Homebrew Simian Species Details

Awakened to Emptiness
Simian elders tell stories of a legendary figure known as "the Monkey King" who struck out on a perilous journey to seekout the power of the gods themselves. In the process, the Monkey King is said to have achieved a state of enlightenment which unlocked a number of newfound magical abilities, further enhancing his already formidable combative prowess. Ever since, the teaching of this ancestral magic from one generation to the next has become a rite of passagefor young simians who seek to achieve the same enlightenment as the Monkey King himself.

Vibrant Expression
Simians display a wide variety of hair colors, including brown, black, red, white, and gray. They also have a range of eye colors, such as brown, gray, green, and yellow. Many simians' skin are earthy shades of brown, though some have skin that is dark, tan, pale, or even occasionally blue. Simians average at 5 feet tall and are typically very lean and athletic.

Most simians take great pride in their hair, often styling it as a means of expressing personal identity. Likewise, some simians adorn themselves in flashy clothing in order to catch the attention of would-be friends and rivals alike. Simians typically tailor their clothes to make room for their prehensile tails, and many choose to forgo shoes in order to enable easier climbing.

In addition to their own verbal and written language, simians have developed a nonverbal language of hand signs and gestures that allows silent communication. Simians use this sign language among themselves during hunting, to communicate at a distance, or when they wish to avoid being overheard.

Journey On
Although simians typically stick together in small, close-knit tribes, many go on extended journeys during adolescence or early adulthood in order to emulate the Monkey King by seeking out adventure and enlightenment. Should simians come across traveling companions during their journeys, they are known to form lasting friendships, proving themselves to be valuable and trustworthy allies. Even so, simians believe that life without a little fun is a dull life indeed, and will sometimes interject their own form of "fun" into a situation by means of a lighthearted joke or prank.

Simian Names
Simians’ given names are often passed down through family lines. However, some simians choose new names for themselves as part of their transition into adulthood, especially before or after going on their first journey of enlightenment. Simians are known to collect many titles for themselves during their lifetimes. Some titles are bestowed upon them by allies or enemies, while others are titles bestowed upon themselves as a mark of pride and ability.

Female Names: Bree, Chenna, Cora, Eida, Kithri, Nora,
Saral, Shaena, Vani, Willow

Male Names: Ander, Cade, Finnan, Garth, Harol, Lindal, Milo,
Oswalt, Reed, Sun

Titles: the Ascetic, the Deft, the Beautiful, the Handsome, the
Intelligent, the Sage, the Spear, the Wind

 

Simian Traits

Your simian character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Simians mature at the same rate as humans and have lifespans similar in length to theirs.

Alignment

Simians are often playful and mischievous, tending toward chaotic alignments. Most simians are goodhearted, and even the tricksters among them are usually more playful than vicious.

Size

Simians average about 5 feet tall and typically have lean, athletic builds. Your size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d6

Height = 4 feet + 5 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 75 + (1d6 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Simian Nimbleness

You have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed. You also have proficiency in the Acrobatics skill.

Prehensile Tail

You can grasp things with your tail. It has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift up to 10 pounds. You can use it to do the following simple tasks: lift, drop, hold, push, or pull an object or a creature; stow or retrieve an item; open or close a door or a container; or hang from a sturdy branch or beam. Your DM might allow other simple tasks to be added to that list of options. It can't wield weapons or shields or do anything that requires manual precision, such as using tools or magic items or performing the somatic components of a spell.

Illusory Distraction

When a creature you can see makes an attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to momentarily create an illusory double and impose disadvantage on the roll. You must use this feature before knowing whether the attack hits or misses. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Simian Magic

You know the shillelagh cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the disguise self spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the levitate spell on yourself once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Simian, and can communicate using simian sign language.