Homebrew Zatzoi Species Details

The Zatzoi, sometimes called Batfolk, soar above The Gorges. Unlike other animal-like races in The Gorges, they don't hail from the western tribes

Fang and Wing

From below, Zatzoi look much like large Bats. Only when they descend to hang from a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, Zatzoi might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long wings that add to their look.

Leather and fur cover their body. Their fur typically denotes where the Zatzoi hailed from. 

Night Wardens

Nowhere are the Zatzoi more comfortable than in the night sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying away.

Once airborne, an Zatzoi leaves the sky with reluctance. On their native plane, they can fly for days or months, landing only to feast before launching themselves back into the air. Those that make it to a world in the Gorge may take up bounty hunting, or bartending. They sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and they have nothing but sympathy for those earthbound people forced to live and toil on the ground.

Zatzoi Mannerisms

The resemblance of zatzoi to bats isn’t limited to physical features. Zatzoi display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary bats. They are fastidious about their Lairs, frequently tending their cave, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers that might have droped by. When they deign to descend from the sky, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Many Zatzoi punctuate their speech with screech, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to clarify meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. 

The idea of ownership doesn't confuse zatzoi. After all, gold practically makes the world turn. they find the notion of ownership as a symbol of power. As a result, Zatzoi aren't as likely to snatch up livestock or crop. Shiny, glittering objects catch their eyes. They find it hard not to pluck the treasure and bring it back to their settlement to beautify it. A Zatzoi who spends years among other races can learn to inhibit these impulses.

Confinement is contentful to the Zatzoi. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is Home-like to a zatzoi.

Zatzoi Homelands

Most Zatzoi dont come from The Gorges. Because of the vast openess of The Gorges, many zatzoi are drawn there. Many Zatzoi live alone, but often live in small packs, sharing territory and providing benefits to one another. However they don't act like a tribe.

 

ZATZOI IN THE FORGOTTEN REALMS

Never well established in Faerûn, Zatzoi do not have any major societies, only smaller settlements, mostly in the underdark.

Those colonies established in the underdark do sometimes turn tribal, following either Shar, Oghma, and Savras. Zatzoi who come from these tribes are sometimes reffered to Tribzoi by other non-tribal Zatzoi.

Above ground Zatzoi live in cities, often working as Delivery boys, or mercenaries.

Unlike the aarakocra, Zatzoi typically never leave the material plane.

Great Purpose

Zatzoi enjoy peace and solitude. However most of them have no care in dealing with other peoples' business, especially if they're getting payed. For this reason, it takes an little effort for a zatzoi to leave his or her current life and undertake the adventurer’s life. 

 

Zatzoi Names

Zatzoi typically have names similar to modern world Aztec and Mayan names. 

Zatzoi Traits

As a Zatzoi, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an aarakocra requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Zatzoi reach maturity by age 12. Zatzoi don’t usually live longer than 70 years.

Echolocation

As a zatzoi, you can hear using sound. you gain 60 feet of blindsight.

You learn to use your sonic screeches to gain an upper hand in combat. As a bonus action, you can target a number of creatures equal to your CON modifier, or Proficiency bonus, (whichever is higher) within 60 feet of you. Before your next turn, you and your allies have advantage on attacking said creatures. you can do this a number of times equal to your CON modifier.

Alignment

Most Zatzoi have been known to prefer to do good deeds, but don't have a real moral compass. Zatzoi are typically a variety of neutral.

Size

Zatzoi are about 5 feet tall. They weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor.

Bite

Your Fangs are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal Piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Sylvan, and Undercommon.