Homebrew Aroltix Species Details

"Is everything alright there? I'm simply passing through on the way to the grove north of this place. My great-mother always warned me to keep my head towards the forest and to keep a careful eye on strangers. Now I wouldn't want to impose, but I can't help but notice those berries you're eating are poisonous to your kind. If you are starving out here come along with me for a while and I can show you something safe to eat!”

 

Aroltix hail from small matriarchal communions, or from nomadic groups. They often travel in small numbers and reconvene in resting places to trade stories and food, before parting ways once more in search of new adventure and another bite to eat.

Small, Colorful, and Transient

Aroltix are known for their variety of colors and shapes, but all of them are small creatures. Being low to the ground has helped them avoid nasty predators and find comfortable hiding places in a pinch. Most stand at just around 4 feet tall, you will see broader, thinner and sometimes taller (for their kind at least) individuals. Many common colors to see are lightish pinks, blues and purples. Aroltix subsume mostly berries and mushrooms, though they are omnivorous in nature. They have the peculiar ability to change color over time based on their diet. One might be shocked to discover a dark red Aroltix, and fear it's gruesome diet, only to discover it simply enjoys the dark cherries of the valley.

In certain parts of the world Aroltix are considered to be quite rare. Few people have seen them for more than a passing moment or two, and fewer yet have spoken to one without the help of circumstance or perhaps bribery. Aroltix are not antisocial, quite the opposite in fact. However social or not they may be, many will embark on a voyage that acts as a sacred pilgrimage of sorts. This journey is a important undertaking and not to be taken lightly. They begin it intending to return with many valuable stories and knowledge to share with their communion.

Easygoing, Not Easily Fooled

The Aroltix mature in intelligence very quickly, such is the nature of growing up in the wilds. They can often come across simple and joyful to strangers, though they hide a deep wisdom and emotional intelligence that they don't always share.

Their knowledge of the wilds and their dangers and joys are second to none. If you can manage to get one to sit down for a while and talk to you about their exploits you will almost certainly leave having learned many valuable things, and many questionable things as well. Their iron stomachs can often lead to them giving less than tenable advice to other species regarding the edibility of certain plants and mushrooms.

Individually, an Aroltix may be considered to be quite loyal, despite their seeming evasiveness. In the rare case they do determine a person to be worth travelling with, they will often risk life and limb for them as if they were their own kin. Stories of outsiders being trusted enough to be brought back to communions are rare, but not unheard of. It is considered rather impressive, and a rare honor to be trusted by these small creatures, as they are considered rather enigmatic by most.

Communions and Professions

Aroltix communions are secretive and little is known about their nature. It is known that they are run by a matriarchal Great-Mother, this person is usually an Aroltix who has returned with a massive wealth valuable knowledge and wisdom, come to settle down and impart it to future generations to prepare them for their travels.

Most Aroltix are loyal to the clan completely, though you will sometimes find individuals who are, for a multitude of reasons, in exile or divorced from their communion by choice. Because the secrecy of the communions location is of the utmost importance, the young Aroltix must be taught to walk lightly and trust carefully, as revealing the location to the wrong person could easily result in it's destruction or abandonment.

In foreign lands, the Aroltix will rarely work professions. Their journey is far too important to their way of life to rest in any one place too long. In some rare cases however, when an Aroltix deems it valuable, they will settle somewhere for a time, picking up skills and professions from the locals before moving on with their pilgrimage. Farming professions like plant irrigation are often deemed unappealing and even worthless by many, as irrigated crop is considered to be sickly and grown in poor conditions. Many Aroltix find the idea of cooked meats and breads deeply unappealing and often opt to carry a variety of snacks with them should their paths lead them to cities or towns.

Religion and Family Honor

Aroltix are naturally lead to a life of adventure by their heritage and culture. Though many are compelled by their communion to adventure, and trust greatly the word of their Great-Mother, others pray to outer gods in secret, in hopes of safe passage or for favor on their journey. Something deeply warned against by Great-Mothers of many eras.

"The gods are not kind to those who will not settle, who will not worship. The restless will soon find themselves having burned their favor on the road, and having earned ire in it's place."

- Aroltix proverb

 

 

 

Aroltix Traits

Aroltix have a variety of inborn traits and advantages due to their nature.

Iron Stomach

Due to their unique diets, Aroltix have developed an immunity to lesser poisons, and gain advantage on saving throws against the effects of stronger poisons.

Hard To Track

Whenever you are moving in nature you may choose to leave no footprints and become completely silent while walking.

Survival Master

Once per long rest, should you fail a saving throw while surprised, you may roll again and add your proficiency bonus. You must use the new result.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increased by 2.

Age

Aroltix mature very quickly, males go on to live about 100 years, and females go on to live around 200 years.

Size

Aroltix stand between 3.5 and 4 feet tall and average about 95 pounds. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Master Forager

You have proficiency in nature and survival. You gain double your proficiency bonus on any survival or nature roll when attempting to identify plants, mushrooms, or berries.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and speak Aroltix. Aroltix has no written form and is a purely verbal language.