Homebrew Treefolk Species Details

Ponderous and slow-moving, treefolk tend to think before they speak, and speak before they act. Treefolk come in all varieties of temperament and alignment, often depending upon their proximity to other intelligent creatures, and whether those experiences have been positive or negative. Treefolk are solitary creatures, only gathering in small groups when the need arises. Most treefolk claim their own territory much like an animal, which may be any size up to several square miles of forest. A treefolk will aggressively defend the trees within their territory if it is threatened by invaders.

Most days for a treefolk begin and end in the forest. After sunrise, the treefolk will uproot themselves and search for a spot where they can absorb the most light possible. Part of their day will be spent wandering through their wooded territory, keeping track of all the trees in their care. Occasionally they will cooperate with druids or rangers, even asking them for aid if the threat to their lands is greater than they can handle alone. At dusk, treefolk will find a patch of rich, moist soil and root down into it for the night, absorbing nourishing nutrients and water until sunrise the next day.

Treefolk Traits

Living trees with long lifespans and great knowledge, and share the following traits with all other treefolk.

Age: Treefolk begin life as tiny saplings, and are considered mature after tending to a grove of their choosing for a few decades (typically around 80 years old). They can live for hundreds of years, a few thousand if they remain rooted for most of their lives. Most who become adventurers do so in their youth, typically settling down after a few centuries to find a nice, quiet place to root down, rarely, if ever, moving from their new home, though there are exceptions.

Alignment: Treefolk are almost always gentle and caring, and therefore good. They are almost never chaotic or evil, although it is possible for them to be corrupted by a dark force. Some younger Treefolk are light-hearted tricksters, although this tends to fade away before reaching maturity.

Size: Treefolk tend to stand at just over 8 feet. Your size is Medium. After the first hundred years, Treefolk grow at a rate of 2 inches per year. Treefolk weigh approximately 30 lbs for every foot they've grown.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.  

 

Treefolk Traits

Living trees with long lifespans and great knowledge, and share the following traits with all other treefolk.

Take Root

Treefolk do not sleep, but they must put down roots each night and enter a semi-conscious dormant state similar to an elf's trance for at least 6 hours. Treefolk can take root in sand, dirt, mud, loose gravel or similar material; but not worked stone or bare rock. While rooted, a Treefolk's speed becomes 0, and they become immune to both the prone condition and any form of forced movement, but have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. Treefolk may root or uproot themselves as an action. 

 

Flammable

Treefolk have vulnerability to fire damage. Treefolk are weak to fire, and burn easily. 

 

Darkvision

Adapted to living out in the forest at night, you can see well in dark and dim conditions.  You can see in dim light within 60 ft. of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.  You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.  

 

Thick Bark

Your tree ancestry has granted you skin as tough as tree bark.  Your Natural Base Armor Class equals 16. You cannot wear armor. Your Dexterity does not affect your armor class, but shields act as normally. You have resistance to non-magical bludgeoning damage.

Forest Legacy

You know the Druidcraft cantrip.

Photosynthesis

If you spend at least 8 hours in open sunlight, you count as having eaten all that you need for that day, and, provided you were in an area with abundant fresh water, you also count as having drunk all the water you need for that day. Alternatively, a Treefolk may spend three hours growing its roots into the ground; assuming the biome is not arid, you will be considered nourished after another three hours. This counts as a short rest. 

Ability Score Increase

CON +2, WIS+1. +1 STR, -1 DEX

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.