Homebrew Ratfolk Species Details
"The moment my boots hit the deck of their ship I was accepted as one of their own. It really was quite amazing finding a crew of Ratfolk this far into uncharted waters. It just goes to show that they truly are everywhere. I spent the month I was on that ship studying them. Watching them work the rigging was incredible. They worked almost as one. Had I not known better I would have thought them to be a hive mind. I will never forget when we finally made port, there was another warren of Ratfolk from the city already there to greet them and purchase their wares. Undoubtedly with plans to sell it to others of the city for a hefty profit."
Ratfolk can be found in almost any major city. Ratfolk are natural born traders, and seem to be able to turn a profit on anything. Naturally clever and dexterous, they make natural born thieves and wizards. It's not uncommon to find a Ratfolk dabbling in alchemy either.
Traders by Nature
Ratfolk are natural born merchants. There is nothing they love more than negotiating a price. Ratfolk deals are almost always to their advantage, but somehow they still manage to make their customer feel like he got the better end of the deal. Ratfolk are able to turn a profit on almost anything, from the most inane junk, to impressive works of art. It's not uncommon to see a Ratfolk in any city, in this plane, or another. Almost every major city no matter how inhospitable has a Ratfolk warren with a family ready to do business.
Mutual Suspicion
Other races are naturally suspicious of Ratfolk, seeing them as conniving, deceitful, and untrustworthy. Due to this perception Ratfolk are often treated poorly or simply ignored. This distrust goes both ways however. Ratfolk do not trust other races in part due to the mistreatment they receive. Due to this mistrust, Ratfolk are often unconcerned for the happiness or well being of other races.
Community drive
While Ratfolk distrust other races, they have a strong community drive. A Ratfolk warren is a close knit family that looks out for each other. Wanderers should take care not to harm or cheat a Ratfolk individual as doing so will cause the rest of the warren to turn against them as well. Ratfolk who become adventurers often do so because they have lost contact with their warren in some way (through disaster or banishment as the most common causes). They often find new community in the party they travel with.
ROLEPLAYING A Ratfolk
Ratfolk are traders by nature. They are always looking to make a profit, thought that might not always be money in their eyes. Shiny baubles, useful tools, or magical curiosities might entice a Ratfolk as much as a stack of gold coins. You might incorporate this into your character by giving them a greedy nature, or simply by keeping track of a collection of interesting objects they have collected.
Ratfolk Names
Ratfolk tend to adopt names similar to those used by the local people of whatever land they reside in. They try to stick to the naming convention, but often prefer the names with harder sounding syllables.
Ratfolk Traits
Your Ratfolk character has the following racial traits.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age
Ratfolk have shorter lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 12 years old and can live to 45.
Alignment
Ratfolk are traders by nature. They are willing to adapt their beliefs and personalities to fit those they are doing business with. They prefer to remain impartial in negotiations that don't directly affect them. They tend to be truly neutral parties.
Size
Ratfolk are around 3 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is small.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 20 feet.
Swarming
You can occupy the same square as a friendly small or medium creature. If this creature is another Ratfolk you have advantage on melee attacks.
Tools of the Trade
You are proficient in your choice of two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.
Darkvision
Accustomed to the endless and dark tunnels of your warren, you have superior vision in dark and dim 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.
Languages
You can read and write Common and Thieves Cant (you can speak and understand Thieves Cant regardless of your class).
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