Homebrew Chiroptera Species Details

From deep within the Underdark, the Chiroptera are a nocturnal bat-like race of which very few are aware. Depending on the region, you may be looked upon with either wonder or paranoia, with few being entirely sure of how to react to your presence.

Occasionally mistaken for Vampires or Tieflings, the Chiroptera often feature thin spaded tails, pale skin, fangs, pointed ears, white eyes, and leathery wings.

Usually sporting a Chaotic Neutral approach, the Chiroptera are often quite mischievous and opportunistic, willing to help lost adventurers for a price, or actively getting them lost for entertainment. Legends say the Chiroptera were once stewards of hidden passageways beneath the world, guiding lost creatures through tunnels of darkness in exchange for songs, stories, and sometimes blood. Their culture grew around this trade, bartering in knowledge and secrets more than gold.

On the surface world, Chiroptera are rare, exotic, and often misunderstood. Their blindness, odd speech patterns (which often include odd chirps or clicks), and eerie silence when still can unnerve outsiders. Some mistake them for vampires, especially when seeing their fangs and nocturnal habits. Despite this, some surface dwellers seek Chiroptera out as guides through underground regions, though doing so means navigating their mercurial humor and sometimes cryptic "payment." Dwarves respect their knowledge of the deep earth but distrust their playful morality. The Drow view them as either nuisances or potential allies, depending on the colony.

Chiroptera Traits

Creature Type, Size, Speed, Echolocation, Hyperacusis, Blind, Winged, Fanged, Languages

Creature Type

You are a humanoid

Size

You are Small or Medium, and oddly light considering that size.

Speed

You have a walking speed of 35 feet.

Echolocation

You have Blindsight out to a range of 30 feet. While you are Deafened, you lose the benefits of this Blindsight, even if its range is increased by feats or class features.

Hyperacusis

You are vulnerable to Thunder damage.

Blind

You are always considered to have the Blinded condition. You can ignore this condition within the range and limitations of your Blindsight.

Winged

Leathery bat-like wings protrude from your back. While not wearing medium or heavy armor, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. In addition, you can cling to walls and ceilings as if affected by the Spider Climb spell. You may rest or sleep while clinging in this way.

Fanged

Your fangs are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the normal damage for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak and write Common and two additional languages of your choice. You are unable to read traditional visual writing without magical or tactile assistance.