action on your turn, you can turn into a medium sized humanoid or back into your true form of a medium sized spider. (both of which looks are determined at birth and cannot be changed at will) if you are wearing armor, it will fall to the ground. If you are wearing clothes or magic items that are not armor, they shift to fit your new form.
While in your spider form, you have disadvantage on attacks made with non-modified weapons. As well, you can use up to 2 limbs on each side to manipulate an object, open or close a door or container, pick up or set down an object, or wield modified weapons.
While in humanoid shape, divination magic will reveal you as magical.
Ability Score Increase
You increase any 3 abilities by 1 each
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a climbing speed of 30 feet. Additionally, you can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Fangs
While in your spider form, you have fangs as a natural weapon that deal 1d6 piercing damage and have the finesse trait.
Skittertalk
You can convey simple concepts to spiders and understand them.
Spin Silk
You are able to spin silk from your spinnerets that if you spend a day of downtime, you're able to produce and weave enough silk to make a single garment. You also gain expertise in sleight of hand.
Modify weapon
Modify a light weapon over a long rest to be useable in your true form. A weapon you do this to can be used by other races, but if it is the creature wielding it gets disadvantage.
Proficiencies
You gain proficiency with one stringed instrument of your choice.
Language
You know common.
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