Homebrew Anephian Species Details

Of the Isle

      Generally isolated on the Shimmering Ilses. these are very strange people to most of the world, sort of reclusive making them outcasts in many ways, but when they do have visitors lost or exploring the isles they are general non-hostile, but not what one would call ‘accepting’ of outsiders. The pangolin-like people sport thick keratin scales that harden their bodies against predators and small weapon attacks, they specialize in a few types of combat, including the Kyatka style-spear and dagger, the Olkta style-shield and dagger, and the Bioran style- a combination of spear or staff and shield. While many of their fighters may use other styles or even not learn these, they are the 3 most pronounced, practiced, and widespread among the people.

From the Dust

     Legend and their history claims, maybe as a myth, that the Anephian people used to be small mammals, feasting on bugs and scrounging a meager survival until the magics of the isles twisted them nearly beyond recognition into formidable forces of strength, durability, intelligence, and fortitude. They began to dig cities into the islands cliffsides and burrows at the foothills. There’s rumor that they and the tortle of the nearby marsh had a long lasting war ages ago and the winner was forced from the island, though other rumors suggest the winners kept the marsh forcing the losers off to the island, regardless, the races while amicable now, have very little interaction and nothing one would call any kind of feud or rivalry, much less a war. The people practice varied religions and following of a god is generally individualized. Their culture is strongly matriarchal and boasts individuality over familial bonds. Most live alone aside from a time frame of child-rearing and once a child moves out its normal for the parents to go their separate ways again.

Names

Anephians typically use a two-part name with sharp dense sounds to mimic the scales that guard their body.   

Male or Female names: Dulk-Tar, Ahk-Alda, Ghek-Dhol, Kla-dgr, Kulk-voon, Jhu-vudt, Brund-Gur

 

Anephian Traits

Your Anephian character has certain traits deriving from your ancestry.

Ability Score Increase

Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) Choose three different +1

Age

Anephians reach maturity around age 15 and can live up to 150 years.

Size

You have a similar build to humans but bulkier and slightly hunched or rounded. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your magical heritage and nocturnal ancestry grant you the ability to see in dark conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 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.

Nature’s Legacy

Thanks to your mystical connection to nature, you gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Arcana, Stealth, or Survival.

 

 

Keratin Scales

Your scales provide you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn’t affect this number). You can’t wear light, medium, or heavy armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield’s bonus as normal.

Claws

Your claws are a natural weapon that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Defensive Curl

You can curl into a ball as an action. Until you uncurl, you gain a +3 bonus to your AC. While curled, you are prone, your speed is 10ft and can’t increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. While curled when you take damage from a creature that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to deal 1d4 + your Constitution modifier slashing damage to them as they strike your sharp scales. The only other action you can take is a bonus action to uncurl.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Orc. Orc is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.