Homebrew Dion (Mountain) Species Details

Changing Lands

Dion can be found in a wide variety of natural landscapes. Similar in stature to humans, the bond they form with the land they inhabit gradually changes their appearance over time. This could include rocky, grey-ish skin for those in mountainous or cliff-covered regions, or hair resembling foliage for those in arboreal regions.

An Isolated People

Dion are not many in number, with the average clan having 15-20 members, with clans dispersed thinly across the world. These clans are often tucked away in hidden corners of the world, whether that be in the deep depths of forests, sheer cliffs of mountains, or secluded lagoons on the coast. 

From these hideouts, Dions protect their ancestral lands. This could include warding off threats like expansionist humans, nurturing the plants and animals that surround them, or protecting precious resources which others may wish to exploit. This often brings them into conflict with the other races of the world, especially dwarves, elves, and humans. Unable to fight these races with their slim numbers, most Dion work subtly, often making their actions seem like happenstance in order to avoid direct conflict. As a result, their existence is mostly unheard of, with the slim few who are aware of their existence believing them to be people of myth. 

Nature and Nurture

While clans are often isolationist, the personalities of each individual Dion are as varied as any other race. Some treat wanderers in their domains with disdain, driving them out by sending vicious animals their way or by obstructing their path. Others treat them with kindness and curiosity, guiding threats away in order to ensure a peaceful journey. 

One thing almost every Dion shares in common are the intense relationships and loyalties they form. Stemming from their dedication to the lands they inhabit, a Dion is almost always fiercely dedicated to their ideals, whether that be a commitment to protecting the innocent, paying back a debt of honour, or claiming vengeance on those who have wronged them.

Reasons to Wander

Dion form close bonds to the lands they inhabit, meaning they usually need something to actively call them to adventure. What would justify this varies from individual to individual, but is often a rare and life-altering event.

Potential reasons for your Dion leaving their clan are listed below:

• Your Dion’s life was saved by an outsider, and now this action must be repaid.
• Your Dion’s ancestral lands are under threat, and must be saved.
• A close family member or friend has disappeared

 

Dion (Mountain) Traits

Humans are wanderers by nature. Dions, by contrast, are sedentary humanoids bound to protect the lands they were born in. Often existing in small, isolated communities, they are often mistaken for guardians or spirits of the lands they inhabit.

Ability Score Increase

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.

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 can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Age

Dion reach adulthood in their late teens, but mature slower as they age. They often live for 2-3 centuries

Size

Dion typically range from 5-6ft tall in adulthood. Your size is Medium

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Dion typically adopt languages of other races in their ancestral lands. This could include dwarvish or draconic for Dion in mountains, or elvish or sylvan for Dions in woodlands.

Land's Intuition

You gain proficiency in one of the following skills: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.

Nature's Spirit

You can ignore non-magical difficult terrain, and learn the Druidcraft cantrip.

Additionally, you gain the ability to communicate in a limited manner with Beasts. They can understand the general meaning of your words, and in return you can understand their general emotions and attitudes.

Ancestral Lands

Your Dion hails from the mountains. Your unarmoured AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use this AC if the armour you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use this. You also learn the Earth Tremor spell.