Homebrew T'k'chek Species Details

T’k’chek, also known as ratfolk, are a diminutive race of humanoid rodents. They are believed to have originated in Dojhan, and they are extremely rare outside of those lands. Some can be the size of a short human, but many are as small as a gnome. Even the taller ones often seem even shorter, as many have a hunched posture. They have very rat-like snouts, teeth, and ears, bony hands and feet, a covering of fur over most of their body, and long, naked, semi-prehensile tails.  

Because of their rarity, many t’k’chek outside of Dojhan wear baggy clothing, cloaks, and masks to conceal what they are. This is partly because of the ill reputation that were-rats have in the other lands of Tol.  

T’k’chek don’t seem to serve any God, but they often make little shrines to the Primal Spirits, who they believe imbued them with their gifts. They are, by nature, secretive, and they love ferreting out secrets from others. As a result, t’k’chek are excellent information brokers, although they usually trade for new information as often as coin.

T'k'chek Names

T'k'chek do not differentiate between different genders in their naming conventions, choosing syllables that "sound right" for the child. These birthnames are often held as a t'k'chek's favorite secret from outsiders, one to be shared only with those who win their trust and become true friends. Instead, they develop descriptive names like a surname, and these are most often used with non-t'k'chek.

Birthnames: Che'tak, D'bik, H'rik, K'tek, P'rok, Thath'rik

Public Names: Clever, Fastfoot, Greycoat, Longtail, Patch, Scurry, Whiskers, Wisenose, Yelloweye

T'k'chek Traits

Your t'k'chek character has a number of traits in common with all other ratfolk.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You range from Small to Medium size, chosen when you create the character.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a burrowing speed of 10 feet, thanks to your strong jaws and clever fingers.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, 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.

Labyrinthine Recall

You can perfectly recall any path you have traveled.

Nimbleness

You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Squirm

You are remarkably dexterous when squeezing through small openings. You are considered one size category smaller for purposes of squeezing through a smaller space. In addition, you have Advantage on skill checks made to escape a Grapple.