Homebrew Cryptid Species Details

Basic Overview —

Cryptids are classified as a species of winged feline, however, they have many qualities of other animals as well. Such as: bats, birds, snakes, dragons, rabbits, and even bugs (like spiders and bees.)

Hiveglow —

(Called Hiveglow because it's commonly used to add defenses to a Queen's palace or "hive," and it glows!)

Hiveglow is a vital part of a Cryptid's life. It is a kind of venom Cryptids produce via organs called "Hiveglow sacs" inside the mouth and tail. When shot (either from the canine teeth or the "fletches" on the tail,) it is a liquid that can cause mild paralysis. It dries relatively quick, however, and when it's dry it's harmless and has a malleable texture until hardened. Hiveglow can be any color but black, white, or gray.

Fletching —

Cryptids are born without any Fletches (or notches) in their tail. When they get a little older, they go through what is called "fletching." Fletching is similar to teething for Cryptids, and it's when their tail splits open to make new places to shoot Hiveglow from. It is a painful process, and Cryptids will often chew on their tails to itch it during this period.

Hiveglow Diseases —

Hiveglow diseases are rare phenomenon that are genetic and usually obvious early on.

There are two types.

Hypolampsiaima; where a Cryptid is born with too little Hiveglow, and is generally sickly. Cryptids with this disease will not fletch, and their eyes will appear pale and dull.

And Hyperlampsiaima; where a Cryptid is born with too much Hiveglow, and their fletching painfully spreads to the rest of their body.

Cryptid Anatomy —

Cryptids are largely inspired by snow leopards. Their thick fur, tails, front paws, and general standard anatomy is all pulled from them.

Cryptids walk upright on two legs, and on average stand around 5'9" (180 cm.) While you can usually tell the difference between male and female Cryptids (as females typically develop breasts and have slightly rounder facial features,) they are not super different when it comes to size and strength.

All Cryptids have at least a little bit of black fur. Theorized to be because of their connections to thunderstorms. All Cryptids have a long mane that travels from their head down to the base of their tail.

Eyes —

Cryptids are strange creatures indeed, and the skeletal structure in their skulls can vary widely. Most notably because Cryptids can have anywhere from two to eight eyes. Said eyes, as stated before, glow because of the Hiveglow sacs that rest just beneath them, and because of how linked Cryptid Hiveglow and blood is. Because of this, Cryptids rarely have heterochromia, and if they do, it's less half and half and more sectoral. This dual-coloration will be present in all of their Hiveglow, as their eyes will always reflect the color of the venom.

Cryptids do not have pupils or irises. Their eyes instead glow all one color, and usually one can only tell where a Cryptid is looking if they observe them closely.

Flesh, Scars, and Blood —

 When Cryptids are wounded, and those wounds begin to heal, they will scar in the same color as their Hiveglow. This is because of how closely their blood and Hiveglow are correlated in their bodies. Hiveglow color will also determine the color of a Cryptid's flesh and blood for very similar reasons.

Because of how interconnected Cryptid blood is to their Hiveglow, their blood is slightly venomous, but not nearly to the extent and Hiveglow itself.

Cryptid eyes, blood, flesh, and scarring glows. Everything influenced by their Hiveglow does. Cryptids can usually control how bright or dim the glow is, but it may also get brighter or dimmer with emotion.

Dental/Mouth Anatomy —

 Cryptid teeth are very similar to those of snow leopards. The large canines on the top of their mouths are able to inject and shoot Hiveglow. Their tongues are forked, and allow them to scent their surroundings, much like a snake.

Horns, Wings, and Paws —

All Cryptids have at least one horn. These can be long, short, thick, thin, it doesn't matter. They must have at least one, but no more than six.

Another way certain Cryptids have wildly different skeletal structures is by way of their wings. While most Cryptids have batlike wings with membranes and "finger" bones to hold them together, others have birdlike feathered ones. It doesn't really matter which a Cryptid has, though it's to be noted that feathered wings are slightly rarer.

Cryptids have mismatched paws; as in their front and back paws do not match. Their hand-paws are much more leopard-like, with paw pads and retractable claws. Their feet, however, are more rabbit/batlike and lack paw pads. Strangely enough, because of their batlike nature, Cryptids can hang from things by their feet.

Other —

Cryptids are usually matriarchal, with most (if not all) of their dwellings being ruled by a Queen or other female leader. True Royal Cryptids hold a gift within their bloodline, said to have been bestowed upon them by the Cryptid Goddess of Storms. This gift allows Royal Cryptids who were born female to control and manipulate the minds of other Cryptids, but only during thunderstorms. Only Royal Cryptids who were born female can manifest this power, while those who were born male can just carey the gene on to their children.

Cryptids are usually given names that relate to storms, clouds, wind, or sky as a way of honoring their Goddess of Storms.

Baby Cryptids are commonly referred to as "pups" or "cubs," and can usually be seen latched onto their mother in some way, similarly to how a bat pup would be.

Cryptids are a bit odd in the ways they like to sleep. While they can sleep like any typical person would (in a bed or on any other horizontal, marginally comfortable space,) Cryptids may also choose to sleep upside down like bats.

Cryptids are able to swivel their long, rabbit-like ears in order to hear better. The default position for their ears to be held in is usually to the side in a lax position.

Their lifespan is comparable to that of a Human's, though Cryptids have been known to more commonly live to 100 years.

 

Cryptid Traits

Flight, Hiveglow (venom), Claws, Teeth, Darkvision

Darkvision

Cryptids have Darkvision with a range of 150 feet.

Hiveglow

Cryptids can shoot or inject their venomous Hiveglow to paralyze a foe with a lower level for one turn.

Claws and Teeth

Cryptid claws and teeth are additional weapons that use a d10 for damage.