Homebrew Vanderpi Species Details

Large, nomadic Beetle folk native to the titan trees of the North East, the Vanderpi (VAHn-dur-pee) are solitary travelers who carry their worlds on their backs. Masters of bartering and commerce, the Vanderpi spend most of their lives scaling the trunks of the titan trees, conversing and trading all the while, before leaping down to the forest floor to start again.

Similarly to other arthropods, the Vanderpi continuously molt as they get older; about once every five years by the time they are adults. Slightly larger with every new molt, Vanderpi never stop growing, beginning adulthood at 4 and a half feet, and reaching heights of 7 feet by their first century.

Their discarded exoskeleton is a prized item, and can fetch for thousands of gold pieces with the right vendor. When in the hands of an elvish smith, Vanderpi heads are fashioned into decorative helms often worn by high ranking Elven soldiers. Their elytra are used to create sturdy shields, and limb segments are also used to craft bracers and greaves.

While generally self-reliant, Vanderpi are often contracted by the Elven nations of Therenor to import specialty items from other civilizations; carrying hundreds of pounds of goods upon their backs as they climb. No internal skeleton means massive lengths of muscle can be packed within their chitinous limbs, allowing the Vanderpi to more efficiently generate force and effortlessly carry heavy loads. Vanderpi will often have to deter wild arboreal beasts on their travels, and their heightened musculature allows them to place some extra force in their attacks as they defend their trade routes.

It may seem burdensome, but Vanderpi are biologically adapted to this nomadic lifestyle; While not an issue during climbs, standing Vanderpi are clumsy and Top-heavy. a few dozen extra pounds placed upon their backs refocuses their center of gravity and prevents them from toppling over. When standing in place, they will squat on their back legs to aid in centering themselves, even maintaining this position as they sleep.

Some Vanderpi may find the prospects of trading within their tree unfavorable. Others may simply have no interest in spending their lives scaling the titan trees. For whatever reason, it is not entirely uncommon for Vanderpi to leave their trade route and become wandering merchants or adventurers. These Vanderpi may carry with them walking sticks, or an additional few dozen pounds in gear and materials to maintain their balance. They may also choose to age themselves with the completion of lengthy quests and journeys, or adopt the day they left as their birthday and follow the standard calendar.

Creating Your Character

If you create a Vanderpi character, follow these additional rules during character creation.

As a Vanderpi, you have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, your Strength Score increases by 2, and your Charisma Score increases by 1. Alternatively, you can increase one score by 2 and a different one by 1, or increase three scores by 1. None of these increases can raise a score above 20.

Age

Vanderpi measure their age in voyages rather than years, and can comfortably make 250 or more (Approximately 120 years) before they expire. A vanderpi’s first 10 voyages are under the supervision of a guardian before they are considered experienced enough to set out on their own, though they are not adults until their 20th.

Vanderpi who leave the titan trees may age themselves with the completion of lengthy quests and journeys, or adopt the day they left as their birthday and follow the standard calendar.

Size

Your size is Medium (about 4.5–7 feet tall, dependent on age).

Speed

You have a Walking Speed of 30 ft. and a Climbing Speed of 30 ft.

Haggler

Your life centers around barter and trade. You have advantage on the first Persuasion, Deception, or Intimidation check made to receive a discount from a vendor. Once you have made this check, you can no longer use this trait again on the same vendor, regardless of the check chosen or if it succeeded or failed.

Coleopteran Flight

Your bulky insectoid wings allow you to clumsily hover to safety. You can cast Feather Fall on yourself a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. you regain these uses after a long rest.

Territorial

When a creature first enters a space within 15ft of you and ends it's turn there, you can use a reaction to add an additional 1d10 damage of the type of your next weapon or magic attack, so long as you target that creature.

Insectoid Endurance

Your carrying capacity is tripled. Additionally, you can ignore the first level of exhaustion you receive once per long rest.

If you gain additional levels in exhaustion after using this feature, you are unable to benefit from this feature again until you have taken a long rest at zero levels of exhaustion.

Languages

Your character knows at least two languages: Common and Elvish. Knowledge of a language means your character can communicate in it, read it, and write it.