Homebrew Anadi Species Details

As a communal and peaceful people, anadi ancestors endeavored to establish trade with the neighbors of their homeland. However, these anadi soon learned that most others found their appearance to be extremely objectionable. Wishing to avoid conflict, ancient anadi retreated into isolation until they could find a solution. The answer came when their greatest scholars innovated a fusion of transmutation and illusion magic that allowed them to assume a humanoid form. The technique was developed, perfected, and eventually taught to the overwhelming majority of anadi.

Early efforts with their new approach to diplomacy have yielded much better results, though sporadic contact means that some outsiders whisper false legends about anadi, such as claims that they are humans who transform into monstrous spiders at moonrise. Even contemporary explorers have reported anadi as human-spider hybrids. The anadi people of the current day strive to slowly but surely create a world where they no longer need to hide their true nature.

Creating Your Character

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. 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. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores above 20.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Anadi.

Anadi Traits

As an anadi, you have the following racial traits.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Bestial Instincts

Channeling the beast within, you have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidation, or Survival.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

Shifting

As a bonus action, you can shift and assume either your hybrid form or your spider form. You can shift a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Whenever you shift, you gain an additional benefit based on the form you assume:

Hybrid:

• You can use your fangs to make an unarmed strike, which deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.
• You have disadvantage on Persuasion checks, but advantage on Intimidation checks when dealing with humanoids.
• You can speak and use your hands as in your human form.

Spider:

• While shifted, you have a climbing speed of 20 feet. 
• You can use your fangs to make an unarmed strike, which deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.
• You may produce 20 feet of sticky webbing per day. A creature restrained by the webs can use its action to make a Strength save against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.
• You can only speak to other arachnids (as with Speak with Animals), and cannot use your hands to manipulate objects, hold weapons/shields.  You cannot cast spells that require material or somatic components.