Homebrew Zu' Vezna Species Details

The Zu' Vezna (Zoo-VeZnah) are beings from Prismeer Domain of Delight in the Feywild. 

(Zoo-VeZnah) are a swarm of insects that were blessed with intelligence through the powers of Iggwilv (Zyblina).

Zu' Vezna Race Details

The Zu' Vezna (Zoo-VeZnah) sometimes called Tasha's Swarm, are a swarm of tiny insects that although are are small individually, grow into a gigantic cloud that evokes horror in those who stumble upon it. From the Prismeer Domain of Delight in the Feywild, these insects are hive seeking wanderers with erratic behaviors.

Shell Stopper

Only a couple of centimeters long, the Zu' Vezna look like small beetles with sharp teeth, having two translucent wings that run the full length of their bodies and a smooth, oval like head that blends into its body.

Their four legs have inverted knees that help them with quick landings.. Their shells can be a variety of different colors as they multiply, usually either black, red, or purple but it's not unheard of for them to be multicolored, opalescent, or even reflective. The color of their shell reflects their beliefs and ideologies.

Hivemind

Flying in large groups and continuously growing, the Zu' Vezna rarely land but when they do it's to build a new hive. These insects split from a larger hive when the original Zu' Vezna banish some of the insects in its group for radical beliefs or for violating rules or the safety of the group.  

On their native plane, they create unassuming hives that look like places for other creatures to rest, asking a riddle and devouring them if they answer incorrectly.

Swarm Mannerisms

Zu' Vezna behave similarly to schools of fish in the air, they always act as a cohesive group even if there are factions dividing the swarm's motives. Motivated by the need to house an ever-growing population the swarm constantly seeks larger hives or many conjoined hives. They can also have a main hive and send out smaller groups to travel around and collect information.

The Zu' Vezna speak in fluctuating pitches as they use the buzz of their wings to formulate sounds. These creatures can mimic any sound or speech they've heard, although not as well with smaller swarms. Because of this ability the Zu' Vezna tends to change their speech patterns to match the person they talk to.

Because there was no advantage to understanding facial features or expressions, the Zu' Vezna tend to have little to no understanding to who they're talking to or any social cues present. With that being said, they rarely show themselves to new people.

Even to this day Zu' Vezna follow only three rules; Hospitality: to be welcoming and congenial unless proving unworthy, Ownership: Forbids thievery or burglary of any kind, and Reciprocity: If a gift or gesture was received then a similar gift or gesture will be returned in kind, even if it's in the future.

Because these rules were left over from their homeland of Prismeer, if anyone in their surroundings breaks them the Zu' Vezna will turn hostile towards them until their crimes have been atoned for.

Homelands

The Zu' Vezna all come from the Prismeer Domain of Delight in the Feywild, stemming from a single large hive which is now frozen within Iggwilv's palace. Once on the Prime Material Plane, swarms will inhabit anything that can fit their size from suits of armor to castles.

Sole Purpose

The various swarms of Zu' Vezna in the Prime Material Plane have dispersed in order to find a way to free their creator, Iggwilv, from their prison in the Feywild.

Zu' Vezna Names

With the ability to make any sounds and having no reason to have a collective name, Zu' Vezna tend to be named by the first person that cares to ask. In turn, the Zu' Vezna offers an additional name to the creature who bestowed theirs to them.

They will usually keep their collective title (Zu') ahead of the given name however.

ZU' VEZNA BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Zu' Vezna include the outlander, the Haunted One, and the sage.

Zu' Vezna tend to roam and wander lands when their swarm is small, but as they grow the Zu' Vezna seek places of great importance to inhabit for their hive. Because of this they tend to learn many areas and travelers on their journeys, albeit rarely showing themselves to them.

Zu' Vezna Traits

As a Zu' Vezna, you're able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing a Zu' Vezna requires special consideration by your DM.

Evasion

Cannot be grappled or prone, although if attempted would lose armor.

Resistance to slashing and piercing damage. (Critical hits are regular against Zu' Vezna with this type of damage)

 Vulnerable to bludgeoning damage.

Blindsight

Zu' Vezna are mostly blind, utilizing their swarm to detect an area, can see up to 30ft.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Age

Zu' Vezna reach maturity in a single day. Although they die within a few weeks, Zu' Vezna multiply quickly enough to steadily grow. If even two members are left alive, the swarm will never die.

Alignment

Most Zu' Vezna are neutral and are always chaotic by nature.Their ideals and motives are constantly changing within the group as factions within battle for influence among the hive.

Size

At level 1 the Zu' Vezna are tiny, but by level 20 they are gigantic.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing any armor.

Bite

Your bite is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common plus one other language of your choice.