Homebrew Chudy Species Details

Small and Fair

It is not clear whether the chudy were always small, but it seems that life underground, and the need to go unnoticed among the Big Folk has made them so. Most chudy stand between four and five feet tall, and are well-proportioned. Though divided into male and female, they have an androgynous look to them, and appear as children of 10 to 12 years old, though a few of the older ones do sport beards. Some of them do have eyes with very small, light-coloured irises (for which they earned the moniker 'White-eyed'), but others have eyes with large pupils 'the colour of coal', or eyes with oversized blue or grey irises. This may also be a result of living far away from sunlight, which the chudy usually cannot abide. But their stunning eyes are also the source of their enchanting gaze, which few humans can abide.

Otherwise, they differ from one another in appearance, with some having golden-blond hair and light skin, and others exhibiting much darker complexions. Their association with 'fairness' is due to the brightness with which their faces are lit up when they are working their magics, as well as, as some say, due to the purity of their spirits. 

When above ground, they usually wear non-descript cloaks with large hoods, so as to hide their true identities, but at home, they often wear bright garments and jewellery.

 

Miners and Herders

The chudy were among the first to learn the secrets of ore and stone buried beneath the earth. They are particularly adept at working copper, which they use to fashion their tools, weapons, and armour. They also specialize in mining green stones, particularly chrysolite and malachite, which they prize above all others. They keep access to their mines secret, and hide them within maddening labyrinths, and behind a myriad secret doors, which only they know.

The chudy do not practice agriculture, though their underground realm is replete with fungi and plants that grow abundantly, illuminated by magical lights. Some of them tend underground herds, which are reportedly reindeer, though some have claimed that their "earth reindeer" are in fact mammoths. Many chudy also fish in underground lakes and streams. Others report the presence of rivers of milk with custard banks, which may be a myth, or perhaps an echo of the paradisical lands from whence the chudy hail.

 

Keepers of Ancient Lore

The Chudy claim to preserve the ancient knowledge of Irii, which humans foreswore when they chose to live in Krivda. They remember the wisdom of old, when all people had divine gifts and magical knowledge. They know the true

names of people and places (many toponyms still bear chudy names), the layout of the network of tunnels beneath the earth, the whereabouts of the great burial sites and treasure troves left behind by their people, and the locations and functions of the mystical cities they erected when they ruled the surface world They also know how to find the gateways to the netherworld and Otherworlds, which their forbears opened (and in many instances, closed).

The chudy are also custodians of old beliefs. They carry on the cults of the Old Faith, and are said to know the true fate of the old gods after the conversion. Some of their underground palaces are carved in the form of books filled with ancient mystical symbols, which only they, and perhaps some remaining Volkhvy know how to read. These passages are also replete with magical knowledge, which their sages occasionally transcribe. However, the Chudy recall the spiritual exercises of their forebears, or perhaps, as creatures of light, pass down knowledge of magic congenitally. All Chudy have at least a modicum of natural magical ability.

When the current Dark Age comes to an end, when tsars and handlers of gold vanish, then the chudy promise to reemerge from their burrows, and share their knowledge and wondrous treasure with the dwellers of the surface world. Until then, they continue to hide away, making sure their secrets do not fall into the wrong hands.

 

Shy Interlopers

It is only infrequently that chudy emerge into the surface world. Typically, they do it at night, for they are no longer used to the sunlight, which makes them queasy. Most frequently, they emerge at festival times around ancient shrines, and flee quickly, extinguishing their magical lights, if any Big Folk approach. At other times, they may be sent on expeditions to bring back certain seeds to their domains, or perhaps even to steal back an item taken from a mine or trove by humans who, in their view, misuse it, or are not ready for it.

More rarely, chudy befriend particular humans. They especially like skilled artisans and miners, for in their dedication to their craft above status, power, or wealth, they most resemble the chudy. In rare instances, they become patrons or teachers of such people, and rarer still, they become friends, protectors, or lovers. Products of unions between Chudy and humans are regarded as important to Fair Folk as well, as they are used to allow the Chudy to keep abreast of changes in human society. They often reach positions of authority among the chudy. Some remain behind among humans, usually becoming powerful spellcasters if they do.

Ignorant humans often confuse such half-breeds with changelings. For this reason, as well as the Chudy's rejection of the True Confession, the Church disapproves of these creatures. Relations are further complicated by the presence of certain renegade Chudy, expelled from the underground realm for transgressions, who use their powers to wreak havoc among humans.

Chudy Names

Because naming is so important to them, chudy almost never reveal their true names to outsiders. Instead, they go by titles or nicknames given to them by others (e.g. Mistress of the Mountain, the Raven-haired Warrior, etc.)

 

Chudy Callings

As a magical people, Chudy are most adept at being spellcasters. Chudy are the rare kind in Lukomorye who commonly become wizards, owing to the fact that they claim to have originated the literate transcription of magical knowledge. They also look down on more chaotic practitioners like warlocks and sorcerers. Many Chudy also become Volkhvy to perpetuate the old traditions. Given their fair appearance and fine voices, some of them are attracted by the calling of bards. Certain outcasts do become rogues, making use of the Chud's natural stealthiness and the advantages their magical powers give them. Chud rogues sometimes try to make their way into human society. And despite their small stature, chud fighters are tenacious warriors who are masters of guerilla tactics with their light weapons arsenal.

 

Chudy Traits

Chudy characters begin with the following characteristics: Ability Score Increases. Chudy receive +2 to Charisma, and +1 to Intelligence.

Age. Though some believe them to be immortal, Chudy are simply long-lived by human standards owing to their high quality of life. Barring accidents, many of them live past 80, and several cases of chudy living to 150 have been reported.

Ethos. More than most kinds in Lukomorye, Chudy aim to live in accordance with Pravda. As a rule, they exhibit good and lawful behaviours more than any other people.

Size and Appearance. Chudy rarely grow over 4 feet tall, and are of slight build. As Small-sized creatures, they receive the next lower-type hit dice than those commonly appropriate to their calling. They may not use heavy weapons. However, they do receive a +1 bonus to their Armor Class.

They have expressive, youthful faces, and white, black, bright blue, or grey eyes.

Speed. Despite their short stature, Chudy are agile and quick. They have a base walking speed of 30 feet.

Stealthy. All chudy have a bonus proficiency in Stealth.

Expert Miners. All chudy are experts at mining, and have proficiency with mining tools.

Stonecunning. When trying to find secret doors, traps or pits underground or in stone structures, Chudy make Perception rolls with advantage. In addition, they make all Nature and History checks having to do with recognizing particular types of stonework with advantages as well.

Superior Darkvision. Chud' Darkvision extends 120 feet.

Sunlight Sensitivity. Chudy have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception et al.) checks that rely on sight when the target they attack or perceive is in direct sunlight.

Chud Magic. Chudy know the Light cantrip, and can cast the following spells one time/long rest period: Charm Person and Cure Wounds. Charisma is their casting ability for these spells.

Speak with Small Animals. Chudy can communicate with moles, newts, spiders and other small subterranean creatures.

Languages. Chudy know Chud as a bonus language.

Chudy Traits

Chudy characters begin with the following characteristics: Ability Score Increases. Chudy receive +2 to Charisma, and +1 to Intelligence.

Size and Appearence

Size and Appearance. Chudy rarely grow over 4 feet tall and are of slight build. As Small-sized creatures, they receive the next lower-type hit dice than those commonly appropriate to their calling. They may not use heavy weapons. However, they do receive a +1 bonus to their Armor Class.

They have expressive, youthful faces and white, black, bright blue, or grey eyes.

Stealthy

All chudy have a bonus proficiency in Stealth.

Expert Miners

All chudy are mining experts and have proficiency with mining tools.

Stonecunning.

When trying to find secret doors, traps or pits underground or in stone structures, Chudy makes Perception rolls with advantage. In addition, they make all Nature and History checks having to do with recognizing particular types of stonework with advantage as well.

Superior Darkvision.

Chud' Darkvision extends 120 feet.

Sunlight Sensitivity.

Chudy has disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception et al.) checks that rely on sight when the target they attack or perceive is in direct sunlight.

Chud Magic.

Chudy knows the Light cantrip and can cast the following spells one time/long rest period: Charm Person and Cure Wounds. Charisma is their casting ability for these spells.

Speak with Small Animals.

Chudy can communicate with moles, newts, spiders and other small subterranean creatures.

Ability Score Increases.

Chudy receive +2 to Charisma, and +1 to Intelligence.