Homebrew Elderwood Species Details

Physical Description

In general, Elderwoods have skin that can range from bark rough to petal smooth. They can look to be human with no obvious differences while others take the form of strange mythical beasts with colors covering dull tones to vibrant hues bursting with life, but all have an extreme affinity for magic which in turn has affected their vitality to heights impossible of normal plant life.

There are 3 types that the Elderwoods grow into.

Humanoids look like the race they are following barring some slight differences in plant biology such as leafs in hair, vines as hair, green skin tint, or other features of plants.

Beasts take the traits of regular animals found in nature such as the bear or deer and meld them with humanoid traits. As a result, wood creatures similar to were-beasts or 4-legged taurs are formed.

The Monstrous are wood creatures that have taken the form of monsters and grow immensely in both size and power as they age. Covered in poisonous thorns and armor, they are the toughest of their kin.

History

The Elderwood forests were brought to life when a massive number of ley lines crossed one another and imploded underneath a forest. In time the world recovered, but the forest was infused with an immense amount of mana and became forever changed. The woods have become sentient and life has flourished in strange new ways.

Recently large tribes of elves and druids have managed to become accepted by the forest and now reside there.

Society

The society of the Elderwood is most similar to a group of siblings. A few saplings will shift into a medium sized form and journey across the world before coming back and reporting it to their brethren. Beasts provide swift means of transportation and information and are the first line of defense of an invasion. But sometimes the forest finds itself in grave peril due to its magical allure and many intruders may attempt to harvest the wood for its potency in magic and rituals. When this happens the forest shape-grows immense wooden monsters that know no fear and pain to protect itself as a last-ditch tactic. Sometimes though, a rare growth from the forest will become lost in its negative emotions and reject its kind becoming warped and twisted, they are hunted down and killed.

Elderwood Names

Male like names are flowing while feminine names have harsh consonants and difficult pronunciation.

Male: <Hraelryon, Awelioprey, Gwepalio>

Female: <C'thon, Zxtcra, Krcym>

Elderwood Traits

With a blend of nature and magic, Elderwoods gain the traits list:

Traits

Plants that take on the appearance and characteristics of other creatures.
Ability Score Increase. +2 to Constitution
Age. ~50,000 years
Alignment. Elderwood are usually neutral good, though deviations do occur.
Size. You are medium in height.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Blindsight. A creature with blindsight can perceive its surroundings without relying on sight, within a specific radius. You can see 60 feet ignoring walls and lighting.
Root/Photosynthesis. During a short rest, you may take root into the earth and absorb nutrients to regrow lost parts and recover damage equal to your Constitution modifier(minimum 1). Also, you may gain your daily dietary necessities instead of using rations by taking root in an area of vegetation.
Mana-Infused. Your body can be used as a focus for spells and increases its potency. +1 to all damage die for spells. On a critical, it is increased to +2.
Magic Resistance. You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Plant. Although magical and a different shape, you are still considered to be a plant. Your creature type is plant instead of humanoid for the purposes of determining effects of spells and abilities. As such, spells like cure wounds don't affect you, and you are immune to spells like crown of madness or dominate person because they specifically target humanoids. You cannot magically be put to sleep.
Languages. Druidic, Common
Subrace. Humanoid, Animalistic, Monstrous