Homebrew Cactusfolk Species Details

Origin: Cactusfolk originate from the northern deserts of Anauroch, given sentience by inherent magic beneath the sand of the deserts thousands of years ago. They are the only true native species to the region, and often came into conflict with the Bedine people who also call these regions home. These conflicts were not necessarily deadly, but more revolved around differences in culture and race. Once settlers from the coal rush moved in, more deadly conflicts occured, causing their dwindling numbers today.

Background: Cactusfolk are living plants, just as intelegent and quick-witted as other humanoids. They are extremely well-adapted to the desert, stretching resources to their limits and living off the land. They live in nomadic groups, traveling in small, enclosed tribes that rarely interact with other humanoids. What permanent settlements they have are small, usually used as nurserys to plant and nurture newborn Cactusfolk. They reproduce slowly and sexually, Most cactusfolk growing to 100 years old before they flower and produce their first sproutlings. To other humanoids, Cactusfolk are usually seen as nusances, abominations or less than human, treated as outsiders to society and commonly subjugated or oppressed. Their numbers dwindle each year, their slow repopulation and killings by humanoids slowly choking their population out. Cactusfolk value life and regrowth, sowing seeds in thier wake and protecting and what little flora is left in the arid deserts of Anauroch they call home. They see their land as sacred, as it is where they were birthed from.

Traits: Cactusfolk can be between 4-8 feet tall, depending on what type of cactus they are. They reach full maturity at age 30, and can grow to over 200 years old. Cactusfolk can have between 2-6 arms, varying from person to person. They are genderless, but sport gendered features of males and females. Their language is Cactin, a harsh language that consists of chitters, schratches, and creaks, their written language a series of straight scratches at different angles, width, and length. Their voices for other languages are typically deep and raspy, their vocal cords not built for common speech. Cactusfolk do not have faces, only large, gaping mouths on a head covered in rows of spikes and spines.

Cactusfolk Traits

Racial Traits:

Ability Score Increase:

Your Constitution score is increased by 2, and your Dexterity score is increased by 1.

 

Creature type:

You are a plant.

Languages:

You can speak, read, and write Common and Cactin. You can also communicate with plants.

Desert Adaptation:

You are unaffected by harsh sunlight. You need 1/4 the amount of water as a normal humanoid. If you drink / take in extra water, it is stored and used in rations for the days to come. You also consume water through rain, the amount per hour depending on the DM. (if you drink 1 gallon of water, it counts for and is used as 4 days of water).

Photosynthesis:

Your daily food ration is replaced with 1 hour of direct sunlight. If you are out of direct sunlight for more than 48 hours, you may become exhausted.

Waxy Epidermis:

You have resistance to fire damage.

Needled Offense:

Your unarmed attacks deal 1d4 piercing damage +Strength or Dexterity Modifier, whichever is higher. You can also throw your needles up to 60 ft, dealing 1d4 piercing damage + your Strength or Dexterity Modifier, whichever is higher.

Needled Defense:

When a creature within 5ft of you attacks you with a weapon or unarmed melee attack, grapples, or shoves you, they take 1d4 piercing damage. Additionally, if you grapple or shove a target, they take 1d4 piercing damage. For each of your turns you are grappling or being grappled, the enemy takes 1d4 piercing damage.

Sower of Sands:

You gain proficiency in the Nature skill.

Healing Aloe:

You can secrete a healing ointment from your hands, using a spell action to heal an ally within reach 1d6 + your level. You can use this once per long rest.

Improved Needled Offense:

Starting at level 3, your unarmed and throwning needles attacks now deal 1d6 + piercing your Strength or Dexterity modifier, whichever is higher.

 

Improved Needled Defense:

Starting at level 3, you can use a reaction whenever an enemy takes damage from your Needled Defences to instead deal 1d6 piercing + your Constitution modifier. This trait can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and restores upon long rest.