Homebrew Mothfolk Species Details
Moody and perplexing, isolated and elegant, tough and passionate, the ways in which one might describe the mothfolk are many - although those capable of pronouncing the true name of the species are few and far between. They're a quiet breed with a tendency toward nature - solitary, yet intimate creatures with a penchant for thought and ritual. Often on their feet or in the skies, even the most fierce and untamed of mothfolk carry an attitude of worldly place that comes from their nomadic lifestyle. They owe their lives to the land they come from, and often find themselves responsible for its protection. Pensive, loving, determined, and gentle, the mothfolk are hidden away, but not to be overlooked.
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, threefingered 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. 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
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 6–7 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet
Wings
As a mothkin, you have large, cloak-like wings. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. You cannot fly while wearing Heavy armor.
Darkvision
Your compound eyes are excellent at finding what little light there is in darkness. You have Darkvision with a range of 120 feet. You can discern colors in dim light and darkness, but only on the ultraviolet spectrum.
Armed and Dangerous
Mothfolk have four arms, two of which can hold objects and wield weapons as normal. The other two arms cannot be used to wield weapons or shields. You can interact with a second object or feature of the environment for free during your turn.
Compound Eyes
You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Ivathi, and one language of your choice. 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, and understand similar ideas from moths that choose to share them with you.
(Ivathi must be added manually.)
Subspecies
All mothfolk share a common ancestor, but there are three distinct groups of mothfolk that roam the world, each with their own customs and abilities. Most live in secluded communities, but some have chosen to engage in the world society. Choose one of these subraces, Luna, Diamondback, or Royal.
Luna
Luna mothfolk are by far the most reclusive and mysterious, to the point where in some places they are merely considered the stuff of myth and legend. The greatest philosophers and seers of the mothfolk are found among them, and they carry a deep reverence for nature. Graceful and beautiful creatures, these mothfolk have semi-transluscent wings hued in green, blue, pink, or yellow, and their exoskeletons are covered by a thick coat of soft white fur.
Close to Nature: Pick one cantrip of your choice from the Druid spell list. You can use Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability for it. Choose when you pick this race.
Soothing Appearance: You have advantage on Animal Handling checks to calm hostile or agitated animals.
Epitome of Grace: You can cast Feather Fall at will without requiring any components, but you can only target yourself.
Diamondback
Diamondback mothfolk are the hardiest, most warrior-like breed of moth. With their thick earthen carapaces and slender brown, grey, black, or tan wings, they blend into the rocky deserts and mountains of their origin. Diamondbacks are excellent hunters, trackers, and fighters, with a powerful, armor-like exoskeleton.
Hardened Carapace: Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level. Additionally, when you aren't wearing armor, you have a natural AC of 14 + your Dexterity modifier (to a maximum of 2). You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC.
A Warrior's Upbringing: You have proficiency with the spear, trident and war pick, as well as one simple or martial weapon of your choice.
Royal
Diplomatic, professional, and never at a loss for words, the Royal moths are by far the most accepted by general society. As their name suggests, many Royals are nobles, diplomats, or negotiators. As a people, they have managed to throw off most of the common misconceptions and elements of the uncanny surrounding mothfolk culture - a large part of this simply due to the fact that most of them simply don't speak Ivathi nor engage in more "mothly" behaviors when around the more "common" folk. The fact that their multicolored wings tend to be emblazoned with beautiful, intricate patterns helps in this as well.
Extra Languages: You can speak, read, and write two extra languages of your choice.
High Class: You can double your proficiency bonus for Charisma checks when speaking with noble or higher class creatures (DM's discretion).
Well-Mannered: Whenever you make an ability check with a Charisma-based skill you are proficient in, you can treat a d20 roll of 4 or lower as a 5.
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