Homebrew Fawnling Species Details

It is rumored that Fawnlings were born out of an ancient tale of a forbidden love between an elf and a fey, cursed by the god of the forrest for meddling with their subject the elf was transformed into a deer. The lovers continued to see one another and through the study of transfiguration the fey was able to partially change back the deer into their former elven self but retained some of their deer characteristics such as their horns and hooves. The children of these two lovers spawned the Fawnling race as they intermingled with both fey and elves. 

Deer Lineage 

Due to the original curse casted by the god of the forest, Fawnlings carry several traits of deer in their physical appearances. Most notably they have the hind legs of a deer similarly to the Satyr, but are noticeably are slimmer and are less muscular even on male Fawnlings. Powerful and dangerous antlers decorate the heads of most Fawnlings regardless of gender and vary in size and shape from Fawnling to Fawnling. Skin tones of Fawnlings are often the colors of a wild deer such as various shades of browns and black hues and can have patterns of different skin tones following deer hair patterns. 

Forrest Dwellers 

Fawnlings live together in small villages within secluded wooded areas of forests, as they have the blood of a prey animal they instinctively avoid danger so they stay safe within their isolated communities for nearly their complete lives. Fawnlings only venture outside of their birthplace in the woods to find a romantic partner and return to have children and live out the rest of their potentially 300 year lifespan. Partners of Fawnlings can either choose to live the rest of their lives within the community of Fawnlings and spouses or leave their partner and children to live in the forest. All Fawnlings are the result of a coupling of a Fawnling and another race, with the original curse strong enough to overpower any other races attributes so there are no half Fawnlings. 

Fawnling Names

Since Fawnlings are descendants of Elves and fey, their naming convention combines the Elvish tradition of having a child name and the fey belief in the power of knowing someone’s name. Thus a Fawnling will go by their child until their adulthood at 100 years old then be gifted their adult name by the leader of their village, typically the oldest or the most wise Fawnling. To all Fawnlings in their community their adult name is known but is not known to any outsiders excluding the Fawnling’s chosen partner. 

Elvish Child names: Lilarn, Uenarn, Illil, Faekam, Zokis, Tria, Saminn, Phuekar, Sayrn, Ren, Ann, Maina, Pikith, Soes, Gyllal, Mes, Cirinn, Kyrar, Gomis, Gall, 

Fey names: Filani, Zala, Kare, Meili, Tilli, Erian, Naia, Titania, Oberthorn, Nimue, Melisande, Rhiannon, Lirael, Alaric, Lunara, Orion, Freya, Elowen

Fawnling Traits

Your Fawnling has a unique combination of Elvish, Fey, and Deer traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Despite elves living up to 800 years old and Fey being immortal while in the Feywilds the life expectancy of deer drastically cut down the life span of a Fawnling to 300 years old. 

Size

Fawnlings are more naturally mid sized at 5’4 inches tall, they can be smaller reaching 4’11 inches tall and are naturally more slim to escape natural dangers.

Speed

Faster than most due to their deer curse Fawnlings have a base walking speed at 35 feet.

Animal senses

You have proficiency in perception due to your animal instincts and an advantage on perception roles.

Languages

You speak and write in Elvish and Sylvan along with a understanding of the spoken language of common, a trait needed to meet a romantic partner.

Fey Ancestry

Due to your Fey ancestry you have saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.