Homebrew Beorning Species Details
Beorn indeed became a great chief afterwards in those regions and ruled a wide land between the mountains and the wood…
When Beorn broke his isolation after the Battle of Five Armies, many Men chose him as their chieftain – mountain-hunters and fighters without allegiance, warriors who lost their families or who forsook their clans due to their violent tempers, and needful souls drawn to his protective nature.
Though initially few in numbers, these Beornings rapidly demonstrated that only those who are welcomed by the skin-changer can hope to cross the Great River Anduin with their lives. And Beorn does not welcome anybody with ease.
Description
Beornings are rugged men with brawny arms and legs, and lively women with undaunted eyes. Their spirit is reflected in their appearance: the women have long, wild hair and the men unkempt beards. Born free, they pay no tribute nor bow to any crown, keeping at peace the strip of land they have chosen as their own. All foes of the Beornings are mortal foes, but friends who prove to be trustworthy are friends for life.
Favouring efficiency over subtlety, Beornings usually carry sharp axes and long spears to battle.
Typical Names
The Northmen inhabiting the Vales of the Anduin River speak the same language and share a common vocabulary of personal names. The Beornings and the Woodmen are set apart especially by their peculiar use of bynames and nicknames. The Beornings are gradually embracing the custom of choosing for themselves names honouring their renowned chieftain, either by having a B as the first letter or containing the word for Bear (for example, Balderic, Beranald, Beormud, and so on). They further individualise their names by adding a byname, referring to their provenances or occupations, or physical or temperamental qualities (Arnulf the Old, Berangar the Eloquent). Bynames are often bestowed by an event, especially if connected to a special feat of skill or deed of renown.
Sample Female Names: Adosinda, Amalfrida, Amalina, Avagisa, Avina, Basina, Beranhild, Brunihild, Deuteria, Gailavira, Garsendis, Geleswinta, Gelvira, Grimhild, Gunteuch, Hermesind, Heva, Hilduara, Ingund, Radegund, Sichild, Verich, Waldrada, Wisigard
Sample Male Names: Agilfrid, Arnulf, Avagis, Baldac, Barald, Berangar, Cilderic, Eberulf, Eboric, Evermud, Frideger, Garivald, Geberic, Gerold, Grimfast, Hartmut, Hathus, Heriwulf, Ingund, Iwald, Leudast, Magneric, Maracar, Otbert, Ramnulf, Rathar, Rigunth, Sigeric, Theodard, Thorismund, Walcaud, Widuven, Wulferd.
Sample Bynames: …from or of a specific place (Amalina from the High Pass, Beran of the Mountains), the Bald, the Black, the Bold, the Captain, the Cloaked, the Crooked, the Eloquent, the Foresighted, the Good, the Goodsword, the Loyal, the Old, the Pugnacious, the Quickwitted, the Quiet, the Red, of the Red-shield, the Rich, the Runner, the Sad, the Sharp, the Smith, the Thin, the Trouble-maker, the Wise, the Young
Beorning Traits
Your character gains the following benefits based on their cultural heritage.Valiant.
You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Starting Virtue
Due to the extraordinary nature of their leader, the Beornings are said to possess all sorts of queer and dangerous qualities. Some of these Virtues seem to bear a resemblance to the fabled powers of the skin-changer himself, and could be attributed to the chieftain’s teachings.
Ability Score Increase
Your Strength, Constitution, and Wisdom scores each increase by 1. Then, increase one ability score of your choice by 1.
Adventuring Age
Between 14–40. It is not unusual for Beornings to answer the call for adventure as early as at 14 years of age, especially if their families have suffered at the hand of the servants of the Enemy. The hardiest (and luckiest!) among them continue up to their forties.
Size
Beornings are tall, often standing 6 feet tall or more. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read and write Westron and Sindarin.
Standard of Living: Frugal
The Beornings sustain themselves by breeding cattle and horses and keeping hives of great bees. Sometimes, they request the payment of a safe-passage toll from travellers crossing their lands, but this additional income does not make them rich.
Backgrounds
Players choosing a background receive a brief personal history, two skill proficiencies, a tool proficiency and two distinctive features.
Child of Two Folks
Many years ago, your father came down from the mountains and took as his wife a woman from the tribes of Mirkwood. You grew up among two worlds, seen as a stranger by both folks. For many years, you encountered suspicion and mistrust, and many scoffed at the colour of your eyes and hair. But you endured and were finally able to take what your heart deemed good from both your mother’s and your father’s kin.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Nature
Tool Proficiency: Herbalism kit
Distinctive Features: Rustic, Wilfull
Errand Rider
Since the time your family joined Beorn’s folk you have been a runner, a messenger carrying news for your folk. In your hide shoes, you have trodden the path that goes from the High Pass to the Old Ford countless times, always welcomed by chieftains and families eager to hear your tidings. You have brought joy and merriment with news of victory, but also woe and distress with tales of war and defeat.
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Travel
Tool Proficiency: Cobbler's tools
Distinctive Features: Fair-spoken, True-hearted
Head of the Family
Beorn, the great chieftain of your folk, sent your father to watch the mountain passes for the best part of the year, leaving you to provide for your family. Whenever the pursuit of an animal’s trail led you westward towards the mountains, your heart leapt in anticipation of the day your father would be back, with new stories to tell and fresh scars to testify to their truthfulness.
Skill Proficiencies: Hunting, Investigation
Tool Proficiency: Leatherworker’s tools
Distinctive Features: Eager, Inquisitive
Light-Foot
They say that when your father was on the look-out, he could hide even from the sight of the Great Eagles. From him you learnt that there is no dishonour in stealth, whether it is your task to spy upon your enemies or when you are keeping watch over a village of your folk. You have listened to your father’s advice and observed his crafty movements, trying to discover and learn his tricks.
Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Stealth
Tool Proficiency: Weaver's tools
Distinctive Features: Cunning, Wary
Protector of the Land
According to the old men of your folk, when your grandfather died he was more than one hundred years old. He was a hardy warrior, but you remember him be wrapped in his white wolf-skin, recounting tales about the bygone days of his youth. He could use words as precious as fine diamonds or as loud as clashing iron as he spoke of battles won and lost, of kings forgotten and buried, and of a threatening Shadow so old its age could not be counted in men’s lives. You treasure his tales as an invaluable inheritance.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Old Lore
Tool Proficiency: A gaming set of your choice
Distinctive Features: Proud, Stern
Voice from the Past
The elders and ancient warriors of your tribe spend the long evening hours talking in front of the hearth, on the stepped dais of the main hall. To the young and restless, their soft speaking may seem idle talk, but you loved to listen to their wise words as they exchanged tales and songs, as old as the intricate images wound around the wooden pillars of the hall. One day you might well end up adding your own words to the songs of your folk, strengthening the bonds of tradition.
Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Riddle
Tool Proficiency: A musical instrument of your choice
Distinctive Features: Honourable, Patient
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