Homebrew Mothfolk Species Details

Enigmatic and Uncanny

Mothfolk are a mysterious, reclusive race found in the lost reaches of the world, seldom seen in more "civilized" places. Tall and often silent, mothfolk have a reputation for being cryptic and thoughtful - although in reality many of them stay silent because they know the thrumming, clicking sound of their communication makes the more "normally-speaking" races uncomfortable. The appearance of a mothkin is also not something that most are accustomed to. Their large, heavy wings hang around their tall humanoid bodies like cloaks, and their inhuman faces with antennae and compound eyes may prove off-putting to those with strong aversions to all things insectoid. Sometimes covered in fur, these four-armed, three- fingered creatures are the subjects of many countryside myths and legends about giant bugs that stalk the night, preying on children - although these myths vary wildly in truthfulness.

 

Short Lives, Long Tempers

 Mothfolk are not the longest-lived of creatures, the very oldest living only until their late fifties. With such a short life, mothfolk have learned to live life to the fullest. Many pursue intellectual or mindful pursuits, becoming librarians or philosophers, pontificating on the nature of life and knowledge itself. Still others decide to live their relatively brief lives adventuring, seeing the world, becoming as well-traveled and renowned as they can before passing their fortunes on to their children. A common thread throughout most mothfolk, though, is that they are slow to anger. It is instilled in most mothfolk as early as the larval stage, regardless of culture, that life is too short to be spent angry.

Metamorphic Creatures

Unlike most other common races, mothfolk do not develop as the same creature from when they are born. Mothfolk begin their lives as larvae, often a part of a brood of ten or more. After almost a year of nurturing and feeding from the mother, during which the larvae are largely unaware of their surroundings, the mother helps them prepare cocoons for metamorphosis. The larvae stay in cocoons for just over half of a year, at which point they finally emerge as moths. From there, they quickly grow over the next three or four years, usually to just over six feet in height, and learn to fend for themselves. They are considered "adults" once their wings have fully developed, at around ten years after emergence, and elders after about thirty-five.

Mothfolk Traits

Your mothkin character has an array of special abilities, honed through natural instinct and evolution.

Ability Score Increase.

Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Compound Vision

Your compound eyes are excellent at finding what little light there is in darkness. You can see in dim light as if it were bright light out to 120 feet, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can discern colors in dim light and darkness, but only on the ultraviolet spectrum.

Wings

As a mothkin, you possess wings that allow you to fly. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. You can't use this flying speed if you're wearing heavy armor.

Armed and Dangerous

You have two slightly smaller secondary arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary arms can manipulate an object, open or close a door or container, pick up or set down a Tiny object, but they can’t use these smaller arms to wield any weapons or shields.