Homebrew Mothfolk Species Details

Enigmatic and Uncanny

Mothfolk are a mysterious, reclusive race found in the lost reaches of the world, seldom seen in more "civilized" places. Tall and often silent, mothfolk have a reputation for being cryptic and thoughtful - although in reality many of them stay silent because they know the thrumming, clicking sound of their communication makes the more "normally-speaking" races uncomfortable. The appearance of a mothkin is also not something that most are accustomed to. Their large, heavy wings hang around their tall humanoid bodies like cloaks, and their inhuman faces with antennae and compound eyes may prove off-putting to those with strong aversions to all things insectoid. Sometimes covered in fur, these four-armed, three fingered creatures are the subjects of many countryside myths and legends about giant bugs that stalk the night, preying on children - although these myths vary wildly in truthfulness.

Short Lives, Long Tempers

Mothfolk are not the longest-lived of creatures, the very oldest living only until their late fifties. With such a short life, mothfolk have learned to live life to the fullest. Many pursue intellectual or mindful pursuits, becoming librarians or philosophers, pontificating on the nature of life and knowledge itself. Still others decide to live their relatively brief lives adventuring, seeing the world, becoming as well-traveled and renowned as they can before passing their fortunes on to their children. A common thread throughout most mothfolk, though, is that they are slow to anger. It is instilled in most mothfolk as early as the larval stage, regardless of culture, that life is too short to be spent angry.

Metamorphic Creatures

Unlike most other common races, mothfolk do not develop as the same creature from when they are born. Mothfolk begin their lives as larvae, often a part of a brood of ten or more. After almost a year of nurturing and feeding from the mother, during which the larvae are largely unaware of their surroundings, the mother helps them prepare coccoons for metamorphosis. The larvae stay in coccoons for just over half of a year, at which point they finally emerge as moths. From there, they quickly grow over the next three or four years, usually to just over six feet in height, and learn to fend for themselves. They are considered "adults" once their wings have fully developed, at around ten years after emergence, and elders after about thirty-five.

Mothfolk Names

In most moth cultures, the mother is assigned the task of naming each of her children as they grow. These names will often change at the whim of the mother, and usually do not become official until metamorphosis. Their names are often difficult to pronounce with human tongues, but this does not bother mothfolk, as they lack human tongues; the exception are those born from interspecies relations. Mothfolk do not have gendered names. Mothfolk Names: Adz'kit, Andile, Axa, Bixi, Chch, Chitha, Dalph, Fen, Filka, Fira, G'Zigg, Glik, Hadae, Iitus, J'llkx, Kl'il, Lenna, Lepha, Molf, N'Kakt, Riz, Scelkt, Sedna, Thom, Timpth.

An Inconvenient Truth

The true name of the mothfolk race is complex and rich with meaning - the moniker 'mothfolk' was coined by a human. The mothfolk are fine with this, as "Llkllrxzshlkl" is exceedingly difficult to pronounce for those not versed in the language.

Mothfolk Traits

Mothfolk Traits Your mothkin character has an array of special abilities, honed through natural instinct and evolution.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age

Mothfolk are considered adults once their wings are fully grown, and live into their mid forties on average. The oldest mothfolk live until their late fifties.

Alignment

Mothfolk are slow to anger, yet quick to become impassioned about things they find important, making the most out of life. They lean toward chaotic alignments and away from evil ones. Though being passionate about what they deem important is subjective—like justified murder, but that's neither here nor there.

Size

Mothfolk range from a bit under six feet to almost seven feet tall, not counting their lengthy antennae. Their builds tend towards the light and lithe, and they usually weigh between 130 and 160 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Compound Vision

With your compound eyes, you can see in dim light up to 120 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can even discern colors in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Wings

As a mothkin, you have large, cloak-like wings. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed, which can't be used to ascend. Unless specified by "Ride the Wind" Action.

Ride the Wind

As an action, you can beat your wings in a fluttering motion and ascend up to 30 feet. You can't use this action again until you touch the ground. You can't use your wings if you are unable to move, and you can't Ride the Wind if you are wearing heavy armor.

Armed and Dangerous

Mothfolk have four arms, each capable of holding an object. You don’t benefit from a shield if you’re holding a two handed weapon or more than one weapon. You can interact with a second object or environmental feature for free during your turn.

Natural Camouflage

You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Languages

Ivathi is a language native to mothfolk. It is learned and internalized as a larvae and spoken upon emergence. The language is complex and almost impossible to speak with a human mouth, as mothfolk speak with a specialized organ in their throat that other beings lack. Ivathi sounds like a series of squishes, clicks, and chitters, cut with the occasional thrumming or soft vowel. It uses its own alphabet, and translating it to other scripts only results in an approximation of the language's true sound. If you know Ivathi, you can also communicate very simple ideas to moths bugs, and understand similar ideas from moths that choose to share them with you.