Homebrew Deku Scrub Species Details

In the elven southlands of Alden, far from the arboreal tree cities of the taller folk, Deku Scrubs find their home. Foreign to these lands the woodland swamp dwellers have carved out their existence in the heart of the Southern Swamp. Deku Scrubs are not mere forest spirits; they are a thriving civilization governed by the Deku Royal Family, bound by traditions and lore as deep as the roots of the ancient swamp they inhabit.

Known for their complex society, the Deku Scrubs have developed a sophisticated education system. Young Deku learn about their history, culture, and the magic that infuses their swampy home. Wary of outsiders, they often respond with hostility to those who intrude without invitation, ensuring the safety and secrecy of their hidden world. As they grow and age, they are eventually called Deku “Scrubs” to denote the wisdom of adulthood.

Deku Scrubs' society is deeply intertwined with the natural world. They are skilled horticulturists and animal husbandrists, cultivating rare plants and herbs essential for their survival and magical practices, and livestock to feed their people in the poor growing conditions of their homeland. Their rituals and ceremonies honor the spirits of the swamp and the animals they rear, reflecting a deep spiritual connection to their environment.

In the wider world, Deku Scrubs are known for their untrusting but steady demeanor and knowledge of nature and magic, making them valuable allies in times of need. However, their trust is not easily earned, and those who seek their friendship must show respect for their way of life. Despite their small stature, Deku Scrubs are resilient and adaptable, embodying the tenacity of the flora they resemble. They remind others that even the smallest and seemingly weakest beings can hold great strength and wisdom within their leafy forms.

The Deku Scrubs' society is also known for its intricate system of communication, relying heavily on musical notes and rhythms. This unique form of communication is not only a means of conveying messages but also an important part of maintaining the health of their complex airways. Despite their seemingly peaceful existence, Deku Scrubs are not to be underestimated. Their society is built on a foundation of resilience and adaptability, traits that have allowed them to thrive in an often hostile environment. They are fiercely protective of their home and will defend it with a ferocity that belies their small stature.

A Deku Scrub stands shorter than a human, between 2 and 4 ft tall, resembling small animated trees more than animals. Their bodies are covered in tough, bark-like skin, and their eyes glimmer with a vibrant, almost otherworldly light. Deku Scrubs are extremely lightweight, and their bodies are powered hydraulically with their sap being the only fluid therein. With wide round snouts, large eyes, and no visible nose or ears, the most distinctive feature of a Deku Scrub is their floral head, which can sprout leaves and small flowers, adding to their camouflage or self-expression within the verdant swamp.

In the close-knit community of the Deku Scrubs, life revolves around the shared responsibility of raising the young, who are affectionately known simply as Deku. This communal approach to child-rearing reflects the Deku Scrubs' values of unity, cooperation, and deep-rooted connections to both their kin and their environment.

From sprouting, Deku are nurtured by the entire community. Mothers, fathers, elders, and other members all play vital roles in the upbringing of the young. The Deku Royal Family sets an example of leadership and care, reinforcing the importance of every Deku’s role in the greater society.

The nurturing environment extends to every corner of their swampy home. Deku learn to move through the wetlands with ease, hopping across water surfaces and leaping from lily pad to leaf with the help of their elders. The swamp itself acts as a vast classroom, where young Deku absorb lessons of their heritage, magic, and survival.

Education is a communal effort, with knowledge passed down through storytelling, songs, and hands-on learning. Elders and experienced Deku Scrubs teach the young about horticulture, animal husbandry, and the ancient rituals that honor the spirits of the swamp. The Deku are taught to respect and protect their home, understanding the delicate balance of nature and their place within it.

Every Deku is encouraged to explore their natural abilities. They practice their unique skills in druidcraft, combat, and sap and nut usage under the watchful eyes of their mentors. This training hones their abilities, strengthens their bond with the swamp, and prepares them for adulthood.

The transition from Deku to Deku Scrub is marked by a special ceremony celebrating their growth and readiness for adult responsibilities. Young Deku demonstrate their mastery of skills and commitment to their community. They receive floral head adornments, symbolizing their readiness to contribute as adults. The community gathers, with the Deku Royal Family presiding, to witness this joyous event.

As adults, Deku Scrubs live communally, with each member contributing to society's well-being. They engage in farming, mining, animal husbandry, and advanced craftsmanship, maintaining their natural habitat. Rituals and ceremonies remain central, reinforcing their connection to the swamp and the spirits they revere.

Deku Scrubs are vigilant protectors of their home. They patrol the swamp, using their keen senses and unique abilities to fend off threats and ensure community safety. Their resilience and adaptability make them formidable guardians of the Southern Swamp.

The relationship between Deku Scrubs and their neighbors the elves and Lizardfolk is complex and rooted in mutual respect and a wary co-existence. Deku Scrubs, with their strong ties to the natural world, are mostly ignored by the elves and recognize the Lizardfolk as formidable allies and fierce predators. While the Deku Scrubs are primarily focused on horticulture and animal husbandry, they understand the Lizardfolk's carnivorous nature and their role as hunters in the ecosystem.

Despite their differences, the Deku Scrubs and Lizardfolk have found ways to coexist. The Deku Scrubs provide the Lizardfolk with medicinal herbs, enchanted flora, and guidance on the swamp’s best hunting grounds. In return, the Lizardfolk protect the Deku Scrubs from external threats and help maintain the delicate balance of the swamp’s ecosystem.

There is an unspoken agreement between the two races: the Deku Scrubs do not interfere with the Lizardfolk's hunting practices, and the Lizardfolk respect the Deku Scrubs' territory and their role as stewards of the swamp. While interactions are often cautious, there is a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation that allows both races to thrive within the Southern Swamp.

The Deku Scrubs' wary demeanor ensures that they remain vigilant around the Lizardfolk, but their steady and dependable nature has fostered a relationship built on necessity and survival. In times of great need, the two races can come together, combining their unique strengths to protect their shared home.

 

Deku Scrub Traits

Your Deku Scrub character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Deku Scrubs reach adulthood around age 30 and can live up to 600 years before rooting in place and living on as a shrub or tree.

Alignment

Deku Scrubs are isolationists by nature, making them neutral, but their reliance on the strength of their group makes them trend toward law.

Size

Deku Scrubs stand between 2 and 4 feet tall, and weigh between 10 and 50 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Natural Armor

Your skin is made of sturdy bark. When you aren’t wearing armor, your base AC is 15 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor. However, if you are unarmored, you are vulnerable to fire damage.

Deku Nut

Once per combat, as a bonus action, you can shoot a deku nut from your snout at a target of your choice within 35ft. Make a ranged weapon attack you are considered proficient in. When you hit with the nut it deals 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier bludgeoning damage and the target must make a constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + Dexterity modifier + Constitution modifier) or be stunned until the end of its next turn.

Sap Bubble

As an action, you can draw your sap into your snout and blow it into a thick bubble. For every 5 feet of movement speed you expend, the bubble grows one size category, starting at Small and pushing creatures out of its space, including yourself if it can't grow outwards. Creatures pushed by the bubble can choose what space they're pushed into and if they would be pushed into a hazard the creature can expend its reaction to make an attack against the bubble. The bubble stretches around corners, conforming to the space it's in. It's an object with 5 hit points, once it reaches 0 hit points, it bursts, coating all surrounding spaces it was in contact with in sticky sap. This sap reduces the movement speed of creatures that enter these spaces by half.

You can use this ability a number of times equal to your constitution modifier per long rest. You recover 5 feet of expended movement every round, and 10 feet if you don't move on your turn.

Photosynthetic

As a photosynthetic plant, you breathe stale air and produce fresh air. In a closed environment, you produce enough fresh air to sustain two Medium-sized creatures and need at least two creatures to breathe yourself.

Water Skipping

Given your extremely light weight, you can often skip across the surface of water. On your turn, if you take the Dash action and are carrying less than your body weight, you can skip across the surface of a body of water. If you end your turn over the water, you are submerged into it as you sink.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.