Homebrew Derro Species Details

Derro slink through the subterranean realms, seeking places that are safe from the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarf-kin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more powerful. A lone derro may seem pitiable, but a cackling, spitting, growling, howling horde of them is horrifying to behold.

Fractious in groups and individually weak, derro would have died out long ago but for two elements of their character. They are cautious and distrustful, which serves them well as they navigate the dangers of the Underdark and its societies. They also have a stronger-than-normal tendency to develop sorcerous power. Individuals who do so usually serve as leaders and are known as savants.

Grandiose fantasies and rampant fanaticism have obscured derro’s true origin, even among themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the histories of some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers’ psionic power that the dwarves became Aberrations.

Derro tell their own stories of flight and survival in the Underdark, in which mind flayers aren’t always the enemy. They tell of two brothers, the gods Diirinka and Diinkarazan, and of how Diirinka cleverly betrayed his sibling so that he could steal magical power from the evil they escaped. The danger the brothers are said to face in this legend varies, depending on whatever foe the savants want to lead their people against, yet the essence of the story remains the same: a lesson of survival at any price and an example of how deceitfulness and cruelty can be virtues.

Derro Traits

By virtue of its race, your derro character has various racial abilities

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Dwarvish, and Undercommon.

Age

Derro mature a little bit faster than humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 16. They live a little shorter than humans as well, often dying of old age at about 70.

Size

Derro are about the same size as dwarves, ranging from 4 to 5 feet tall. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your underground habitat, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 feet 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 gray.

Aberration

Your creature type is aberration rather than humanoid. This makes you immune to effects that specifically target humanoids (like Charm Person), and effects that can target aberrations (like Charm Monster) can target you.

Magic Resistance

Derro have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the derro has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.