Homebrew Deerling Species Details

Graceful and agile beings, they are the creation of the Forest Spirits, guardians of the ancient woodlands. With their bipedal form and keen senses, Deerlings embody the spirit of the wilderness. In some regions, they live harmoniously with nature, embodying the tranquil and serene aspects of the forests they call home. In other lands, Deerlings adapt to urban environments, their presence a reminder of the wild places they originate from.

Their appearance mirrors the diversity of the forests they inhabit. Some Deerlings bear the markings of majestic stags, while others resemble the gentle roe deer or the elusive white-tailed deer. Their antlers may be grand and imposing, or delicate and elegant, each reflecting the individual nature of the Deerling.

Creating Your Character

At 1st level, when choosing your character's race as a Deerling, follow these additional rules during character creation.

Ability Score Increases

As a Deerling, your character's innate traits reflect their connection to the natural world. Increase your Dexterity score by 2 and increase your Wisdom score by 1, or increase your Dexterity, Wisdom, and Charisma scores by 1 each. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. 

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Sylvan, the language of the forest spirits, in addition to Common. Sylvan is the language of nature and magical creatures, and it allows Deerlings to communicate with the denizens of the woodlands. You and your DM may also decide on a different language that represents the forest spirits in your game instead.

Creature Type

Deerlings are classified as Humanoids in the D&D rules, representing their bipedal form and human-like intelligence. They share this classification with most other player characters and are subject to rules and effects that target Humanoids specifically.

Life Span

The typical life span of a Deerling is about 80 to 100 years, assuming the character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure. Their connection to the natural world may extend their lives slightly beyond this range, but they do not typically live as long as some other races like elves or dwarves.

Height and Weight

Deerlings vary in size and build, much like humans, though they tend to be more slender and agile. The Common height of a fully grown deerling is 3ft to 5 feet tall. 

Deerling Traits

As a Deerling, you have the following racial traits.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.

Deer's Horns

You can use your Horns to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier Piercing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Deer's Stealth

You have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Lucky Footwork

When you fail a Dexterity saving throw, you can use your reaction to roll a d4 and add it to the save, potentially turning the failure into a success. You can’t use this reaction if you’re prone or your speed is 0.

Agile Escape

As a bonus action, you can leap after moving without provoking opportunity attacks. the distance of the leap is your left over movement speed after moving plus 5x your proficiency bonus. You can use this trait only if you move at least 10 feet before you leap. You can use it a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.