Homebrew Branchbound Species Details

The Branchbound Knights of Ecotera:

Origins:

On the outskirts of the bustling Kingdom of Heatherford lies the ancient forest, named Ecotera. Its towering trees whisper not only tales of resilience and magic, but also the stories of the Branchbound Knights, a subrace unlike any other. Their origin is not rooted in the slow, natural growth of the forest, but in a crucible of loss, transformation, and unwavering loyalty.

A year prior to the fateful encounter that would change their lives forever, Ecotera served as a haven for twelve individuals. These men and women, once citizens of Heatherford, had been irrevocably scarred by a Orc invasion. They had lost everything - family, friends, and the familiar life they once knew. Grief and despair threatened to consume them, leaving them as mere shells of their former selves.

King Haglof the Stoic, ruler of Heatherford, recognized the plight of these survivors. He offered them a choice: succumb to their despair or embrace a new path. He proposed they become Knights of the Realm, trained and stationed at Ecotera to defend the kingdom they still called home.

Only twelve individuals, burdened but not broken, found the strength to accept this offer. They journeyed to Ecotera, the ancient forest becoming their sanctuary. Here, they trained rigorously, honing their skills and rediscovering purpose. The forest itself provided solace, its gentle whispers easing the wounds of grief and fostering a sense of renewal.

One fateful day, while training deep within the forest, they were ambushed by a pack of Barghests, monstrous hounds from the spirit world. These entities, seeking to claim the knights' souls for the darkness, descended upon them with swift and brutal fury. Though mortally wounded, the knights fought valiantly, their unwavering spirit echoing through the forest.

As the fight reached its climax, the very ground of Ecotera itself trembled as the forest chose to intervene. The ancient trees, guardians of the realm for millennia, reached out with their gnarled branches, not to crush, but to embrace the fallen knights in a moment of profound connection. This sacred act served not only as protection from the Barghests, who were subsequently banished by the god of Treants, Emmantiensien, but also as a conduit for an extraordinary transformation.

As the life force of the mortally wounded knights intertwined with the ancient trees that cradled them, a unique symbiosis emerged. The trees, touched by their courage and sacrifice, did not simply absorb their essence. Instead, they wove their life force into the very fabric of the knights themselves. The knights, though forever bound to the trees through the branches and vines that fused with their open wounds, retained their physical forms, their armour, and their weapons. They could still move and fight, forever changed but not rendered immobile.

Thus, the Branchbound Knights were born, not as mere knights encased in bark, but as living testaments to the enduring bond between life and death, nature and spirit. They are fiercely protective of Ecotera, not only as their home but also as a symbol of their unwavering loyalty and the sacrifice that forged their unique existence. Each Branchbound Treant carries a constant reminder of their past within the intricate patterns of the branches that envelop them.

Though reborn, the Branchbound Knights face a cruel twist of fate. Over time, memories of loved ones, the very people they lost long ago which leading them on this path, begin to fade. This selective amnesia fuels their desperation.  Some sit back and accept their fate, while others embark on a relentless quest, searching for a way to preserve these cherished bonds before they are lost forever, forever bound to nature yet yearning for the echoes of the past they hold most dear.

The 12 Knights of Flesh and Flora:

The fate of each Branchbound Treant is not only sealed by their transformation, but also by the specific tree that embraced them in their final moments. The type of tree determines not only their appearance, but also their inherent strengths and the path they are destined to walk, reflecting their former skills and the essence of the tree:

• The Walnut Branchbound (Barbarian): A Knight embraced by the walnut tree embodies not just raw power, but also a primal connection to the untamed heart of the forest. Their bond grants them exceptional resilience and fuels their fighting spirit with a touch of wild fury. This Branchbound Knight is a ferocious barbarian, their movements imbued with the untamed grace of the wild, their blows reinforced by the strength of the walnut.

• The Spruce Branchbound (Bards): A Knight who is bound to the graceful spruce developed a deep connection to the natural world and a keen awareness of their surroundings. Their movements are swift and silent, their senses attuned to the subtle whispers of the forest. This connection makes them an exceptional bard, weaving tales and melodies that resonate with the very essence of nature, their branches acting as natural instruments.

• The Birch Branchbound (Druid): A Knight touched by the healing embrace of the birch tree who is filled with the essence of renewal and life-giving energy. Their connection to the birch fosters an innate ability to mend wounds, soothe ailments, and revitalize the earth around them. This natural affinity marks them as wise and compassionate druid, protector of the natural world and healer of both body and spirit. The restorative power of the birch flows through them, a constant reminder of their sacred duty.

• The Persian Ironwood Branchbound (Fighter): The unwavering spirit of the Persian ironwood resonates within this Branchbound Knight. This individual is a  formidable fighter, their body infused with the unyielding strength of the ironwood. They stand firm as a steadfast defender, their movements deliberate and powerful, their presence a bastion of unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

• The Yew Branchbound (Rogue): Shrouded in an air of mystery, the yew tree granted this Knight a natural aptitude for the unseen paths. This Branchbound Knight is an exceptional rogue, their movements as silent as the falling snow, their senses attuned to the whispers in the shadows. Their connection to the yew fosters a cunning and resourceful nature, allowing them to navigate the world unseen and unheard.

• The Holly Branchbound (Wizard): The potent magic coursing through the holly tree was awoken in this Knight who became intertwined with it. This Branchbound Knight possess an innate connection to the arcane, which shaped them into a powerful wizard. Their understanding of the intricacies of magic deepens with their connection to the holly, allowing them to weave spells that resonate with the very essence of the arcane.

• The Hawthorn Branchbound (Warlock): The otherworldly essence of the hawthorn tree fosters pacts with powerful entities that was embraced by this Branchbound Knight. This individual became and enigmatic warlock, wielding power granted by their patron. Their connection to the hawthorn imbues them with an air of mystery and intrigue, as they walk the path between the material plane and the unseen realms.

• The Blackthorn Branchbound (Paladin): The blackthorn tree, with its thorns and association with unwavering determination, offered this Branchbound Knight a unique path. Becoming a resolute paladin, their unwavering faith and dedication to their oath fuelled by the tree's influence. They stand as paragon of virtue, their resolve as unyielding as the blackthorn's thorns, their connection to the divine a source of unwavering strength.

• The Oak Branchbound (Ranger): A Knight embraced by the mighty oak embodies not just strength, but also a deep connection to the heartbeat of the forest. Their bond grants them exceptional resilience and a keen awareness of their surroundings. This Branchbound Knight is a  skilled ranger, their movements sure and steady, their senses attuned to the subtle whispers of the woods. They are a protector of the wild, their connection to the oak a constant reminder of their duty to safeguard the natural world.

• The Ash Branchbound (Cleric): This Knight that was touched by the ash tree, a symbol of life force and the spirit realm, is filled with a deep connection to the divine. Their bond grants them the ability to channel the power of the spirit world, allowing them to heal the wounded, bolster the weary, and commune with the spirits of the forest. This Branchbound Knight became a devout cleric, their faith a beacon of hope, their connection to the ash fueling their unwavering dedication to their beliefs.

• The Apple Branchbound (Monk): The serenity and focus of the apple tree resonate within this Branchbound Knight bound to it. This individual is a disciplined monk, their body honed to peak physical and mental condition. Their movements are precise and controlled, their minds clear and focused. Their connection to the apple fosters inner peace and unwavering resolve, allowing them to face any challenge with unwavering determination.

• The Rowan Branchbound (Sorcerer): The rowan tree, known for its association with magic and the cycles of life, imbues this Knight bound to it with an innate connection to the arcane. This Branchbound Knight is a potent sorcerer, their magic flowing through them like a natural source, fuelled by their inherent connection to the rowan. Their spells are unpredictable and often imbued with the essence of the natural world, reflecting the ever-changing cycles of life and magic.

 This is merely a glimpse into the diverse nature of the Branchbound Knights. Further exploration reveals that other ancient trees, in other forested lands may have also bound to other races in times gone before and times yet to come, giving them each their own unique properties, contributing to the diverse tapestry of this extraordinary subrace.

 

Branchbound Traits

BranchBound Racial Traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your highest listed ability score increases by 1 (Class dependant). If your highest scored ability is Strength you gain a total increase score of 3.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. You can also understand Elvish, and you have innate access to Entish and Primordial. 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your base climbing speed is 20 feet. Your base swimming speed is 15 feet. Your Burrowing speed is 15 feet.

Dark Vision

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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Natural Armour

Due to the fusion of wood on flesh you are unable to wear armour, your branch clad body provides you ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 13 + your Constitution Modifier (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armour, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal.

Age

Although the Branchbound had already reached physical maturity before they where bound, their new life expectancy can last anywhere from 150-900 years old.

Mask of the Wild

You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.